‘Plus, because it’s a room you’ll most likely use daily, it also pays to make it a beautiful, easy-to-use space that flows with the rest of your home.’
Below, Bec provides some top tips for creating a stylish and practical laundry.
While it’s rare to see the laundry make anybody’s list of ‘Top 5 Favourite Home Spaces,’ there’s still plenty you can do to add some vibrancy and inject some fun into this humble space.
From folding, ironing and hanging your washing to housing your cleaning supplies or furry friend, the room wears many functional hats which makes it important that the space not only looks inviting but is practical for your needs too.
‘Everyone uses their laundry differently and, just like with your kitchen, it’s important you think about the layout and storage options that are right for you,’ says Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Bec Stephens.
‘Plus, because it’s a room you’ll most likely use daily, it also pays to make it a beautiful, easy-to-use space that flows with the rest of your home.’
Below, Bec provides some top tips for creating a stylish and practical laundry.
‘Plus, because it’s a room you’ll most likely use daily, it also pays to make it a beautiful, easy-to-use space that flows with the rest of your home.’
Below, Bec provides some top tips for creating a stylish and practical laundry.
Modern
For a contemporary vibe, stick with a more monochromatic colour palette. ‘Matt grey cabinetry paired with a herringbone splashback works well to add character and texture. My favourite splashback tiles are the new Surfaces by Hynes’ handmade Clay Chalk Matt tiles,’ says Bec.
‘Opt for square-edged tapware and sinks in a modern laundry. If you’ve chosen a laminate bench, you’ll need to install a trough but if you’ve upgraded to stone, consider a beautiful undermount sink,’ adds Bec.
Rustic Country
Introduce profiled cabinetry paired with a rough-edged white subway tile and darker grout to nail this look. ‘For a country-style laundry, I like to tie the cabinetry colour in with the flooring of the home. My favourite is the Maison Oak,’ says Bec. ‘Open timber shelving can also help bring warmth to the space and can be used for styling – think potted greenery, vases, soaps, candles and fresh fluffy towels.’
Consider a farmhouse sink to create a beautiful feature and bring a level of sophistication to your country inspired laundry.
Hamptons
By far one of the most popular home styles, a Hamptons laundry is all about classic shaker cabinetry, ornamental handles and a patterned splashback tile. ‘Portugal style 200×200 designs are my favourite splashback tile in a Hamptons laundry. They come in a variety of colours, so you can create a feature with a bold navy blue or select something a little more subtle, such as the Marrakesh Mist Grey,’ says Bec.
‘I’m also loving the brass and brushed nickel tapware trend,’ adds Bec. Again, opt for a farmhouse sink or undermounted sink in a Hamptons laundry.
2. Emphasise laundry storage
Style is important but means nothing without practical substance. In short – think storage, storage, storage when it comes to your laundry. Along with a combination of cabinetry and drawer space, consider adding a broom closet to store items more easily such as a vacuum cleaner and ironing board. Pull-out hamper draws for dirty clothes are another great addition. If you want to get really organised and have the space, allow for two hampers – one for whites and one for darks.
‘Open shelving is a decorative way to house peg buckets and laundry powders, and I always suggest installing a rail to hang wet items. Make sure there is room to hang full length items, such as long dresses, as well as business shirts,’ suggests Bec.
‘Mudroom seats are also incredibly popular, especially if you have young children – it offers a practical area for them to remove their dirty shoes after playing outside.’
3. Invest in your laundry bench and doors
Your laundry will be one of the most-used areas of your home, especially for larger families. So, it pays to upgrade your benches and ensure there’s plenty of space for folding and sorting.
‘Stone will be more durable and more practical than laminate while adding a ‘wow’ factor and ensuring consistency throughout your wet areas. I also suggest adding two sinks if you have the space,’ says Bec.
‘If stone isn’t in your budget, you can add a timber-look laminate bench for warmth and character. Some of my favourites are Casentino Beech and Coastal Oak.’
The hinged laundry door is another upgrade you won’t regret, letting in plenty of natural light. ‘Our new aluminium glass doors offer a beautiful modern element and are double glazed,’ continues Bec.
4. Add a dog kennel and other specialist items at the planning stage
When considering your dream floorplan, think about any structural or layout features you’d like your laundry to include. For example, do you want your washer and / or dryer hidden behind cabinetry doors? If so, you’ll need to allow the space for your appliance of choice and additional ventilation. If you would prefer your front loader underneath your bench, allow for this in your bench depth. And while most washers and dryers come in standard sizes, if you have a bespoke dream appliance in mind, take its size and shape into account.
‘Many people also choose to include specialty items, such as a dog kennel upgrade, in their laundry design. It’s best to speak with your New Homes Consultant about your laundry wish list early on, to see what we can include for you,’ advises Bec.
Are you ready to design your dream laundry (and home)?
Our friendly New Homes Consultants can find the right plan for you and your family.
You can find more styling and interior design tips from our expert team on the Boutique Life blog.
Have you found ‘The One?’
Share your home journey and connect with the Boutique Instagram community by using #ourboutiquehome