Top 10 Laundry Design Decisions for your Bungalow Renovation
Laundry time won’t feel like a chore if your new laundry space is practical and designed right. Here is what to consider in your layout:
Aesthetically Appealing
Laundry appliances are bulky and can be an eye sore. To make your new laundry more appealing easily conceal them around cabinetry.
2. Accessibility
If you are internally reconfiguring the layout of your home make sure to position the laundry with easy access to the outside. Easily head out the door to hang the clothes on the line without having to walk through other rooms of the house or be able to quickly come into the laundry to wash up after doing messy gardening or building work in the backyard.
3. Save yourself the headache…design the layout depending on the machines
First decide on which appliances you plan to install, whether that be a front-loader or top-loader type washing machine and if you are including a dryer. Depending on these choices you will need to have the dimensions handy and make sure to follow the manufacturers installation requirements. For example. certain machines will require extra space around them for ventilation and a shelf directly above a top-loader would not be a practical design decision.
4. Don’t forget it is a wet area!
How many times have you spilt water or made a mess in the laundry? Be on the safe side and opt for a stone or vinyl tile for your flooring choice so water spills or dirt is easier to clean up. Stay away from carpet, hardwood or laminate in wet areas. Consider adding drainage on the floor for good measure.
5. Fresh Air, Please!
The laundry is not the most sweet smelling place in your home and it can get stuffy in there with a dryer running; make sure to add a window to keep this space ventilated.
6. Storage
Consider all the items you use and make sure they each have a home:
linen cupboard for bath towels, bed sheets, table cloths
shelf to store the washing basket or add integrated wash basket cabinetry to sort your darks from lights and keep dirty washing hidden away
built-in tall cupboard or drawer to store the folded up ironing board and/ or iron
cupboard or deep drawer to store cleaning products and washing detergents that are to be kept away from young children
tall cupboard to store the vacuum, broom, mop and bucket
either a space to store a mobile clothes airer or wall space to install a clothes airer that is on a pulley system
extra hanging space to hang ironed shirts
7. Where to fold your clean clothes?
No need to fold clothes in the living room any more, include enough bench space so that all your folding can be done in there too.
8. Sink
Install a practical sized sink that is large enough to wash the dog, baby and/ or for soaking large bedding. Position it next to the washing machine to avoid water spillages throughout the space.
9. Power Outlets
You won’t get much done without having sufficient power in your laundry. Make sure to have an outlet for each large appliance and to have extra one or two to keep the cordless vacuum on charge or for the iron.
10. Fur Friends
Laundry space can be pet friendly. If you have small dog that sleeps in the laundry then consider adding a space for the dog bed instead of taking up floor space. For cat lovers you might want to add a spot in the laundry for the kitty litter.
