The laundry room.  Most would agree that this is among the essentials in a home, after all, who wants to haul their clothes to a laundromat? There are many things that should be considered prior to new construction or even a remodel including:

• Will the laundry room be upstairs or downstairs?
• Planning for more than one laundry room?
• Will it be used as an additional storage area?
• Will it double as a mudroom?
• What kind of flooring works best?

We are going to answer these a few other things you should consider before starting your laundry room project.

Laundry room upstairs vs downstairs

This is a common question and a valid one. With most bedrooms being upstairs it makes sense to have the laundry room close by for convenience. No more lugging the loads up and down plus it eliminates the need for hampers in each room, freeing up closet space. No laundry room on the first floor also adds more square footage for other areas, perhaps a mudroom.

There are, however, some advantages of having the laundry room on the main floor. If there ever is a plumbing issue or major leak this could lead to some major water damage or flooring issues later. Also, if laundry day is the same day you do all your other household chores, it might be more efficient to have it downstairs because it saves time running up and down to check on a load. There are several other areas in the home where a laundry room can be placed including near the kitchen, a hallway closet, or even the garage. It is always best to think about your lifestyle to determine which location will work best for you. In some homes we are seeing more than one laundry room, putting one upstairs and downstairs. This is a great option for families with more children or even multi-generational homes.

What to store in the laundry room

The laundry room is not only an essential space it can also be a versatile one. Detergent, dryer sheets, stain removers, and bleach are among the top items stored inside this room but that is not the limit. This area is a great place to store extra towels, paper products, bags (shopping, trash, or plastic), and even those appliance manuals. Cubbies, decorative storage baskets or bins, and rolling carts are several ways to maximize storage in your laundry room.

Laundry room combo

Design trends are shifting and people are looking to maximize space by combining rooms and the laundry room is built for this request. A mudroom combined with a laundry room can be a great area, as the family enters the home they can drop off any dirty clothing, eliminating any major messes. This is also a logical spot to have the dog feeding area or even the litter box, both prevent your guests from seeing the dirty side of your pets. A small pet bathing area can be added making it convenient to wash the dog and immediately put the drying towel in the wash. There are a few other combinations including a pantry or bathroom. Be sure to think about what matters most to you and what needs your family will have.

What flooring for laundry room

The flooring could be considered one of the most important choices for the laundry room since there can be a lot of outdoor traffic and the potential for spills or leaks. While each has its pros and cons, here are a few of the top choices:

• Tile: There are so many styles that it will be easy to find something that matches your style and it is not affected by water leaks. Its downside is temperature, it is cold and hard.
• Engineered wood flooring: This choice adds value to the home since many buyers like it and can be a better choice than hardwood. The disadvantages are that it has the potential to be damaged by a water leak and it is a more expensive option.
• Solid hardwood: A beautiful option that also adds value to the home and it can always be sanded to bring it back. If a water leak happens, however, it can make it harder to restore.

A needed space

We can agree that the laundry room is a needed space, but it does not have to be the same for everyone. This room is meant to be designed around your specific needs and lifestyle. It must be an efficient and functional space since it will be used often. Once you have made a list of your unique needs, we invite you to give us a call to schedule a design appointment or visit our showroom where we have samples of cabinet styles and flooring. We proudly serve more than twelve counties including Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Henderson, and Spartanburg. Let us help you get the space you need to serve your family’s needs.