The laundry room is a space dedicated to washing, household products, and storage. While often overlooked, this room deserves your attention and a little TLC. With our 5 easy tips, you’ll discover the essentials to make your laundry room a place that simplifies your daily life and gives you pleasure in carrying out the tedious task that is laundry. Get ready to optimize and reveal the full potential of your laundry room, whether it's small or spacious!
1. Optimize storage and organize your space
THINK UPPER STORAGE
Store toxic products or rarely used items such as sleeping bags and sheets for the guest bed up and out of easy reach.You can add shelves with bins or storage cabinets above the doors, appliances, etc. Also, there are many pulley modules that allow you to install a drying rack higher off the ground.
OPT FOR CLOSED STORAGE
A tidy, clutter-free space is good for morale, so opt for closed cabinets or aesthetic storage boxes that fit well into your décor. Visually, your room will be more inviting, and it’ll be less daunting to get started on all that laundry! Add light sources under cabinets or even inside cabinet doors to help you spot your everyday items in a flash.
SORT WASHING
Whether you’re a large family or just two people, several techniques for sorting clothes can make life easier! Maybe it takes you a while to accumulate a pile of dirty clothes or maybe your family fills the laundry baskets daily—either way, opt for the time-saving pre-sorting technique. Install laundry baskets by colour: this way, you’ll have a better rotation of priority washes. For example, you could opt for a basket of light, dark, or even thematic clothing if your washing frequency allows it.
USE VERTICAL SPACE
Use the walls to install hooks, shelves, or pegboards where you can hang baskets and organize your laundry items. This frees up floor space and makes your laundry room more functional. A great way to dress up the walls AND optimize your space!
2. Set up a drying area that meets your needs
Determine the height of your poles according to your clothes. For example, if you own a lot of long dresses, it’s best to install poles that are higher off the ground. Whereas if you have young children, you might want to think about installing multiple poles, one on top of the other. For smaller spaces or even laundry closets, you could opt for retractable or extendable poles.
If you have an abundance of sporting goods, rethink your space according to this particular need. Install sturdy hooks, retractable drying racks, and think about optimizing your ventilation. Proper ventilation is crucial to avoid bad odours and promote quick drying of wet clothing and equipment. Consider installing an exhaust fan or dehumidifier to keep the air cool and dry if that room is the only space you have to dry your items.
3. Create a dedicated folding space
To prevent other rooms from being overrun with piles of clothes, make sure to dedicate a smooth and comfortable area in your laundry room where you can get all your folding done. No need to invest thousands of dollars—with just a little imagination you can create a folding area above your washer and dryer. For smaller spaces, add an accent piece and cover it with a countertop which, despite its limited size, will be very useful. A retractable countertop is a great solution for small spaces. It can be extended when needed and folded down to maximize circulation space. You can easily install a pull-out tray under an existing shelf or piece of furniture.
4. A décor to boost your morale
Every person, every parent, deserves a beautiful and functional laundry room. Here are some decorating ideas that are sure to make your space more pleasant and your everyday life a touch brighter. Add colours that you like, treat the laundry room as a room in its own right. Add a backsplash or half accent wall; whether it's ceramic, wallpaper, or peel-and-stick tiles, it’ll bring a lot of life to the space. Embellish the practical side of your laundry room with a few decorative items such as frames, plants, and vases that can serve as aesthetic storage for small items!
5. The little extras that simplify your life
If you're embarking on major renovations, take the time to evaluate all the possibilities that could simplify your daily life. Consider adding a sink, electrical outlets at various heights, customized furniture to hide essentials, a redesigned ventilation system . . . you might have to make choices but it’s worth evaluating the price of renovations in order to make more informed choices.
As you can see, a functional laundry room is not only about practicality, but also encompasses elements that make household chores more enjoyable and efficient. By integrating essentials such as adapted storage, a hanging and folding area, you can create an environment that greatly simplifies your daily life!
