When we moved into our house, we knew we would have to get creative with our storage. We loved everything about it except the fact that it doesn’t have a basement. (In fact, not one of the houses we looked at here in Charlotte had a basement. We’re not sure what that’s all about.) Not having a basement means we have to be very selective with our purchases, and we need to make the most of the storage space we do have. This house has plenty of space and closets, but the previous owners didn’t maximize their potential. I remember opening a closet when we were looking at this house, and toys were packed inside. The laundry closet is located next to the kitchen in the entry hall. One of the first things we did when we moved in was stack the washer and dryer. Then we realized that we could double the usage of the space by adding a pantry to the laundry room.
(before)
At first we thought about adding cabinets above the machines, but ultimately that wouldn’t get us the most bang for our bucks. So, after I changed the bifold doors to french doors, we stacked the washer and dryer with this kit. Wow that made the biggest difference, and it also opened up a whole area that could become a walk-in pantry.
When I was in Africa, Yankee painted the trim and the inside, to get it ready for the new pantry set up.
We decided to build the pantry on the side wall due to all the tubing from the washer and dryer. We didn’t want those tubes to be stuffed behind the pantry system, and while it is not the prettiest, I am more concerned about function at this point. I’ll rig up something in the future to make these hoses disappear. That will happen when everything else has been marked off of my to-do list.
Yankee took the measurements and planned a design that would work best for us in this tight space. We then ordered a customized closet system from EasyClosets that he put together. We now have a place to store everything including the extra paper products.
We added the drawers and I was shocked by how much they hold. I was able to take out all our food and cooking items from the kitchen and put them in our new pantry and still have plenty of room for more. Plus, nothing gets lost because I can walk in and see everything we have. I LOVE IT!
Since we don’t have a huge laundry room, this makes sense for us. We have laundry and a pantry all in one place. It is amazing how maximizing storage for a closet can make the biggest difference in other parts of the house. We have also added closet systems to our master bedroom closets, and eventually Little Miss’s closet and the guest room closet will get the same treatment.
Cheers!
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Stacking your washer and dryer was a great idea. Good thing you are tall, I’m 5’2″ so it wouldn’t work for me. Enjoy your new home.
Cindi, I am 6 feet tall, and the top works fine, but bending over to get the clothes out of the washer is not fun!
I just love this idea Jordan. Now you have me thinking what I can do to maximize storage around my house. Sheila
Go for it, Sheila!
We have a small closet/pantry with wire shelves which I do not like. Some things won’t sit upright and they are not adjustable. Would you share where you purchased your shelving? I might want to swap mine out. Thank you.
Jamie, we ordered them online from Easy Closets. Let us know how yours turn out.
Thank you!
Hi, Jordan! Your fellow Charlottean here! We don’t have basements here! I think it has something to do with our incredibly heavy clay. The only time you’ll see a basement is if the house is on a slope and they have created a walk-out basement. Just one of the things we have to give up here in the South, but we get so much!!! Are you enjoying all the beautiful blooming trees?
Thank you, Katherine for the explanation. We are so happy to be in beautiful and southern Charlotte that we don’t mind not having a basement. We love the weather and early spring after moving from Syracuse.