I'm doing a renovation in my laundry room and adding a countertop over my washer and dryer. I realized that the box with the shutoff valves will be visible above the counter. My contractor suggested adding a 4-inch backsplash to cover it, but I'd prefer a flat countertop without any back edge. I'm looking for ideas on how to conceal the valves without compromising accessibility. I did suggest moving the box down a bit, but my contractor wasn't keen on that option. Any creative solutions? Here's a picture to give you an idea: https://imgur.com/a/5JoJtkx
4 Answers
It's definitely important to keep those shutoffs accessible, just in case. I’ve had a similar setup in my laundry room, and I ended up building a small box on the counter to cover the valves. I secured it with Velcro, and even though it bothered me at first, it's become part of the decor, and I hardly notice it now!
I wouldn't recommend lowering the box. The drain needs to be at a certain height, and adjusting it could lead to problems. Better to find a way to conceal it that doesn't interfere with its functionality.
You definitely need to keep access to those shutoffs! It just seems too risky to cover them up with the counter. It's your laundry room, but safety should come first!
Installing a permanent backsplash over water shutoffs seems like a bad idea to me. If you want to move the box down, it might be a hassle, but your contractor should be able to handle it. If all else fails, you could always place something decorative in front, like a basket or even some light artwork. Honestly, my laundry room isn’t a space I spend a lot of time in, so I prioritize looks over function. But it depends on how much you use that area, I guess.
True, I hadn't thought of that. I might run into trouble accessing the valves with the countertop there anyway, especially since the entrance is where most guests come through, which is why I want it to look nice.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’m questioning whether I’ll even be able to access the valves properly with the countertop on, especially since I'd need to shift the washer. I guess I’ll have to check that before the countertop goes in.