LAUNDRIES TO LUST OVER

Laundry feels like less of a chore when tackled in well-planned surroundings

Hidden in the garage or shoved in the shed, the laundry is an oft-neglected area. But with some smart design and little dose of love, your laundry will feel like a happier place to be.

PLAN IT OUT

It’s tempting to banish the laundry out of sight, but having it handy means it’s more likely to be used efficiently. Interior designer Janey Larsen says the location warrants careful consideration. “Does it have easy access? Does it have good access to the washing line?”

Laundries are humid and produce dust and lint, so it’s best to avoid putting them anywhere near fine art, food or soft furnishings that may be spoiled. Choose a position with plenty of natural light and airflow, close to bedrooms and bathrooms.

“Don’t ignore ventilation,” Janey cautions. “A laundry generates a lot of heat and moisture and ventilation to the outside is a must.” Be sure to make an electrical plan so power points are exactly where you need them.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

When planning the position of your washing machine, drier, sink and cupboard or shelving consider how you’ll use the space. Look for quality appliances that are kind on clothes, operate quietly and are energy and water efficient.

Interior designer Natalie Du Bois says: “Include as much storage as possible. The laundry tends to be the place where all the items which you haven’t found a home for get dumped.” If space allows, include a deep, tall cupboard for brooms and the vacuum cleaner, storage for linen and a high cupboard for cleaning products that is out of reach of children.

An oversized sink is useful – “Especially if you have a dog to bath,” says Natalie – as is a high-spouted mixer so you can easily fill a tall bucket in the tub.

Bench space for sorting clean washing is also handy, as well as a drying rod for hanging washing that needs airing.

Those who have them couldn’t live without a pull-out hamper for dirty clothes. Include two if you can, to separate whites and darks, and ensure they’re vented for when the damp towels land.

Good lighting is another essential, with Janey favouring a mix of natural light, overhead and strip or task lighting to illuminate cupboards or under shelves. She also recommends including a fold-out ironing board and a pet door. “It’s a favourite fixture of mine in a laundry; it means you don’t have to have it elsewhere.”

MATERIALS MATTER

The laundry can take a battering, so surfaces need to be hardwearing. “When choosing materials and fixtures opt for good quality tapware, non-porous benchtops and durable tiles that have a bit of grip,” says Janey, naming Corian, engineered stone or laminate as her favourite choices for benchtops.

Aesthetics count too of course, with Natalie suggesting the design theme and level of quality of the kitchen and bathrooms continue into this room. “When people put inferior products into the laundry you psychologically feel this room hasn’t had the same love put into it and you do not want to spend time in it.”

Patterned or coloured tiles make an attractive splashback, while taps, benchtops and cabinetry can be picked in almost any colour and finish imaginable. Natalie recommends adding personal touches with artwork, photographs or prints (although it’s probably best not to hang anything too precious or liable to be affected by moisture). “Adding these will disguise the utilitarian aspect of the laundry.” >

A LAUNDRY IN A CUPBOARD?

Shrinking the laundry down into a cupboard is a good option for small dwellings. Choosing a front loader means the appliances can be stacked, or opt for a washer/drier combo. Sink size is another way to steal space. “Consider something deep but not as wide as most laundry sinks,” suggests designer Shannon Pepper.

Bifold doors mean all parts of the cupboard can be accessed at once, but sliders might be necessary if the surrounding space is tight. If the cupboard is in a hallway, think about whether people are still able to pass by when the doors are open.

Janey advises thinking creatively: “Can you put a hanging rack on the roof or build some shelves on a wall?” And, she says, being organised is always a plus. “You haven’t got space to let your washing build up.”

THIS PAGEDesigner Janey Larsen’s laundry has a rack for hanging clothes that are damp or awaiting ironing, pull-out washing baskets for light and dark-coloured laundry and a brushed nickel tap; there’s also an enviable 4.3m of cupboard space and a fold-out ironing board.

(from left) High shelves ensure cleaning products are kept out of reach of children; an oversized butler’s sink and a tall tap are handy for filling buckets. Even tiny decorative touches add warmth to what could otherwise be a sterile space: “Add a rug or accessories like baskets,” says Janey. “Bring the outside in with a plant in the corner or on the bench.”

Laundry is no longer a task done mainly by hand, so it doesn’t need its own room if space is tight; a cupboard is a popular alternative. Natalie Du Bois fitted plenty of features into this laundry, including a pull-out hamper, big bench, large sink and an Asko drier with a sorting tray. OPPOSITE