Collaborative Post¦ If you have a laundry room or area, designing it to fit into your home is probably at the forefront of your mind. Here are a few of the best laundry room design ideas and tips to leave it looking like something out of a magazine.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-washer-and-dryer-in-a-room-23coWmkTNSg
Think Smart with Small Spaces
More often than not, laundry rooms aren’t the biggest rooms in your space, and are often nothing more than a large closet. However, as long as you think smart with your design choices, you can still make even the smallest spaces work.
First off, install a counter over the top of your washer and dryers, if possible, and then install some shelves. The countertop is perfect for sorting and folding laundry, and the shelves can be used to store your supplies, extra laundry, baskets, etc.
Install Shelving
Speaking of shelving, shelves are almost always the best thing to install to add storage and additional sorting space. Whether you have a large laundry room or cupboard, shelving can make it a far more usable space.
Additionally, you can easily get some shelf kits from a store like Ikea and install them yourself in an hour or two.
Storage
To minimize clutter and to maximize the space you have to work with, you should prioritize storage. There are several ways to do this: shelving, as mentioned above, laundry bins, drawers, and cupboards.
To keep it simple, you don’t want to have a laundry area that is covered in bottles, clothes, baskets, etc. Find a way to store them away correctly, and you will end up with a neat laundry room, even if it is a small area or closet.
Use Durable Materials
Considering you are working with a lot of moisture, liquids, water, and powders, you want to ensure you use durable materials in your laundry room. You also shouldn’t forget the flooring, as carpets, for instance, offer some grip and will prevent slipping if there are any spillages.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-laundry-room-with-a-sink-and-a-washer-and-dryer-upiqQpeUCYU
Airflow
One factor to always remember when designing your laundry room is airflow. When using a dryer, a lot of moisture is produced, and if there is nowhere for it to go, mold can form, and if not dealt with correctly, it can spread throughout the house.
If your laundry room has a window, then you don’t need to do anymore. However, if it doesn’t, it is best to invest in a dehumidifier, or moisture-wicking pads to cut down on the amount of water droplets in the air.
Re-Bottle/Re-Jar Necessities
Even though they may smell good, laundry detergent and scent boosters don’t often come in the best-looking packaging. However, you can make it fit into your aesthetic by re-bottling or re-jarring your detergents.
Glass always works best as you can check the levels of everything, and it also fits into almost all looks and styles.
Stack Your Washer & Dryer
If you are short on space, the first thing you should do is stack your washer and dryer. Some models are designed to do this, and it is a brilliant space-saving option that frees up extra room for shelves, a countertop, etc.
If you don’t have a washer and dryer that can stack easily, installing a shelf and placing one on top of the other will give you the same result. However, this shelf needs to be very sturdy, therefore you should call in a professional to do it.
Custom Cupboards
If you don’t have a separate area to hide your washer and dryer away, creating custom cupboards to place them behind is the next best thing. A cabinet unit can also serve as an extra workbench and folding space.
If you don’t want to install a cabinet, you can use a curtain instead to add a bit of color and fun to a space, while still hiding your washer and dryer.
Use Color
When it comes to design, use the laundry room space as an opportunity to experiment with color and patterns. Considering it is a space that is either separate from the rest of the house, or hidden altogether, you don’t need to follow the same design rules.
Use some bright colors on the walls, add a fun wallpaper, or keep it neutral; it will all depend on your tastes and what you want out of the space.
Laundry Sorting Area
Finally, always try to add a laundry sorting area of some description. This is particularly useful if you live in a small space or apartment, as you will want to maximize every inch of tabletop space you have.
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Add Some Plants
Adding plants to your laundry area is an affordable way to keep the space smelling good, and remove any weird and musky smells that comes from washing, dampness, etc. Something like a Peace Lily, for example, is incredible at recycling air.
In conclusion, these are only a few of the best tips and ideas for designing your laundry room. While this isn’t a complete list, they are the tips that apply to almost every shape and size space, and you are sure to find them helpful.
Cover photo by Rachel Claire: https://www.pexels.com/photo/washing-machine-under-wooden-table-with-plant-and-wicker-basket-4993073/