Factors to Consider and Tips for Planning Your Laundry Renovation

The laundry tends to be one of the few spaces that never really gets that much thought although one of the hardest working spaces within your home. Most of us use it few times a week but some become neglected or disorganised which can be frustrating. In this case, a few simple design changes and planning that focuses on functionality will transform your laundry into an enjoyable space that you’ll love.

There are many factors to consider when planning your dream laundry from eye-catching interiors to elegant materials and storage requirements. Select a practical layout and invest your time in planning where you’ll start and if the layout design meets your needs.

We’ve put together factors to consider and tips to guide you on planning your laundry renovation with ease.

Choose Your Layout

Never forget about access requirements when thinking about your laundry layout and positioning. You may choose to have access via an external door so you can easily get to an outdoor clothesline or double the laundry as a mud room. If so, you’ll need to factor in a place for soiled shoes and clothing as well as any additional storage you may require.

Redesign the laundry to suit your needs. Avoid moving vent pipes and plumbing as this can increase your renovation costs. The process for designing a laundry that successfully meets your lifestyle requirements will allow you to experience a fully functional space although, this should not be rushed.

A few positive improvements that you should keep in mind when planning are:

• Having a well-ventilated room.
• Plenty of natural light to minimise mould as laundries generate a lot of moisture.
• Installing an extractor fan.
• Ensure walls are painted with mould resistant paint.
• Ground floor room with direct outdoor access.
• Laundry chutes for in between floors.

Make sure your laundry is aesthetically appealing and keep in mind your key functionality and style to stay on the right path during your planning. Do your research and consult professional advice if you need to help achieve your ideal look.

Ventilation

As the laundry is considered a wet area, you’ll need to think about how to improve ventilation to tackle excess humidity. Extractor fans prevent mould growth and helps to avoid water damage which is very important especially if your laundry doubles as a bathroom. If you don’t have the option of locating your laundry with outside access, make sure there are opportunities for ventilation by including a window.

Excess moisture in a laundry can cause damage that is expensive to repair, not to mention health issues that arise when dealing with mould. Allow fresh air to get in which helps to dry your clothes and can prevent your clothes from smelling musty.

Prioritise Storage

It’s important to think about your specific storage requirements. Consider where you’ll keep cleaning and washing detergents or items such as mops and brooms. Think whether you’ll use this space to keep pet items or spaces for washing baskets. Have a clear idea about what you need to store, keeping in mind your specific needs.

A few things to consider:

• Custom cabinetry can give you more flexibility in the design of your storage.
  
  
•  Specific places to store items such as mops, brooms, ironing board, vacuum cleaner to keep them out of sight when not in use.
  
  
• Open shelving.

• Open air rails to air clothes on hangers.

• Combination of cupboards, drawers and overheads.

Practical Dryer Set-Up

Not all washers and dryers can be stacked as some are too heavy. These will need to be installed under a bench which is an important thing to consider if shopping for new appliances. Stacked front-load washer-dryers are great space-saver options for smaller laundries. A side-by-side washer and dryer that can fit under a bench top giving you more bench space although this option may take up too much room in a smaller laundry.

Energy isn’t the only important consideration when choosing a new dryer. Condenser dryers are fairly energy efficient and don’t require much venting, however they can produce small amounts of moisture when running so they can’t be installed behind cupboards for a hidden laundry. Heat pump dryers are the most efficient and do not need venting which makes them suitable for apartments or laundries stationed in the middle of the home.

Finishing Touches

Even though the laundry is a functional space, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with décor. Enhance your laundry look and feel by choosing hardwearing, neutral, easy clean surface and mix them up with different colour accents and accessories. A stylish backsplash using tiles of your choice can provide a stunning focal point, with a few lush plants and framed sayings on the wall to changes things up and keep it from feeling basic.

You can add containers for your washing products and detergents for organisation. you could even include a mini gallery of artwork or feature artwork which is a great and innovative way to add life and colour to your new laundry renovation.