How to renovate your laundry: One of the most well-used rooms in your home

The laundry is usually only a small room, but it gets used almost every day so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be attractive as well as functional.

As with all renovations, there are different levels and budgets for everyone so it’s essential to decide how much you are willing to spend. Are you going to work with the existing laundry or are you gutting it and starting from scratch?

It’s a good idea to decide on the layout of your laundry before you make any major decisions. Many older style laundries have a massive sink, space for a top loader and then a bit of bench space, but I like to incorporate the sink into the bench.

The laundry can often end up as a dumping ground for a lot of household odds and ends, so look at what is already being stored or dumped there and decide if it should stay or whether it should get stored elsewhere.

For the items that are there to stay, it’s an opportunity to build storage areas into the design or designate specific storage space in the cabinetry. For example, you might decide to incorporate a space inside the cupboard as a laundry hamper or put some hooks on the wall to hang school bags or create an area specifically for gumboots and shoes.

Decide on the layout of your laundry before you make any major decisions. Photo: Bella Lifestyle

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If you decide to gut the laundry and start from scratch, you can choose whether to buy an off-the-shelf flat pack or get cabinetry made to order. Some people will advise against a flat pack, telling you they don’t last, but the problem often lies with the way it has been put together and installed rather than the product itself.

If your budget allows (or you know an electrician), you could add strip lighting underneath overhead cupboards. This adds an interesting element as well as ensuring the bench is well lit. Often people will go for fluorescent lighting, but it’s nice to have something with a bit more atmosphere or elegance in a place where you spend a fair amount of time.

When deciding on colours, a common choice is white cabinetry, a white splashback and white walls, but the laundry doesn’t have to be a big, plain room. Try and match your laundry cabinetry with your kitchen cabinetry. This creates a visual link from room to room. However, it doesn’t have to be the kitchen, you could match it to the colours in another room.

Why not match the laundry cabinetry to the kitchen cabinetry? Photo: Barlow Reid

Regardless of what sort of cabinetry is used, I always try to incorporate a stylish splashback to give the room some personality. It doesn’t add a huge amount to the budget to go for a tile that is more expensive and looks great, rather than settling for a low-budget plain tile. You will always be glad you spent the extra money, and it makes the laundry much more inviting.

The laundry is one of your home’s most used room so why should it look like an afterthought? Get creative and see how you can update yours.

Jane Eyles-Bennett is one of Australia’s leading home renovation and interior design experts. She is an award-winning interior designer with more than 25 years’ experience designing the interiors and exteriors of homes, specialising in kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.

Contact Jane at jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or via her website.

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