Are laundry pedestals worth it? (Explained)

If you already have a dedicated space for a washer and enough space to store your laundry items, a laundry pedestal may not be worth the money. Owning a laundry pedestal is completely optional, depending on your laundry needs and preferences.

Technically, your washer and dryer can function without a pedestal. So, it’s only needed if optimizing the space and bringing the door closer to chest height (for easy access and comfort) is a priority.

With that said, pedestals are not only used to optimize space, but they are also used to match the interior of your laundry room in such a way that it accommodates the washer and the laundry items without making the room look untidy.

So, pedestals, if installed with proper planning, can make your laundry room look neat, tidy, and well-organized.

If you choose to install a pedestal, it should be done properly with the right installation guide and necessary accessories to avoid any damage to your washer.

Besides, the pedestal should be sturdy enough to withstand a certain amount of weight for years.

What is a laundry pedestal? (Explained)

The laundry pedestal is a platform that is put under a washing machine to make it taller and give you more storage space to keep your laundry organized. In other words, it’s basically a stand or a platform that supports the washer and adds value by providing extra space.

That being said, laundry pedestals are best suited for front-load washers and dryers, as they make loading and unloading your laundry more difficult when installed for top-loaders.

Laundry pedestals come in a variety of styles and are made of different types of materials, such as wood or plastic.

You can choose one that best suits your laundry room’s interior and matches your expectations in terms of utility.

Why are laundry pedestals so expensive?

Laundry pedestals are usually expensive, ranging from $150 to $300 because they’re made of stronger and more costly materials, such as high-quality wood, titanium, or steel. The cost jumps even higher if the fitting is custom-made to fit your laundry space perfectly.

So, in a nutshell, the high price tag is influenced by your needs, i.e., whether you need any customization to fit the space, the quality of material used to manufacture the pedestal, and the features.

Anything that makes your life easier has a certain cost attached to it.

To be completely honest, it’s a supply-and-demand thing.

Users want laundry pedestals because they give them additional space and stability for the washer, so manufacturers just fill the need and charge accordingly.

On average, decent-quality laundry pedestals could cost you anywhere between $150 and $300. In fact, some smart pedestals that add an additional small washing machine to the existing unit could cost you anywhere around $500 or more.

That being said, if your task is only to make your washer installation better with some additional space, you can get the pedestals for as little as $100.

So, not all laundry pedestals are expensive; it’s just that you pay for the value you get.

Here are some of the common reasons that influence the overall pricing of the laundry pedestal:

Ease of Access

Most pedestals cost more because they add height and make better use of space without making it harder to use a washer.

In other words, the pedestals that are designed to smartly accommodate your laundry room will always be on the expensive side, as they may need more customization.

Material Used

Laundry pedestals are also made with durable materials like wood, steel, or titanium to make them sturdy and withstand the weight of the washers.

The cost of these materials can significantly increase the price tag, so if you want a durable and reliable pedestal for your washer, you must be willing to pay a bit extra.

Protects Washer

Laundry pedestals are designed to raise the height of the washers and dryers. This ensures that they remain off the floor and don’t get affected by the dust or moisture that builds up over time.

It also makes the machines less prone to vibrations, which can affect their performance.

These features are usually part of the high-end pedestals that are offered at a premium.

Overall, laundry pedestals come with a hefty price tag for a good reason, but the cost is worth it if you’re looking for something that adds extra functionality and makes your laundry room look organized.

Pros and cons of pedestals for washing machines

Just like any other product or fitting, pedestals also come with certain pros and cons.

Here are some of the advantages and drawbacks of laundry pedestals:

Pros

• Extra space: With the help of a pedestal, you can easily store necessary laundry items like detergent, fabric softener, etc.
• Makes loading and unloading easier: It also makes loading and unloading easier as it raises the height of the washer, allowing you to get a better grip on the clothes.
• Protects your washer: The pedestal will act as a barrier between the washer and the floor, thus protecting it from dust and moisture.
• Make your laundry room look elegant: Pedestals can be used to give the laundry room a more organized and elegant look. This may require a bit of customization, which also means additional cost.

Cons

• Expensive: As mentioned above, pedestals usually come with a hefty price tag, especially if you are customizing them to fit your laundry room.
• Additional installation cost: If you want to install the pedestal correctly, you may need to hire a professional, which will add more to the total cost.
• It may not be suitable for all types of washers (Not Universal): Pedestals may not fit all types of washers, even if you find the right size. In other words, not all laundry pedestals are universal, this is due to the fact that some machines are designed to be installed on a different base and not on pedestals. So, if you’re considering getting a laundry pedestal for your washer, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision
• Difficult to install: Installing the laundry pedestal can be difficult and take a long time if you don’t know what you’re doing. It is best to hire a professional for the job, as they may be able to do it faster and more efficiently.

When should a laundry pedestal be used?

The best person to decide when to use a washing machine pedestal is you.

That’s right, only you can decide when to install or use a pedestal, as you are the best person to judge the available space, the dimensions of the washer, and the specific needs that you and your machine have.

If you think that a pedestal is necessary for your washing machine, then sure, go ahead and get one.

Are laundry pedestals really worth it? 

Laundry pedestals are worth it if they add some value to your washer, laundry room, or yourself.

For example, the value can be in just making the room look neat and tidy, or it can be in accommodating the washer in a small space in such a way that it can also fit the detergent and other laundry items without making the room look messy.

So, if you do a cost-benefit analysis before installing or buying a laundry pedestal for your laundry room, you should be able to figure out if it’s worth it or not.

Don’t forget that you don’t have to install a pedestal for the washing machine to work. So, you only need it if you really get some value out of it.

For some, the pedestal may not be worth it as they only perform basic activities, but for others, it may be a blessing as it will meet their specific requirements.

Are there any alternatives to laundry pedestals?

There are many options that you can use as an alternative to laundry pedestals.

For example, you can build a platform for your washer using wood, or you can choose to install a stacking kit for the washer and dryer.

You can also go for a more modern solution, such as installing a movable cart or stand that will make it easier to move the washer and dryer around.

With that said, here are some common ideas and alternatives to laundry pedestals or laundry risers.

Use Bricks

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, then you can use bricks or cinder blocks to raise the height of your washer.

This might be a good option if you don’t plan on moving the machine often, as bricks can be quite heavy and awkward to move.

That being said, it is best to avoid increasing the height by stacking too many bricks on top of each other, as this might cause the machine to become unstable or topple over.

Use Washing Machine Feet

Washing machines come with adjustable feet that can be used to raise the height of the machine.

These feet can be changed to fit different floor heights, but they might not be good enough to raise the washer too high.

Use a Platform

Platforms can be used to raise the height of the washer and dryer, but it is important to make sure that the platform is strong enough to support the weight of the machines.

The platform can be in the form of a coffee table, wooden crate, bench, simple table, or any other type of furniture that can easily accommodate the washer and dryer along with their weight.

Install a Stacking Kit

If you have a washer and dryer that are compatible, you can opt for a stacking kit.

These kits come with everything you need to safely stack the washer and dryer on top of each other, like spacers and screws.

This is a great solution if you have limited floor space, as it will reduce the amount of space taken up by the machines.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that laundry pedestals are worth it if they add some value, whether in the form of space optimization, making your laundry room look nicer, or anything else that can make your life easier.

In order to figure out if it’s worth it for you or not, simply do the cost-benefit analysis and also look at the alternatives to decide which one best suits your requirement

Lastly, remember that a pedestal is not needed for a washing machine to work.

Frequently Asked Questions