Creating a
Fabulous & Functional
Laundry Space.
There was a time when the humble laundry was a simple room that merely contained a washing machine, a freestanding laundry tub, and sometimes included a vented dryer. There may have been a shelf or two to place washing detergent and stain remover and perhaps, at the very most, a broom cupboard where a vacuum and ironing board could be stored. In short, it was a room that was purely utilitarian, and absolutely no thought went into its design during the home’s build.
That was then, and this is now. Today’s laundries are meticulously planned and are considered just as important as a home’s bathroom and kitchen. Quite a considerable amount of thought goes into both its layout and design. This change is largely due to the addition of powder rooms to contemporary home floor plans, which are most commonly placed within close proximity to the laundry. Quite often, access to the powder room is via the laundry itself. This, and the combination of the commonality of custom cabinetry, and the wider array of design choices for washers and dryers, has culminated in elevating laundry room design outcomes.
Here we share some hints to ensure you create a fabulous and functional laundry room space:
1. Layout
A well-designed laundry room makes laundry day a breeze. The layout of the laundry will very much depend upon size and the type of washing machine you have and where its plumbing is located. However, it is wise to consider exactly how you would like to work in the space when conducting regular tasks such as “doing a load of laundry”. Think about how best to have the layout organised to reduce unnecessary additional movements so as to streamline the function of the space.
Renovating the laundry is the ideal time to correct the flow and functionality of its layout, and enhance the storage available for cleaning products and appliances. In addition, it is ideal to have an area in which to treat, fold, and sort clothes, so enhancing the working bench space is just as important as ensuring ample storage. This is obtained by positioning a front-loading washer and dryer side by side and installing a bench top above the appliances and stretching across the length of the laundry.
2. Cavity Sliding Doors
Replacing a hinged door with a cavity sliding door is a fantastic way to create more freedom with the layout of the laundry room. It increases the available working space within the laundry and opens the area. Cavity sliding doors now come in a variety of designs. The most popular design chosen for laundries by far is the frosted glass version as it enhances light in the adjoining spaces.
3. Custom Cabinetry
Rather than purchasing a stand-alone cupboard that awkwardly stores cleaning products and appliances, custom cabinetry can make the most of every inch of your laundry area and have its cabinet shelving, and drawers laid out exactly as you require them to be. This can therefore account for things like; twin pullout laundry hampers for dirty clothes, the exact height of an unusually large vacuum, or even a second fridge or freezer. The cabinetry most often matches that of the kitchen or bathroom, depending on which it is closer to, to create a harmonious feel throughout the interior design of the home.
4. Benchtop & Splashback
The bench top and splashback are usually made up either two different combinations which largely depend on budget. On the higher end would be stone for both the bench top and splashback which is as mentioned above either the same as the kitchen or the closest bathroom, depending which is closest.
Alternatively, if your budget is tight, the following suggestions will create a stunning laundry design without breaking the bank.
Laminate bench tops in either a marble or timber look are popular design choices which are then paired with a tiled splashback. When tiling the laundry splashback there are three main choices that will not date. In no particular order:
i) Using the same tile as the floor and skirting.
ii) Tiling with a 300×600 rectified porcelain tile in either white, marble, or terrazzo.
iii) Tile a subway or herringbone pattern.
Gorgeous custom white cabinetry, timber benchtop & marble tiled splashback with LED strip lighting – laundry renovation by Master Bathrooms & Kitchens.
5. Twin Laundry Hampers
As mentioned above, laundry hampers can be included within the custom cabinetry. These are incorporated in a drawer style that is of your own preference, though usually a twin to separate white and dark washing loads for convenience. When it’s time to do a load, the individual baskets can be removed to load the washing machine with ease.
6. Under-cabinet lighting/ Powerpoints
Lighting is integral in all rooms of the home and the laundry is no exception. Downlights are ideal for illuminating the room when completing everyday tasks. Under-cabinet lighting is a fantastic inclusion that creates a lovely feature lighting that lights the passageway to the adjoining powder room in the evening. Powerpoints for the washer and dryer can be hidden away within the cabinetry, and decorative powerpoints can be installed on the splashback for small appliances such as a steamer or iron. Be sure to include a power point for a stick vacuum to be charged if required.
7. Laundry tubs/ Hidden plumbing
Ugly stand-alone laundry tubs have been replaced with large laundry sinks that are built into the bench top of the cabinetry. Just as in the kitchen, laundry sinks can be flush mount, under mount, or even the ever-desirable farmhouse sinks. The laundry sink is ideally combined with a pull-down tap mixer which allows for greater control when treating stains on clothing, filling the iron or steamer, or even filling a bucket to mop.
While front-loading washers are by far the most popular choice, not all homeowners opt for this style of washing machine. Some prefer top-loading washers, which require a slight adjustment to the laundry’s layout. Regardless of the type of washer chosen, plumbing can still be hidden within the cabinetry so as to produce a clean, contemporary finish and will not affect the laundry room’s overall design.
8. Ventilation/ Heat pump dryers
In wet weather and particularly colder periods of the year, getting laundry dry can be a challenge. Typical vented dryers create a great amount of steam that collects inside the laundry, causing the walls to quite literally drip with condensation. This condensation will over time create a mould problem that can be difficult to treat. To abate this issue, installing an exhaust fan can help ensure adequate ventilation while using vented dryers.
Alternatively, consider purchasing a heat pump dryer. While more expensive than standard vented types, this type of dryer is a complete game changer for laundry rooms. Rather than having the condensation vented out into the air, heat pump dryers are designed so that the condensation is collected in a compartment that can be emptied after each use. If installing one of these when renovating the laundry, it can be connected to the laundry tub drainage and drain out automatically while in use so there is no need to worry about the condensation compartment overflowing.
9. Delicates hanging rods & drying racks
Regardless of the weather, there will always be items of clothing that are preferably dried indoors that are not suitable for the dryer. Namely delicates and dark clothing that are prone to fading. There are two fantastic drying options that are perfect to include when renovating your laundry.
First is a drying rod that is attached to the custom cabinetry, usually beneath open shelving that is positioned directly above the laundry tub. This type of drying rod is ideal for “drip drying” delicate clothing.
Another fantastic inclusion are twin foldaway drying racks that are supported by the internal wall studs for strength, which enables them to hold an entire load of washing. These are typically installed on the opposite wall to the cabinetry containing the washer and dryer. As the name suggests, the rod can be removed and they fold away in line with the wall when not in use. They are an incredible inclusion that simplifies laundry day. Clothes can be simply taken straight from the washing machine, put on hangers and placed directly on the drying racks. This means clothes can be dried regardless of the weather, avoiding fading and using the dryer.
10. Ironing boards/ steamers
Consider where it is you prefer to do your ironing before creating a dedicated pullout ironing board in your cabinetry. If the laundry has the space for one, they are incredibly functional and a fantastic inclusion. Though most homeowners may prefer to iron/ steam in front of the TV, in which case consideration needs to be made for storage of a portable iron board/ steamer within the cabinetry.
Related Articles:
Creating the Ultimate Wardrobe Design
The Advantages of Hybrid Flooring
Tips to maximise bathroom storage
Master Bathrooms & Kitchens is a bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovation company that has been renovating homes beautiful since 1995. We offer advice and expertise that only comes from years of experience. Be sure to peruse our website for more renovation inspiration or simply call us on (02)9899-9330 for a quotation today!
Watch our video below of just some of our beautiful projects:
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