Reclaiming Space
For life changing laundry rooms.
Dedicated laundry rooms have become the new coveted luxury for homes of all sizes. It’s the space that comes with the guarantee of endless piles of washing from precious knitwear and delicates, to everyday clothes, bedding and the joy of filthy sports kit. Then just when you think you have cleared it all, usually a mountain appears from one of your children, that has been lurking in hidden corners for a while! Whilst it isn’t the room we want to spend our time in, there is a certain happiness to be found, when if space allows, you manage to remove the domestic machinery from your kitchen and main flow of your home.
Let’s be honest I don’t think I know anyone who could claim to enjoy the laundry, but with a dedicated space, and with everything to hand it does make the prospect of getting it done much more pleasurable.
About five years ago at home we reconfigured an old toilet on the first floor of our home - repositioned the boiler in a cupboard to the right of the door, with space to store towels and seasonal textiles. And to the left built in a stacked washing machine and tumble dryer, with bespoke shelving - perfectly tailored to accommodate washing liquids, fabric softeners, as well as all the incidental things that we never had space for, such as suncream, spare toiletries and cleaning products. Who knew just how much I could fit into this cupboard. Although there isn’t space for an airer, a pull out table sandwiched between the two machines makes easy work of folding.
The room is a bijoux as they come, with a central window - but it makes me happy knowing I have a dedicated area to shut the door on. Simple woven baskets that hang on the back of the door, separate whites, colours and delicates, which leaves the compact floor space free.
With such small rooms, space saving ideas become your best friend. If room, peg rails - such as those from WoodEdit, create valuable opportunities to hang baskets or shirts to dry - and if the height of the room allows a pull down clothes airer is a must.
In the past laundry rooms were often designed with functionality top of mind and aesthetics a low priority. Times have changed and these practical spaces are becoming as pretty as other areas of your home - where palette, fabric and flooring choices are considered choices.
Checklist Of What To Include?
Sometimes it can help to have a checklist of what to include in your space. If footage is not an issue then this list will give food for thought about the opportunity for your laundry. But if space is tight, as it is in ours, then you can prioritise what is essential and workable for you.
Consider how much laundry you have each week. Do you have space for two washing machines? This may seem indulgent, but with a large family it means washing is cleared in half the time.
Create space for everything that goes with the laundry and measure out the sizes, to create bespoke storage solutions - detergents, ironing board, iron, steamer, water jug, pegs, baskets for dirty washing, baskets for clean piles. And if room storage for a hoover, cleaning brushes, cloths and liquids.
Consider a coffee machine - if it is the room you begin the day in, and are in and out of a lot, then it can be a lovely addition to make a coffee while you sort. Adding a radio or bluetooth connection will mean you can listen to favourite podcasts while sorting the practicalities of life.
If the area needs to double as extra space for a wine fridge, an extra freezer, or a dog bed, look at your spatial plans and work out if that is possible.
Make space for a sink - practical for hand washing, flower arranging, and muddy boots, you will never regret it.
Where To Locate It?
A lot of designers would say it has to be on the ground floor near to your kitchen. I am a huge advocate of having it upstairs if you can create the space. It means the washing doesn’t have to keep going up and down stairs, is near to bedrooms where it is usually collected, and then also easy to put away once done.
If you live in a three storey house like us - it makes light work of the washing.
If it has to be located in your kitchen, the example below from Hàm Interiors is a great way to balance aesthetics with practicality.
Some consider a basement the ideal place - we did in our old home. But do take into account that it is a pain taking things up and down the stairs.
When space is tight, matching your laundry cupboard to your kitchen cabinetry will stop main flow areas feeling cluttered. Image shot in the former home of Tom Cox, co-founder of Hám Interiors. Styling Ali Heath, Photography Alexander James.
A Place For Everything?
Order and a system will definitely be your best friend for an uncluttered home.
Add brass rails for drying and shelves to store folded ironing. If there is room for the laundry to store all your bedding and towels it will make putting things away a dream.
A basket for each person in the house makes it easy to transport clothes to other areas of the home - and the responsibility for them to put it away does not become yours.
Consider work surfaces - natural stone and marble will mark with detergents - so look at alternatives, that are easy to maintain.
Pretty gathered curtains that conceal machines look very attractive and allow for a pop of colour or pattern, whilst hiding what you would rather not have on view.
Inspiration
Click here to view my Pinterest ‘Laundry’ board for more design ideas.
Image: Ali Heath.
Carrying out space audits in our homes is such a valuable thing to do - check out any wasted space on landings, in cavities, and in under stair cupboards that could be optimised, whether for a new laundry nook, an extra desk space, music area, or reading corner. It is amazing what can be transformed into extra living spaces.
Right now I am taking pleasure in an empty laundry room - a previous rare occurrence, but now increasingly more usual with one of our children in London, and one travelling. I miss them like mad, but I don’t miss their piles of dirty-not-dirty washing…
Time for a late Sunday lunch and glass of wine!
Happy Sunday and wishing you all a great week ahead. Ali x x
As a lover of storytelling, words and images, I am excited to be able to communicate and share with you in a longer form way, as an extension to my instagram feed, and am grateful for those supporting me with a paid subscription. After having worked in interiors and many related fields for over 20 years, since leaving the corporate world, I am looking forward to sharing many of the valuable things I have learnt, and have helped me pivot since starting my own company; along with insights, learnings and creative direction, that I hope will inspire you too.
Well, that was extremely enjoyable Ali. Great ideas too! Particularly loved the idea of a coffee machine. Great way to start the day. It’s amazing what can be done by reimagining a space, forgetting that the walls are there and re-working it to suit you.