When it comes to designing your perfect home, for most people, it is hard to imagine one without a space that is dedicated to laundry. With more than 80% of households in the United States owning a washing machine, it’s safe to say that this appliance is basically a must have. It’s very likely you have a washer and dryer, but now comes the tough decision of where is the best location for you to put them. Where are the best places for a laundry room that allow you to maximize your home’s space and functionality?

Why is a dedicated space for laundry important in your home’s design?

Before we can review the best places for a laundry room, you may be trying to determine if you actually really need one. As home building experts, where you locate your washing machine and dryer is really up to you; however, we understand how busy your daily life is, and know that having an extra space to organize all of the things you need on a daily basis and to do your laundry, is important. An organized and updated laundry room provides a welcoming environment while doing that chore that very few enjoy.

A laundry room offers several advantages that can greatly enhance the functionality and convenience of your home. Here are some key benefits of having a dedicated laundry room:

• Organization and Efficiency: This defined space allows you to keep your laundry tasks contained and organized, preventing clutter from spreading throughout the house.
• Noise Control: Laundry machines can be loud. Having a separate laundry room helps contain and minimize the noise generated by the washer and dryer.
• Additional Treatment and Cleaning Capabilities: You can incorporate additional cleaning features, which can enhance your laundry routine, into the space. Think about adding a utility sink for handwashing delicate items, pre-soaking stained clothes, or rinsing out cleaning supplies.
• Added Storage Options: This one goes hand-in-hand with organization. Having cabinets, shelves, and countertops in the space, gives you a place to store detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers, ironing supplies, and other laundry essentials.
• Mudroom Usage: Your laundry room, depending on the space available, can double as a mudroom, providing a convenient area for removing and storing shoes, coats, and other items. It can even work as an additional closet in your home.

Adding a dedicated laundry space to your home, can help you streamline your laundry routine, maintain a cleaner and more organized home, and allow you to enjoy the convenience that comes with one area for all of your laundry needs.

Where are some of the best places for a laundry room in a home?

Now that we have reviewed why a laundry room in your home can make all the difference, it’s time to get into where the ideal place to put one is. This can be a rather difficult decision for homeowners, whether they are building a new home or renovating an existing one, finding the perfect spot for your laundry room can greatly enhance the functionality and convenience of your home.

Finding the ideal place for the laundry room depends on some things that may be out of your control, especially in an existing home. You need to find an area in the home that is conveniently located, but not so close to living areas that noise becomes an issue. You will want to ensure that the laundry room is large enough to accommodate big appliances, yet not so large as to take away from the house's living areas. The space will also need to have access to a range of utilities that can be difficult to move or extend. Think about where you have or can add the proper electrical components, plumbing and a water supply, some type of drain system, sturdy supported floor, dryer vent or a place to put one, and more.

When deciding on the best place for a laundry room in your home, as we said, efficiency, convenience, and functionality should all be top of mind. Every household is different, so where the most suitable place in your home for this space is, is really up to you. Some of the most common places that homeowners put this dedicated laundry space are:

• Off or Near the Kitchen
• Converted Hallway Closet (on any level of the home)
• Mudroom or Entryway
• Basement or Utility Room

If you are limited on space, we have seen homeowners add washer and dryers to their bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and more. These spaces are less of a dedicated space, but will still provide you with a location to wash off the day’s dirt and grime.

What floor you put the laundry room on, really depends on what you want to do. For some homeowners it’s convenient to have this space close to the majority of bedrooms, for others, they want it out of sight and out of hearing range.

Are you looking to add a laundry room to your Northeast Ohio home?

Finding the best place for your laundry room is a key part of optimizing your home's functionality and convenience. Whether you have a dedicated room, a mudroom, or a small closet, there are numerous options to suit your needs. Evaluate the available space, consider proximity to bedrooms or high-traffic areas, and take noise control into account.

Sanctus Builders can help you create a laundry room in your Northeast Ohio home that enhances your daily routine and helps keep your home clean and organized. We can guide you through locating a place in your home that is perfect for this space and provide design suggestions along the way. Our design experts can help you create a laundry or mudroom that is just right for you and your home. We can offer custom tile, cabinetry, and countertops to meet any of your needs in these accessory spaces.

Contact us today to get started.

It’s fair to say that the bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the home and arguably one of the most important. The average person spends over two years of their life in this room, making having enough of them for your home and its occupants and/or guests, key to your home’s functionality. If you find yourself having to “wait your turn” or limiting your time in your home’s bathrooms, it may be time to add one, or more, onto your home. Can a bathroom addition make all the difference in your home?

How many bathrooms does the average household have?

If you are trying to determine if a bathroom addition can make a difference in your home, it is likely because you find yourself wishing you had more, or some in more convenient locations. Often times people opt to add bathrooms to basements, create an en suite to the primary bedroom, add one to a floor of the home that doesn’t have one, or just simply know that there are not enough in the home. If you are questioning if you have enough bathrooms in your home, you may be curious as to how many bathrooms the average household has.

According the United States Census Bureau, the majority of homes built in 2021 had three or more bathrooms; however, that doesn’t really tell us a lot. How many occupants were in the home? How large was the home? etc. The general rule, in the home building industry, is for homes to have at least two bathrooms for every three bedrooms. Larger and more upscale homes tend to have more bathrooms per person than smaller or more modest residences.

Can a bathroom addition make a difference in your home?

When it comes to your home, it is often hard to find one that is already built and is perfect for you and your family. How many bathrooms the home has can play a major factor into how much you love your home and whether it is perfect for you or not. The good news is, if the bathroom situation isn’t what you want it to be, you can do something about it. Bathroom additions are one of the most beneficial home renovation projects you can do for your home.

Adding an additional bathroom to your home can bring several benefits, including:

• Comfort and Convenience: An extra bathroom provides added convenience, especially in larger households or homes with multiple occupants. It reduces the need for individuals to wait for their turn to use the bathroom, making daily routines smoother and more efficient. It also enhances comfort by providing additional privacy and reducing waiting during busy periods. In older homes, there may not be a bathroom on the main floor, meaning that people have to go up or down stairs to reach this essential room. A bathroom addition to the main level can really be a game changer.
• Improved Functionality: As mentioned above, a bathroom addition can enhance the overall livability and functionality of your home. It can help distribute the usage of bathrooms throughout the house, reducing wear and tear on existing ones. This can be especially beneficial in homes with limited bathroom space or where the existing bathroom(s) are located far from certain areas, such as bedrooms or entertainment spaces.
• Increased Property Value: Adding a bathroom to a home can significantly increase the value of the home. Buyers often prioritize homes with multiple bathrooms, particularly in larger households. The added functionality and convenience of an extra bathroom can make your property more appealing and attractive to potential buyers, leading to a higher resale value.
• Guest Accommodation: Having an extra bathroom or bathrooms is extremely beneficial when hosting guests or accommodating overnight visitors. It allows visitors to have their own designated bathroom space, ensuring their comfort and privacy. This can be particularly valuable during holidays, family gatherings, or when you frequently host events. If you have people over often, if you notice a long wait period for the bathroom, it may be the perfect time to think about a bathroom addition.

A bathroom addition can make a difference in your home. Whatever the reason may be for you considering adding this additional space, when it comes to creating the bathroom of your dreams, Sanctus Builders can help. We specialize in bathroom remodeling and home additions. Making us the ideal team to create your perfect additional bathroom.

We work with experienced architects and engineers as well as employ a full team of framers, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC specialists to ensure your home addition is built to modern building standards. Sanctus Builders is here for you and your Northeast Ohio home. Contact us to learn more.

When it comes to your home’s design, whether renovating an old one or building a new one, there are many things to consider, one of which is the overall layout. The plan for your home should be created with all household members, your lifestyle, and your style and preferences in mind. In the last few decades, more and more homeowners have started to decide to create homes with an open floor plan. We are going to review what this type of layout is and take a look at some of the pros and cons of an open floor plan for your home.

What is an Open Floor Plan?

Open floor plans have seemed to be all the rage in home design over the last few decades, so it’s very likely you are familiar with what this type of layout is, but in case you are not, we have got you covered.

An open floor plan is a design concept that involves having no walls or minimal partitions between different areas of a living space, such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen. In an open floor plan, these areas flow seamlessly into one another, creating a more spacious and connected feeling in the home.

An open floor plan doesn't mean all rooms are connected, nor does it mean there are no barriers at all between the rooms. Open floor plans apply only to common areas. Rooms like bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices are usually exempt from this style of layout (the spruce).

Pros and Cons of an Open Floor Plan for Your Home

Recent surveys have found that Americans are split on open-concept homes, with 51.2% preferring an open layout and 48.8% preferring a traditional layout. That’s basically a 50-50 split. If you are deciding if an open floor plan is right for your home, you are not alone.

To help you make this tough design decision for your Northeast Ohio home, we review some of the pros and cons of an open floor plan home below.

Pros:

• More natural light: Without walls blocking the light, an open floor plan allows natural light to flow freely throughout the home, making it brighter and more inviting.
• Improved socialization: An open floor plan allows for better communication and interaction between people in different areas of the home. It creates a more social and inviting atmosphere, which can be ideal for families or people who like to entertain.
• Increased flexibility: An open floor plan can be versatile, allowing homeowners to rearrange furniture or use the space for different purposes. It can also make a small home feel more spacious.
• Better flow: An open floor plan creates a seamless flow from one area of the home to another, making it easier to move around and navigate in the space.

Cons:

• Less privacy: An open floor plan can compromise privacy as there are no walls to block sound or visual cues from one area of the home to another. The lack of a sound barrier can be an issue.
• Limited storage: Without walls, there are fewer opportunities for storage, making it harder to hide clutter or keep things out of sight. Not to mention less areas for artwork and to include some of your personal flare to the space.
• More difficult to heat and cool: Open floor plans can be more challenging to heat and cool since there is no natural separation between areas. This can result in higher energy bills.
• Potential for a cluttered look: With everything in plain sight, an open floor plan can create a cluttered or messy appearance if not kept tidy. If you have kids and/or pets, this can be a major deciding factor in whether an open floor plan is right for your home or not.

An open floor plan can offer many benefits, such as improved natural light and socialization, but it may also have some drawbacks, such as limited privacy and storage. While we have reviewed some of the pros and cons of an open floor plan for your home, keep in mind, what may be a pro for some may be a con for others, and vice versa. Ultimately, it depends on your lifestyle and preferences whether an open floor plan is suitable for your home or not.

If you are looking to build a new home in Northeast Ohio or looking to remodel your new home, or one that you have lived in for years, at Sanctus Builders, we know that your home project is important to you. We will work with you every step of the way to ensure you have a floor plan that works for you and your home.

Contact us today to get started on creating your dream home.