Laundry Room Renovation in London

Create Your Perfect Laundry Room

A dedicated laundry room makes household chores more efficient and frees up kitchen space. Whether you're converting a small cupboard, repurposing a spare room, or designing a multi-functional utility space, good planning creates a room that's both practical and pleasant to use.

Hampstead Renovations designs and installs functional laundry rooms across North London. This guide covers layout planning, appliance selection, storage solutions, and finishes for your perfect laundry space.

Space Requirements

Compact Laundry (1.2m x 1.5m)

• Stacked washer and dryer
• Minimal counter space
• Wall-mounted drying rack
• Small sink or none

Standard Laundry Room (1.8m x 2m)

• Side-by-side appliances
• Worktop above machines
• Wall cupboards for storage
• Small sink for handwashing

Generous Utility Room (2.5m x 3m+)

• Full appliance suite
• Ample worktop and storage
• Large sink
• Additional functions (pet area, pantry, boot room)

Essential Appliances

Washing Machine Selection

• Standard: 60cm wide, 8-9kg capacity
• Large family: 10-12kg capacity
• Front-loading: Can build worktop above
• Top-loading: Space-efficient but no worktop
• Integrated: Hides behind cupboard door
• Energy rating: A-rated minimum for efficiency

Tumble Dryer Options

• Vented: Requires 100mm external vent, cheapest
• Condenser: No vent needed, water tank to empty
• Heat pump: Most efficient, gentler on clothes, more expensive
• Washer-dryer combo: Space-saving but smaller capacity

Sink

• Belfast sink: Deep ceramic, perfect for soaking
• Stainless steel: Durable, practical, affordable
• Composite: Stylish, scratch-resistant
• Size: Minimum 500mm wide, deeper better

Layout Configurations

Galley Layout

Appliances and sink along one wall, storage opposite:

• Efficient for narrow spaces (1.2-1.5m wide)
• Minimum 90cm between units for circulation
• Ideal for smaller laundry rooms

L-Shaped Layout

Appliances on one wall, sink and worktop on adjacent wall:

• Good for medium spaces (2m x 2m)
• Creates efficient work triangle
• Corner unit maximises storage

U-Shaped Layout

Three walls of appliances, storage, and worktop:

• Maximum storage and workspace
• Best for larger rooms (2.5m x 2.5m+)
• Everything within easy reach

Storage Solutions

Essential Storage

• Cupboards for cleaning products: Wall or base units with child locks if needed
• Shelving for detergents: Open or behind doors
• Pull-out laundry baskets: Separate whites, colours, delicates
• Broom cupboard: Mop, vacuum, cleaning tools
• Ironing board storage: Pull-out or wall-mounted fold-down
• Airer storage: Heated airer or drying rack

Clever Storage Ideas

• Pull-out hampers: Built into base units
• Stacking washer/dryer: Frees floor space
• Over-machine shelving: Utilises vertical space
• Door organisers: Hanging storage on back of door
• Pegboard: Customizable wall storage

Worktop and Surfaces

Worktop Materials

• Laminate: Affordable, water-resistant, good colour range (£30-£80 per m)
• Solid surface: Seamless, repairable, hygienic (£100-£250 per m)
• Quartz: Durable, heat-resistant, luxury (£150-£400 per m)
• Wood: Warm aesthetic, needs sealing and maintenance

Height and Depth

• Standard height: 90cm (comfortable working height)
• Depth: 60cm standard (over machines)
• Overhang: None needed if machines built-under

Plumbing Requirements

Water Supply

• Hot and cold feed for sink
• Cold feed for washing machine
• Isolation valves for easy appliance disconnection
• Pressure: Adequate for washing machine (minimum 1 bar)

Drainage

• 40mm waste for sink
• Shared waste connection for machines
• Connection to soil stack or external drain
• P-trap or bottle trap under sink
• Pumped waste if gravity drainage not possible

Ventilation

• Vented dryer: 100mm duct to external wall
• Extractor fan: Humidity-sensing model recommended
• Window: Openable for natural ventilation
• Building Regs: Mechanical ventilation required if no window

Electrical Planning

• Washing machine: 13amp switched socket
• Tumble dryer: Separate 13amp socket
• Additional sockets: For iron, steam cleaner, vacuum
• Height: 150mm above worktop, not behind appliances
• RCD protection: All circuits protected
• Lighting: LED ceiling lights and under-cupboard task lighting

Flooring

Best Options for Laundry Rooms

• Vinyl (LVT): Waterproof, durable, affordable (£25-£55 per m²)
• Ceramic/Porcelain tiles: Extremely durable, water-resistant (£30-£100 per m²)
• Concrete effect: Industrial look, practical (£40-£80 per m²)
• Safety flooring: Non-slip, ideal for wet areas

Avoid: Carpet, solid wood, unsealed laminate

Wall Finishes

• Tiles: Behind sink and machines, easy to clean
• Wipeable paint: Eggshell or satin finish
• Splashback: Glass, tiles, or upstand behind sink
• Pegboard: Practical and decorative
• Tongue and groove: Farmhouse style, painted finish

Lighting

• Overhead: LED downlights or flush ceiling light (bright, 500+ lumens)
• Task lighting: Under-cupboard LED strips
• Natural light: Window or skylight if possible
• Motion sensor: Automatic lighting (hands-free convenience)

Heating

• Radiator: Wall-mounted, compact vertical models
• Heated towel rail: Dual purpose - warmth + drying
• Underfloor heating: Even warmth, no radiator space needed
• Temperature: 18-20°C comfortable working temperature

Additional Features

Drying Solutions

• Wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted drying rack
• Heated airer (electric)
• Retractable washing line
• Pull-down hanging rail for delicates

Ironing

• Built-in or pull-out ironing board
• Storage for iron when cool
• Socket at convenient height
• Fire-resistant surface nearby

Multi-Functional Additions

• Pet station: Food bowls, storage, washing area
• Boot room: Shoe storage, coat hooks
• Pantry storage: Extra food cupboards or second freezer
• Recycling center: Multiple bins for sorting

Design Styles

Contemporary Clean

• White or light grey units
• Handleless cupboards
• Integrated appliances
• Minimal ornamentation
• Sleek hardware

Traditional/Country

• Shaker-style cupboards
• Belfast sink
• Painted units (sage, blue, cream)
• Vintage-style taps
• Tongue and groove or beadboard walls

Industrial/Utility

• Open metal shelving
• Concrete or dark tiles
• Exposed brick
• Utilitarian aesthetic
• Matt black fittings

Budget Planning

Basic Utility Room (£3,000 - £7,000)

• Simple plumbing and electrical work
• Standard appliances
• Flat-pack or basic units
• Vinyl flooring
• Painted walls

Mid-Range (£7,000 - £15,000)

• Custom-fitted units
• Quality worktop and sink
• Tiled flooring
• Good ventilation system
• Built-in storage solutions

Premium (£15,000 - £30,000+)

• Bespoke cabinetry
• Premium appliances
• High-end materials and finishes
• Structural changes if needed
• Smart home features

Planning Considerations

• Planning permission: Usually not required for internal work
• Building Regulations: Apply for plumbing, drainage, electrical, ventilation
• Appliance delivery access: Ensure route to room (doorways, stairs)
• Noise: Position away from bedrooms if possible

Project Timeline

• Week 1: Design, planning, measurements
• Week 2: Plumbing and electrical first fix
• Week 3: Flooring, tiling
• Week 4: Unit installation, worktop fitting
• Week 5: Appliance installation, decoration, finishing

Contact Hampstead Renovations