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How to Squeeze a Laundry in Anywhere
Downsizing a laundry is a great space-saving option as it can be repositioned in virtually any room of the house
Modern technology and clever positioning means that laundries can be easily downsized these days. They can be seamlessly integrated into the kitchen, bathroom, hallway or virtually any spare space. Find out why ‘shrinkage’ is no longer a bad word when it comes to laundries by having a closer look at these nine places to squeeze them
2. In the kitchen – all-in-one washer-dryer
Drawing inspiration from UK and European dwellings, a laundry can be installed in a kitchen or bathroom to help maximise space. For a tight kitchen, a washer-dryer combo is the perfect answer. One of these units can take dirty clothes at the start of the cycle and finish with clean, dry clothes. The whole process takes a fairly long time so it works best if you also have a clothes line or airer. This will have less impact on the environment and minimises your energy bill.
Drying racks for your laundry
Drawing inspiration from UK and European dwellings, a laundry can be installed in a kitchen or bathroom to help maximise space. For a tight kitchen, a washer-dryer combo is the perfect answer. One of these units can take dirty clothes at the start of the cycle and finish with clean, dry clothes. The whole process takes a fairly long time so it works best if you also have a clothes line or airer. This will have less impact on the environment and minimises your energy bill.
Drying racks for your laundry
3. In a bathroom
When a washer and dryer is positioned in the bathroom, a built-in cupboard is a great way to demarcate the different zones. However, adding new appliances to a bathroom may be a little tricky as a relocation of plumbing and wiring may be required. Talk to your tradie to ascertain what is possible – difficult access and extensive piping or wiring can add considerable costs.
When a washer and dryer is positioned in the bathroom, a built-in cupboard is a great way to demarcate the different zones. However, adding new appliances to a bathroom may be a little tricky as a relocation of plumbing and wiring may be required. Talk to your tradie to ascertain what is possible – difficult access and extensive piping or wiring can add considerable costs.
4. In the living area
Thanks to modern technology – from wrinkle-free garments to effective stain removers – many homeowners prefer to spend as little time in the laundry as possible. All that’s required is a functional space that can hide appliances and other elements. This home certainly embraces the 21st-century multi-functional concept. Sliding doors hide away the laundry, which includes a sink, plenty of storage and effective illumination. But take note – in a space like this, noise needs to be addressed, so look for machines that have a low decibel level.
Thanks to modern technology – from wrinkle-free garments to effective stain removers – many homeowners prefer to spend as little time in the laundry as possible. All that’s required is a functional space that can hide appliances and other elements. This home certainly embraces the 21st-century multi-functional concept. Sliding doors hide away the laundry, which includes a sink, plenty of storage and effective illumination. But take note – in a space like this, noise needs to be addressed, so look for machines that have a low decibel level.
5. In a hallway
In a petite home or apartment, a laundry can be easily positioned within a row of cupboards in a hallway. The trick is to make sure there’s easy access to a clothes line in the backyard or a folding clothes airer on the balcony. After all, who can put up with endless drips on the floorboards! In this zone, large bi-fold doors hide away the laundry when not in use. Rather than a top-loader, a front-loader allows much needed bench space above.
In a petite home or apartment, a laundry can be easily positioned within a row of cupboards in a hallway. The trick is to make sure there’s easy access to a clothes line in the backyard or a folding clothes airer on the balcony. After all, who can put up with endless drips on the floorboards! In this zone, large bi-fold doors hide away the laundry when not in use. Rather than a top-loader, a front-loader allows much needed bench space above.
6. In a laundry/linen closet
When a floor-to-ceiling cupboard is built into the laundry, the room doubles as an efficient linen closet-cum-storage-unit. If you think this much storage isn’t necessary, think again! Start with the usual sheets, towels, tea towels and other linen, as well as all the laundry products, then add all those items you only use occasionally – a sewing basket, umbrellas, a shoe polishing kit, sports gear, garden tools, as well as any chemicals and poisons that need to be placed out of reach.
Where to store linens
When a floor-to-ceiling cupboard is built into the laundry, the room doubles as an efficient linen closet-cum-storage-unit. If you think this much storage isn’t necessary, think again! Start with the usual sheets, towels, tea towels and other linen, as well as all the laundry products, then add all those items you only use occasionally – a sewing basket, umbrellas, a shoe polishing kit, sports gear, garden tools, as well as any chemicals and poisons that need to be placed out of reach.
Where to store linens
7. In an office
When it’s too noisy for a teenager to study in the living area and too distracting in the bedroom, a laundry can be an out-of-the-box solution. It’s quiet, clean and brutally silent. And not only that, the laundry can be reimagined during the day as well. If the family-friendly iMac is looking lonely, it can be utilised as a mini entertainment unit. Pump up the music or stream your favourite TV series during ironing time.
When it’s too noisy for a teenager to study in the living area and too distracting in the bedroom, a laundry can be an out-of-the-box solution. It’s quiet, clean and brutally silent. And not only that, the laundry can be reimagined during the day as well. If the family-friendly iMac is looking lonely, it can be utilised as a mini entertainment unit. Pump up the music or stream your favourite TV series during ironing time.
8. In an open-plan area
Good ventilation is key when using a washer-dryer in a floor-to-ceiling cupboard. Before designing a mini laundry, figure out your priorities. Here, different baskets are both functional and attractive. However, consider adding a compact sink. It can be used for washing/scrubbing duties, as well as creating stunning floral arrangements (cut stems with a sharp knife in the sink with warm water). Also, why not add a wall-mounted ironing board that swings out for easy use?
Good ventilation is key when using a washer-dryer in a floor-to-ceiling cupboard. Before designing a mini laundry, figure out your priorities. Here, different baskets are both functional and attractive. However, consider adding a compact sink. It can be used for washing/scrubbing duties, as well as creating stunning floral arrangements (cut stems with a sharp knife in the sink with warm water). Also, why not add a wall-mounted ironing board that swings out for easy use?
9. In a chill-out space
If you appreciate multi-functional spaces, this is a real doozy! A dual washer-dryer doesn’t usually appear in a sitting area, but it works when space is at a premium. The cool colour palette, tactile furnishings and timber elements add warmth – and occasionally, a real buzz – to the once-dull space! When friends visit for coffee, simply hide the laundry behind the large doors and no-one is any the wiser.
TELL US
Do you have a clever laundry nook you’d like to share? Upload a picture of it in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ideas for High-Functioning Laundries
Laundry Room Updates to Whip Your Cleaning Regime Into Shape
10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
If you appreciate multi-functional spaces, this is a real doozy! A dual washer-dryer doesn’t usually appear in a sitting area, but it works when space is at a premium. The cool colour palette, tactile furnishings and timber elements add warmth – and occasionally, a real buzz – to the once-dull space! When friends visit for coffee, simply hide the laundry behind the large doors and no-one is any the wiser.
TELL US
Do you have a clever laundry nook you’d like to share? Upload a picture of it in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ideas for High-Functioning Laundries
Laundry Room Updates to Whip Your Cleaning Regime Into Shape
10 Wash-and-Wear Laundry Ideas That Go Easy on Your Back
Stacking is the way to go when installing a front-load washer and dryer in a kitchen cupboard. Here, the washer-dryer unit lines up perfectly with the side-by-side fridge, making it visually appealing. Also, the washer-dryer is cleverly positioned at one end of the kitchen so as to not interrupt the kitchen’s ‘golden triangle’ work zone.