Laundry Room Design Mistakes to Avoid
Laundry rooms are often overlooked when it comes to interior design, but they play a vital role in the functionality and overall aesthetic of your home. To create a laundry room that is both stylish and efficient, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes:
Not Investing in the Laundry Room
Just because the laundry room isn’t a space that’s on display for guests doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Investing in your laundry room can create cohesion in your home and transform it into a destination you don’t mind spending time in. Affordable fixes, such as adding a pop of color with paint or using baskets for visual cohesion, can make a big difference. For a bigger investment, consider updating the floor tiles with a fun pattern or adding a countertop for folding.
Not Storing Items Where They Belong
The laundry room should only store items related to laundry. Avoid using it as a catch-all for things that don’t have a home. Limit the contents to only the essentials, such as detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry baskets. This will make the space tidier and easier to access, reducing stress and making laundry feel less like a chore.
Not Making Space-Saving Decisions
Laundry rooms are often small, so it’s important to incorporate space-saving techniques. Fold-down surfaces for drying, ironing, and folding are key in small spaces. Take inventory of your laundry process to determine the critical work surfaces and storage options. Consider building a countertop above front-loading machines or stacking machines and adding a compact countertop. Hanging rods can also maximize space above a side-by-side washer and dryer.
Not Having Effective Cabinetry
Assess your laundry room’s current cabinetry layout to determine if it meets your needs. Remove any unnecessary cabinets that take up valuable space. Consider swapping closed cabinetry for open cabinetry, which is perfect for storing bulky items like laundry baskets. Ensure to measure your laundry baskets before building open cabinetry.
Not Incorporating Color
Laundry rooms are often closed-off spaces, making them an ideal spot to experiment with bold prints or colors that may feel out of place elsewhere in your home. Consider wallpaper, colorful cabinets, or even a simple hutch painted in a vibrant hue to add energy to the space.
Laundry Room Design Tips
In addition to avoiding these mistakes, follow these tips to create a stylish and functional laundry room:
- Maximize natural light: Large windows or skylights can bring in natural light, making the space feel more inviting and reducing the need for artificial lighting.
- Add personal touches: Display artwork, plants, or other decorative items that reflect your personality and make the laundry room feel like an extension of your home.
- Keep it clean and organized: A clean and organized laundry room is essential for maintaining a pleasant and efficient space. Regularly declutter, clean surfaces, and put items away in their designated places.
- Consider a folding station: A dedicated folding station with a countertop or table provides a convenient space for folding and sorting clothes.
- Add a drying rack: A drying rack provides an alternative to using the dryer, saving energy and reducing wear and tear on your clothes.
- Install a washer and dryer that meet your needs: Choose a washer and dryer that fit the size of your laundry room and your laundry needs. Consider energy-efficient models to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
