The neglected laundry…

Too often the laundry is neglected when it comes to renovating and design. We look at why it’s as important as any other room and what are some of the important considerations when planning your new laundry.

Why is the design of the laundry so important and why is it often overlooked in renovation projects?

As much as we may not like it, the fact is ‘the washing’ is one of the most important chores in the home and on average we spend at least 5-6 hours a week in the laundry doing just that! So why is it that the laundry is so highly neglected when it comes to renovating the home.  In many cases it does not even rank as a room worth renovating???  I argue that the design of your laundry should be as important and should be given just as much attention as the design of any other room in the house.

The laundry has certainly come a long way since its isolation and location in the garage or outside of the home and we are now seeing the laundry migrate into a versatile utility room, the “do it all – store it all” room. These days laundries are not only a place for washing and ironing but more and more we are seeing them become the office, the craft room, an indoor potting area and even a pet washing station. So if you think renovating and investing time in your laundry design is a waste of time and money – think again. It makes sense to break away from the dim, dank and unwelcoming space that the laundry once used to be and create a bright welcoming space that we makes these chores a breeze.

What are some important considerations and tips for renovating your laundry?

• Organisation is critical to ensure optimum functionality and efficiency in the laundry
• Incorporate a storage system that meets your current and future needs. Cabinetry is a great way to store linen, clothes, party goods, etc
• Ensure the cabinets run from floor to ceiling (think vertical) – not only will this maximise the amount of storage space but will avoid dust collecting cupboards
• Make sure you allow enough space for folding and sorting i.e. bench space. Having a front loader washing machine allows for more bench space
• Consider how you like to iron – perhaps a fold away all-in one ironing station that is either wall mounted or folds away into a cupboard
• Consider the sink size and even the addition of more than one sink i.e a separate tub for soaking
• Have a designated hanging / drying area that you can use for ironing or for drying
• Consider your washing appliances and their location and position e.g. raise washer and dryer off the floor, or select front loading models with bottom drawers for easier access to the machines
• Consider the required power outlets and their location
• Optimise natural lighting and ventilation – a MUST in any wet area

So what are some of the trends we are seeing in Laundry design….

• The growth of the ‘utility’ room – “do-it all” room – craft / sewing / office etc….
• The move away from the sterile ‘white’ and ‘cream’ colour schemes to more colour
• Incorporation of smarter lighting solutions paving the way for a more functional and smarter design
• Colour schemes are being carried through from kitchen and bathroom
• Growth of the Eco conscious – home owners are more conscious of energy usage – smarter energy efficient appliances
• Moving away from just purchasing appliances based on size – now consumers are focused on function and energy consumption
• Incorporating the laundry into an alternative room – If space is an issue and you don’t require the size of an entire room having a laundry incorporated into another space means you do not have a room “wasted” on a laundry