HOW TO DESIGN THE MOST FUNCTIONAL LAUNDRY ROOM
FLOORS AND COUNTERS ARE WATER RESISTANT
If you're looking for ideas for a functional laundry room, keep in mind how often the floor and countertops will be exposed to moisture and humidity. Use waterproof building materials to prevent mold growth or warping. Some of the best countertop materials for your laundry room include durable, non-porous materials, including quartz, porcelain tile, and granite. Always avoid carpet on the laundry room floor. Choose instead:
• Deluxe or sheet vinyl
• Stone or concrete
• Laminate
• Ceramic tiles
You can always add a decorative rug to liven up the space.
INTEGRATE A BUILT-IN WORK TABLE INTO YOUR LAUNDRY AREA
Work tables and mobile carts are convenient to have in the laundry room. Use them to sort and fold clothes, iron wrinkled blouses and dress shirts, or lay damp clothes flat for gentle drying. If you don't have enough space for a small table and have front loading units, consider installing a washer and dryer counter. Sometimes a laundry room doubles as a mudroom, bathroom, or other multipurpose space, and you may want to hide the washer and dryer when not in use. Your washing machines can be placed in washer and dryer cabinets with hidden doors. Place a counter or additional cabinets above for additional storage.
SAVE SINK SPACE
Include a utility sink in your laundry room plans. You can use the laundry room sink to hand wash delicate items of clothing or to soak items with deep, ingrained stains. For maximum efficiency, place the sink next to or between the washer and dryer. Utility sinks are also useful for tasks other than laundry. Here you can drain the water from the mop without dirtying your kitchen sink. A utility sink is also a good place to deep clean household items you don't want to leave in the kitchen, such as craft supplies, pet toys or trash cans.
ATTACH DRIPPING OR HANGING ROD
Leave room in the laundry room for a drip rack or hanger so you can easily hang wet clothes when needed. For an affordable, easy-to-install drying station, you can use a sturdy tension rod and plastic clothes hangers or a collapsible drying rack that easily slides into a closet when not in use. Wall-mounted solutions offer functionality without taking up space. The fitted clothes drying rack folds flat against the wall when not in use and the hooks can accommodate clothes hangers, storage baskets and an ironing board.
KEEP THE DECORATION THEME
Just because laundry rooms are functional doesn't mean they can't be stylish. Bring your home decorating theme into your laundry room and create a warm and welcoming environment. For example, if your kitchen and living room have farmhouse decor, keep that in mind when decorating the laundry room. You can use galvanized metal for your storage bins or find old fashioned laundry room wall decor. Laundry room windows are an advantage. Instead of harsh overhead lighting, open the curtains to let in natural sunlight. During the warm months, keep the windows open to let fresh air in and the smell of dirty laundry out.
INCLUDE ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE
The most important part of a functional laundry room design is sufficient storage space, including vertical cabinets, wardrobes and shelves. Cabinets are especially useful if you have small children living in your home and you need a safe place to store bleach and detergents. High-quality cabinets will also add character to your room and create a storage system that is as beautiful as it is functional.
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