Cassandra Byrnes, who writes for Domain, claims that laundries are so underrated and that they are the forgotten workhorses of the home. She also writes that there is no single way to plan the laundry room as families and homes have different needs. She then gives the following points for consideration for your laundry room to be functional.
1. Choose the right equipment
A washing machine is a basic need of your laundry room. The choice is between a front loader and a top loader type. Front loaders are ideal for smaller spaces since they can be stacked. Moreover, they have efficient spinning cycle which requires less drying time and are more energy efficient. In the other hand, the top loader type has shorter cycles and vibrate less than a front loader.
These things apply to dryers so you need to check on your space and the dryer's capacity before getting one.
2. Organize your space
Christine Gough, an Ikea interior design leader, says," "Laundries can be a squeeze however it doesn't necessarily have to be bigger to work better. Arrange your spaces and appliances in a flow; ensure that dirty laundry can go straight from the tub, to the washing machine, then through to drying and onto the counter top for folding."
Gough also advises to think vertically when you want to make the most of your walls and nooks. Further, she recommends using rails, baskets and shelves to keep everything, from clothes, detergents and iron.
3. Customize your cabinets
Julie Hanover, designer at The Good Guys Kitchens, advises, "Quality built-in cabinets will have your laundry space working efficiently and effectively, maximising every inch of the room."
Folding doors, curtains and cabinets are effective as well in hiding a cluttery laundry.
4. Have a smarter way of sorting
The founder of online retailer Olli Ella, Chloe Brookman, says "Appoint each member of the family with laminated and clearly labelled laundry baskets. These little treasure troves will help members keep their pieces out of the way and off the laundry floor."
Another technique is to have tubs or baskets, in different colors, to separate your clean and dirty linen, or to categorize items belonging to different people in the house.
5. Have a drying bar or wall
If you have enough space, put a drying rack rack or bar above a sink. Martha Stewart's organizing tips suggest installing a tension bar on a portion of the wall upon which you can hang clothes after you take them out of the dryer.
6. Incorporate a bench space
Like the kitchen, the laundry needs room for different preparations and work. Hanover says that silestone is a popular bench choice for its durability and stylish finish and that laminated benchtops are great solution because of their cost-effectiveness.
7. Add some decor
Brookman says you can splash color to add warmth to an otherwise cool room. "Keep decor and decoration to a minimum as over-styling a laundry may get you into a spin. Instead, create an optical illusion by extending the height of the room by applying lighter coloured paint to the walls and ceiling," she adds.
Hanover says matching features of tiles and handles from the laundry, bathroom and kitchen are becoming popular, while Gough suggests that although detergent boxes are not that pretty, you may display them by keeping them instead in glass containers and coffee tins.