Laundry room quandary (final pic in update)

[lessel]

I feel like I need some extra brain power on this. 

I'm in the market for a new washer/dryer. Our dryer is on it's last leg and our washing machine, while not too old, is quite possibly the loudest washing mashing in the history of all time (even after having it serviced and inspected)--and shares a wall with the 2yo's bedroom. It's a top-loader w/o an agitator and really beats the shit out of my laundry too. Or, if I wash on gentle, basically just gets stuff wet and not clean. So, I'm over it.

I really miss our front-loaders from our old house. They were older models, so the washer had its issues. And I know they're higher maintenance machines, but I just generally like them more in terms of how they washed the clothes and I didn't realize how much I appreciated they weren't crazy loud. Which brings me to the quandary...

I don't actually think a front-load washer/dryer set will fit in our space. We have what amounts to a shower step threshold in front of the washer/dryer and a tiled area with a drain. (It's an upstairs laundry room.) So, while this is very clever in terms of avoiding a flood to the ceiling below, the space between the threshold and wall is 32 inches. Most of the models I'm looking at are 32-34 inches deep...plus, they say to have 4-5in behind for the dryer vent duct, etc. I did find one model that I like that is 30.25in, but that's about as shallow as they get. (Note: I've only been online shopping so far and zero of the product manuals include measurements around the foot of the machine--they only include the widest depth of the machine--and I know some of the models kind of jut out around the door area...so maybe when I can actually get into a store and measure the bases, I can figure out if we can shove a base up to the front tile threshold and still have enough room. I'm not optimistic though.)

The other thing to consider is that, if we go with front-loaders, the pedestal storage is basically useless. I *really* want them for height reasons (our last ones didn't have them and it's definitely difficult to get crap out of them when they're that low). And, that tile threshold is likely going to block the drain trap on several models of front-load washers. 

So, what I was kind of pondering... Do you think it would be feasible to build a small, sturdy!, wood platform to the height of that threshold? That would buy us the extra inches needed, and bring the front of the washer/dryer flush with the front of the threshold. I'm imagining we could make an accommodation in the platform for drainage, etc. (But if that front drain-trap leaked, that would end up on the ceramic tile floor.) Plus, then we may not need to purchase the storage thinggies... Or, if we did, they would actually be usable. The only consideration here is there are cabinets above this area, so we'd have to make sure if we did pedestals there wouldn't be height issues.

Thoughts on this crazy solution? Other ideas?

[RockNVoll]

I think it's definitely possible to build something to elevate the machines and I'm pretty sure I've seen examples online before. "DIY laundry pedestal" brings up some images, though you'll probably have to build something that goes over the L of that tile lip.

[lolalolalola]

I think that’s a great solution!

[lessel]

So I've been going down an internet rabbit hole on this and it turns out, the washer/dryer with the pedestal I've been looking at won't fit height-wise if we put it on the platform. So I think we're just going to do the platform plus washer/dryer... no pedestal. But oh how I would have loved that extra little LG sidekick washer pedestal. OMG I really just want to rip out that step threshold but DH says no... and I get it, it would be a major pain. GRUMBLE.

[k3am]

lessel, we are currently washer/dryer shopping and planning to pull the trigger on the LG. DH is drooling over the pedestal. Do you know anyone who has it and loves it? I'm just not sure how much use it would get in real life.

Costco has the one we want for $1600 for both with no pedestals. Or $2200 with the washer pedestal. Or $2100 for just regular pedestals.

[lessel]

May 6, 2020 15:26:16 GMT -5 k3am said:

lessel, we are currently washer/dryer shopping and planning to pull the trigger on the LG. DH is drooling over the pedestal. Do you know anyone who has it and loves it? I'm just not sure how much use it would get in real life.

Costco has the one we want for $1600 for both with no pedestals. Or $2200 with the washer pedestal. Or $2100 for just regular pedestals.

I was shopping Costco too! I don’t know anyone who has the side kick. Honestly, it’s probably not worth the $$. I’d probably only was oh bras and random delicates (which I don’t have a lot of) in it. But the savings on it were appealing too...for just $100 more than the pedestal it’s an extra little washer! Sigh.

I also looked at the Samsung one that has the extra washer AND dryer in the tops of the machines. But those are monster huge and won’t fit even with the pedestal.

Alas, I went ahead and bought one today. Now we have to build this crazy platform. DH already sketched out what we need, so at least we have a plan. Although, of course, in all of my manual reading to figure out the dimensions and installation clearances issues, I have read the “though shalt not install these on platforms” disclaimer a hundred times.

We went with this one: LG 5.2CuFt Mega Capacity Washer with TurboWash™ Technology 9.0CuFt Mega Capacity ELECTRIC SteamDryer™ with Optional SideKick Pedestal Washer and Storage Pedestal - Without Pedestal — Item # ‌1253210‌

[k3am]

lessel, we've been really happy with our Costco appliance purchases, and their customer service was great, even when the issue wasn't on their end. Double warranty is nice too.

[lessel]

May 6, 2020 18:08:11 GMT -5 k3am said:

lessel, we've been really happy with our Costco appliance purchases, and their customer service was great, even when the issue wasn't on their end. Double warranty is nice too.

Same! I’m really hoping I love the LG washer/dryer as much as the LG fridge I got last year.

[sandandsea]

We did not get the sidekick. I didn’t think we would ever use it. We could force ourselves to use it but it didn’t seem worth it. I do like the drawers underneath to store all the stuff.

[k3am]

May 7, 2020 0:32:14 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

We did not get the sidekick. I didn’t think we would ever use it. We could force ourselves to use it but it didn’t seem worth it. I do like the drawers underneath to store all the stuff.

We finally ordered yesterday. Sans sidekick or pedestals.

[cmeon]

We have the sidekick- it's fantastic for dog stuff, gross kid stuff, clothes that I know are going to bleed the first couple of washes, and last minute "OMG I NEED THIS SHIRT TOMORROW" stuff. I don't use it even weekly, but, I'm glad we have it when we need it- we got it for free when we bought our set (I honestly don't think I'd have paid for it, though, I might now).

Our LG FLs are fantastic, I hope you love yours, too!

[mrsukyankee]

I had to look up what a sidekick was - we do NOT have this over in England (probably because most people have their washing machines in their kitchen under counters and they would not fit). Interesting concept.

I also looked at the pedestal - again, probably don't see them for the same reason, but as we're moving our w/d to an upstairs closet, I may see if we can get such a thing and have them fit.

[trissie18]

My husband built a wood platform for our front load washer and dryer in our old house. It was much cheaper than buying the pedestals. I will see if I can find a picture when I get home tonight.

[trissie18]

Sorry for the delay. Here is the pic of what he built.

[lessel]

trissie18 Thanks for sharing!

We sketched out a plan that I brought to Home Depot and the guy who cut the wood basically redrew it for us in a way that wouldn't cost us a fortune (I had us using 4x6 wood). It's basically plywood with 2x6s as supports (10 of them across and longer ones running the length in front/back), and then a 2x4 that sits on top of the tile step and under the plywood. So we have all of the pieces, we just need to assemble it all. I think we're going to try to this coming weekend. The weekdays are just too bananas lately. I'll try to take pictures when we assemble it.

[lessel]

Here’s an in-progress picture. Still have a couple tweaks left but it’s in and level and not wobbly. Which is some kind of miracle given how the space is shaped...imperfect rectangle and slight slope on the floor.

New washer/dryer set to deliver next week!

[k3am]

Looks pretty good. Did you end up buying at Costco? And if so, are they ever going to show up? Because mine aren't.

[lessel]

May 18, 2020 17:33:36 GMT -5 k3am said:

Looks pretty good. Did you end up buying at Costco? And if so, are they ever going to show up? Because mine aren't.

Yeah, we got them at Costco. We got an email last week that the delivery service had them and we needed to schedule delivery. We could have gotten them as early as tomorrow but I didn’t trust us to get this finished in time (I was right!). So I scheduled for next Tuesday. I wonder if their distribution center is farther from you or something. Good luck!

[trissie18]

May 18, 2020 16:51:19 GMT -5 lessel said:

Here’s an in-progress picture. Still have a couple tweaks left but it’s in and level and not wobbly. Which is some kind of miracle given how the space is shaped...imperfect rectangle and slight slope on the floor.

New washer/dryer set to deliver next week!

Looks great!

[lessel]

We were able to get the delivery moved up from Tuesday to today. They’re in! No install issues. Just need to tidy up a bit.

Of course, now this has inspired me to paint the cabinetry and maybe the walls too... we’ll see. DH is thrilled. 😒