When it comes to using efficiently our homes and making the most of our space, smart laundry rooms with age-in-place designs go a long way.

Cleaning Hubs.

Laundry rooms are essential to a smooth daily routine. For an efficient lifestyle today of course, but on the long term as well. We might tend to be a little less on laundry duty as we age or once we retire, but smart laundry rooms are essential to a comfortable and, most of all, convenient lifestyle.

Above all, we need to make sure the space fits our needs. Even thought it is mostly used for short periods of time, laundry rooms have to be well thought for daily use. The space has to be functional. Yet it does not have to be too roomy either, but this depends on our family habits and overall dynamics at home.

Organizing The Space.

We may want to have a folding or ironing table in there. Maybe a drying rack for the delicate items ? Those can be easily found retractable or foldable which means that, once the job is done, the device can go back on the wall and leave more clearance inside the room. Great solution for tight spaces. However, for those of us who have a lot of delicate items, and go through laundry cycles every day, a dedicated and permanent fixture will make a lot more sense. All without having to lose some precious minutes setting up and down the said fixture.

Having wall-mounted shelves to accommodate laundry products is a smart move too. We can use those to store folded linen as well once they have been cleaned and dried. We very well might want to turn some of those shelves into a permanent linen “closet” where we can stack bed and table ware. Skipping the step of transferring garments from laundry room to linen closet to dining room or wherever else it might be makes perfect sense since it saves us one task on those weekly chores.

Washers And Dryers.

If the space is tight, we can always invest in a stackable set of washer and dryer. There are many options on the market nowadays and it is a great idea to splurge on this when possible. This will also ease the transfer from washer to dryer, going up-to-down is much easier than transferring side-to-side. Just saying. However, if we are currently in a traditional side-by-side setting and considering switching for a stackable set, it is good to keep in mind that, if we like to use the flat surface above the machines as work surface, this will no longer be an option. The height will simply be too great to be used comfortably. And we will likely have to think about setting up another station to use for folding or organizing laundry.

Still speaking of height, if we rather keep the side-by-side configuration, then investing in a washer and dryer pedestal is a great option. Yes, they are quite pricey. And if you can build one yourself it is even better. But regardless if you buy or build, this clever add-on will greatly improve comfort. Especially for those of us experiencing back issues. It will make laundry duty much more enjoyable since we do not have to bend as low. Although the same goes for the now un-workable surface above the washer and dryer, as the new height of the top will have to be taken into account, once again.

When investing in new appliances, dryers and washers should be energy efficient for great cleaning abilities at the lowest running cost. Front load washers are the best in this department, hands down. As for dryers ? Nothing beats the clothesline ! Yep, even in Winter. And even in our Nova Scotia weather. Not saying that we can always depend on it, but it is still the best option we can choose sustainability-wise, financially and for the experience. Oooh the smell and feel of coastal wind-dried linen…

Mindful Laundry Duty.

Speaking of experience and enjoying the laundry chore, the most important part of having smart laundry rooms is to make the space enjoyable. We should use an organizing system that works for the space. And for us. Make sure it looks tidy and can stay tidy in the long run. We should use colors that will make us enter the room feeling happy. We can use handcrafted tiles on the floor to bring a sense of luxury to the room. After all, not all jewels have to be worn ! They can be found in other unexpected forms and do not have to cost an arm and a leg either.

As for the logistics, when possible try to install a laundry tub—a glorified sink really—. It is so helpful to have that extra spot for utility purposes. And rest assured that you will find more use for it than you ever expected !

Location, Location, Location.

Last but not least, whenever feasible, we should consider moving the laundry room on the bedrooms’ floor. Living in a bungalow ? Everything is on the same level. Problem solved. Multiple story dwellings ? Well, having the laundry room on the same level as the bedrooms will save some valuable time—and efforts—in bringing up and down all that linen. Kitchen and dining linen do not account for as much as clothes and bed linen. So if this is an option, moving the entire space altogether is definitely a great decision. Not possible ? Then we should at least install a chute from the bathroom to the laundry room. It is super efficient. And so much fun too ! And yes, given the very nature of those two spaces—the requirement for plumbing—they are often located one above the other so, all good there !

Smart laundry rooms are a must for efficient design within our space. They are a fantastic place where to introduce a more sustainable lifestyle as well. And not only they can make our daily living easier, but they can also be revamped in attractive ways to really boost our spirits for chores that could otherwise feel a little heavy at times on our routine. So let your creative side flow and start thinking about how you can improve that essential space for a better living.