Have a love hate relationship with that laundry room? We get it.
Many homeowners live to regret not including a well thought out laundry room space in their floor plan. Some think putting the washer and dryer in the basement will do. Until they go through the ordeal of transporting clothing from the second-floor bedrooms and back up. No thank you! The convenience offered by including space for a proper laundry room far outweighs the precious space you think you’ll give up.
To take full advantage of every inch in this functional room, make sure you have these five features in place.
TOP 5 LAUNDRY ROOM MUST-HAVES
Make sure to discuss the laundry room layout with your design-build team early on so they can include the materials and structural design in your budget right away. Otherwise, you’ll end up settling for substandard items or shelling out extra cash. Keep the following points in mind during your discussion:
1. Accessibility
While still in the planning stage of building your future home, you should already perform a visual walk of your laundry exercise. Each household has its own style of cleaning and washing, so there’s no hard and fast rule as to the laundry room’s location.
Where do you place your baskets of dirty clothing? The room must be placed next to it, or just a few steps away. You want to avoid multiple trips or lugging heavy loads through a long distance from point A to point B and back.
If possible, situate the laundry room beside the master’s bedroom and insert a pocket door in between. This is ideal for 2-story homes with bedrooms on the second floor.
2. Natural Lighting and ventilation
The laundry room is essentially a work area, so it makes no sense to jack up your energy bills with plenty of lights and a cooling system.
Large screened windows keep the space cool and prevent humidity from forming inside your abode when the washer and dryer are running. They also allow air to circulate, which helps with drying clothes, footwear, and damp spots. This, in turn, wards off mold and mildew.
Make sure to install exhaust fans as a fallback during cold or wet months when you have no choice but to close the windows. Having oversized transparent panes will let natural light in, whatever the weather.
3. Sturdy and Stylish Utility Sink with Spacious Countertop
Why settle for plastic when you can have stainless steel? It’s always better to invest in long-lasting hardware than go through the trouble of replacing cheap alternatives often. In the long run, replacements can turn out to be a larger expense.
If you’re the creative type, you can repurpose a rescued heavy-duty aluminum basin found in antique stores. Or opt for a wooden barrel to match a rustic, farmhouse styled home.
The countertop attached to your laundry room sink must be built to last as well. Next to the floor, it’s probably the most utilized and abused feature in the area. But there’s no need to focus on durability and utility at the expense of beauty.
Canvas different raw materials, colors, and styles, then make your final decision based on the sink you selected. For instance, a wooden countertop would be the perfect companion to a barrel sink.
While you’re at it, find a faucet and add a backsplash to complement your sink and countertop. On the other hand, you may just duplicate all the elements that you’ve used for your kitchen.
4. Storage Spaces and Organization Hacks
Install shelves near the washer and dryer for easy reach of detergents, fabric conditioners, and dryer balls. If you keep extra towels, curtains, and linens in the laundry room, then use cabinets for the purpose. The doors will ensure they remain dust and lint-free.
Opt for hooks, multi-level hanging rods, and retractable racks not only for space-saving reasons but also for ease of use.
And don’t forget to add more cabinets under the sink and countertop. They will prove useful for stowing away seasonal footwear like winter boots or even house cleaning supplies.
5. A Folding and Ironing Table
Folding clothes straight from the dryer can eliminate the need for ironing on most types of fabric. You can use the same table for ironing as well.
This doesn’t have to be a standard table with four legs. Any object with a flat surface that is long and wide enough to accommodate folding and ironing will do.
In fact, to conserve space, why not mount your multi-purpose table on the wall? This way, you can fold it back up when it’s not in use.
Nice to Have: Pet Washing Corner
This can be as simple as an extra sink with a small countertop. You may replace the faucet with a handheld shower.
The idea is to be able to bathe your four-legged family members without the hassle of cleaning up your shower or bathtub after. yes, please!
If your laundry room is equipped with an exit door, then your pet can go straight to grooming after a walk or playing in the mud. And you could immediately toss their soiled stuff into the washer or hang them to dry.
As a bonus, adding cabinet doors under the sink provides storage for your furry baby’s toiletries, toys, and miscellaneous stuff.
Getting Your Laundry Room Right the First Time
Think of the laundry room as an integral part of your dream home. Ensure it figures in your floor plan and overall design. Allocate a budget for it and be strategic and creative while determining the best location for it.
Remember that you’ll be using a lot of water in this room. So, efficient plumbing and safe flooring must also be on top of your mind.
Whatever your situation is, hiring the best design-build team can spell the difference between a ho-hum chore space and a stunning zone that combines practicality, functionality, and aesthetics with confidence.
THE FOLLOWING ARE OUR LAUNDRY ROOM REMODELING SERVICE AREAS
McCordsville, Indiana
Fishers, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana
Lawrence, Indiana
Greenfield, Indiana
Zionsville, Indiana
Noblesville, Indiana
Whitestown, Indiana
Westfield, Indiana
Rocky Ripple, Indy, Indiana Meridian Kessler, Indy, Indiana
Castleton, Indy, Indiana
Meridian Hills, Indy, Indiana
Fortville, Indiana
Pendleton, Indiana