A home’s kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and living room may get more attention from prospective homebuyers, but don’t overlook the value of a well-designed laundry area.
Creating a functional and appealing laundry space is important. Don’t just consider it a spot where you’ll simply put the washer and dryer. It should be one of the most utilitarian rooms in your home.
Whether your new abode will be a townhome or a large single-family residence, you should consider your needs and what’s essential – convenience, counter space to sort and fold clothes, storage areas, a place to hang items or, as many are adding, a dog wash spot!
Your design decisions should focus on function, but you can always add the fun to functionality. Here are some tips to get you started.
Washer and Dryer Space
First, you need to be practical. The last thing you want is a cramped, uncomfortable space to do laundry.
The location of the washing machine and dryer is a major consideration. You need adequate space for the appliances, whether side by side or stacked. You also need space for hoses and venting, along with a gap between for vibrations.
For front-loading machines, you should allow about 48 inches of clearance to walk around open doors. For a top-loading machine, you need about 18 inches of clearance above. For all machine types, consider the requirements for you to bend, reach and load as well.
Workspace and Shelving
Another functional option to include is a table for sorting and folding. A benefit of front-loading appliances placed side-by-side is that a counter can be built across their top to take advantage of that space. Additionally, as you plan for storage, avoid adding shelves up so high that you’ll have trouble accessing them.
Especially in a small laundry room, you’ll want to maximize space, so consider installing collapsible shelves or tables that pull out from walls.
Here’s where you can get a little creative while staying functional too. These design elements can add a wow factor to a room dominated by typically white, black or grey machines.
Bright shelving and storage space for laundry products as well as colorful hangers can make the area attractive, usable and fun. You can also use paint or wallpaper behind the shelves to add some cheer.
Flooring
Water is a key consideration in laundry rooms. A gorgeous wood floor may look great for a while, but the sink may overflow, or wet items may sit on the parquet and damage it. A durable, easy-to-clean tile or vinyl plank floor is ideal for a room in which water and cleaning products may be spilled frequently.
Fortunately, in this case, durable doesn’t have to mean drab. The range of colors and patterns available to you lets you easily add some vibrancy to the room. Remember that whatever type of floor you install, you should make sure it has a waterproof membrane underneath, and leave room for a floor drain.
Bring It All Together In Your Dream Home
Your laundry room layout and design should make the chore easy. Things you need should be within reach. You should have space to move. And you should throw in a little color and pattern to add some pizzazz to the space.
The biggest factor – you’ll want to consider where you’ll want your washer and dryer located, and how much of a premium space is in that area. For example, some might want their laundry easily accessible from their bedrooms, and opt to stack their machines into a convenient hall closet so their square footage can be used elsewhere. Besides avoiding stairs, there’s one less space for clutter to accumulate! Others might want the dedicated room, and decide to opt out of an expanded bathroom to create a separate luxury laundry room. Or, you might decide to have the laundry on another level, and go all out with your decor! Think about what works well for your family, and how you’ll interact with this space on a regular basis.
Craftmark Homes strives to provide homeowners with stylish comfort and practicality, such as the ideal laundry room. We build architecturally distinctive homes in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and invite you to explore our beautiful communities.
Contact us today to learn more.