6 Unbreakable Design Rules for Planning a Laundry
An interior designer reveals how to create the perfect washing space, with insights from her own small-laundry reno
About to redo your laundry? You’ve come to the right place. Here, Anna-Carin McNamara, principal at Anna.Carin Design Studio and Electrolux ambassador, reveals her six essential tips for maximising the functionality and style of your new washing space. And to top it off, she’s also provided helpful design insights and a detailed budget breakdown from the renovation of her own compact 200 x 125-centimetre family laundry.
Floor plan of Anna-Carin McNamara’s laundry.
2. Plan every square millimetre
This is particularly important if your laundry is small. If that’s the case for you, look for opportunities where you can save space. For example, if your laundry is solely for washing and drying, consider mounting drying racks that flatten against the walls when not in use, or wall-mount the ironing board.
Opt for a compact washer-dryer combo rather than a separate washing machine and dryer. Or, save space by choosing a stackable washer and dryer.
2. Plan every square millimetre
This is particularly important if your laundry is small. If that’s the case for you, look for opportunities where you can save space. For example, if your laundry is solely for washing and drying, consider mounting drying racks that flatten against the walls when not in use, or wall-mount the ironing board.
Opt for a compact washer-dryer combo rather than a separate washing machine and dryer. Or, save space by choosing a stackable washer and dryer.
Elevations of Anna-Carin McNamara’s laundry.
Ensure you have enough floor space to open the doors of your washer and dryer (or the door of your combo model) – ideally you’ll want a minimum of one square metre. I don’t have that much space in my laundry and it’s tight, but I was prepared to compromise for more bench space.
When selecting a machine, find out which direction the door opens so you can ensure it works in your laundry design.
If you want to include usable bench space to put down baskets or a pile of washing, make sure it is a minimum of 600 millimetres deep.
Ready to renovate? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Ensure you have enough floor space to open the doors of your washer and dryer (or the door of your combo model) – ideally you’ll want a minimum of one square metre. I don’t have that much space in my laundry and it’s tight, but I was prepared to compromise for more bench space.
When selecting a machine, find out which direction the door opens so you can ensure it works in your laundry design.
If you want to include usable bench space to put down baskets or a pile of washing, make sure it is a minimum of 600 millimetres deep.
Ready to renovate? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Interior designer Anna-Carin McNamara.
3. Itemise your budget
You’ll want a minimum of AU$8,000 for a laundry redesign. A bigger budget of AU$25,000 will allow for higher-quality materials and fixtures, and more custom joinery.
My laundry redesign took six weeks with a budget of AU$15,000. Keep in mind the costliest aspect is always the labour.
I chose materials in the same tone to make the space appear unified and bigger than it actually is. I specified Laminex Surf AbsoluteMatte for the benchtop, Laminex Paper Bark for the open shelves and a matt taupe mosaic tile for the walls.
A bigger budget would have allowed for natural stone benchtops and timber veneer to the shelves.
3. Itemise your budget
You’ll want a minimum of AU$8,000 for a laundry redesign. A bigger budget of AU$25,000 will allow for higher-quality materials and fixtures, and more custom joinery.
My laundry redesign took six weeks with a budget of AU$15,000. Keep in mind the costliest aspect is always the labour.
I chose materials in the same tone to make the space appear unified and bigger than it actually is. I specified Laminex Surf AbsoluteMatte for the benchtop, Laminex Paper Bark for the open shelves and a matt taupe mosaic tile for the walls.
A bigger budget would have allowed for natural stone benchtops and timber veneer to the shelves.
My budget breakdown was as follows:
- Carpenter and labourer: AU$1,500 for demolition of the original laundry, the door to be rehung, new skirtings and a laundry chute.
- Plumber: AU$1,000.
- Electrician: AU$1,000.
- Tiler and tiles: AU$2,000.
- Underfloor heating: AU$500.
- Joinery including benchtop: AU$4,000.
- Painter: AU$500.
- Sink, tap and floor waste: AU$1,000.
- Appliances: AU$3,000.
- Accessories such as laundry baskets and hooks: AU$500.
- Total: AU$15,000.
4. Follow the rules for functionality
For a fully functional laundry, I believe the following are essential:
For a fully functional laundry, I believe the following are essential:
- Bench space to rest washing baskets.
- Shelves to store washing products. I favour open shelves because they are easier to access and make the room look bigger and more open.
- A swivel tap to accommodate a soaking bucket.
- A hanging rack to dry shirts and delicates.
- Elevating your washing machine and dryer to make loading and unloading laundry easier.
- Installing a mirrored splashback above the benchtop or opposite the door to create the illusion of more space.
5. Choose your washing machine and dryer wisely
When selecting these appliances, consider the size of your household and your washing habits.
I needed to optimise efficiency in my laundry as I have three grown-up children who live at home and do their own washing on allocated days. For this reason, I chose two washer-dryer combos (Electrolux EWW7524ADWA 7.5kg/4.5kg Washer Dryer Combo). Having two washer-dryers is ideal for my household, and I also love that this model has no condensation, has a refresh function and is gentle on our clothes.
When selecting these appliances, consider the size of your household and your washing habits.
I needed to optimise efficiency in my laundry as I have three grown-up children who live at home and do their own washing on allocated days. For this reason, I chose two washer-dryer combos (Electrolux EWW7524ADWA 7.5kg/4.5kg Washer Dryer Combo). Having two washer-dryers is ideal for my household, and I also love that this model has no condensation, has a refresh function and is gentle on our clothes.
6. Add personality
Introducing something beautiful to your laundry, whether it’s an artwork, a gorgeous wall light or a plant, elevates a decidedly functional space so you actually enjoy spending time there.
A word of caution though: be careful not to add too many different materials to your laundry as it can be overwhelming. I would recommend no more than three – one for the floor, one for the walls and one for the joinery.
Your turn
What’s your one must-have for a practical and stylish laundry? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Looking for more on laundries? Don’t miss The Laundry-Bathroom Combo: How to Design and Do It Well
Introducing something beautiful to your laundry, whether it’s an artwork, a gorgeous wall light or a plant, elevates a decidedly functional space so you actually enjoy spending time there.
A word of caution though: be careful not to add too many different materials to your laundry as it can be overwhelming. I would recommend no more than three – one for the floor, one for the walls and one for the joinery.
Your turn
What’s your one must-have for a practical and stylish laundry? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Looking for more on laundries? Don’t miss The Laundry-Bathroom Combo: How to Design and Do It Well
Have a clear vision about what you want to achieve with your laundry, measure up the space and have it drawn up accurately. Having that level of accuracy is critical when it comes to working out the most functional layout.
Consider all the tasks you need to perform in your laundry and ensure they’re catered for within the design. For example, I like folding and separating my washing in the laundry, so I installed all my storage on the wall so I could have bench space to fold clothes and rest laundry baskets on.
And don’t be afraid to try as many design variations as you can think of on paper before you commit to a final one.