With some design and planning you can make laundry day less daunting.
Location, location, location – Where should a laundry room be located?
Near the kitchen or mudroom: This is often convenient because it’s close to the busiest areas of your home. If you have a mudroom, it’s great for keeping dirt and moisture out of other areas of the house.
Basement: Traditionally laundry has been put in the basement – out of the way and out of sight. The downside is hauling laundry up and down the stairs.
Main Floor: Main floor laundry can make laundry day(s) easier as you can do your laundry while completing your other daily tasks.
Near Bedrooms: This can save time and energy compared to hauling clothes up or down stairs. Dirty laundry accumulates near the bedrooms and bathrooms, having the laundry close by can be a time saver.
Closet or Hallway: Some people create small laundry areas in large closets or hallways, especially if the space is a bit more confined. It can save space but doesn’t offer as many benefits of a laundry room.
Features to be considered – Make doing your laundry easier.
Technology and Modern Features
Laundry rooms are no longer just about washing and drying clothes. With today’s technology, there are several smart appliances and features you can add to make your laundry room more efficient.
Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency washer and dryer with smart capabilities, such as app-controlled features or moisture sensors. If you have the budget, even a built-in ironing system or a washer-dryer combo that cleans and dries your clothes in one go can save time and effort.
Consider the Workflow
A good laundry room design follows a natural workflow. Start by considering how you typically do laundry — you’ll want to make sure your washer and dryer are easy to access, and that dirty clothes can be easily transported to the room without much hassle.
Inclusion of a laundry tub or sink can help with pretreating stains or handwash only linens.
Designating areas for sorting clothes, washing, drying, folding, and ironing. Having a clear pathway for each of these steps can streamline the process and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by the mountain of laundry.
The fun stuff –
Just because it’s a functional space doesn’t mean it can’t be attractive. A laundry room can be the perfect place to experiment with color, patterns and textiles. Even if the space is small, adding a pop of personality can make a big difference.
Good lighting is essential in any laundry room. You’ll need clear, bright lighting to see stains and make sure clothes are properly washed. If possible, incorporating natural light into your laundry room design with windows or skylights makes the space feel more inviting.
Tight on space, consider this –
If your laundry room is on the smaller side or in a closet, take advantage of vertical space. Wall-mounted drying racks, hanging rods or wall cabinetry can help keep items handy while saving valuable floor space and keeping the washer and dryer tops clear of the mess.
Also, consider a stackable washer and dryer unit to free up space for additional storage.
Organization is key –
Another must-have if you have the space is a designated area for sorting laundry. A set of hampers or pull-out drawers can help keep clothes organized by color, fabric, or family member, making laundry day smoother. If you have the room, add a countertop for folding clothes — it’s a simple addition that makes a big difference.
With the right design, your laundry room can be an organized, practical, and even a beautiful space that makes doing laundry a little bit easier — and maybe even a little more fun!
