Dreaming of a laundry room that’s functional?
It makes sense. Most homeowners never think about upgrading the laundry room. After all… it’s laundry. Who cares how it looks?
Here’s the thing… When done right, a laundry room makeover can change the game for how your household functions day-to-day.
Even better, laundry rooms are attractive to home buyers. A survey done by the NAHB showed that 87% of buyers listed a dedicated laundry room as one of the top features they look for when house hunting. That’s above walk-in pantries and even hardwood floors.
No joke.
But there’s more to renovating a laundry room than picking out paint colors. You need to plan things out first. Plumbing. Layout. Storage.
Especially plumbing.
Let’s talk about why.
If there’s one room in the house that heavily relies on proper plumbing, it’s the laundry room. Faulty or worn-out pipes behind washing machines are a leading cause for emergency pipe bursts that flood rooms. Make sure any cosmetic updates happen after a trusted local plumber has inspected the water lines for problems.
Now onto the fun stuff…
What you’ll learn:
- Why You Should Remodel Your Laundry Room
- Tackle the Plumbing First
- Storage That Makes Your Life Easier
- Laundry Room Layout + Design
- Material Selection
Why You Should Remodel Your Laundry Room
Let’s start with the basics. Why should you remodel your laundry room?
Besides gaining the most valuable square footage in your home, laundry room makeovers are one of the best investments you can make.
Take a look…
Remodeling your laundry room has an average ROI between 40% – 60%. Not too shabby considering you actually enjoy using this space every day. Don’t forget about the value it brings to your day-to-day life.
A laundry room that’s easy to work in will save you time and stress. Laundering is never going to be fun. But with a setup that’s thought out, it at least can be convenient.
Imagine if…
You had a place for absolutely everything in your laundry room. Clothes that need washing aren’t left on the floor. Hanging laundry is easy. You don’t have to dodge cabinets to do your laundry.
That’s the dream. Right?
Now it’s time to make it a reality.
Tackle the Plumbing First
Were you expecting this to be further down the list?
Leak repairs and pipe bursts are every homeowner’s nightmare. Don’t wait until after painting and flooring is done to find out you have a problem.
Evaluate your plumbing before moving onto anything else. Replace old hoses behind washing machines. Make sure water lines can handle the constant pressure they’re under. Have a licensed plumber run their eye over everything.
Washing machines are heavy. They can also rip out plumbing if not installed properly. Check for any leaks under appliances or around water lines. It’s best to catch things early.
Here’s a few things to focus on during a laundry room renovation:
- Swap out rubber hoses for stainless steel wash machine hoses
- Ensure drain lines are free of clogs or slow draining water
- Test water shut-off valves to make sure they’re working correctly
- Install a washing machine drain pan if there isn’t one already
You don’t want to be stuck with an emergency pipe burst repair after spending thousands on a remodel. Always nip plumbing issues in the bud.
Storage That Makes Your Life Easier
Did you know that having the right storage can actually make laundry easier?
It’s true! Laundry rooms are notoriously small. You never realize how tight it can feel until you’re trying to squeeze past the dryer with a full basket of laundry.
Here’s the thing… Every inch of storage has to be utilized. There should be a “home” for every single thing you want to store in the laundry room. From cleaners to laundry baskets.
Ready for some inspiration?
- Cabinets over the washer and dryer are perfect for laundry detergents, supplies and anything that should be out of reach of children.
- Pull-out laundry hampers integrate right into your cabinetry to store dirty laundry unseen.
- Fold right next to your machines by adding a folding station. All you need is counter space above the washer and dryer.
- Install a wall-mounted drying rack. When not in use they take up zero floor space and fold up against the wall.
The key here is building up vs. out. Laundry rooms are small by nature. Don’t be afraid to build your storage space up towards the ceiling. That dead space above the washer and dryer is perfect for high shelves and cabinets.
Laundry Room Layout + Design
Believe it or not… Where things go matters.
A poorly thought-out laundry room will have you tripping over furniture. Running from the washer to the dryer. Most people have folded laundry straight from the dryer. But doing this every time is asking for pain.
Think about designing your laundry room like this…
- Washer and dryer go side-by-side with a countertop across the top for folding laundry.
- Stack that washer and dryer to open up floor space for a utility sink or more storage.
- Create a sorting station near the door. It’s surprising how often clothes are left behind before they make it to the washer.
Pro tip: Lighting is key. Make sure your laundry room is well lit with overhead fixtures. Then install under-cabinet lights to make folding easier.
Material Selection
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when remodeling a laundry room is choosing the wrong materials.
Laundry rooms see a lot of water. Detergent spills, water splashes and humidity are no laughing matter. Choose materials that can stand up to the abuse and you won’t have any issues.
Flooring: The best options are either vinyl or ceramic tile for laundry rooms. Both are water-resistant and easy to clean. Never use hardwood or laminate as your flooring material.
Countertops: Stay away from natural stones that have pits and crevices. Go with either quartz or solid surface materials instead.
Walls: A semi-gloss or satin paint finish works wonders. High humidity rooms like bathrooms use this finish to combat water damage.
Want your laundry room makeover to last? Choose materials that can take a beating.
Wrapping Things Up
Laundry room makeovers can be some of the most rewarding home improvement projects to tackle. Not only does it give you a room that actually works for your family, but it also upgrades square footage you’re going to use multiple times a week.
Just remember…
- DO have your plumbing inspected by a professional first.
- Plan your layout to have laundry folding in the same area as your machines.
- Build your storage upwards to free up more floor space.
- Choose materials that can withstand heavy moisture.
- Don’t forget to add adequate lighting.
Take your time during the planning phase. You’ll thank yourself later.