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Doing the laundry has to be one of the most arduous household chores.
Throw in the fact that most laundries are cramped, dysfunctional, and drab, and it’s easy to see why you might dread doing your weekly washing.
That’s why there’s power in turning the laundry into a space that is equal parts functional and feel-good. And there are a few small changes that can make a world of difference.
Embrace colourful joinery
Start by injecting some more personality into the interior design. As one of the more private rooms in your home, the laundry is primed for experimenting with bold finishes and pops of colour.
Featuring terracotta-toned joinery, tiles, and brass handles, the laundry in this Melbourne renovation by Kim Kniepp is full of inspiration for those willing to embrace colour in a big way.
Butter yellow is also a popular tone for cabinetry, with many harnessing the playful hue for a subtle retro aesthetic. It looks especially great paired with terrazzo flooring, as showcased in this 1970s Adelaide home by Spacecraft Joinery.
Balance function and form with playful tiles
Another growing trend for brightening up a laundry is using patterned tiles — and this DIY transformation by Trouthouse is a perfect example. Rather than leaving the walls blank, whimsical star tiles from Italy fill the gaps between the built-in timber shelves.
Even if you need to maximise storage with overhead joinery, you can still have fun with the flooring. Opt for a tonal mosaic, textural tiles, or something like the checkerboard tiles in Matty J and Laura Byrne’s laundry, which also reveals pink marble across the splashback.
Choose your layout wisely
As with any room that’s tight on space, getting the layout right is imperative.
If your space is narrow, consider a galley layout. Placing all the utilities on one wall ensures there’s still plenty of circulation space. Kyoto House by Breakspear Architects takes this concept to the next level by placing the laundry next to a small outdoor pocket with a clothesline, easily accessed from the sliding windows!
Think outside the box
Something as simple as a combined washer-dryer, stacking your appliances, or installing a sliding door can also help unlock more usable space and improve access.
And don’t be scared to think outside the box with multifunctional details, such as clever pull-out drawers or tilt-out hampers hidden underneath cabinets, much like the one tucked away in creative director Annie Portelli’s bathroom vanity. A pull-down clothesline, or even a simple rod above the bench for hanging clothes will come in handy.
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