CLEVER LAUNDRY

THE LAUNDRY MAY BE THE HARDEST-WORKING ROOM IN YOUR HOME, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT SHOULDN’T BE BEAUTIFUL, TOO

The laundry was once a closed-away room, hidden out of sight from the rest of the home. But as our more functional spaces get sexier and less utilitarian, they are now stepping into the design spotlight. And why shouldn’t they? We spend so much time in the laundry, so why shouldn’t it be just as spectacular as the rest of our homes? We reveal the design secrets behind four delightful laundries to help get you on the path towards your dream laundry.

BLUE CRUSH GIA renovation expert Kia Howat was tasked to refresh this dated laundry, improve its functionality and increase its storage, which she did with creative flair. “The shaker doors and butler sink add traditional charm,” explains Kia. “The white joinery has white leather handles, and the blue tiles from Signorino Tile Gallery are a beautiful handmade gloss square, which add the pop of colour we needed.” The blue is carried through with the floor runner, hand towel and low-key blue Laminex joinery framing the cupboards.

POCKET ROCKET This laundry nook opens to a playroom, bathroom and small home gym, so it had to be both beautiful and practical. Toronto-based Collective Studio kept the scheme as neutral as possible, but opted for a patterned Saltillo cement tile for the splashback to inject colour and interest. “We also used a beautiful hanging bar from Kroft Studio so it would look more like art when not in use,” says interior designer Alana Firestone. The waterfall design of the benchtops maximises the available workspace in this small laundry space. For a selection of compact, as well as premium, laundry appliances, visit a Harvey Norman store near you, harveynorman.com.au. >

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE This understated laundry by Melbourne interior designer Aldona Pajdak (below) may be all-white, however it’s packed with personality. Rather than the standard under-bench cabinetry, this room features three oversized pull-out drawers embossed with specific washing labels (no whites getting mixed up with red shirts here), all with giant timber knobs that feel fun yet chic. A hang rail runs the length of the bench to make the most of a usually unused area.

“PLANTS ADD LIFE TO ANY SPACE, AND A WARM TEXTILE ON A TILED FLOOR GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS AN INVITING ROOM”

~ JESSICA HELGERSON, INTERIOR DESIGNER

BALANCING ACT With a focus on both practical storage and robust materials, this workspace by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design is a dream. The bench sitting over the washer and dryer is higher than the opposite workspace, but this is balanced by lining up both of the splashbacks. The hamper doors have cut-outs that are playful and practical, giving extra ventilation within the cabinetry, and the cement hexagonal floor tiles are softened by the plush rug (try Tigmi Trading for similar).

“In a smaller space these elements may make it feel cluttered, but the extra counter and floor space created enough breathing room to include decorative objects,” explains Jessica.

AMPLIFY STORAGE KEEPING ORDER IN A LAUNDRY IS KEY, SO TAKE CUPBOARDS FROM FLOOR UP TO CEILING. SHAKERSTYLE JOINERY IN WHITE EVOKES A CLASSIC AESTHETIC. LIGHT THE WAY BRING INSTANT NATURAL LIGHT AND GREENERY INTO A LAUNDRY WITH WELLPLACED WINDOWS THAT BORROW COLOUR FROM THE SPACE’S SURROUNDS.

ADD LUXE DON’T BE AFRAID TO ADD IN A BIT OF GLAMOUR TO YOUR LAUNDRY. GOLD TAPWARE IS A LUXE ADDITION TO ANY SCHEME – SEE PHOENIX FOR A SELECTION – AND MAKES THIS ZONE FEEL INSTANTLY HIGH-END. MAKE A STATEMENT PATTERNED TILES ARE AN EASY WAY TO CREATE A PRETTY DESIGN FEATURE IN A LAUNDRY, WITHOUT SACRIFICING SPACE. VISIT TILES BY KATE, TILESBYKATE.COM.AU, FOR A SELECTION OF STAND-OUTS. HANG IT UP MAKE THE MOST OF A SMALL LAUNDRY BY INTEGRATING AS MANY PRACTICAL FEATURES AS POSSIBLE, SUCH AS THIS OVERHEAD HANGING DEVICE FOR DRYING CLOTHES.

INJECT GREENERY TALL INDOOR PLANTS ADD HEIGHT TO THE SHORTER BENCHTOP, VISUALLY BALANCING IT WITH THE SLIGHTLY TALLER BENCH THAT’S AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM - A CLEVER DESIGN TRICK.

MAKE IT FUN A BASIC LAUNDRY CAN HAVE PERSONALITY: ALL YOU NEED IS IMAGINATION. TRY TO ADD INTERESTING DETAILS OR DESIGN FEATURES, SUCH AS OVERSIZED HANDLES – TRY KEELER HARDWARE FOR SIMILAR.

DRESS IT UP THIS SPACE FEELS FULLY DRESSED, WITH A COMBINATION OF PLANTS, BASKETS AND A PLUSH RUG THAT GRABS YOUR ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY AND ADDS TEXTURE AND WARMTH TO THE SUNNY AND SPACIOUS LAUNDRY.