Designing a Laundry Room That You Won’t Want to Hide
Before we start work on our Colorado interior design projects, we have an in-depth meeting with our clients to understand their design needs. In my experience, I’ve noticed that while most of my clients think about what they want their bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and kitchens to look like, most of the time, spaces like a laundry room, entryway and mudroom, are neglected.
A laundry room is a space dedicated to doing a chore, but that’s all the more reason why I ask my clients to think about the design and functionality of such areas. If it looks good and works well, it will make this necessary task all that much more pleasant. Here is what you need to think about to properly plan your laundry room design.
LAYOUT AND FLOORING
Before I discuss the layout of a laundry room, I first ask my clients to consider the following.
- How much space does the room have?
- How often is the laundry done?
- Do they prefer to do laundry and ironing in the same space?
- Is the laundry an independent room or is it accommodated in a shared space with the kitchen or in the basement?
- Are you needing special accommodations for bulky downhill ski clothes after you hit the Colorado slopes?
The answers to these questions will determine how we plan the placement of the washing machines, dryers, sinks, ironing boards, and counter space. For example, if it’s a small space or a multi-purpose room, I might recommend that my clients choose a front load, stackable washer and dryer system, like we did in the project above, as this saves space.
If you have a spacious laundry room, you can opt for a top loading machine and dryer and have ample storage options as seen in the project above. I chose an exciting look for this laundry room with colorful cabinetry and hexagon cement tile flooring which is functional and stylish. When it comes to flooring for a laundry room, it’s essential to be practical (choose flooring that is stain, water, and noise resistant). I don’t compromise style for functionality but rather, find the perfect balance of both. This video shows how I chose the look and feel for the Denver laundry room featured above:
Whether it’s a small or large laundry room, I ensure that the placement of the machines, the counter (and sink) and ironing boards form the perfect work triangle (much like the work triangle of the cooktop, sink, and refrigerator in a kitchen), so that you can use the space without having to move around or reach too much.
WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS
There is a wide range of machines and dryers to choose from. I advise my clients to choose systems based on their needs as well as the aesthetic and style of their home. Here’s a brief guide on what’s available and the selection criteria that will help you make a suitable choice:
TOP LOAD MACHINES
Top-load machines are inexpensive compared to front load machines and they clean clothes in two different ways — via agitators or impellers. Top loaders with agitators use a central post that twists back and forth whereas washing machines with impellers use a low-profile cone or disc that spins/rotates to rub clothes against each other. Machines with agitators provide a more thorough cleansing for tough stains etc., so they’re ideal for families with children. The impeller variety offers a more gentle technique of cleaning, so I would suggest such machines if you have a simple laundry load that doesn’t include tough stains, such as for empty nesters.
FRONT LOAD MACHINES
This type is usually more expensive than top loaders but also come with a host of features that are found even in the most basic models. Including energy and water savings. Unlike top loaders, front load machines can be stacked with dryers in smaller laundry rooms.
STACKABLE AND COMBO WASHER/DRYERS
Stackable front loaders are ideal for smaller homes where the laundry is done in a shared area or a multi-purpose area that serves more than one function. A washer/dryer combo is another great space-saver option that is perfect for small apartments, as are laundry centers, in which the washer and dryer is built into one cabinet.
TIP: In addition to the above broad categories, there are a lot more considerations that go into choosing your washing machines and dryer. For example, when buying a dryer, it’s advisable to buy one that has double the capacity as clothes expand when they dry. There are also add ons to consider like pedestal kits that raise the height of machines and offer bottom storage. Functional considerations aside, there are style criteria to consider as well such as color and shape of the machines. It’s great to have a general idea of what you want, yet relax in knowing that your designer will help you select what is most appropriate for your situation.
STORAGE
A laundry room usually houses products like cleaning supplies, starchers, irons, ironing boards, baskets, towels, buckets, etc. These items can create a messy look, so I ensure that ample storage is provided to put them away when not in use. For both the projects featured above, I chose a slightly darker hue for the laundry room cabinetry and adequate storage space to stow away any items that are not in use. In the project on the left, I even provided an option to hang clothes in a space-saving manner.
I hope this blog has inspired you to think about the design and function of your laundry room. Don’t worry if you can’t arrive at a decision or have more questions. We will be happy to guide you through difficult decisions and offer clarity on any questions you might have.
When you’re ready to plan your Denver area laundry room renovation, the first step is to call me at 720-735-7533. We can then arrange to use FaceTime or Zoom for face-to-face video calls, allowing for a touch-free design and remodeling experience. Or, we can use masks and make it an in-person meeting.
Margarita Bravo
Denver’s Best Interior Designer
Margarita is a luxury interior designer and decorator, remodeler, furniture curator, and creator of experiences. Margarita’s unique skill set has evolved from her strong educational background and European and Latin American sources of inspiration. Now with design studios in Denver, Miami, and Montecito.
Margarita
