I think the first thing you need to do is make sure the wall you want to knock down isn't load bearing. And if you go ahead with this plan, make sure you have enough of the current flooring to install into the new area.

It might be easier, and better for resale, to install a skylight in the kitchen, or an extra wide window. I personally would not be interested in purchasing a home with the laundry in the kitchen.

Agreed with checking to see whether you can take the wall down first. I would think most people don't want to see or hear the washer / dryer working when they are in the kitchen ? so that's why you don't see this setup very often.

Hi, the wall isn't load bearing.. there is an attic over the utility room that we were going to put skylights into to brighten up the kitchen but I understand where you are coming from with the washer/dryer in the kitchen which is why we are looking for ideas on how to neatly integrate them. At the moment there is a room dedicated to them that has the sunniest aspect of the entire house!

One of the easiest solutions to your problem would be to remove the old door leading into the laundry room and adding a glass door - I would recommend a frosted glass which would "hide" what is behind the door but allow light to enter. Not sure what your style is but I have included a photo of a sample glass door. Could be really interesting

If you look at the kitchens in browse rooms area and narrow the filters to washer dryer there are quite a few kitchens with laundry included. Some are behind cabinetry, some are built in with the other appliances. As olldbobbi mentions, if you're going to need to move either the washer or dryer there's going to be some expense involved.

The undercounter or stacked machines behind cabinetry sounds great. With the machines under the counter you create a generous work surface above for folding clean laundry or for kitchen tasks. The advantage of a sunny exposure for laundry is that you can more easily see potential stains to be treated and little rips to be mended. My washer and dryer are in my kitchen area. The noise is not so noticeable in the kitchen as it is in the room that backs onto the laundry machines. Coordinating the timing of the wash and dry helps reduce the noise intrusion while that other room is being used.

I think they're probably no more noisy than a dishwasher?? My dishwasher could wake the dead :))

Thanks everyone for the comments. It's not ideal moving the washer/dryer in into the kitchen but I don't think I can bear walking from a dark kitchen into a sunny laundry room any longer. I like some of the pics I saw in the browse rooms section, great for ideas. I will definately hide them behind cabinetry. We are completely redoing the kitchen so will factor expenses for moving utilities into the overall budget. love this site, thanks for all the help! :)

Ok, well if you're redoing the kitchen anyway, I would put the dishwasher to one side of the sink and the washing machine to the other, since all your plumbing/drains will be in place. Don't forget us when you're done! We never get to see after pics!