IN THIS BLOG…
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The average American family washes nearly 300 loads of laundry every year. That’s a lot of laundry time! If you’re going to spend so many hours in your laundry room, you deserve a space that’s as functional, organized and easy to use as possible.
Laundry is often more complex than simply tossing dirty clothes into a washing machine and dryer. Doing laundry can also mean scrubbing 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 out our laundry room design ideas and organization tips for your space.
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:
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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:
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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:
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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.
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.
If you are looking for functional laundry 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 best countertop materials for your laundry room include durable, nonporous materials, including quartz, porcelain tile and granite. For laundry room flooring, always avoid carpet. Instead, opt for:
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You can always add a decorative rug to keep the space lively.
Work tables and rolling carts are 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 in washer and dryer cabinets with concealing doors. Place a counter or additional cabinets on top for extra storage.
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.
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.
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.
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 a storage system that’s as beautiful as it is functional.
Wolf Home Products has the perfect cabinetry for any type of laundry room design. Homeowners love our versatile cabinetry selections for laundry rooms:
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When you choose Wolf Home Products for your laundry room, you invest in 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 our superior quality cabinetry for yourself, find a Wolf Home Products dealer near you. You can also visit Wolf Home Products online for cabinetry design and laundry room inspiration and to learn more about our commitment to providing premium products.
