The perfect laundry room

The perfect laundry room

Tips and tricks to help you create the perfect space for washing, drying and ironing.

When you think about redoing your home or even when you are initially planning to build a new home, one of the rooms that get the least consideration and that no one truly worries about must be the laundry room. I think the reason for this is because when you make an association with this space, it is not really a pleasant one. Washing and ironing are considered work and when you are also a working mom – more work doesn’t get you very excited. But did you know that proper planning can help you create the perfect working space that is well organised and can thus help you finish up what you need to do quicker. Here are a few tips and tricks for creating a practical laundry room:

Make a plan

Evaluate your existing laundry room, and determine if a new floor plan is needed to make this room more spacious and functional. If space is an issue, removing a wall and creating an open plan kitchen and laundry could be the solution to your problems. Steps can be used to separate the two rooms. A proper floor plan will also include detail about where different machines would be installed and also where you want to create storage space. After you have drawn up your floor plan and made changes where you weren’t satisfied, you can start with the changes to your laundry room. If a lot of building and braking is required, it is better to get a professional in to assist to prevent a lot of unnecessary hassles.

Tip: The design of your laundry room will be very similar to that of a kitchen. Tuck the appliances in the corner spaces or natural gaps in your layout, and leave plenty of floor and counter space.

Storage solutions

You may have never thought that storage would make up such a huge part of your laundry room because it is not a room that we necessarily think needs storage at all. But having enough storage space in your laundry room can make the task of washing and ironing so much easier and more organised: 

Open shelving: Make use of dead space above the washing machine with open shelves, and use boxes and baskets to keep everything neat and organised. Shelves are also ideal for detergent and other products you use often, especially if it is mounted close to the washing machine or ironing board – where you will use it most.

Rails: A hanging rail is ideal for keeping garments once they’ve been washed until you have had the chance to iron it and put it away.

Cupboards: This is most definitely always the neatest option when it comes to storage. Cupboards can be used to store away your iron and ironing board (you even get options where the ironing board is mounted in a cupboard and just folds away), to keep detergent and other cleaning products, to hold washing pegs and hangers or even to keep washed or unwashed clothes in until you get a chance to tend to it.
 

Tip: The ideal ironing board should be height-adjustable so you can find the most comfortable working position – the typical board height is 86cm to 91cm.

Laundry baskets: A laundry basket makes it easy not only to transport dirty clothes into the laundry room and clean clothes to the rest of your home, but also to sort your whites, darks and colours. Sometimes you get laundry baskets with different compartments which would definitely make it easy to ensure that your colours are sorted before you start washing.

Counter tops: This can be handy when you want to sort your clothing and put them in different heaps before washing. It is also a good place to keep clean, wet clothing when the dryer has not yet finished with the previous load. This way you ensure that your clothes never has to be placed on the ground or on top of your dryer. Counter tops can also be used to keep detergent and even your iron, if placed neatly against the wall.
 

Tip: It is useful to keep a sewing kit in your laundry room, so you can fix little problems as they come up.

Lighting

Yes, proper lighting is also an essential part of a good laundry room. In a space where you are constantly washing and ironing the clothes you and your family wear in public every day and therefore it is important to be able to ‘see’ what you are doing. Although fluorescent lights are always a good idea, it might not be enough – so feel free to add adjustable spotlights or ceiling mounted lights in addition to the existing fluorescent light in your laundry room.

Flooring

You have to think functional when it comes to flooring in your laundry room. The type of flooring material you decide on must be water resistant and easy to clean as accidents and faults may occur. Floor and wall tiles are the best solution as they are easy to clean and won’t rot or damage if you have a water leak.

Equipment

It is important to choose equipment that is best suited for your needs.
When you choose a washing machine it is important to:
Decide if you want a top loader or front loader.

Top Loader
Advantages

• Usually cheaper than a typical front loader
• Can add laundry during the wash cycle 
• A faster wash cycle 
•  Lighter in weight 
•  Large capacity washers are readily available

Disadvantages

• Less energy efficient than a front loader 
•  Uses more water 
•  Uses more laundry detergent per load 
•  Harder on clothing 
•  Takes up more space because it must be able to open on top and can not go underneath a cupboard.
   

 Front loader
Advantages

• More energy efficient 
•  Uses less detergent 
• A cleaner wash 
• Doesn’t damage clothing 
• Faster spin cycle, leading to shorter drying time 
• Takes up less space

Disadvantages

• Higher initial cost over a top loader 
•  Usually cannot add clothing during the wash cycle 
• Creases clothes more than a top loader 
• Much heavier than a top loader
• Choose a trusted brand name with brilliant after sale service

Popular brands:
● LG
● Whirlpool
● Samsung
● Defy

Tumble dryers
Choose a reputable brand to ensure that you don’t end up with an tumble dryer that is in for repairs all the time.

Popular brands:
● Samsung
● Whirlpool
● LG
● Defy
● Bosch Home Appliances