Laundry Pedestals vs. Built-In Cabinets: Which Is the Best Option for Your Laundry Room?

Having an efficient laundry area can make laundry tasks less stressful and save time for you. Two popular laundry solutions for maximizing space are laundry pedestals and built-in cabinets. Both are perfect choices, but they perform different roles. Since you cannot break free the laundry, let us discuss these two setups to help you decide which one is perfect for your laundry room.

What Are Laundry Pedestals?

Laundry pedestals are elevated level surface that lift off washers and dryers by up to 16 inches. These have two main functionalities; bring your appliances to a convenient height for easy loading and unloading and give additional storage space underneath the machines. Pedestals normally come with built-in shelves to keep your laundry essentials. 

Here are the benefits of laundry pedestals:

• Machine Elevation. When your washer and dryer are raised, there's less strain on your back and knees since you don’t have to bend or crouch as much while doing laundry. This elevation is particularly helpful with front-loading machines, since the pedestals bring their door to chest level. Loading and unloading of laundry becomes easier. 

• Handy Storage. A pedestal is designed with a shelf so that your detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, etc., have their own place in the laundry room. While space is limited inside, it is a convenient solution for your commonly used supplies to keep nearby. 

• Stylish Look. Laundry pedestals can give your laundry area a modern touch with their sleek and streamlined appearance. You can add and connect several pedestals, creating a seamless finish. Overall, they can blend well with any laundry room setting. They can also match with various brands of washing machines. 

What Are Built-In Cabinets?

Built-in cabinets are typically installed above or around laundry appliances. These storage units, fixed to your walls, can be customized or semi-customized. This flexibility allows you to tailor the cabinets to your needs and preferences. 

Explore further the benefits of built-in cabinets:

• Customizable Storage. These cabinets can provide storage space that is suitable for your needs. You can choose the number of drawers and compartments. If you want to tuck away bulk laundry supplies or large items such as ironing board or laundry baskets, you can adjust the shelf heights. It is easy to organize your laundry area any way you want. 

• Aesthetic Appeal. Built-in cabinets can integrate well with your home décor. There are various materials, colors, and finishes to choose from, allowing you to design your cabinets to match the interior decoration of your laundry room. You can make your space more cohesive.  

• Concealed Organization. You can give your laundry area a well-kept appearance with your built-in cabinets. These cabinets have doors that hide your laundry supplies, keeping the clutter at bay. It is easy to maintain a tidy look whether you have a high-traffic laundry area.  

What Are the Key Differences?

Let us compare pedestals and cabinets:

Installation and Cost

Installing laundry pedestals are hassle free. You can place and secure them under your machines by yourself. Pedestals are also more affordable, depending on the brand, size, and features of the appliances. 

With built-in cabinets, they are made to fit your laundry space, which often require professional installation. From custom designs to semi-custom units, the price of cabinets ranges greatly. While they are expensive upfront, they offer a permanent laundry storage solution. 

Storage Space

A laundry pedestal provides you with a single shelf to keep smaller, yet important items for your laundry tasks. You will have your detergents, fabric softeners, brushes, and other essentials within easy reach. It goes without saying that you cannot put larger items inside a pedestal like a basket or those in bulk. 

On the other hand, you significantly have more space with built-in cabinets. You can have as many drawers, shelves, and compartments as you can in your area. If you have substantial storage needs for your laundry supplies, installing cabinets is an ideal choice. 

Aesthetic Considerations

The laundry pedestal you use can match with the colors and finishes of your washing machine and dryer. For this, you can create a uniform appearance in your laundry room. However, keep in mind that pedestals are more functional than decorations. 

It is easy to complement your home interior with a built-in cabinet. All you have to do is choose hardware and finishes that go well with the other cabinets in your home. Overall, this adds to the aesthetics of your laundry space. 

Which Option is Best for You?

Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a laundry solution for your home:

What’s Your Budget?

If you want a cost-effective option, laundry pedestals are suitable for your budget. Besides the added height of your appliances and quick installation, you have extra storage space. If you want better customization options and storage considerations, choose built-in cabinets. But these require a larger budget, including installation requirements.  

How Much Space Do You Have?

The answer depends on the size of your laundry area. A pedestal can meet your storage needs if you only need to keep small, basic items for your laundry. If you have a spacious area and want to keep all laundry supplies, including large ones, a built-in cabinet provides a substantial organization. 

How Do You Use Your Laundry Room?

If your prime concern is accessibility, laundry pedestals can make loading and unloading of laundry much easier. They give effective laundry solution with machine elevation and convenience. If your priority is having an uncluttered space and maximizing storage, built-in cabinets are useful options. 

The Verdict

Laundry pedestals and built-in cabinets have their own benefits, so it all boils down to your needs and priorities. Pedestals are great for smaller laundry areas with equally smaller storage needs. They enhance accessibility to the machines and fit limited budgets. 

On the other hand, built-in cabinets are customizable and come with a bigger storage solution. They can keep things out of sight and enhance aesthetics of the area at the same time. Make sure you have a bigger investment for them. 

Ready to Upgrade Your Laundry Room? 

Once you have assessed your preferences, needs, and budget, you can make the right decision to make your laundry tasks more convenient, organized, and enjoyable, whether you choose laundry pedestals or built-in cabinets.