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Planning a laundry room


7 Tips for Creating a Functional Laundry Room

The average American family washes nearly 300 loads of laundry every year. That's a lot of laundry time! If you're going to spend so many hours in your laundry room, you deserve a space that's as functional, organized and easy to use as possible.

Laundry is often more complex than simply tossing dirty clothes into a washing machine and dryer. Doing laundry can also mean scrubbing and pre-soaking difficult stains, separating darks and lights, hand-washing delicates, folding clothes and more. For large families or homes without much laundry room space, laundry time can be frustrating.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can maximize your laundry room space and create a functional workroom without sacrificing the style and feel of your home. Check out our laundry room design ideas and organization tips for your space.

Choose a Top or Front Load Washing Machine

As you plan your laundry area, decide whether you plan to buy new appliances. Always look up reviews for performance and longevity. If a washer is economically priced but has a lot of low-star reviews, it's best to skip that deal at the appliance store.

By investing in a highly rated, top-quality washer and dryer, you'll enjoy consistently clean clothes for years and avoid the cost and hassle of constantly replacing parts on a poorly-made machine. While standard dryers are front loading, washers are widely available as both front and top loaders.

Before you commit, decide which kind you prefer:

Small Laundry Room Ideas With Top-Loading Washer

If you have a top-loading washer, it's best to place it next to the dryer. Make the most of a small room by utilizing the area above the washer and dryer:

  1. Floating shelves: For a stylish look, add two or three wooden floating shelves above the machines for laundry detergent and decorative baskets.
  2. Wall-mounted cabinets: Love the functionality of overhead storage, but not the visual clutter? Add cabinets with solid doors to store laundry essentials.
  3. Clothing rod: Mount a cabinet and hanging rod combo overhead for the best of both worlds — storage and a place for hangers to dry clothes.

Storage for Laundry Rooms With Front-Loading Machines

Front-loading appliances can be placed side-by-side or stacked, washer on top of the dryer, to free up space for cabinets and organization. Maximize the storage space in a front-loader laundry room with these organizational ideas:

  1. Vertical storage: By stacking front-loading machines, you'll have room to add floor-to-ceiling cabinets beside the washer and dryer.
  2. Countertop: Add a counter above side-by-side front-loaders for folding clothes, complete with detergent and a jar for loose change on top.
  3. Custom storage: Professional storage solutions can be tailored to take advantage of every inch of your laundry room, like cabinets between machines, corner cabinets and hamper storage.

7 Tips for a Functional Laundry Room

Once you determine whether your washer is front or top load, you can have fun planning the rest of the room! Consider the room size and appliance style, as your machine choice will affect the space layout and functionality. Craft the perfect laundry room tailored to your needs with these design tips.

1. Stay Organized with Laundry Baskets

Use small woven and fabric baskets to keep your laundry supplies — like dryer sheets, stain sticks and lint rollers — organized and easy to find. Decorative storage bins are also a simple, affordable way to add color and texture to your laundry room. 

Label larger baskets with your family members' names, so it is easier to keep everyone's clothes separate while washing and folding. Go one step further and designate specific baskets for darks, lights, machine-wash and hand-wash only pieces. When your laundry piles are organized, accidents and laundry mishaps are less likely to happen.

2. Make Sure the Floors and Counters Are Water-Resistant

If you are looking for functional laundry room ideas, keep in mind how frequently the floor and countertops will be exposed to humidity and moisture. Use water-resistant building materials to avoid mold growth or warping.

Some of the best countertop materials for your laundry room include durable, nonporous materials, including quartz, porcelain tile and granite. For laundry room flooring, always avoid carpet. Instead, opt for:

You can always add a decorative rug to keep the space lively.

3. Integrate a Built-in Work Table in Your Laundry Space

Work tables and rolling carts are handy to have in a laundry room. Use them to sort and fold clothes, iron wrinkled blouses and dress shirts or to lay wet clothes flat for gentle drying. If you do not have enough space for a small table and you have front-load units, consider installing a counter on top of your washer and dryer. 

Sometimes a laundry area also serves as a mudroom, bathroom or other multipurpose space, and you may wish to hide the washer and dryer when not in use. Your machines can be placed in washer and dryer cabinets with concealing doors. Place a counter or additional cabinets on top for extra storage.

4. Save Room for a Utility Sink

Include a utility sink in your laundry room plans. You can use your laundry room sink to hand-wash fragile pieces of clothing or soak pieces with deep, set-in stains. Place your utility sink beside or in between your washing machine and dryer units for maximum efficiency.

Utility sinks are useful for non-laundry tasks, too. You can empty your mop water here without dirtying your kitchen sink. A utility sink is also a good place to deep clean household items that you don't want to leave in your kitchen, like craft supplies, pet toys or trash cans.

5. Include a Drip-Dry Rack or Hanging Rod

Leave space in your laundry room for a drip-dry rack or hanging rod, so you can easily hang wet clothes if necessary. For an affordable, easy-to-install drying station, you can use a sturdy tension rod and plastic clothes hangers or a foldable drying rack that easily slides into your cabinets when not in use.

Wall-mounted solutions offer functionality without taking up space. A mounted laundry drying rack folds flat against the wall when not in use, and hooks can hold clothing hangers, storage baskets and an ironing board.

6. Keep Your Decorating Theme

Just because laundry rooms are functional does not mean they can't be stylish. Carry your home's decorating theme into your laundry room to create a warm, inviting environment. For example, if your kitchen and living room have a farmhouse decor, keep that in mind while decorating your laundry room. You can use galvanized metal for your storage bins or find old-fashioned laundry room wall decor.

Laundry room windows are an asset. Instead of harsh overhead lighting, open your curtains to let in natural sunlight. During warm months, keep your windows open to let fresh air in and the smell of dirty laundry out. 

7. Incorporate Plenty of Storage Space

The most important part of a functional laundry room design is having plenty of storage space, including vertical closets, walk-in pantries and shelving.  Cabinets are especially useful if small children live in your home, and you need a safe place to store bleach and laundry detergent pods. High-quality cabinetry also adds personality to your room, creating a storage system that's as beautiful as it is functional.

Add Style and Functionality With Wolf Home Products® Cabinetry

Wolf Home Products has the perfect cabinetry for any type of laundry room design. Homeowners love our versatile cabinetry selections for laundry rooms:

Find a Wolf Home Products Dealer Near You

When you choose Wolf Home Products for your laundry room, you invest in high-quality, durable cabinetry that will last for years to come. We are passionate about maintaining our core values — leadership, integrity, health and safety, quality and innovation — as well as offering industry-leading product warranties and reliable customer service. 

For additional peace of mind, every one of our products meets ISO International Standards, a set of guidelines and requirements that must be met to ensure quality products. 

To see our superior quality cabinetry for yourself, find a Wolf Home Products dealer near you. You can also visit Wolf Home Products online for cabinetry design and laundry room inspiration and to learn more about our commitment to providing premium products.

Last Updated on April 5, 2022 at 3:30 pm

The Laundry Room Design & Planning Guide

Designing a laundry room from scratch can be difficult. Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t exactly look forward to spending time in there! But we must. There are lots of things to consider when designing your laundry room like the location of the room, whether you can handle the noise, and what kinds of accessories you need to make your life easier. We hope this laundry room design guide will help you in creating the perfect practical laundry room for your home.

@revistalivingarg

Location

The first step in designing and planning your laundry room is to figure out where it will be located. In the past, most people kept their laundry machines in the basement to keep the noise out of the main living areas. Today, laundry rooms are found in the main part of the house, typically so they are easy to access.

Personally, I prefer to have my laundry room on the same level as the rooms where most laundry comes from – the bedrooms. Having an upper-level laundry room allows me to wash sheets and clothing not far from the rooms they belong in.

Of course, your preference may be different, especially if the noise from the spin cycle or drying machine bothers you.

Double Up

Many people opt to combine their laundry room with their mudroom to save space. You can also combine the laundry room with a spare bathroom. These are just a few ways to combine two rooms into one.

Noise

The second item to consider is the noise coming from the laundry room. Most washing machines and dryers will have a level of noise that you have to listen to while they are running. Some appliances have extra insulation and better suspension to reduce noise while in use. If you don’t see a decibel rating, it’s safe to assume that the machine is particularly noisy. Washing machines with high speed spin cycles greater than 1,000 rpm are also particularly noisy so keep that in mind as you shop.

A solid door will help reduce some noise in the laundry room, as will rugs.

Sorting, Loading, Folding

Think about the steps involved in your primary laundry duties as you design your space. Installing elements like cabinets, shelves, counters, and rods can make your life easier.

Installation

Be sure to measure your space before selecting a washing and drying machine. Always leave a little extra space than what you need in case any future home buyers have a larger machine, or you decide to upgrade a few years from now.

Don’t forget to consider the drain in addition to hot and cold water lines, as well as whether ventilation is needed. Work with a plumber to determine the best way to hook up your pipes to a laundry room. It’s a good idea to place the laundry room with at least one exterior wall accessible to facilitate ventilation. Lastly, you should have a strong electricity supply of at least 120 volts.

Flooding is a real possibility when it comes to washing machines. In the event that your machine malfunctions, consider adding a drip pan beneath your machine or even installing a floor drain. Work with your plumber to create an automatic shutoff in case of a water leak.

Washer/Dryer

There are lots of options to consider when purchasing a washer and dryer. It’s best to consult with your local appliance store to learn about the latest washing machine and dryer capabilities. Here are a few options you should consider before heading to the store to purchase an appliance:

Front or Top Loading

Front-loading machines can be hard on your back. Opt to elevate them at least 15 inches using pedestals or lower cabinets. Top-loading machines can be difficult to reach into the bottom if you are petite.

Stackable

Stacking machines on top of each other is a great way to save space. Be sure they are properly attached to prevent toppling. Stacked installations can be installed in the bathroom or kitchen.

Washer/Dryer Combo

Another space saving option is to opt for the washer dryer combination machine. These machines can automatically dry clothing after washing them, or you can run them as a washer or a dryer at separate times. You have full control of the machine.

Washing

Here are a few things to consider about washing clothes in the laundry room.

Sink for Hand Washing

Do you have a lot of items that need to be hand washed? Consider installing a small sink for quickly hand washing clothing, soaking stained clothes, or pre-treating them before tossing them in the machine. Sinks are the ultimate luxury to have directly in the laundry room!

Drying

Here are several ideas to consider for the drying portion of your laundry room tasks.

Rod for Hanging

A rod stretched between the walls or cabinets is handy for items that need to be air dried or just items that you prefer to hang right away to prevent wrinkling after they are done in the dryer. Be sure to add some wire hangers for quick access.

If you can’t install a rod, then consider buying a standalone clothing rack on wheels.

Ironing Board

A wall-mounted ironing board that folds down is the best idea to have a board at your disposal without taking up too much space and having to fiddle with opening and closing it. This type of product folds up against the wall when not in use, saving you space.

Countertops for Folding

Countertops are great for folding clothes. Go for a durable option that you would put in the bathroom or kitchen. It should be strong enough to avoid staining in case liquid is spilled on it. If you don’t have the room or budget for countertops in your laundry room, then consider adding a tall side table where you can fold clothes after they are dry.

Lindye Galloway Interiors

Cabinets for Storage

If you’re able to install cabinets in your laundry room, all the better. If not, try a standalone closet with shelves. Be sure to keep hazardous laundry liquids like bleach high enough up so children cannot reach them! Decorate with bins to keep items hidden.

Here are the laundry room essentials you will probably need to store:

Lighting

A bright overhead light in the laundry room should be sufficient for most people, but if you know you have bad eyesight, think about installing task lighting on countertops, or under shelves. You want to be sure you can spot stains on items easily! You should also consider lower lighting to make sure you get everything out of the washing and drying machines after you use them.

Decor

Don’t forget to give your laundry room some personality. Choose a fun wallpaper or hang some interesting signs to give it some life. We all know that doing laundry isn’t the most enjoyable of tasks, so do what you can to make the room cheerful. You could even install a small TV to have something to listen to or watch as you do your laundry!

Lastly, be sure to follow our Laundry Room Pinterest board for more laundry room design and decorating tips.

Laundry Rooms by Style

If your home is decorated in a particular style, you probably would like for your laundry room to match your home’s aesthetic! Here are our laundry room decor guides by style:

We will add more guides soon!

Other Rooms in the House

Now that you know how to design and decorate a laundry room, why not continue with the other rooms in your house? Check out our guides room by room below!

Happy laundry room curating!

Laundries - 55 best photo ideas for designing a laundry room in an apartment and a house


Fresh design idea: modern style laundry room with tumble dryer - great interior photo

Wellhouse apartment complex

Special-style

facades, beige facades, with a tumble dryer on a washing machine, brown floors and white countertops - great interior photo

Residential complex "Khoroshevsky"

BALCON

Design idea: a modern-style laundry room with a tumble dryer on a washing machine

14

Fresh design idea: loft-style laundry room - great interior photo

Apartment in Khamovniki

YU Dsgn Julia Galkina and Yulia Belyaeva

A source of inspiration for home comfort: a modern-style separate laundry room with a sink sink, flat facades, beige facades , beige backsplash, beige walls, with tumble dryer on washing machine and beige worktop

Townhouse by the Bay

Maxim Maximov

Pictured is a rustic independent medium sized direct laundry room with flat fronts, beige fronts, acrylic stone worktops, beige walls, stoneware flooring, with washer and dryer next to it, gray floor and black top

Schrock Cabinets: Message Center

MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.

Fresh design idea: a large versatile neoclassical (modern classic) room with flat fronts, gray fronts, gray walls, gray floors and gray countertops - great interior photo

Omaha, Nebraska Residence- Interior Design for New Build

Haven Design and Construction

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry. nine0007

Atherton, CA Contemporary Elegance

K.G.Bell Construction

No space for a full laundry room? No problem! Hidden by closet doors, this fully functional laundry area is sleek and modern.
Home-style inspiration: small contemporary style straight pantry with tumble dryer, sink sink, flat cabinets, beige cabinets and beige walls

Laundry Room Storage

Inspired Closets Vermont

Are you catching up on laundry? With a bit more time on your hands, it's a task that makes everyone feel organized. And thanks to a convenient custom counter and pull out baskets, folding laundry fresh out of the dryer has never been easier. Schedule your free virtual design consultation on our website and let's get started planning your new laundry room today!

Industrial Chic

Amy Storm & Company

We basically squeezed this into a closet, but wow does it deliver! The roll out shelf can expand for folding and ironing and push back in when it's not needed. The wood shelves offer great linen storage and the exposed brick is a great reminder of all the hard work that has been done in this home! Joe Kwon

Laundry Renovations Perth Projects

Small Bathroom Renovations Perth

Laundry Renovation Modern Laundry Renovation : Approachable Elegance

Factor Design Build

The laundry area features a fun ceramic tile design with open shelving and storage above the machine space. Around the corner, you'll find a mudroom that carries the cabinet finishes into a built-in coat hanging and shoe storage space. nine0007

Planning solutions Standard layout modular laundry room 54 sq. m. m. institutions, or as a self-employed business.


Please note that the container width is oversized. This means an increase in the cost of transportation. Any other dimensions of the modular laundry room are possible with changes to the layout if it is required to use modules with overall width (2. 43 m). nine0003

Features

Module layout:

Features of the modular laundry:

This modular building layout can be implemented on the basis of the following standard block containers:

Scope of application

The block container can be used at construction sites, plants and factories, sports complexes, ski and tourist bases, and children's camps.

This is just one of the typical modular building layouts. At the request of the customer, the dimensions can be any, we can also supplement the building with a shower room and other household rooms. We produce block containers of any purpose under the order and will take into account all your wishes and requirements.

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