The laundry room might be the most-used and least-considered room in most homes. In the DC, Maryland, and Virginia market, laundry facilities range from a closet with a stacked unit behind folding doors to a dedicated first-floor room — and many homeowners have never given them a second thought. A focused laundry room renovation is one of the fastest ways to improve daily function and, in homes where the laundry is on the main level, it also improves the resale narrative.
Stack vs. Side-by-Side: The Layout Decision That Drives Everything Else
The first decision in any laundry renovation is appliance configuration, because it determines how much surface and storage you can fit in the space:
- Stacked units: Frontload washer on the bottom, dryer on top, in roughly 27–30 inches of width. Ideal for tight spaces — laundry closets, hallways, smaller utility rooms. Frees wall space on both sides for storage. The downside is that you can't use the dryer as a folding surface.
- Side-by-side units: Requires 54–60 inches of floor width but allows a continuous countertop to run across both machines — one of the most useful surfaces in a laundry room for sorting and folding. Top-load washers are only available side-by-side. Frontload pairs with a pedestal can raise the drum height to reduce bending.
If you're renovating a space and have the room, side-by-side with a countertop above is almost always the right call for function. If square footage is the constraint, a stacked pair with upper cabinetry on both sides of the unit creates more storage per square foot.
The Five Upgrades That Transform a Laundry Room
- Upper cabinetry: Open shelving is cheaper; closed cabinets keep the space looking clean. Stock kitchen cabinets in white or a light color work perfectly and cost far less than custom. Upper cabs to ceiling height maximize storage in a small footprint.
- Countertop over the machines: A laminate, butcher block, or quartz countertop running across the washer and dryer creates a dedicated folding surface. For side-by-side units, this runs 54–60 inches and costs $200–$600 installed depending on material.
- Utility sink: A stainless or composite utility sink is invaluable for handwashing, soaking, and pet care. It requires a cold water supply, hot water supply, and drain connection — work that a plumber handles as part of a renovation. Cost to add a utility sink with rough-in plumbing: $800–$2,000 depending on existing plumbing access.
- Flooring: Sheet vinyl or LVP is the right choice for laundry rooms — waterproof, easy to clean, and inexpensive at $3–$8 per sq ft installed. Tile also works well and is common in DMV homes where the laundry is near a mudroom entry.
- Drying rod or retractable line: A ceiling-mounted stainless drying rod above the sink or across a wall section solves the hang-dry problem without taking up floor space. Cost: $50–$200 installed.
Ventilation, Electrical, and Gas: What to Check Before You Renovate
Before finalizing a laundry room renovation design, confirm:
- Dryer vent path: Electric and gas dryers must vent to the exterior. The vent run should be as short and straight as possible — long, flexible ducts accumulate lint and are a fire hazard. A renovation is the right time to replace flexible vinyl duct with rigid metal and confirm the termination cap is clear.
- Electrical circuit: Electric dryers require a dedicated 240V/30A circuit. Washers need a dedicated 120V/20A circuit. If your current laundry space shares circuits with other loads, a panel upgrade or new circuit runs may be needed.
- Gas shutoff location: For gas dryers, confirm the shutoff valve is accessible and the connection is in good condition. Any gas work must be done by a licensed plumber or HVAC contractor in Maryland and Virginia.
What a Laundry Room Renovation Costs in the DMV
- Cosmetic refresh (paint, new flooring, open shelving): $1,500–$4,000
- Mid-range renovation (cabinetry, countertop, flooring, new fixtures): $5,000–$12,000
- Full renovation with plumbing and electrical (utility sink, new circuit, full cabinetry, tile floor): $12,000–$22,000
Ready to Renovate Your Laundry Room?
Donya LLC is a licensed and insured design-build contractor serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (MHIC #159903). We handle laundry room renovations from cosmetic refreshes to full plumbing and cabinetry installations. Call (301) 337-9445 or email Reza@donyallc.com for a free estimate.