Doing laundry is one of those chores that is never truly finished because there is always dirty laundry that needs to be cleaned. However, doing laundry is much less of a chore when the laundry room layout creates a space that is welcoming, well organized, and efficient. The following tips can help you transform even the smallest of laundry rooms into productive and beautiful spaces.
1. Choose Better Appliances
There is nothing worse than trying to do any task with inefficient tools. Doing laundry is no different. If the washer or dryer are old, they will take longer to complete a cycle, use more water and energy to do it, and still won’t get clothes as clean as newer appliances will. If you are considering making upgrades to the laundry room, a great place to start is by evaluating your current appliances.
If they are older than five years, you may be surprised by the improvements in energy and water efficiency of newer appliances. This is particularly true of front-loading washers and dryers. To get a sense of options available, do a simple search for washers and dryers for sale near me or stop in at our fully stocked K&A Appliance showrooms in Lancaster, PA.
For laundry rooms that are super small or even just closets, one great way to maximize space is to replace side-by-side appliances with a stackable washer and dryer. These front-loading appliances are efficient and take up significantly less floor space.
2. Maximize Storage Space
Laundry rooms tend to be cluttered not just with dirty laundry but also with containers of detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and more. All those products need to be within easy reach when you are doing laundry. Yet, all too often, that means those products end up setting out in plain sight, usually on top of the dryer. The best way to eliminate clutter is to improve laundry room storage by adding cabinets or shelves where all those products can be stored.
Adding shelving doesn’t have to be expensive. A great way to do this on a limited budget is by repurposing a bookshelf, armoire, or even an old bureau. If you have side-by-side, front-loading machines, you can always lay a board across them, instantly creating a shelf or table for folding laundry.
3. Install A Sink
When dealing with tough stains, you need access to a sink where you can soak the soiled item and scrub the stain before putting the piece in the washing machine. Doing that in the kitchen sink isn’t always feasible. If the laundry room is big enough, add a soaking sink. They come in a range of sizes. Generally, the larger the sink the better, but any size will be an improvement over none at all.
Having a sink in the laundry room is a game-changer. In addition to being able to soak laundry in the sink, you can more easily clean up detergent spills and wash your hands. When looking for laundry room sinks, make sure they are stain and chip resistant.
4. Add a Laundry Sorter
Even in the smallest of laundry rooms, adding a laundry sorter can dramatically improve laundry efficiency and actually make the task easier. Sorting laundry into piles on the floor looks horrible and puts clothes at risk of getting damaged and dirtier.
However, by using a laundry sorter, you can neatly stow dirty clothes out of sight. Laundry sorters come in a range of styles and sizes. Those on rollers with washable fabric bin sleeves are the most convenient because you can move them out of the way and toss the sleeves in the wash when needed.
5. Use a Drying Rack
Not all clothes need to go in the dryer either because they are delicate or the load is small enough it could be hung to dry, thereby saving electricity. If the laundry room is large enough, you can easily set out a foldable drying rack to dry delicates and small loads. Being able to do this in the laundry room also means delicates stay out of sight.
When laundry rooms are tiny, there are still some great ways to install wall-mounted racks or hanger bars. If there is enough room under cabinets to hang shirts, install a bar or put a tension rod between cabinets above the sink. There are even wall-mounted drying racks that fold up and out of the way when not in use. Some of these wall-mounted racks are easy to make yourself.
6. Hang the Ironing Board
Ironing may be the least-liked laundry activity. It takes time and space. When not in use, the ironing board should be stowed so it’s not in the way. Instead of hiding it in a bedroom or linen closet, keep it stored in the laundry room.
Hang it on the wall or even the back of the laundry room door. If hanging on the wall, consider making the ironing board a decorative accent by getting a new cover for it that complements the wall color and overall décor of the space.
7. Decorate the Space
Laundry rooms are ideal spaces to decorate because they don’t require much in the way of materials. Turn the laundry room into a statement space with a laundry room layout and color scheme that reflects your personal tastes and style.
- Paint the walls a fun color or add wallpaper to give the laundry room a completely new and fresh look. You can update cabinetry by painting it or changing out hardware.
- Even doing little things, like hanging pictures or adding a houseplant, will make the room more inviting.
- Hanging mirrors will also make the room look larger.
- If there is enough space for a small chair or stool, add one.
- Improve the lighting, making sure the room is bright enough for you to see stains.
When the laundry room looks good, you’ll want to spend more time there—and doing laundry won’t be such a chore!
K&A Appliance is Here to Help You Upgrade Your Laundry Room
When you’re ready to reorganize your laundry room, consider upgrading the appliances to more energy-efficient models. Doing so will save you time and money on laundry. Instead of simply looking for washers for sale near me or dryers for sale near me, consider visiting a showroom like ours. We’re here to help you learn about all the latest options available and which laundry appliances will fit not only your space, but also your budget.
Remember that a great way to save money on appliances is to shop scratch and dent to get new models for less. Discover all the best washers and dryers—and save—when you purchase from K&A Appliance.