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Counter laundry room


8 materials and layouts to inspire |

(Image credit: Rebecca Hay / Elizabeth Gill)

The right laundry room countertop ideas can offer a handy place to spot-treat stains, a surface for delicates to lay flat to dry, or a clean area to fold clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer (no more wrinkled heaps left in the laundry basket for days on end). In other words, having countertops in the laundry room makes the process of washing your clothes a lot smoother. 

At the same time, counters can bolster your laundry room ideas from a style standpoint, bringing a finished look to the space and enhancing laundry room organization. 

Feel like your laundry room could benefit from a countertop? Keep reading. 

Laundry room countertop ideas

We've rounded up the best types of laundry room counters to use, layouts that will help you maximize your counter space and more, below. Should you match your laundry room countertops to your kitchen countertop ideas? If the rooms are adjacent, it's a definite yes, though you may choose a real stone for the kitchen and a less expensive lookalike for the laundry room, which will really only be seen by you and your family.

1. Add a butcher block countertop

(Image credit: Rebecca Hay)

A butcher block countertop can be part of a larger laundry room makeover if you're adding in new cabinetry, but it's also an easy standalone project that provides a major upgrade to your space. For the latter, have a sheet of butcher block cut to fit over the top of your washer/dryer, like in this space by Rebecca Hay Designs , then fasten it to the surrounding cabinetry or mount it to the wall.

'Counters provide a functional worktop to fold clothes before transporting them,' says interior designer Julie Khuu. 'A great place to carve out space for one is beside the washer/dryer with another section right above it if you have front loading appliances.'

2. Try a quartz laundry room countertop

(Image credit: Kate Lester Interiors / Lauren Pressey Photography)

If you're looking for a high-quality, long-lasting laundry room countertop be inspired by one of the best countertops for a kitchen: quartz. The engineered stone offers all the beauty of natural stones like marble or granite, but it's a much more low-maintenance option because it's non-porous. This is especially important for laundry room countertops since there's a good chance they'll be splattered with detergents and cleaners on a regular basis. 

Quartz is one of the most expensive laundry room counter ideas, not only because of the price of materials, but because it'll need to be cut by a stone fabricator and installed by a professional. 

3. Tuck the dog bed under the laundry room counter

(Image credit: Elizabeth Gill Interiors)

If your laundry room doubles as your pet's room, try making space for Fido's bed underneath your laundry room counter. You'll love this laundry room storage idea because the bed will be out of the way, and your pet will love it because the semi-enclosed space creates a cozy, denlike feel.

The design above is by Elizabeth Gill Interiors . 

4. Include a laundry room 'island'

(Image credit: Obelisk Home)

Whether your laundry room is wide open, like the one above, or it's a small laundry room idea you're after, placing a table or island in the center of the room is a versatile way to add utilitarian surface area.

'Under the spherical fixture is a round table with a stainless-steel top for folding laundry, doing craft projects with the grandchildren, wrapping gifts, or just stacking up laundry,' says Nathan Taylor, whose firm, Obelisk Home , designed the room above. 

5. Install a counter above the washer and dryer

(Image credit: Rebecca Hay Designs)

One of the most convenient laundry room countertop ideas is to install it above your washer and dryer. This creates a useful surface for folding clothes when they come out of the laundry, and you can use it to stash laundry baskets or lay clothes flat to dry in the meantime.

6. Run a counter along an entire wall

(Image credit: Stephanie Brown Inc.)

If your laundry room cabinet ideas are long and narrow, take a cue from designer Stephanie Brown , and install a narrow countertop along the length of the room. Use it to queue up your laundry baskets, stack each family member's laundry pile, or if the surface is durable enough, a place to iron clothes.  

7. Use counters to create laundry bin storage

(Image credit: Swan Architecture)

If you've got enough space for a standalone laundry room countertop, consider leaving the area beneath it empty, instead of adding a cabinet. The storage space you'll create underneath the counter will become the perfect place to park a pair of rolling laundry carts, like in this laundry room by Swan Architecture . 

8. Create a luxe laundry room with marble countertops

(Image credit: The fox Group / Lindsay Salazar Photography)

If laundry closet ideas or appliances are taking up most of your potential countertop space, take a cue from this room and install the equivalent of a kitchen island. This room by The Fox Group is full of high-end details, including marble countertops, though note that your island countertop ideas needn't match the rest of your room's materials. The sleek stone is hard to beat from a tactile and aesthetic standpoint, but if you're looking for a lower-maintenance option, a marble-look quartz achieves a similar result.  

What can I use for laundry counters? 

There are lots of materials suitable for laundry room countertops. A few top choices include:

How do you support a countertop for a laundry room?

The configuration of your space will determine the best way to support a countertop for a laundry room. 

The simplest method is to install a countertop over your washer-dryer, and secure it to the surrounding walls or cabinetry using L-brackets. If you're using a butcher block countertop, this is a straightforward job you can do yourself. If you're opting for a hard-surface counter, you'll want to leave this task to the pros.

Kaitlin Madden Armon is a writer and editor covering all things home. Her work has appeared in Real Homes, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living, Refinery29, Modern Luxury Interiors, Wayfair, The Design Network, and lots more. She graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in journalism and currently lives in Connecticut with her husband, three kids, and black lab.

Laundry Room Countertop Options

One of the appeals of a fully built-out laundry room is countertop space. If you have ever sorted and folded clothes on beds, tables, and other makeshift areas, you will know the convenience of a large, smooth surface dedicated to only one thing: clothing. But which countertop material is best for your laundry room?

   Laundry Operations  Durability  Cost
Laminate Smooth surface, good for folding May chip Low cost
Solid Surface Smooth but not for ironing Can melt Mid-range cost
Tile Not smooth; has seams Heat-proof Lowest cost
Quartz Flat, smooth Heat-proof Highest cost
Wood Smooth if finished; grainy if not finished Can splinter, chip Low cost

Laminate Countertops

Clothing Operations

Smooth and mostly seamless, laminate countertops work well for sorting and folding clothing. The only seams you will encounter with laminate countertops is where the counters make a 90-degree turn.

Durability

Laminate on countertops can chip, peel, and flake. Never cut directly on the laminate. Hot irons may singe the laminate.

Appearance

Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from solids to faux stone. Premium, designer-grade laminate has sharper graphics.

Pricing

For the budget-sensitive laundry room remodel, laminate countertops are a wise choice. Laminate can be one of the least expensive countertop material.

Longevity

Laminate countertops have a limited lifespan, especially with hard use. Colors may fade. Expect to change out your laminate counters at least once with moderate use.

Cons

Solid Surface Countertops

Clothing Operations

With smooth surfaces and invisible, flat seams, solid surface countertops provide a reliable space for most clothing operations, except ironing.

Durability

Solid surface is made from polyester or acrylic. Acrylic countertops can be damaged by solvents such as glues, ketones, acetones, and thinners. Solid surface scratches relatively easily, but scratches can be sanded out with fine-grit sandpaper. Hot irons may melt solid surface materials.

Appearance

Solid surface comes in a wide range of solid colors or stone looks. While solid surface's faux stone does not have the depth of quartz countertops, still it is reasonably attractive and home buyers tend to covet solid surfaces.

Pricing

Solid surface is a moderately priced countertop material. Rarely is solid surface installed by the homeowner, so labor costs must be figured into the total price.

Longevity

Solid surface materials last long, and scratches can be sanded down numerous times, extending the lifespan of solid surface.

Cons

Ceramic Tile Countertops

Clothing Operations

Some homeowners may find ceramic tile countertops' numerous seams and grouting annoying when dealing with clothing. However, as long as you are doing nothing that requires a perfectly smooth surface, ceramic tile can provide an adequate surface.

Durability

Ceramic tile is durable, especially with hot irons. But ceramic tile also will easily crack or chip.

Appearance

While ceramic tile counters are utilitarian, they have limited aesthetic value for many homeowners.

Pricing

Ceramic tile is one of the cheapest laundry room countertop materials, particularly since do-it-yourselfers can install their own tile countertops.

Longevity

Well-maintained ceramic tile countertops can last for decades. Do not store heavy items like large containers of laundry detergent or irons in cabinets above tile countertops.

Pros

Quartz/Engineered Stone Countertops

Clothing Operations

Quartz, or engineered, stone countertops are excellent for working with clothing. This material is flat, smooth, and seam-free.

Durability

Quartz countertops are highly durable. Even though they are created from engineered stone, they behave much like natural stone—and with the durability of natural stone.

Appearance

Lush, sleek, and displaying unparalleled visual depth, quartz countertops are highly desired by new home buyers.

Pricing

All factors about quartz countertops make them perfect for laundry rooms except for one thing—price. Quartz is one of the highest-priced countertop materials, except for outliers like stainless steel and custom concrete.

Longevity

Expect your well-maintained laundry room quartz countertop to last for more than 25 years. Quartz countertops typically come with long limited warranties.

Pros

Wood Countertops

Clothing Operations

Wood countertops are flat and seam-free. Raw, natural wood that is untreated is not smooth and makes folding operations difficult. For this reason and for moisture protection, always seal your wood countertops. If wood is left unsealed, it can become grainy. Heat and steam will adversely affect wood countertops.

Durability

Wood is durable, though it can burn if a hot iron is placed on it.

Appearance

Depending on the type of wood you choose, its looks can range from functional to stunning.

Pricing

Wood countertops are usually moderately priced. Since wood countertops can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, labor costs are eliminated if you go that route.

Longevity

As long as they are kept sealed and dry, wood countertops will last for decades.

Which Countertop Should You Buy?

For laundry room countertops, laminate and solid surface materials strike a perfect balance—looks, durability, availability, longevity, and especially, economical pricing.

Unless you own a premium home that demands the highest grade of all materials—namely, quartz countertops—laminate and solid surface will work for a majority of laundry room countertops.

💰 Earnings with a two-rate meter: laundry, bakery, heating

The regular increase in tariffs for electricity, heat, water and utilities has led most people to start looking for various ways to reduce the cost of paying bills. Some install energy-saving equipment, while others purchase a multi-tariff electricity meter. The cost of this device is higher than the price of a standard device for electricity metering, however, these costs subsequently pay off. In today's review of the editors of the online magazine Homius.ru, our experts will tell you what a two-zone counter is, what are its disadvantages and how you can earn money with it.

Contents of the article

Two-tariff meter feature

Visually, a two-rate meter is practically indistinguishable from a traditional electricity meter. The difference lies in the display of readings for daytime and nighttime operation separately. Due to the standard dimensions of the devices, they can be easily replaced.

The principle of operation of two-rate meters is quite easy to understand. Just imagine two separate meters (each of which works only at certain times of the day) combined in one case. The data of each of them is taken separately, calculated taking into account the current tariff and summarized.

Ordinary and two-rate meters are almost the same

Pros and cons of installing two-zone electricity meters

Like each device, two-rate meters have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss below. Benefits include:

There are few drawbacks to installing two-zone metering devices, but they do exist:

Switching to two-zone meters allows you to reduce the load on the power grid read the publication.

Method #1: mini-laundry

By installing a two-tariff meter in your house, you can earn money by organizing a mini-laundry. It will not be difficult to find customers, since few people want to bother with washing: wasting water, electricity and time. You, with a two-zone metering device, will not only be able to cover all your expenses for a mini-laundry, but also make money on it by setting an adequate price for your services.

Home mini laundry is a great business idea

Method #2: heating the house

Heating prices are constantly rising, and each time we receive huge bills for this utility service. By disconnecting from the central heating and installing an electric boiler and a “warm floor” system, you can significantly save on a “communal apartment”, especially if you have a two-zone electricity meter, because the maximum use of electricity for heating a house occurs at night. In addition, it is better to turn on water heaters at night and there will be enough hot water for almost a day. Owners of private houses will feel the tangible benefits from installing a two-tariff meter.

A two-zone meter will help save on bills, especially if you have electric heating boilers installed.

Method #3: greenhouse

Do you grow seedlings or vegetables for home or sale? Then you just need to install a two-tariff electricity meter. The more light plants receive, the faster and better they grow. To provide plants with good illumination, you need a lot of artificial light, which means that you will have to increase electricity consumption. This is where the benefit of installing a two-zone counter will be noticeable. Better illumination, faster plant growth, which means you can get a crop earlier, and, accordingly, profit.

Plants need a lot of light for better growth

Method #4: mini-bakery

If you put several ovens in your house, you can organize a small production for baking small batches of bakery products that can be sold to small shops, cafes and restaurants . However, this requires energy-intensive equipment. In order not to go bankrupt in the first month and at the same time make a profit, install two-tariff electricity meters. Believe me, the costs will pay off, because people will always eat buns and bread, so there will be no shortage of customers, especially if your products are of the highest quality.

Ovens require a lot of electricity, but without them there is no way in a bakery

Related article:

Which electricity meter is better to put in an apartment. In the publication, we will consider the types of electricity meters, the advantages and disadvantages of each, the requirements of Decree 442 on the replacement of devices, an overview of models, the cost of installation and replacement.

A few words in conclusion

We have considered what a two-tariff meter is, the benefits of installation, its advantages and disadvantages. From the foregoing, we can conclude that the installation of this electricity meter is beneficial primarily to those who actively use electricity at night, as well as to those who decide to start a small business. If our information was useful to you, then share your opinion in the comments.


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Underground laundry?

The city administration receives 10-15 calls a day from residents complaining about the unfair, from their point of view, system of payments for common house consumption of cold and hot water and electricity.

The new settlement system has been introduced since September of this year. Preparatory work was carried out in advance - through the media they explained what the essence of the changes was and how it would affect the residents of the city. But, as the classic said, "theory, my friend, is dry, only the tree of life is lushly green."

The city administration receives 10-15 calls a day from residents complaining about the unfair, from their point of view, system of payments for the general consumption of cold and hot water and electricity.

A new settlement system has been introduced since September of this year. Preparatory work was carried out in advance - through the media they explained what the essence of the changes was and how it would affect the residents of the city. But, as the classic said, "theory, my friend, is dry, only the tree of life is lushly green." Yes, everything was clear on paper: the fundamental change was that the calculations for general house consumption are now made based on the area, and not per person, as it was before. And the second, not fundamental, but very noticeable - these very calculations were singled out in a separate column, while earlier they were “sewn up” in other payment points.

In the very first month of the new rules, people got worried as soon as they felt two rather unpleasant things from their own experience. The new system clearly showed the problem with unregistered tenants. The most banal situation: no one is officially registered in the apartment, but in fact, about a dozen guest workers live there. Which, of course, enjoy all the benefits of life. And the rest of the tenants have to pay for them - the general house meter will take everything into account, and this figure will be divided among the residents of the house in proportion to the area of ​​\u200b\u200btheir apartments.

And there are interesting distortions. Who do you think will have to pay more - a family of four living in a "kopeck piece", or a lonely old woman in a three-room apartment? The correct answer is old. Because it has more area. Naturally, people do not want to give their hard-earned money "for that guy." “Why should I pay for illegal migrants?” an elderly Obninsk citizen asks rhetorically in the tariff policy department of the mayor's office. He decided to visit in person rather than call.

Marina Bespalova, a resident of the house at 25 Gurianova, turned to the editorial office. Her house is a kind of champion in the consumption of hot water. If in a similar five-story building on Guryanov, 23, the general house counter showed the figure of 611 cubic meters at the end of the month, then they have 1,113 cubic meters!

“According to the meter, I have intra-apartment hot water consumption - 1.5 cubic meters, - And for general house needs, I have to pay 4.5 cubic meters! My neighbors are even more interesting. A pensioner and her daughter live in the “treshka”, and, as they said, according to the counter they have only one cube, and for general house needs - as many as six, - Marina Mikhailovna is indignant. “Do we have an underground laundry in the house?”

Disciplined residents who have equipped their apartments with individual metering devices, as well as installed common house meters, are currently at a double financial loss. While paying according to the standards is simply more profitable. In the future, this bias will certainly be corrected.

Alexey Popov, head of USC Management Company, reads out a list indicating the general house consumption of hot water. "Komarova, 9 - 749 cubic meters, Lenin, 112 - 731 cubic meters, Lenin, 118 - 697 cubic meters, Lenin, 124 - 222 cubic meters." And he interrupts himself - stop, why such a difference? The answer is found quickly: the bill is billed according to the standards, unlike other houses equipped with common house metering devices.

Galina Maksimova, head of the tariff policy department, deals with residents' complaints on a daily basis. The algorithm of actions has already been developed. “We need to establish interaction with the Council of the apartment building and with our management company,” says Galina Konstantinovna.

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