If you’re limited for space – try these five essential items for a functional compact laundry.
Words Kate Moss
What was once an afterthought and a room hidden out of sight from the rest of the home, the laundry is fast becoming a space to experiment with clever storage solutions and brave design decisions. I think we can all agree that we spend much more time in this room than we would like to admit so it makes sense to transform a dingy utility space into a zone that is both hardworking and beautiful. They say great things come in small packages and this is definitely the case with smart, compact laundry solutions.
Bi-fold doors
Beauty in the front and function out the back, bi-fold doors are a great way to maximise space and continue a cabinetry style from nearby rooms (e.g. kitchen cupboards) for a well thought out, cohesive home. Smart joinery solutions provide the opportunity for laundries to be tucked away in awkward nooks or integrated into hallways and concealed with doors that make it seem like any other part of the home. And when that washing pile seems just a little too big to deal with, you simply close the doors for another day. They say what you don’t know won’t hurt you and in this case it’s what you can’t see, doesn’t exist.
Pull out laundry baskets
You’d be lying to yourself if you said your laundry doesn’t become a dumping ground for clothes on a weekly (ok…daily) basis. Before you know it, piles are accumulating and the 1-2 loads have turned into 10. They key here is to stop it before it happens and pull out laundry baskets are a great way to reduce the clutter and subsequently, the overwhelm. Integrated into under bench cabinetry, we love the Hettich system used here by Oak and Orange… Out of sight, out of mind!
The right appliances
Good old laundry appliances have come a long way over the years and washer/dryer combos are a great way to save on space (and time). Eliminating one machine from your laundry design means you can increase the bench space and under bench storage. So if you’re looking for ways to get the most out of your compact laundry, this will be the greatest two for one choice you will ever make!
Or for those who prefer separate dryer and washer, the most economical use of space would be to stack them vertically. Take for example the laundry pictured above designed by Sarah Yarrow. This ultra tiny space manages to cram all the essentials and still look stylish.
Customising cabinetry to suit your needs
As a utility space it’s important your laundry works for you, rather than the other way round. Designing the perfect layout will require some thought in to how you actually use the space vs how you ‘think’ you might use it and will be key to the overall functionality. If you own a stick vacuum and use an ironing board frequently then tall storage will be key, however if you lack linen space and have lots of ‘bits’ then overhead cupboards might suit you more. Ultimately, it’s all about minimising clutter and being smart about your storage which is exactly what interior designer Alison Lewis did with her own European laundry pictured below.
“I went with the Euro option but it wasn’t an easy decision to make and I played with lots of floor plans to see which option suited the house best. I ditched the sink to allow for more storage space. We had to compromise on space vs optional functionality but it’s actually been a really great decision for the way we live,” says Alison.
“I went with the Euro option but it wasn’t an easy decision to make and I played with lots of floor plans to see which option suited the house best. I ditched the sink to allow for more storage space. We had to compromise on space vs optional functionality but it’s actually been a really great decision for the way we live.”
Hanging space
The key to functionality in small rooms is being clever with your use of space and utilising unused areas. In a laundry situation this is usually the splashback, between the benchtop and overhead cupboards. Integrating as many practical features as possible such as a hanging rail or floating shelf will help maximise space and reduce clutter from consuming precious bench space. Also consider wall hooks on the opposite wall to hang items like dustpan and brushes and feather dusters.
