A laundry room – if you are fortunate enough to have a designated room – is one of the most underrated and important spaces in any home. Your guests may not see it and it might not be a deal-breaker for potential buyers in the future, but you are likely to spend several hours (at least…) each week in the laundry room. That means, while it doesn’t have to be fancy, it does need to be functional, clean and easy to navigate.
Here are some tips to help make your laundry room easier and more enjoyable to use:
- Make sure your appliances are the right size and in the correct location for your space. The layout of your laundry room will revolve around the washer and dryer, so consider carefully where and how you place these machines. Of course, the water and power supplies will be a big factor. If you have room to stack your laundry machines, this can open up a lot of floor space. If not, place them side-by-side so you can use the top as a work space. Tight on space? Many retailers sell condo-sized machines that even fit in a closet. The maximum load size is smaller, but they take up much less space.
- Storage and organization are key. You will need cabinets and/or shelves to keep your laundry detergent, household cleaning supplies and extra towels and linens. The laundry room likely also doubles as your broom closet. If you don’t have enough space to install a tall cabinet for your broom, mop and ironing board, consider hanging wall hooks behind the door to avoid having these items strewn messily on the floor. Remember to make room for larger items like laundry baskets and buckets, likely on or under a floating shelf.
- A work surface where you can sort and fold laundry can be very helpful. Even in a small space, a countertop can be installed on top of your side-by-side washer and dryer. And, if you prefer to hang-dry your laundry, you may want to install a clothing rod for hangers or a drying rack that folds up to the wall.
- A deep sink or tub is a super handy addition to any laundry room. And, with a couple of cabinets below, it’s a great place to store cleaning supplies and smaller appliances, like an iron or steamer.
- Consider swapping out a traditional door for a pocket door. If you have the option to install a pocket door, it can free up wall space inside the laundry room and improve your freedom of movement within it.
- Choose materials that are durable, as well as easy to clean and maintain. For countertops, choose a non-porous stone like quartz that will not easily damage with heat or chemicals. For cabinet doors, melamine is durable and cost-effective. Select a panel with flat finish that is easy to wipe clean. For flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles are easiest to clean, however vinyl flooring is less expensive and is also water-resistant.
- Brighten up the space. Paint the walls a crisp white or a bright blue or yellow to make your laundry room feel larger. You might not have windows to let natural light into the room, so install bright task lighting overhead.
