Toolkit 2: New Homes and Renovations
Laundry Areas
Laundries often involve noise, heat, moisture, and strong sensory input. Thoughtful choices in appliances and surfaces at the design stage can help reduce sensory load.
Design for moisture control
Include space for a heat-pump dryer, ducting and external venting if needed, and good airflow to reduce humidity.
Laundry areas are usually humid, hot, and noisy. So, managing moisture can make the space more comfortable. It also protects the rest of the home from dampness and condensation. This can be especially important in shared homes or homes where lots of laundry is done.
Specify good drainage and waterproofing
Design for proper drainage with floor slopes that direct water to drains, sealed and water‑resistant finishes to floors, and waterproof membranes in all wet areas from the beginning.
This helps prevent unexpected puddles or dampness, which can be both a sensory and safety issue. Good drainage also helps protect surrounding spaces from water damage.
For stacked appliances, use a stacking kit with a pull‑out shelf
When stacking a dryer above a front loading washing machine, using a proper stacking kit keeps both appliances stable and secure. Some stacking kits include a built in pull-out shelf.
This provides a convenient surface for loading, unloading, or sorting laundry without needing extra bench space. These kits are model specific, so availability depends on the brand and appliance sizes.
Choose quiet‑operation machines
Choose quiet-operation washing machines and dryers where possible, and specify vibration-damping mounts if needed. Reducing machine noise and vibration can make laundries less stressful to use and can also reduce sound transfer into nearby rooms.
