While they’re not typically the most exciting room in the home, laundries are a necessity. Looking to update yours or build new? We’ve gathered some need-to-know advice for making your laundry truly lovely…  

What type of laundry are you working with?  

While most of us would be familiar with a basic internal laundry, there are actually a variety of different types to suit a home’s functional needs.

Luxurious in name and clever in form, European-style laundries are essentially small rooms tucked away in a closet behind bi-fold or sliding doors. Usually found in hallways, entryways and main bathrooms, these intelligent spaces are perfect for smaller dwellings such as apartments and townhomes.  

Popular with Queenslanders and character properties, ‘under-house laundries’ are exactly that – a room or laundry facilities located underneath a residence.

A great option for those wanting to keep any wet or muddy clothing outdoors before being cleaned, these spaces can be made beautiful by a built-in bench, quality tiled splashbacks, an outdoor rug and potted plants. Who says doing laundry can’t be stylish?

Getting the basics right 

Any standard laundry will include the essentials: a sink, countertop space, a washer and a spot for a dryer. If you’re renovating or designing new, it’s important to note that a laundry sink tends to be much deeper than a kitchen sink to allow space for rinsing and soaking clothing items.

Another not-so-obvious use? Green-thumbs, your laundry sink is also ideal for repotting plants. Functionality for the win! 

Also worth considering is your laundry’s ventilation. Windows and glass-panelled doors will help avoid mould growth, while also encouraging natural light to flow into the space and air-drying any clothing items you might have hanging.

A brilliant idea for those conscious about sustainability is to position your washing machine near a window if possible. This makes it easy to connect a greywater pipe or hose to buckets kept outside, ready for watering plants.  

Storage is key  

Along with the appliances and layout, it’s crucial to give thought to storage solutions. For larger internal laundries, kit out the space with walls of full-height cupboards and shelving. Tall cupboards work wonders for storing items such as brooms, mops and buckets. A hanging rod makes air-drying items on an overcast day blissfully simple, while wall hooks are brilliant for towels and shopping bags.  

Open shelving is also fabulous for displaying any items you might want close at hand, like cleaning products and tins of clothes pegs. If your laundry allows it, also think about including space for hampers and personalised baskets allocated to each family member.  

Establish wet and dry ‘zones’ 

Another bright idea for larger laundries is to set specific ‘zones’. A sink and a washing machine teamed together will streamline plumbing and ensure any ‘wet tasks’ are kept away from where you might do your folding. Similarly, positioning a dryer and a hanging rod next to a designated ‘folding area’ will avoid getting clean clothing items mixed in with the dirty. It just makes sense, right?  

Don’t be afraid to add personality 

There’s no rule saying your laundry has to be drab and completely utilitarian. Get creative with your floor and, if using them, wall tiles – eye-catching patterns have superb impact. You can also add décor pieces and wall art, as well as fittings with personality.  

However you decide to embellish your laundry, remember to keep things waterproof and durable. Complementing the rest of the home and making the aesthetic cohesive is also advisable, especially if you’re wanting to maximise your resale value.  

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