Laundry Room Design

Worth some forethought

Though washing and drying machines are usually located in multi-purpose utility rooms, some homeowners prefer a laundry room design that's focused solely on laundry. The following tips will help you to get the most use out of your laundry room design.

Accessible location

When constructing a new home, laundry room design should begin with an accessible location. Modern laundry rooms are being placed in all sorts of new locations, including off the kitchen, off the master bedroom, in an upstairs hall, or in traditional spots such as basements or next to the garage.

The location of your laundry room design should account for noise and proximity to dirty clothes.

• Ample space
  Laundry is not a simple matter of tossing clothes into a washer and dryer. A good laundry room design should provide ample space for storing laundry aids, folding clothes, and performing other wardrobe related tasks such as ironing or sewing.

   

  Front loading laundry machines will free up overhead space for built-in cabinets or shelving, but your laundry room design will need to provide four or five feet of clearance for front loading laundry appliances. Stacked laundry machines are smaller and will free up your laundry room design to include extra countertop space for folding, or even a small laundry tub.

• Accessories, etc.
  Every laundry room design will have unique idiosyncrasies. One homeowner may want drying racks, while another will install an extra shower for guests.

   

  There a few laundry accessories that are important for a successful laundry room design. Every laundry room should have a floor drain to prevent emergency water damage. Water sensor systems can provide an additional layer of protection in case of a burst hose.

  Another useful accessory popping up in modern laundry room design is a laundry tub with an extendable faucet, much like a removable showerhead. This sink design makes it easier to treat clothing stains.

Lastly, consider installing a pull-down, swiveling ironing board. Today's built-in ironing tables offer increased room and easy accessibility for any laundry room design.