Laundry room renovations can include a mix of beauty and utility
Does it seem like the hamper is always full and the washing machine is running constantly? Homeowners may not be imagining this scenario. Laundry Butler for You, a wash, dry and fold service, states that the average household washes 50 pounds of laundry a week and 6,000 articles of clothing every year.
Families with children at home are doing laundry most often, and those with pets may find there is ample laundry to wash as well. With so much laundry being generated, homeowners may want to consider paying extra attention to the space in the house where their clothing is being cleansed.
Laundry-room renovations may not top homeowners’ priority lists, but it may be time to give these rooms another look.
Assess your equipment
If the appliances are aging, a laundryroom renovation can start with an investment in new appliances. New models have large-capacity loads, tend to be energyefficient and could have innovative features that help fit with one’s laundry lifestyle.
Purchasing front-loading models can also free up design space, as homeowners can install a counter directly above the units, saving room for other items, such as drying racks.
Figure out room needs
A laundry room need not be limited to laundry only. Many homeowners make large laundry rooms catch-all spaces that can serve as utility or mud rooms, pantry overflows or offseason storage areas. Consider the functions the room needs to serve, and include those ideas in project designs.
Add some natural light
If possible, include a window in your laundry room. Natural light can help make the room more enjoyable. The light can also help those tackling laundry piles to identify stains on clothes that need to be addressed and make it easier to fold matching items such as socks.
Think about a utility sink
Many washing machines drain out directly to waste pipes in the floor or wall, but homeowners can also opt to have them empty into a utility sink. This sink also provides a convenient place to handwash items, clean tools or paintbrushes, or wash small dogs.
Include some flair
This utilitarian space need not be boring or bereft of design elements. Mirror the home’s style in the laundry room, and include wall hangings, plants, accent items and even task lighting. Play up certain features with bold floor tiles or brightly colored walls.