Laundry in the Kitchen – Catching on in New Zealand or Not?

Putting the washing machine in the kitchen is a space saving design trend being seen around the world, especially in apartments and small houses.  We have a look at the advantages…

Advantages to having your laundry in the kitchen

• The kitchen is a ‘wet space’ with lots of other plumbing already installed
• The flooring is suitable in case of accidental spills or overflows
• It’s central to your homes layout, so it’s an easy place to get the laundry on while you’re preparing dinner

There are a few potential drawbacks to having your washing machine and dryer co-exist with your fridge and oven –

• Noise – having your dryer, washing machine and kitchen appliances all going at once may be noisy
• It may not be possible to close off your kitchen/laundry from other parts of the house
• If bench space is at a premium, sharing the newly folded washing with a cake that’s cooling may be problematic
• Laundry machines may take up precious kitchen storage space

Handy tips for managing your washing in the kitchen

• Have your washing machine and dryer in a cupboard or behind a curtain so they are out of sight when they’re not being used
• Try under counter cabinets so they don’t look that different to your other kitchen appliances
• Only take washing into the kitchen when you’re going to put it straight into the machine
• Do small loads often to avoid your kitchen being overtaken with washing if you have a designated washing day

What do you think of having the kitchen and laundry sharing space with each other?  If you’re unsure whether it’s a good idea for your home, consult a kitchen designer today and share your thoughts below.