The laundry room is often overlooked in most homes. Beyond the kitchen and bathroom, laundry rooms don't get enough attention during remodeling. It's time to change that because you spend a lot of time in this space, doing tasks that are not exactly enjoyable. Thus, your laundry room should be functional, beautiful, and a pleasure to use.

To redesign your laundry room, consider getting a team of professionals. You may need an interior designer to ensure space efficiency, safety, and aesthetic appeal.

An experienced plumber is also critical because they set up the plumbing for the utility sink and hook up your washing machine to water supply and drainage systems. You may visit Ozflow Plumbing if you're looking for licensed professionals for this project.

Here are the things to take into account before redesigning your laundry room.

Size Of Your Laundry Room

Ideally, there should be enough space in your laundry room for a washer and dryer, utility sink, countertop, and storage space. But if you're working with a small space, you may have to choose space-saving appliances and fixtures.

Instead of having your washer and dryer side by side, you can make the most of vertical space by opting for stackable washers and dryers. You may choose between a front-loading model or a top-loading washer and dryer combo.

If floor space is limited, careful planning is critical to ensure enough room for the needed appliances and plumbing fixtures. There should also be adequate space to move around, bend, and turn.

Layout And Location

Planning the layout is vital when redesigning your laundry room. The optimal placement of the necessary elements can facilitate a smooth and efficient workflow. For instance, the washer and dryer should be positioned close to the countertop. Also, no obstructions should prevent you from accessing the storage for laundry supplies.

The layout must also factor in proper ventilation through windows or vents to maintain air quality. In addition, adequate ventilation can prevent moisture buildup that causes a musty smell.

The location of your laundry room is essential because it needs access to water and electricity. For many homeowners, placing the laundry room close to the kitchen works well as it has similar features.

The noise from the machines also influences the location. If the noise is disruptive, your laundry room should be located farther from the common areas. Lastly, consider choosing an enclosed area if you don't want guests to see this space.

Storage Space

When redesigning your laundry room, you want to ensure sufficient storage space for laundry supplies like detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. In many households, equipment like vacuum cleaners, pet food, and other supplies are stored in the laundry room. Hence, you need shelves, cabinets, or containers to organize these items.

To maximize space, you may install under-counter and wall-mounted cabinets. These cabinets should be made of sturdy materials to last long and resist moisture. It's also essential to ensure that household cleaning products are easily accessible to adults but out of children's reach.

Hanging Space

Not all clothing items should be placed in the dryer after washing. Garments made of lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen are best air-dried on a clothesline or hanger. Therefore, consider hanging space in your laundry room.

When adding hanging space, ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold and mildew on your clothes. In addition, the surface underneath the area where you'll hang your clothes to dry should be water-resistant.

Countertop

A countertop is another essential element of your laundry room. It serves as a workstation for sorting, folding, and mending clothes. You may consider a built-in ironing board that can be stored in a recessed cabinet when not in use.

Choose a durable stone for your laundry room's countertop. Marble and quartz are popular options as they can withstand spilled bleach or detergent.

Lighting

Sufficient lighting is essential in any laundry room. You can install bright task lighting to make the task of sorting clothes and spotting stains easier. But as much as possible, make use of natural light.

Consider adding windows or making existing ones bigger. And if you have a great view, take advantage of it by placing the utility sink in front of a window. Other options include installing roof lights or sun tunnels. Also known as a solar tube, a sun tunnel is fitted through a hole in your roof and ceiling. It uses an acrylic dome to capture and magnify the natural light sent down the tube.

Bottom Line

When redesigning your laundry room, careful planning is needed to include essential elements, such as appliances, storage, hanging space, sink, and countertop. Furthermore, the proper placement of these elements is critical to help you perform your tasks safely and efficiently.

Finally, proper ventilation and lighting can create an airy and bright space where you'd enjoy doing the laundry and other related tasks.