OCTOBER 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 47
LAUNDRY ROOMS WASH, RINSE, REDO
Does it seem like your hamper is always
full and the washing machine is
running constantly?
You may not be imagining it. Laundry
Butler for You, a California-based wash,
dry, and fold service, says the average
household washes 50 pounds of laundry
a week and 6,000 articles of clothing
every year. Families with children at
home are doing laundry most often, and
those with pets may find there is ample
laundry to wash as well.
With so much laundry being generated,
homeowners may want to consider
paying extra attention to the space in
the house where their clothing is being
cleaned. Laundry room renovations
may not top homeowners’ priority lists,
but it may be time to give these rooms
another look.
ASSESS YOUR EQUIPMENT
If your appliances are aging, a laundry
room renovation can start with an
investment in new appliances. New
models have large-capacity loads, tend
to be energy efficient and could have
innovative features that fit your laundry
lifestyle. Purchasing front-loading
models also can free up design space, as
you can install a counter directly above
the units, saving room for other items
like drying racks.
DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS
A laundry room need not be limited
to laundry only. Many homeowners
make large laundry rooms catch-all
spaces that can serve as utility or mud
rooms, pantry overflows, or off-season
storage areas. Consider the functions
you want the room to serve and include
those ideas in your designs.
ADD NATURAL LIGHT
If possible, include a window in your
laundry room. Natural light can help
make the room more enjoyable. It also
can help you identify stains on clothes
that need to be addressed and make it
easier to find matching items like socks.
CONSIDER A UTILITY SINK
Many washing machines drain out directly
to waste pipes in the floor or wall,
but you can opt to have them empty into
a utility sink. This sink also provides a
convenient place to hand-wash items,
clean tools or paintbrushes, or store
items that perhaps you do not want to
bring into a bathroom or kitchen sink.
INCLUDE SOME FLAIR
This utilitarian space need not be boring
or bereft of design elements. Mirror
your home’s style in the laundry room,
and include wall hangings, plants, accent
items, and even task lighting. Play
up certain features with a bold floor tile
or brightly colored walls.
Updating laundry rooms can be a great
way to make doing laundry more enjoyable
and efficient.
-Metro Creative Connection
INSIDE JOB
Getty Images
Front-end
loaders are
great space
savers.
Utility
sinks can help
keep homes
clean.
Laundry
room renovations
may not top homeowners’
priority lists, but
it may be time to give
these rooms another
look.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
