Sacramento Magazine Inspired– Laundry Room Design Tips
In anticipation for the March issue of Sacramento Magazine’s feature of Hardworking Laundry Rooms, Kerrie Kelly Design Lab would like to share a few laundry room tips of our own!
The laundry room is all about the best storage, the layout, and little details that make cleaning clothes less time-consuming and more cheery. Here’s a pile of helpful tips:
1. Choose a smart layout: Don’t position washers, dryers, ironing boards, etc. behind doors or in awkward corners. If you purchase front-loading washers and dryers, consider pedestals to raise them up and make access easier. When choosing flooring, avoid wood or ceramic tile and go for something durable like porcelain tile (unglazed to prevent slipping when wet).
2. Be efficient: Evaluate how much washing you’re doing these days. If you’re not using the most efficient machines for your needs, new ones may actually save you money. When buying new machines, always investigate how much electricity they will use in a year. Other design features that help save energy include water level controls, moisture sensors, and spin cycle adjustments.
3. Decorate / paint the walls: So many laundry rooms are drab, utilitarian places. Don’t be afraid to continue your home’s décor into this space. You’ll enjoy working in there more if it feels as warm and inviting as the rest of your home.
4. Include plenty of storage: If you can afford it, built-in cabinets and shelves are smart (and can even add to a home’s value), but there are plenty of inexpensive free-standing or between-the-washer-dryer caddies, cabinets, organizers and bins found at most box stores.
5. Consider a fold-out or hide-away ironing board: Having an ironing board set up all the time takes up a lot of space. There are a lot of models that are meant to hide behind the door or fold up on the wall when not in use. Find full-size boards online at sites such as the Container Store.
6. Create Timesaving Sorting: Never face a heaping pile of dirty clothes again! Designate baskets for darks, lights, and dry-cleaning so everyone can help sort clothes. Have canvas-lined baskets embroidered, or label them with a fabric marker. Discount and specialty stores sell rolling carts with divided bins. Use adhesive felt letters to label each one, so everyone knows what goes where.
7. Music: Dirty Laundry never sounded so good – when sung by Don Henley. Make sure you have a CD player or stereo for some tunage!
Related posts:
- Interior Design Inspired by New York Fashion Week
- Houzz Feature: 11 Styling Tips for Shelves You’ll Love
