Laundry Room Design Tips

Today, more and more homeowners are multi-tasking in the laundry room. From incorporating a gift wrapping station or a project work area, to creating a spot for arranging flowers and repotting plants, we're using the laundry room as a space for more than just cleaning clothes.

Whether your laundry room is a dedicated space of its own or tucked away in the corner of the basement, consider the ways in which you can expand its role in your home. With a little imagination and effort, you can make any laundry area a more organized, appealing space where you can work on your latest project while washing a few loads!

Focus on the layout

A good starting point is to think of your laundry room’s design as similar to that of a kitchen, incorporating intuitive appliances, like the Whirlpool® Duet® laundry pair, a work surface and storage in a way that maximizes efficiency and comfort.

The ideal laundry room incorporates four zones: a prep area, a wash and dry centre, a folding counter and a finishing centre, as seen in The Intuitive Laundry Room design by professional organizer Clare Kumar.

Place washers and dryers near each other to easily move clothes from one to the other. Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer doors open to each so you can grab clothes from the washer and place it in the dryer without a door getting in the way.

Where space is available, place hampers, shelves and baskets beneath a counter. Install the counter at waist-height for easy folding, and choose hampers on wheels. Ensure baskets are available for clean clothes specifically, and hang a rod above the counter for those items needing to be air-dried.

For smaller laundry loads, Whirlpool Duet washers feature a Fanfresh™ Option with Dynamic Venting Technology™ — a fan starts after the wash cycle is over and tumbles clothes for up to 16 hours, so small loads can be washed and dried right in the washer** And if you need to wear clothes right away, options like a Quick Refresh Steam Cycle in the dryer relaxes wrinkles and reduces odours in just 15 minutes.

Front-loading washers and dryers can also be placed beneath a countertop on which to sort or fold laundry.

Map out a space where you can comfortably set up an ironing board near an electrical outlet. Choose practical locations for mounting hooks and installing shelves for storage of laundry supplies or project materials.

(Tip: Make laundry distribution an easier task by placing clean clothes in separate baskets, each tagged with a family member's name.)

Don’t settle for an ugly sink

A utility sink need not be the typical old plastic tub on feet: A stainless steel, enamel or bathroom sink with gooseneck faucet (high enough to fill a bucket) are all good choices for the laundry room. A sturdy deep sink will enable you to clean rubber boots, soak large items, arrange flowers or fill tall vases.

Mix open and closed storage

Open shelving above the sink and appliances can hold neatly arranged storage baskets, bins and glass containers full of powder detergent, clothespins or soaps. Wall-mounted cupboards with doors can be used for tucking away detergent bottles, cleaning supplies and other miscellaneous laundry or project necessities. If square-footage allows, install lower cabinets under the sink and anywhere else in the room where you may be able to fit them. This will provide extra storage and add warmth and interest to the space. Install a tall, narrow cabinet at one end of a wall for storing mops, brooms and a vacuum.

Keep comfort in mind

Put washers and dryers atop pedestals for easy access to loads and lighter strain on your back. Plus, you’ll get extra storage in the pedestal drawers. Whirlpool brand pedestals bring appliances to the optimal height, too. Choose floors that are soft to stand on.

Remember lighting

Recessed lighting can be installed under upper cabinets for illuminating the task at hand. However, if you plan to use the laundry room for other jobs, you'll want to install ambient and task lighting throughout the space as well.

Personalize it

Paint walls a soothing colour and keep some wall space free for hanging framed artwork — both will help the room feel as comfortable as the rest of your home. Find space to accommodate a radio to listen to music while sorting, unloading and folding your laundry.

Choose appliances with smart features that help simplify your laundry process

To take the guesswork out of laundry, Whirlpool Duet features 6th Sense Technology. The Whirlpool Duet washer has a unique dispenser, which holds up to 36 loads of 6x concentrated HE detergent, and will automatically dispense the optimal amount of detergent based on each individual load.

Instead of pre-soaking stains, use steam options that help remove stains for you.

The Whirlpool Duet Steam dryer has intuitive features as well, like Advanced Moisture Sensing, ending the drying cycle as soon as the load is dry to help prevent over drying.

Select Whirlpool Duet dryers also have a unique material inside to keep noise contained for a quieter laundry experience — great for those appliances near bedrooms and other living areas.

Make a small space work

For small spaces, try all-in-one laundry racks, available at home hardware retailers. The units usually consist of laundry bags, a hanging rod and a hinged shelf for folding laundry.

Even a compact space can accommodate a multi-purpose laundry room: A small drop-leaf table and chair against the wall can be pulled out for folding laundry or can work as a gift wrapping or crafts station when needed.

Incorporating a laundry area in a mudroom is a growing trend. A washer and dryer can be at the ready for cleaning muddy, grass-stained or wet clothes. Folding doors in front of the appliances can conceal them when not in use.

Review our Best New Appliances gallery, and then enter to win* a Whirlpool® Duet® washer and dryer!

**Based on a 3lb load of lightweight fabrics.

®Registered Trade-Mark/™Trade-Mark of Whirlpool, U.S.A., KitchenAid, U.S.A., Jenn-Air, U.S.A., or Maytag Corporation or its related companies. Used under licence in Canada. Used with permission.