Designing your laundry room goes beyond mere aesthetics. It involves creating a practical and functional space that enhances efficiency, organization, and overall enjoyment in your daily household tasks.
Whether you have a small laundry closet or a dedicated room, a thoughtful design can make a significant difference in how you experience and use the space. Here are 12 considerations for laundry room design.
1. Layout and Space Utilization
Plan the layout to make the best use of available space. Every dimension of your space is usable so don’t be afraid to take storage cabinets all the way to the ceiling, especially if you’re in a smaller space. Depth is another element of your laundry space that can get you a little more function out of the laundry room.
For instance, you lose a good 4-6 inches at the back of your washer and dryer. Adding a countertop over the washer and dryer can give you back some of that space in the form of a work surface. You’ll still give the washing machine, dryer, and other appliances enough space for easy access and operation but gain some added work space.
2. Appliance Placement
Placing the washing machine and dryer side by side or stacking front-loading machines vertically can save a lot of space. Space you can use for other purposes, like adding a pantry cabinet or a sink.
3. Storage Solutions
Install cabinets, shelves, or open shelving for storing laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and other supplies. Include a hamper or baskets for sorting dirty laundry. A pantry cabinet can be a great way to hide away hampers and keep your space looking tidy.
4. Countertops
Install a countertop above the appliances for folding clothes or other tasks. Using your horizontal space like this gives you lots more functionality with very little effort or investment. Choose durable and easy-to-clean materials for the countertop.
5. Sink and Faucet
Consider adding a utility sink for handwashing or pre-soaking clothes. This indispensable addition gives you lots more mileage out for your space and is a necessity for great laundry design. Additionally, install a functional faucet with a sprayer for versatile use.
6. Lighting
Ensure sufficient lighting for the entire room. Being able to see properly will help you identify whether or not you got that stain out.
Add some style to the space with task lighting above the countertop and ambient lighting for the overall space.
7. Ventilation
As one of the wetter rooms of the house, proper ventilation is needed to prevent humidity and odors. Treat the laundry room like the bathroom and install a fan or ensure good airflow to keep the room fresh, especially if the room is smaller.
8. Flooring
Choose durable and water-resistant flooring material. Not only will there be the possibility of water getting on the floor, but a good chance that chemicals to may be present. Durable flooring is important to ensure the space is easy to clean and can stand up to the tasks.
Consider materials that are easy to clean, such as tile or vinyl.
9. Color Scheme
Opt for a bright and neutral color scheme to create a clean and inviting atmosphere worthy of the laundry room. As an auxiliary room in the house, your laundry room design can withstand some bolder color so don’t be afraid to go that direction if you’d like something a little different.
Use colors that complement the overall design of your home to keep the overall aesthetic cohesive.
10. Accessibility
Ensure that the laundry room is easily accessible from other parts of the house. You’re less likely to get dirty laundry build up if it’s easy to get to and use the laundry room.
Place cabinet storage, countertops, and other elements where you can easily use them. Consider including a folding station or other perks at a comfortable height.
11. Organization Systems
Implement storage solutions like hooks, racks, or pull-out trays for additional organization. The laundry room will work better with lots of functional options to choose from.
The laundry room is a space that the whole family will use so make it easy for everyone to understand and use the space optimally. Label containers for easy identification of laundry products, storage, etc. Have separate hampers for different family members or different types of clothes.
12. Aesthetics
Add decorative elements to make the space aesthetically pleasing. The laundry room is more than functional, after all. Consider personal touches like artwork or decorative tiles. Even open shelves with décor can add some personality to a room that is otherwise all work.
Remember that the design should cater to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you have a small laundry closet or a dedicated room, thoughtful planning can make your laundry room design efficient and enjoyable to use.
