OUT in the Wash

5 Tips For A Fabulous Laundry Room

By Square Footage Design

1 / LOCATION MATTERS

In many homes laundry rooms have typically been located in the basement, where the machines could work without disturbing the main living areas with their noise or the threat of leaks. But before you dedicate a corner of the basement to laundry, have you considered the convenience of another location in the home, such as adjacent to the kitchen, mudroom or even near the upper-floor bedrooms? Today’s whisper-quiet machines look as sleek as they sound and the rest of this formerly utilitarian room is dressed to impress, too, from fashionable and functional flooring and backsplash, to countertops, cabinets and more.

2 / YOU’LL NEED MORE STORAGE THAN YOU THINK

This is almost always the case –plan your storage areas, then kick them up a notch. The secret to a well-functioning laundry room is having organized areas for all your essentials. For my clients, I tailor their storage system to their lifestyle and personality. Closed storage is usually better-suited to the messy-minded for obvious reasons, while open shelves tend to work well for neat and highly visual people. If you’re somewhere in between, as many of us are, consider combining closed cabinets with some stylish open cubbies and shelves, for everyday frequently used or purely decorative pieces.

Whoever dubbed laundry a “chore” probably didn’t have a fabulous space to wash and fold. Indeed, under the right conditions, laundry can be a cathartic experience. So, why not make this unavoidable task a joy instead of a job? When I design a laundry room for our client, here are five things that always come out in the wash.

3 / INVEST IN A LARGE LAUNDRY TUB

Trust me, there will always be something you’ll need to wash sooner or later that can’t go in the washing machine – from heavily soiled clothes, or muddy boots, to your furry friends. And when the time comes, you’ll be thankful you thought ahead and invested in a sizeable sink. While the oversized utility sink is still available on the market, you can find more modern options in stylish and durable materials that are made to last. Consider the tub’s depth and width in relation to your needs as well as the size of the room. d

4 / LOCATION MATTERS

Maximize every inch. Speaking of the size of the room, work with your designer to plan the space with ultimate efficiency. Folddown counters, tables on castors and retracting shelves and racks can enhance the laundry room’s function when you need it, and disappear when you don’t. Bonus elements within the cabinetry design include an ironing board, a shelf for storing baskets and everyday cleaning products, and rods mounted high enough to hang shirts and dresses. Don’t forget to factor electrical outlets and adequate lighting into your design plan!

5 / MAXIMIZE EVERY INCH

Speaking of the size of the room, work with your designer to plan the space with ultimate efficiency. Fold-down counters, tables on castors and retracting shelves and racks can enhance the laundry room’s function when you need it, and disappear when you don’t. Bonus elements within the cabinetry design include an ironing board, a shelf for storing baskets and everyday cleaning products, and rods mounted high enough to hang shirts and dresses. Don’t forget to factor electrical outlets and adequate lighting into your design plan!

6 / FACTOR STYLE INTO YOUR PLAN

When you think about it, the laundry room is the perfect place to test your boundaries – and let your inner style spill over. This is usually a small space, relatively speaking, which means your level of investment and commitment will be limited. This space is also usually visually separated from the main living areas, which makes it a great place to be bold with a trendy colour, daring wallpaper.

Whether your laundry room needs a simple refresh or a down-tothe-studs renovation, consider working with a professional to help transform this basic work room into a stylish, functional space where you can wash and fold in style.