When every other room has been touched with your decorative hand and your desire to decorate has not yet been satisfied, you might want to consider decorating your laundry room.
While utilitarian in nature, the laundry room is still part of the home that is used regularly and could use a touch of beauty. Perhaps the chore of doing laundry would be more pleasant if the room is fresh and organized.
The laundry room is often tucked into a poorly lit corner of the basement, which makes the room unwelcoming. Damp and chilly with cold floors, the laundry room is not an area one wants to spend any time in, yet each week, we must. Thankfully, laundry rooms are finally receiving consideration as a room worthy of updating. Decorative storage, shelving, organizing systems and functional laundry aids can turn this space from drab to fab.
Organizing for function
Just as kitchens are often designed using the working triangle, the laundry room needs a little pre-planning to make it functional. Taking your wash from the washer to the drier and to the ironing board should be a smooth operation; saving you time and effort. If you can, try to plan your room in terms of the working triangle. The path of activity needs to be kept clear and the laundry supplies should be within easy reach.
Storage is important
There usually isn't a need for tons of storage in the laundry room. Laundry supplies and tools need to be accessible yet out of sight. Luckily, functional storage can be beautiful. Invest in cabinets with furniture styling or storage units that will unify the look of the room as well as serve their purpose. Take a look around your home before you start shopping. You may already have something in the home that can be used for storage. An old armoire, dresser or leftover kitchen cabinets from the last renovation might fit the bill. If you do need to purchase storage cabinets you might be overwhelmed by the myriad options available. I find that in a casual setting, staying within a decorative theme helps narrow down the choices, making it easier for you to feel comfortable about your choices. If it's time for new appliances, treat yourself to the latest models that offer loads of cleaning options. This will make short work of this weekly chore.
Here are a few theme ideas that might inspire you to freshen up your laundry room:
Garden theme
An outdoor garden theme is a look that will make the laundry room bright and cheery. Use colours such as light yellow, green or light blue to ward off any gloom. Botanical prints or wallpaper will help bring the outdoor theme into this space. For the comfort and warmth of your feet, especially in the basement, choose inexpensive woven mats made from natural fibers. A garden potting table might make a great folding and storage area. Storage options using this theme are cheap and fun.
Wicker baskets are one way to store laundry supplies in a casual and inexpensive way. Wicker baskets of all sizes are found in abundance at most thrift stores usually for a couple of dollars. Dollar stores, too, carry an array of fun, inexpensive containers. Clay pots of varying sizes can hold clothespins, bottles of laundry treatments and such. You can paint the pots with botanical designs to further the theme of the room. Store your powdered laundry soap or soap pods in a large, decorative tin or a garden pot with a lid instead of leaving it in its original container. To finish off the garden look, use houseplants to soften up the space and give it some colour. Tending to them while waiting for the wash to finish will make your time there more enjoyable.
Industrial flair
Stainless steel wire shelving and storage units can give your laundry room an industrial flavour. A rolling laundry basket on large casters will make tasks easier to manage while supporting the industrial theme. Bold wall colour such as red or orange will make this tiny room vibrant and energized. Stainless steel appliances, accessories, hooks and containers will finish off this modern space and provide a clean, sleek look. A stainless steel tabletop would be a good choice for a workspace in this style of decor.
Modern-vintage decor
Collectors of advertising memorabilia will understand the basis of the modern-vintage decor. While modern appliances and products are necessary for a functioning laundry room, vintage items can bring back the flavour of 'the good old days'. Vintage boxes of laundry soap, tins, washing guides and magazines can turn your room into a mini-museum. Old washboards, washstands, sinks and laundry buckets make for great accessories and sometimes, might also be used for storage. Look for vintage laundry advertisements, pamphlets or photographs to frame as art. A hand braided rag rug would be a fun vintage way to keep your feet toasty.
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Other ideas that you may want to consider in any decor style are: adding a large mirror to reflect light and visually expand the room.
Adding task lighting to brighten work surfaces and accent the art in your space. Include a CD player or a radio to the space so you can relax to your favourite music while completing the chores. Adding a small television on a wall-mounted stand and catch up with your favourite TV shows.
Indulge in the tradition of using linen water to freshen the bedding in the dryer or while ironing and folding. Fresh flowers, or even a single fragrant blossom, will brighten up the space. Head out into your garden while the clothes are washing and pick yourself a beautiful flower.
Using these ideas to inject some pizzazz into your laundry room will help create a space that feels fresh and new. Happy washing!
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