The averageAmericanfamilywashesnearly300 loads of laundry every year.That’s a lot of laundry time! If you’re going tospend somany hoursin your laundry room, youdeserve a space that’s asfunctional,organizedand easy to use as possible.
Laundryis often more complex than simplytossing dirty clothes into a washing machineand dryer. Doing laundry can also meanscrubbing 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 outourlaundry room design ideas and organization tipsfor 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:
- Top loader:The door for a top-loading washer is located on top of the machine. While taller users often prefer the top access point, shorter folks may have difficulty reaching clothes at the bottom of the washer. One top loader perk is you can take laundry out of standing water if the machine breaks and won’t drain.
- Front loader:Front-loading washers have a door on the face of the machine that opens outward, providing easier access for shorter users. For taller users who want to avoid bending when inserting clothes, a washer pedestal can be placed under the machine to raise it off the floor, placing the door closer to chest height. However, if the washer breaks with water left inside, clothes will remain submerged until it’s fixed.
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:
- Floating shelves:For a stylish look, add two or three wooden floating shelves above the machines for laundry detergent and decorative baskets.
- Wall-mounted cabinets:Love the functionality of overhead storage, but not the visual clutter? Add cabinets with solid doors to store laundry essentials.
- 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:
- Vertical storage:By stacking front-loading machines, you’ll have room to add floor-to-ceiling cabinets beside the washer and dryer.
- Countertop:Add a counter above side-by-side front-loaders for folding clothes, complete with detergent and a jar for loose change on top.
- Custom storage:Professional storage solutionscan 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.STAYORGANIZED WITHLAUNDRYBASKETS
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.MAKESURE THEFLOORS AND COUNTERSAREWATER-RESISTANT
If you are looking forfunctionallaundry 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 bestcountertop materialsfor your laundry room include durable,nonporousmaterials, includingquartz, porcelain tile and granite.For laundry room flooring, always avoid carpet. Instead, opt for:
- Luxury or sheet vinyl
- Stone or concrete
- Laminate
- Ceramic tile
You can always add a decorative rug to keep the space lively.
3. INTEGRATE ABUILT-IN WORKTABLE INYOURLAUNDRYSPACE
Work tablesand rolling cartsare 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 inwasher and dryer cabinets with concealing doors. Place a counter or additional cabinets on top for extra storage.
4.SAVEROOM FOR AUTILITYSINK
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 ADRIP-DRYRACK ORHANGINGROD
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.KEEPYOURDECORATINGTHEME
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.INCORPORATEPLENTY OFSTORAGESPACE
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 astorage system that’s as beautiful as it is functional.
ADDSTYLE ANDFUNCTIONALITYWITHWOLFHOMEPRODUCTS®CABINETRY
Wolf Home Products hasthe perfect cabinetryfor any type of laundry room design.Homeowners love our versatilecabinetry selections for laundry rooms:
- Wolf Signature™:SelectWolf Signature cabinetsare an excellent choice for your laundry room, thanks toour exclusiveSmartShield™Technology. SmartShield Technology is a durable laminate coating that protects your cabinetry surface from scuffs, stains and moisture damage.
- Wolf Classic™:TimelessWolf Classic cabinetsare an affordable, high-quality option. Each Wolf Classiccabinet is constructed with durable, attractive materials and comes with a five-year warranty.
- Wolf Designer™:Our exclusive line of semi-customWolf Designer cabinetsisperfect for the homeowner who wants to add a unique, personalized touch to their laundry room. When you select Wolf Designercabinets, you get to choose from more than 50 different door styles and 60 finish options to create your ideal piece.
- Wolf Endeavor™:Value-mindedWolf Endeavor cabinets offer quality construction with several style options available — all at an affordable price — making them an ideal solution for your space.
- Builders Mark™ from Wolf:TheBuilders Mark seriesincludes industrial-grade, solid wood drawers and cabinet sides with adjustable, concealed hinges. They are completed with a durable finish, protecting them from marks or general wear and tear.
FIND AWOLFHOMEPRODUCTSDEALERNEARYOU
When you choose Wolf Home Products for your laundry room, you investin 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 oursuperiorquality cabinetry for yourself,find aWolf Home Products dealer near you. You can also visit Wolf Home Products online forcabinetry design and laundry room inspirationand tolearn moreabout our commitmentto providing premium products.
