It’s traditionally one of the tiniest rooms in the house – that’s if it even has its own dedicated space: we’re talking about the laundry. While it’s not the sexiest room in the house, there’s a few laundry room decor ideas that will help you take it to the next level.
The laundry is often overlooked as just a utilitarian space, when in fact you can quite easily and cheaply turn it into a major value-add for any property. It’s a room where some clever attention to detail can pay big dividends, taking it from a little-appreciated aspect of the home, to one that is a pleasure to use.
We’ve asked Renovating For Profit‘s Cherie Barber to share her expert advice. Here are five things to consider when you’re planning a laundry.
The open-shelving in the laundry of this relaxed terrace pairs storage with styling.
(Design: Architect Prineas | Build: Focus Build | Styling: Natalie Walton | Photography: Chris Warnes) (Credit: Design: Architect Prineas | Build: Focus Build | Styling: Natalie Walton | Photography: Chris Warnes)KEEP IT HIDDEN
People find all sorts of inventive ways to incorporate laundry facilities into a property – especially in smaller spaces where there’s simply no room or practical opportunity for creating a separate laundry.
There are washer/dryers tucked into hallways, concealed behind folding doors, into kitchens, and certainly often incorporated into bathrooms.
The important thing with these European-style laundries is to keep the inner workings as hidden as possible, so it almost becomes part of the furniture.
And, of course, a front loader washing machine rather than a top loader is a necessity if you want to install your washing machine discreetly under a bench top, or stack your dryer on top.
In this pared-back laundry suspended wires add hanging space.
(Photography: Brooke Holm | Styling: Marsha Golemac) (Credit: Photography: Brooke Holm | Styling: Marsha Golemac)BENCH SPACE IS KING
Bench space is high on the wish list for purchasers, right up there with storage, so pack in the maximum.
In a dedicated laundry, consider including a broom cabinet, a linen closet, built-in ironing board and maybe some overhead cupboards for cleaning and laundry needs.
This mudroom-meets-laundry space in this cosy country farmhouse pairs its terrazzo flooring with a bold hallway runner.
(Design: Green Apple Interiors & Design | Styling: Jono Fleming | Photography: Anson Smart) (Credit: Design: Green Apple Interiors & Design | Styling: Jono Fleming | Photography: Anson Smart)STYLE AROUND
While the washer and dryer are no objects of great beauty, you can certainly dress up their surrounds.
Open shelving is a cheap and effective storage solution for any laundry, especially if you’re discerning about what you display on the shelves.
Boxes of laundry detergent, barrels of powder and assorted sprays belong in the cupboard. However, a basket of pegs, some jars of powder and well-chosen storage boxes can definitely enhance this practical space.
The warmth of the timber cabinetry in this space by architect Lilian H Weinreich gives practical storage a design-savvy edge.
(Photography: Steve Freihon/ Tungsten LLC) (Credit: Photography: Steve Freihon/ Tungsten LLC)KEEP IT CONSISTENT
If the laundry is located close to either the kitchen or bathroom, take those materials and surfaces as your cue when you’re renovating the laundry… same cabinet fronts, bench tops, taps, colour scheme, etc.
Even the floor should be the same, if possible. Consistency and harmony are important for any interior, and the laundry is no exception.
The slim dowel is both a stylish and functional choice in the laundry of this Queensland home.
(Architect: Big House Little House | Design: Arki Haus | Build: Klinge Constructions | Styling: Simone Barter | Photography: Anastasia Kariofyllidis) (Credit: Architect: Big House Little House | Design: Arki Haus | Build: Klinge Constructions | Styling: Simone Barter | Photography: Anastasia Kariofyllidis)GET CREATIVE
So now you’ve ticked all the practical boxes, you may manage to squeeze in some creative flair.
A laundry doesn’t demand it, but it’s a nice surprise if maybe there’s an artwork in there, some cute hooks, vibrant green plants, maybe even a fancy feature light as a centrepiece. It’s that element of surprise that buyers love!
