THE LAUNDRY ROOM – TRANSFORM BLAH INTO BEAUTIFUL

Every room of a home has a purpose, yet often design efforts are overlooked in mudrooms and laundry rooms. These areas often feel like an afterthought in home design, focusing solely on the necessities and lacking in utilization. Since laundry is likely not anyone’s favourite activity, planning is the key to creating an efficient but inviting space. Even though it’s not a room you tend to invite your guests into, you’ll likely spend a great deal of time in it yourself. Re-designing your laundry room to make it organized and aesthetically pleasing can make the chore more manageable, perhaps even enjoyable. So, whether you are designing your custom home or remodelling your existing one, it’s worth considering some key elements for these spaces:

• Layout: Choose a laundry layout that suits your family’s lifestyle. Depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs, your laundry room may simply be a reach-in type closet-size area that houses your machines and a storage shelf. However, many homes have a designated room for laundry. In today’s busy world, we spend a significant amount of time on laundry. While each laundry room is different, most incorporate space for a washer and dryer, laundry sink, ironing board, drying rack, folding counter and storage. And let’s face it, you can never have too much storage, so custom cabinets can optimize both horizontal and vertical space in your laundry area. If you have ample space, your laundry room can serve as a multi-functional area for hobbies or relaxation while doing chores.
• Location:The location of your laundry room depends on how your family functions. Combining a mudroom with a laundry area or adjacent to one another, if possible, allows you to launder outdoor wear without carrying it through the house and dropping dirt, snow, and water along the way. If you hang clothes outside for drying, this is the perfect area for your laundry room--close to an exit. A laundry area off the kitchen area can allow you to complete other chores between loads or be part of the hub of the home even when you’re doing chores. Often the laundry room and pantry are combined next to the kitchen. However, a laundry room off the kitchen area can potentially expose your clean laundry to food odours when cooking. Being located close to a home office may also be beneficial for double-duty chores. If your laundry is in your basement, you may want to consider moving it to the main floor where you spend the most time or perhaps you would prefer to have it near your bedrooms so that clothes can be easily put away. Keep in mind that if you do laundry at times when a family member is sleeping, despite the improvements in appliances, the noise may be disturbing. If at all possible do not share a laundry room with a bedroom wall or at the very least, ensure that it is insulated for sound. If you do want your laundry in the basement, consider incorporating a laundry chute from your bedroom areas. This may help your family keep bedrooms and bathrooms organized and may reduce the stress of carrying loads of laundry to your machines. Consider how many floors you will have to carry your laundry to and from when designing your space. It may not be a big deal when you are young, but if you plan to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, at some point it may become an obstacle.

• Appliances and Measurement:Appliances are not just white anymore. Be a little daring and choose a colour that makes you happy. Ensure that you consider appliance size, door swing and distance when designing this space. Being able to utilize your machines properly is vital. If you have a larger family, intend to have one, or your job involves some serious dirt, you may want to consider having additional appliances incorporated in your design. You may even want to incorporate more than one laundry room if you have a multilevel home.

• Technology: Steam appliances and smart machines are very popular and come in a variety of colours. These appliances, too, come in a wide range of colours, providing you with endless options. Incorporating music or a television can help make your chores less tedious. Consider your layout carefully to incorporate the amenities you prefer.

• Sink and Shower: Ensure that you incorporate a sink in your laundry room for soaking items or storing wet clothes before washing. If your laundry room is near an outside entrance or combined with a mud room, you may even want to consider a shower for any member of your family, such as a pet, that may need to wash off mud and dirt regularly.

• Colour and Design: Colour inspires mood, so you may want to choose colours that are inviting, calming and tranquil. On the other hand, this is your laundry room and if you prefer more vibrant colours this may be the perfect room to incorporate them. Decorate in a manner that is easy to clean. Cabinets with doors help to reduce clutter and keep dusting to a minimum.

• Lighting: Task lighting is necessary but, when possible, design this space with a window. Natural light provides a sense of tranquillity that makes chores less tedious. A combination of recessed lighting with pendants or a chandelier and even under-cabinet lighting will take your lighting from task to charm.

• Organization: A well-designed laundry room can incorporate shelves and/or cabinetry to store more than just your laundry detergent. Ironing boards can be incorporated into built-ins and dirty laundry can be hidden in pull-out bins. Utilize this space to store household cleaning supplies or items that you do not have another storage area for. (i.e. pantry supplies) Make sure you establish a folding and ironing station that is convenient, safe and ergonomically designed. Remember life happens.

Planning a laundry room properly takes a great deal of consideration. If you live in the Niagara Region and are interested in a laundry room renovation, call the experts at Vanderzalm Construction Inc. at (905)562-4463 or (905)684-5823 or contact us by email.

You may not like laundry, but you can still love the room.