Tips For Renovating Your Laundry

Get Clear on Your Goals

Are you clear about what you want to achieve when renovating your laundry room? For example, do you have a set budget you must stick within, and are looking to get a better functionality happening, or is it crucial to you to make the space look as inviting, fresh, and clean as possible?

You may be looking to add more room to your laundry by knocking down a wall or moving it somewhere else in your home, or you could already be working on other parts of your property, so want to get everything done at once.

Alternatively, perhaps you want to turn your laundry into part cleaning space and part storage zone, additional pantry, or pet room? No matter your aspirations, by knowing the end results you’re after, it will be easier to plan and purchase accordingly.

Pick Appliances First

When remodeling a laundry, pick the appliances you want to put in the space first and build the room design around them. Many people forget that the size, number, and functionality of machines dictate what leftover room you have and the choice of cabinetry you can fit in. You don’t want to install fab new cupboards and benchtops only to realize you can’t fit in the appliances you want.

Remember: not only must you fit the chosen gear into the room, but you also need to leave enough space around each device for it to work correctly.

Don’t forget to factor in drains, hot and cold water lines, door-opening allowances, and gas supply lines as required. Plus, if you plan to purchase brightly-colored machines, rather than the typical white or silver options, coordinate your tiles, cabinetry, and other features with the chosen hues.

Do your homework to learn about the best appliances for your needs, lifestyle, and available space. Think about if you want a separate washing machine and dryer or a two-in-one model, and if you prefer side-by-side appliances or having them stacked on top of each other.

Stacked products save space, but if you’re on the shorter side, you probably won’t want to have to use a stool each time you need to open or control the top machine.

No matter which devices you buy, it pays to invest in home warranty to cover them. While products come with their own minimal protections, these don’t usually last long. If you add home warranty, though, you’ll be covered annually for repairs, maintenance, and replacements.

Consider Ventilation

Consider ventilation in your laundry, too. Good airflow is vital to keep appliances, particularly your washing machine, and the room in general, free from moisture, mold, and mildew.

If your current laundry set up doesn’t have a decent-sized window or door you can leave open when running machines, have one installed. Plus, you may want to install a ceiling fan to improve ventilation.

Focus on Task Practicality

To get the most “bang for your buck,” think about how you use your laundry. Task-based design is essential to get a room that suits your needs long term. Design the space according to the jobs you complete in it, the order in which you do them, and how often you get them done.

For instance, if you like to sort and fold clothes in the laundry, rather than in other areas of the house, you’ll want plenty of bench space. If you don’t have much clothesline room outside, factor in enough drying space, especially for hanging items.

If storage is something you need plenty of, add in as many cupboards, shelves, and other organizing factors as you can to keep the space neat, tidy, and free of mess.

For families with young children in the house, it can be worth adding in at least one childproof, lockable cabinet for bleach and other dangerous chemicals and compounds. Also, if you want to keep your ironing limited to the laundry, consider reserving space for a built-in, pull-out ironing board.

The laundry may not be the biggest room in your house, but it tends to be one of the most used. Design your cleaning space to work well for your particular needs, and you should soon find the task of doing laundry less of a burden.