Trying to decide whether or not to have a second floor laundry room? I share the pros and cons along with tips on preventing flooding if you move everything upstairs!
As with open shelving in the kitchen, second floor laundry rooms seem to divide people squarely into one of two camps – those who love it and those who are adamantly against it. When we added on to our house in Cincinnati, I had several people advise me to rethink my plan to move the laundry room upstairs but in the end I decided to go ahead with it. I’m so glad I did – I loved it!
We used our upstairs laundry room for about four years until we moved and I thought it might help to share my experience, including the pros and cons and some important tips for preventing everyone’s biggest fear about a second floor laundry room – flooding! Hopefully this post will be helpful to those of you considering an upstairs laundry room as part of new construction or a home remodel. (post includes affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
Moving Washer & Dryer to Upstairs Laundry Room – The Pros
1. No more lugging laundry up and down the stairs!
The dirty clothing, sheets, and towels that make up 95% of our laundry are generated upstairs so having a second floor laundry room eliminates the lugging of laundry baskets up and down the stairs.
2. You can eliminate the use of hampers in bedrooms/bedroom closets.
Older houses such as ours have small closets, making closet space a precious commodity. Since our laundry room is in the middle of the second floor, I keep two large hampers in the laundry room and we put our dirty clothes directly in these hampers rather than keeping hampers in our rooms. In addition to freeing up space in the bedroom closets, it eliminates the time it takes to collect the laundry from various rooms before starting the wash.
3. Doing the laundry takes less time
For both of the reasons above, doing laundry takes less time. And let’s face it, could there be a bigger pro??
Moving Washer & Dryer to Upstairs Laundry Room – The Cons
1. Second floor laundry rooms can make it hotter in the summer
Running the dryer during the summer months can make it hotter upstairs and increase your a/c bill. However, I found that if I’m vigilant about keeping the door from the laundry room to the hall shut, it’s not an issue.
2. Noise from the washer and dryer can wake nappers
I am blessed with having girls who are great sleepers so it’s never been an issue in our house, but if you have light sleepers and like to do laundry at nap time and nighttime, noise from the washer and dryer being a problem is something to think about.
3. Possible flood damage
A washing machine that overflows or washer hose that bursts can cause much more damage to the house when the washer is on the second floor. Fortunately, if you follow a few simple tips (see below) it will significantly minimize the likelihood that this will be an issue.
4. Vibration of Washer
Front loading washing machines can cause significant vibration during the spin cycle and potentially result in the machine “walking”, although it’s much less of an issue with today’s front loading washer and dryers than when they first came out. For this reason, some choose to use the older style top loaders in second floor laundry rooms. If you’re getting a new washer and dryer for an upstairs laundry room, definitely check reviews about how much vibration the sets you are looking at produce and use that information in making your purchase decision. If you have issues with vibration and “walking” of your washer and dryer, anti-vibration pads such as {these} can definitely help (I’ve tried them myself and they work well!).
How to Prevent Floods in a Second Floor Laundry Room
1. Have a Water Shut-off Valve That’s Easily Accessible
When your washer isn’t in use, use the water shut-off valve to turn off the water supply to the washer to eliminate the possibility of a flood due to a burst hose. Another option is to install an electronic valve shutoff kit such as Floodstop (available {here}) that has a water sensor that you place under the washing machine – when water is sensed due to a leak or flooding it automatically shuts off the water supply.
2. Use Steel Braided Washer Hoses
Steel braided washer hoses such as {these} are much less likely to burst than standard washer hoses so paying just a few dollars more for a higher quality washer hose is definitely worth it. Upgrading to steel braided hoses is actually a good idea no matter what floor your washer is located on.
3. Place Your Washing Machine in a Drain Pan
By using a drain pan, if your washing machine were to overflow, it would go down the sides of the machine into the drain pan, which is attached to a pipe that drains the water away and prevent an upstairs flood.
4.Consider Adding a Leak Detector
In a worst case scenario that a floor does occur, a leak detector can alert you to the problem before the damage becomes to great. Newer ones such as {this leak alert device} have the ability to send you an email alert so you are alerted even if you’re not home to hear it. I actually have one of these by our water heater and luckily we haven’t needed it but I’ve tested it and it works great!
Having had homes with laundry rooms on all different levels (including the basement – hated that!!), a second floor laundry room is definitely my preferred spot. I’d love to hear your experiences – if you’ve had both first and second floor laundry, which do you prefer?
Amanda says
Great tips! I am about 90% sure I am going to move my laundry room upstairs but don’t know many people with it. Flooding and waking up (future) kids were 2 things some friends warned us about. Great to hear your perspective and that you had a good experience. Thanks for sharing.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I think you’ll really like it Amanda! My theory about why my kids are such good sleepers is that I never tried to make it 100% quiet around them during naptime so they learned to sleep through anything. So not that you asked for parenting advice… but when those future kids come your way, get them used to the laundry noise from day 1 and I bet you’ll be good to go!
Ellora @ Creatively Southern says
My laundry room is upstairs and I thought I’d hate that, but turns out just like you said… close to all the rooms and much more what I prefer. We have a drain pan too. I did have a front load washer until a few months ago. For several reasons, I changed back to a top load, but the vibration was a big reason! Great post!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
It’s funny that you say that Ellora because it seems like a lot of people who get front loaders are unhappy with them for various reasons. I’d be interested to hear what your other reasons for switching back to a top loader were!
Sam says
I have a front loader and I have to leave the door open to ensure it dries in there (this would not work in a closet style laundry space that is small depth wise), I have to be gentle when closing door vs just slamming it (a bad tendency of mine haha!)
Chuckles says
Who should I hire to make a main floor laundry? Plumber?
Some other type of worker?
Maybe a handy man or carpenter to hang a folding or sliding door to create a little laundry closet in the dining room, which backs to the bathroom?
I think the washer can connect to the bathroom pipes and stack that way.
What about the weight of a washer and dryer?
Get an architect or general contractor ?
Get permits so the city can approve this rather alteration y2k the house?
Probably raise my taxes but worth it to have the work overseen by someone who is supposed to k ow about this sort of thing.
Just me and hubby now, kids are grown. Thinking of an apartment size washer and dryer.
All comments welcome.
[email protected] says
We just had to make a similar decision but went the other way. Our house has a laundry closet on the second floor landing, but when we moved here we opted to use the basement laundry room primarily because of the noise issue for the adjacent bedrooms. Last fall we had to replace the washer and considered moving upstairs. The deal breaker this time was venting the dryer. The old system just took the vent hose up to the attic and let it stop under a fan which is now long gone. We considered running the vent house to an outside wall but the angles and length of vent necessary were likely to cause problems. Soo back to the basement. And given the much higher noise level of the new washer, that’s a good location.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Sounds like the basement is the best option for you! When we had ours in the basement, we had a laundry shoot from the second floor which was a life saver. Any chance you could add one??
Kristin says
We have a second floor laundry and I am trying to find a way to move it to the first for two reasons:
Sleep is a major issue – although my younger son has had the laundry room outside his door his whole life he still can’t sleep through any part of it. If I put him down while the dryer is finishing he won’t fall asleep until it is done and may wake back up if I try to open it so I can fold.
While most of my laundry comes from upstairs my really dirty laundry comes from the first floor (muddy clothes I don’t let past the garage, kitchen rags). So I have to carry that up right away anyway. Also, I fold downstairs so I can watch tv/chat with my husband so I have to carry all the laundry down, then back up to put away…that counts as exercise, right?
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thats a bummer about the sleep issue – that would be enough to make me want to make a change too!
Denise says
Hi Charlene,
I have been debating this issue, and discovered there are several ventless dryers on the market (a common appliance in Europe). A little more expensive, but may be worth it.
DeAnna Arnold says
When I built, I hear all the issues. I put my washer dryer upstairs and for fear of overflow I decided to put a run-off drain. It is simply a drain with the metal cover under the floor to the outside. My washer has overflowed twice. No water damage because of the drain.
Sandra Yochim says
We have an upstairs laundry for the kids and a main floor laundry for my husband and I. Our master bedroom is on the main floor. We didn’t plan on having two laundry rooms but there was an underutilized space upstairs that was perfect for a second laundry room. I love having the upstairs laundry. My teenage daughter does her own laundry without us even asking. Our front load washer is in a pan as advised and has built in vibration reduction technology. We don’t even notice it running most of the time. Love it, love it, love it.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thanks for sharing your experience Sandra – how awesome to have two laundry room (and a teenager who does laundry without being asked!). I’ve read about the newer front loaders with the vibration reduction technology and it’s great to know that it’s worked for you – would love to have a front loader in our second floor laundry room when the top loader dies.
Theresa says
We are remodeling (kids are gone) and we are doing a master suite upstairs with a laundry room. That is where most of the towels, sheets, clothes will be.
We are also putting a washer and dryer in the basement for when the Grands are here for the parents to use.
Thanks for your input…I was most worried about the vibration but we bought a new top loader so it shouldn’t be an issue for us either.
Marty says
This was sime great information, nothing like first hand knowledge. We are hoping to put the laundry room on the 2nd floor of our remodel and have been wary of vibration. Found this product and wondered if anyone had used it ?
Thanks
Marty
Eva says
Putting a laundry room on the first floor, I believe, was the idea of a builder who never had to do laundry. Why go through the trouble of reinforcing the 2nd floor and lugging a washer and dryer upstairs one time when the person doing laundry can just lug heavy laundry up and down stairs forever? I own a two story home which came with a washer & dryer in the garage. If you park your cars in there, you can’t do laundry. If you herniate a disc, like I did, you can’t carry heavy loads. I solved my problem by adding a stackable upstairs where the builder had placed an extra sink outside of the master bathroom. Do I want to brush my teeth while my husband is in the bathroom or would I rather not have to carry laundry up and down stairs? The answer to that was easy. Now I have the best of both worlds. Muddy clothes, rags & dog bed? Downstairs!! Everything else gets done upstairs! I feel like a genius! A happy genius!
Kris Jarrett says
Sounds like the perfect solution!!!
Maureen says
My upstairs neighbors has a washer and dryer in an apartment building that is not supposed to have washer and dryers in. I live first floor and I’m getting the vibration off of it it is making me sick I can’t sleep because my bed is constantly vibrating how do I stop the vibration please help this has been going on for a year!!!!
Johnny Danger says
This is an old article I realize, but this is also the Internet and I must add my two cents… Personally the risk of water damage by having the washer upstairs is too great. The pan yes a must. Steel hoses yes a must. Good homeowners insurance just in case a must. Will it happen probably not, but it could. There is another solution. Washer downstairs dryer upstairs. You take the wet clothes in the laundry basket upstairs and dry them where you are closer to their final home. This is the route I took and I think it is a great compromise that might work for someone else. Nobody says washers and dryers have to live next to each other.
sam says
I hardly manage carrying dry (lighter in weight) clothes and you carry a wet load upstairs. That’d be a No for me. Great idea if it works for you though 🙂
Anonymous says
This is a really good idea, actually. Thanks!
2shay says
Lug wet clothes from the washer to the upstairs dryer? Are you kidding. You do realize laundry baskets have holes in them right? Lets just leave a bunch of spilled water all over the floor to mop up after you just carried 40 lbs up steps.
I am looking to do an addition to my home, laundry room/1/2 bath onto my carport to bring my laundry from the basement. Plus I have a 1 bathroom home so a spare toilet for guests would be nice. I have ranch style home and I think this might be a good choice for me.
Jan says
Nothing better than a second floor laundry room,No up and down 2 flights of stairs. It is so convenient. All my laundry was basically upstairs except for a few dish towels and hand towels. I love it. I do most of my laundry at night and my children actually use to like to fall a asleep to the noise of the dryer
Kris Jarrett says
I totally agree! We are in a new house now and I miss my second floor laundry room so much!
Steven says
They missed one of the biggest cons for convenience: it is much easier to carry dirty (but dry) laundry downstairs then it is to carry wet clean laundry downstairs when you go to the clothesline (assuming the clothesline is in the backyard on the ground floor).
Anonymous says
Unheard of in houses outside of the USA where people use the washing lines to dry clothes rather than environmentally (and electricity bill) unfriendly driers.
Moving dirty laundry downstairs over moving wet laundry downstairs and outside? no content.
Upstairs is for sleeping (peace and quiet), downstairs is for living and being active.
Laundry speed says
In USA all gone working most of time. Everyone is busy. Clothes left on line would get dirty and rained on or snowed on.
Time is a big factor. Two hour commute every day total. eight hour shift plus lunch. Gone 11 hours a day if it is a short day.
If lucky may get 8 hours of sleep twice a week. Most get by on 6 to 7 hours of sleep a night. So, at home have six to seven hours to see the rest of the family, make dinner, do chores, clean up, and rest. This is why have dryers. Children are busier than adults with homework, sports, friends, special activities and family time. Dryers, microwaves, and anything to speed up chores is a help. The best new item is the robot vacuum. It can be programed to clean and put itself up at hours you request.
Leading busy fast paced life. Clothes dried in the sun and smelling of good clean air is a luxury many cannot afford in USA. No time.
DEvans says
We currently have washer and dryer downstairs but hang dry most closthes for environmental and cost reasons. We use a drying rack and bar inside the laundry room. We are moving to a house with the laundry room upstairs which I consider a plus. I don’t believe sound or vibrations will be an issue nor do I believe a flood will go outside the pan. To save space, I’m using a stackable front loaded to allow room for hang drying as the laundry room is quite small and really only fits the washer and dryer.
Betty says
I believe the degradation of our floors upstairs are a direct result of having the front loading on the 2nd floor. I didn’t notice the floor feeling “soft” when we moved in 5 years ago, but today they feel weeker.
Courtney says
We have 1400 sq. ft and 3 kids. Our laundry room (closet) is on 2nd floor and I love it. Kids’ clothes go right into washer as they go in to the bathtub. No hampers in their rooms. My friend’s upstairs washing machine recently exploded somehow and gallons and gallons of water burst out of the laundry room causing 40k of damage. A drain pan would not have contained it for sure. Their home insurance paid for all repairs. I wonder how often this really happens? My opinion is that the convenience of 2nd floor laundry room outweighs the small risk of huge damage that home insurance would pay for anyway.
Kris Jarrett says
Oh wow – that would be horrible! I would sure think that the risk for something that catastrophic happening would be low. I loved our second floor laundry room!
Anonymous says
Starting to build our house this year, have allowed for two small laundry areas, one at the back door where hubby is likely to drag in muddy boots and overalls. these can be washed downstairs as can floor cloths, dish towels and hand towels from the ground floor.
we are putting a small laundry room upstairs then with a top loading machine (thanks for that advice as would likely have got a front loader, more popular in Ireland). the upstairs floor will be reinforced concrete anyway and both floors will have underfloor heating so intend to air dry clothes on a clothes horse in both laurdry. there is a laundry chute going in connecting one to the other. In good weather we can run the wet clothes from upstairs through the chute and dry outside on line. Lugging back upstairs will be required of course in this event but thats the price you pay for free drying outside! hoping not to need a dryer at all, have one in our current home with no underfloor heating or heat recovery system and still rarely use it other than to soften towel and jeans! little worried about the flooding, but going to get plumber to fit isolation valve.
Regina T Chustz says
I know I may be the minority, but our house has a laundry room upstairs and a laundry closet downstairs in our master ensuite. We love this! It has been so convenient, and I highly recommend this to anyone building a home or remodeling.
Carol says
My washer and dryer are in a hall closet on the second floor. For the past 35 years I have not had to carry baskets up and down stairs. The equipment was originally in a galvanized pan. The original Maytags lasted 33 years (small family here) and were working well. However, the washer apparently developed a small leak which eventually rusted through the pan and stained the ceiling below. A new pan went under the new washer. I love my upstairs laundry.
Dan says
I Built a 2nd floor laundry closet with proper venting, exhaust, floor drain, & lighting I can honestly say…. I love it, absolutely love it. As a man at home who does his own laundry and tired of not having a laundry available as it’s usually tied up or a mess of clothing, however, that said, the only thing better than a 2nd floor laundry is keeping the main floor Laundry… Now we have 2. No arguments, no hassles no wait times 2 laundry’s going at the same time is a snap and super convenient. Cant wait to build my third laundry in the basement for the upcoming future in-law/ nanny suite ; )
CB says
I preferred a second floor laundry. Just moved into my second new home and couldn’t believe the laundry room was on 1st floor. Adjusting but already are looking at 2 areas upstairs to move the laundry during our first big renovation.
Mike Linch says
A big concern we see is the vibration from the machines cause a lot of drywall seem popping and cracking on the ceilings and walls below the 2nd floor laundry from the vibration. I was also concerned about the increased noise, humidity, and heat. Even zoned, 2nd floors can struggle with cooling in our hot climate.
My wife wants one in our new house, and I am just weighing the pros and cons. I wish I could get her to consider a ranch, but she feels safer sleeping on the 2nd floor versus a ground level bedroom.
Sandra says
We have laundry on the second floor and love it. We also have a top loader and the only thing I have trouble with is balancing the load. On occasion when I think I’ve fretted enough about the balancing the washer still bangs in the first spin. I readjust the clothes and it rinses and spins as it should.
I am thinking about replacing the washer with a front loader because of the balancing issue. Could someone comment on this issue?
Thanks!
Chris says
My washer and dryer have been side-by-side in a closet in the upstairs hall for nearly 36 years. I wouldn’t have it any other way. No going up and down with laundry baskets for me. The original pan under them was sheet metal and hooked a drain. After 33 years, a small leak from the original washer (a 1984 Maytag) rusted out the pan and stained the ceiling below. The replacement washer is in a plastic pan. Vibrations have only been an issued when the washer is unbalanced. When the closet doors are closed much of the sound it muffled. If I ever move, the laundry must be close to the bedrooms.
Jamies A Halstead says
When i first got married we lived in a single story house (no chose for basement) the LR was in the same hallway as the bedrooms. The twins would only sleep when the dryer was running for white noise.
Then we moved to a bigger place the washer dryer was in the mud room to the garage but bedrooms were upstairs (that was horrible) we were constantly rewashing cloths and it was unsightly.
Then i made first class and moved into e-6 and about housing new construction!! Dedicated LR upstairs in middle of house (best set up) we had a deep sink and counter space! the washer was in a floor pan never had any flooding and we have five kids so laundry was going almost 24/7
We got new orders and moved to a place that was newly renovated. It had laundry closet in the upstairs hallway. The washer & dryer sat side by side. The closet had folding doors and I added a shower curtain rod for hanging clothing above the machines. This worked very well even while sharing a wall with a kid’s bedroom.
My ship home-port shifted & place we rent now has the LR off the kitchen (it is horrible) I was shocked that a house built in 2016 doesn’t have a second floor LR!! everyone knows when party guests are over they spend most time in kitchen so we have to stop laundry operations when we have a party coming up to keep the LR presentable not to mention we store our cloths in bed rooms we change close in bedrooms now were doing the lugging/transport thing again (with 5 kids worth of laundry).
let me mention the cons
the electric dryer drops efficiency when the exhaust pipe gets linted up (i had to move the dryer hose and vacuum the dust if i noticed the close drying slower) I did it maybe once a year when the LR was in the middle of the house long exhaust distance
if the washer was unbalanced spin cycle it would strike against the dryer and make a loud bumping noise but that was nothing. (if the washer was in the basement i would still hear the bumping noise)
I can’t think of any reason not to have a second floor LR. we never had flooding , humidity or room temperature issues in 12 years all of witch with the standard old school washer dryer like exactly as pictured above since we got married.
The next place we are stationed if the LR is not upstairs with the bed rooms it’s a deal breaker for my Wife and I.
Mark says
Hi there…just one quick comment…the draining water pipe from the laundry machine goes into a larger waste pipe in the wall or floor depending on where you put it…so is there a transition fitting one needs to use from the machine pipe which exits from the back of the machine to the pipe in the floor or wall? I know the pipe from the machine should be at least 4-5 inches into this larger pipe opening but should the opening be closed? Knowing that the water will flow better with accessible air in the pipe I am assuming it would just “sit” in the larger pipe in the floor or wall but is this the case?
Thank you, Mark
Kris Jarrett says
It’s a great question but unfortunately I’m not sure what the proper plumbing set-up is!
Richa Gupta says
Great tips, very helpful article for me as a first time house buyer who is also renovating. Can you share or give an idea of the cost involved?
BryanB says
So much different ideas, gives you food for thought. I was open to being sold on the upstairs Laundry but after all the comments I will go with downstairs laundry. The convenience falls short of the pros for having it downstairs.
1) I am a DIYer, so just the idea of getting the machines upstairs hurt (LOL) even if someone else is installing them.
2) The risk of damage and the follow up inconvenience is way too great even if covered by insurance.
3) I use the laundry sink for washing dirty outdoor wear with mud etc, these clothes/jersey can be left downstairs without bringing them upstairs with the stench, grime and dirty.
4) Who knows what the effect of minor vibrations over time will have on the structure of the house. On the first floor washer is on solid concrete.
5) If we ever decide to use line drying, it is a simple walk outside.
Barry says
You can also install a drain in thr laundry room floor.
Barry says
A laundry chute gives you all the same convenience without the flood worries.
Kate says
Great tips! Hubby and I finally agreed over the weekend to tackle this project in 2021 as time allows 🙂 Doing all my research now.
Kelly Daniels says
Great post. No little ones anymore, but flooding is certainly a potential hazard. Good to have preventative strategies. Thanks!
Ivan says
Hi, I decided I wanted to convert my Duplex into one unit. I tore out the second floor kitchen and replaced it with a laundry room with front loader washer/dryer. Best decision we ever made. I was worried with the vibrations and flooding. We ended up buying the full size front loaders that stack. It reduces the vibration a bit. My spouse always starts the washer just before bed every night. We still get a bit of vibration but find it soothing to sleep as it’s not terrible. I have always been worried about flooding which led me to this site. Thanks for all the information you provided as I wasn’t aware of some of the options.
Originally I wasn’t sure about moving it to the second floor, but wouldn’t have it any other way now. We also have ours built as it is like a closet with bi-fold door, with the door closed we can hardly hear the laundry going and it’s just outside our bedroom door.
If anyone was to ask me, I would say definitely do it!
Also doing laundry at off peak hours saves on our electricity bill.
James Hubbard says
What about reinforcing the floor under the washer and dryer due to vibration? Is this necessary?
Ioana says
Another new reply to an old post — but if I’m here looking for advice, others must be here for the same reason. So we are “moving” our small master bathroom towards the window for natural light, taking over a walk-in closed and making the old shower area available for using as a second closed or a laundry. Inclined to do the later, for all the reasons stated in your post. Some updates on technology: We have a new-ish LG dryer and I have just purchased a small pedestal washer that goes under it. Those two stay in the basement, to dry wet towels from the pool, large items like a comforter and other large things. We will replace the old laundry with a laundry tower (LG has just introduced a high capacity tower that is essentially two full sized stacked washer and dryer with a common panel. Rated for apartment, with low vibration, no vibration pads needed). Instead of a pan, we will leave the shower drain in place, so that any water that accidentally comes out will go down the drain like it does downstairs. Finally, many home security systems now have a water detector so that we can get a quick emergency update wherever we are, should a problem arise. The single loss would be the walk-in closet, but the old shower area is just not big enough for that. We will make room for a second closet (smaller) by moving a wall.
As we start tackling this project, we will find out of reenforcement is needed. Fortunately, under thus shower is our old laundry area which is still unfinished. So plenty access to reinforce if needed.