Adding a Laundry Room During Your Kitchen Remodel in Connecticut
Adding a Laundry Room During Your Kitchen Remodel in Connecticut
If you're already planning a kitchen remodel, it's the perfect time to ask a question many Connecticut homeowners wish they'd asked sooner: could the laundry move upstairs too? Hauling baskets to the basement gets old fast, and a remodel opens up walls and plumbing in ways that make adding a laundry space much simpler than doing it later.
Why Combine a Laundry Room With a Kitchen Remodel?
Kitchens and laundry rooms share the same essentials: water supply lines, drains, and dedicated electrical circuits. When walls and floors are already open, your contractor can extend those systems with less demolition and fewer repairs than a separate project would require. You also coordinate one design, one set of finishes, and one construction schedule instead of two.
What a Laundry Space Needs: Water, Drain, Vent, and Power
Every washer needs hot and cold water and a proper drain. A dryer needs either a dedicated 240-volt circuit for an electric model or a gas line for a gas model, plus a vent that runs to the outside. Dryer vent length is limited by code and the manufacturer's instructions, so placing the laundry near an exterior wall usually makes things easier. If you choose a ventless heat pump dryer, an exterior vent isn't needed, which opens up more layout options. In Connecticut, plumbing, electrical, and gas work must be done by licensed trades with the proper permits.
Layout Ideas That Work
Common options include converting a pantry or mudroom next to the kitchen, borrowing space from an oversized kitchen, or building a laundry closet with stacked units behind bifold or pocket doors. A side-by-side setup with a countertop above gives you a place to fold. Think about noise, too. Keeping the washer away from the main eating area makes the kitchen more pleasant on busy evenings.
Cabinetry That Hides the Laundry
Matching cabinetry helps a laundry space blend into the kitchen. Upper cabinets store detergent, tall cabinets hold brooms and ironing boards, and doors can conceal the appliances entirely. At our CT Kitchen Cabinets showroom at 2055 Meriden Rd in Wolcott, you can see cabinet styles and finishes in person and plan both spaces together.
Planning a kitchen remodel in Cheshire, Wolcott, or nearby? Explore our kitchen remodeling services, compare cabinet refinishing vs. replacement, or call Bartlett Contracting at (203) 424-2206 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a washer and dryer in a kitchen?
Yes, many homes have a washer and dryer in or next to the kitchen, often in a closet, pantry, or set of cabinets. The space needs a water supply, a drain, the right electrical circuit or gas line for the dryer, and a vent to the outside unless you choose a ventless model. Doors or matching cabinetry can hide the appliances so the space looks like a natural part of the kitchen.
How much space do you need for a laundry closet?
A stacked washer and dryer can fit in a closet only slightly larger than the appliances themselves, with a few inches of clearance on the sides and room behind for hoses and venting. A side-by-side pair needs roughly twice the width. Exact dimensions depend on the models you choose, so pick your appliances early and design the space around the manufacturer's installation requirements.
Do I need a permit to add a laundry room in Connecticut?
In most cases, yes. Adding a laundry room usually involves new plumbing, electrical circuits, and sometimes a gas line, and that work generally requires permits and inspections in Connecticut. It must be performed by properly licensed tradespeople. If walls are moved or the room is expanded, a building permit may also be needed. Your contractor can coordinate the permits as part of the overall kitchen remodel.
Is it worth moving the laundry from the basement to the main floor?
For many homeowners, yes. Main-floor laundry eliminates carrying heavy baskets up and down stairs, which matters more as families grow and as people plan to age in place. It also keeps laundry closer to where you spend your day. The cost depends on how far plumbing, venting, and electrical need to run. Doing it during a kitchen remodel, when walls are already open, is usually the most cost-effective timing.
Can the laundry area use the same cabinets as my kitchen?
Yes. Using the same cabinet style and finish creates a seamless look, especially when the laundry sits next to or inside the kitchen. You can add tall cabinets for cleaning supplies, uppers for detergent, and a countertop for folding. Seeing door styles and finishes in person, like at the CT Kitchen Cabinets showroom in Wolcott, helps you plan both spaces together.
