Renovators' dilemma: Half-bath or washer and dryer. Which would you choose?

By Mayra David | June 22, 2015 - 4:03PM

It's the classic NYC conundrum, one that our suburban counterparts very rarely have to deal with but many city apartment renovators face: extra half bath vs. washer-dryer. We asked five New Yorkers which they would prefer.

When courtesy is not contagious I’d rather have a washer and dryer, even though we have a laundry room in my building. There are only two machines and a lot of the time I have to wait for a machine to become free. And if you’re not there right at the moment when somebody is taking their clothes out of the machine, somebody will take it. Sometimes you have to wait two turns before you get a chance. What is really annoying, however, is when people just leave their clothes in the dryers. Just because you are done with your laundry, doesn’t mean you should feel free to delay other people! This is how it is in my building. People have no manners. —Nimet, Sutton Place
Coming out of the closet Well, I’m not supposed to have a washer and dryer, but I absolutely need it. So I have a washer. It’s just such an essential part of life! The reason, as far as I know, that we can’t have washers and dryers is because the the plumbing can’t take the force with which the sudsy water is pushed into the pipes. Well, with my portable washer, the soapy water just drains into the sink. No problem there. I’ve had it for over two years and there’s never been an issue with water damage or plumbing. I’d really love a dryer, too, though. Air drying is okay, but it does take forever. Also, I have to hide my washer in the closet, so it takes up a lot of space and when I use it, I have to wheel it out of the bedroom closet, so it’s a bit of a production. I’d like to be allowed the washer and dryer so I can just have it out in the open!—-Amy, Inwood
Washer and dryer desperation I’d take a washer and dryer, for sure. Definitely. It’s so hard to take care of your laundry when you have to go out somewhere to do it. Especially when you work as much as I do, it’s such a chore. I hated it so much when I had to go to a laundromat in my old neighborhood: It was five blocks away! I didn’t take it into consideration when I found my last place. When I was looking for a new one, it was definitely at the top of my list. I’m so happy to have one now. Put it this way: I would have taken this place even if it only had a half bath. As long as it has a washer and dryer, I’m good. —Nina, Harlem
Washer and dryer. Period.
Washer/dryer for sure. That’s just essential. I have a baby on the way. You need a washer/dryer. -Andy, Upper East Side

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Half bath for hospitality I’d love a half bath! It would make life so much easier. It’s really not a problem for me or my husband to do laundry in the basement laundry room. But a half bath would be a dream! We have so many visitors from out of town, and sleepovers with my son’s friends and even just an extra half bath would be great.
—Allegra, East Harlem

Verdict: Washer and dryer — by loads.

In a city as hot as New York, residents have strong opinions about their a/c units

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