by Blake Herzog
If you’re like most people you try to get out of the space you keep your washer and dryer in as quickly as possible as you wrap up your crucial but tedious laundry duties.
But with a little TLC you can reframe it into a place that invites you in, if not one you actively seek out.
Your dedicated space for your laundry machines may be a small room or multipurposed as a mudroom, hallway or even a kitchen. But it can always be more than it is by adding in a little bit of style, along with the functionality it needs.
Signage
Cute, retro signs telling everyone that this is a laundry room is always an option, but if you’re not so interested in being reminded of what you’re doing there you can always stick to more functional graphics and labels on jars and shelves and flippable signs reminding everyone what’s dirty and clean.
You can frame aesthetically pleasing signs explaining the “universal” laundry care labels not everyone understands or even decals for the washer and dryer, if they’re similar enough where they would work.
Look up
When you’re working with a small footprint scaling the walls with shelves and cabinets can make it much easier to organize detergents, stain sticks, fabric softeners and other cleaning supplies.
Installing a set of drawers can make it much easier to sort and fold clothes and can even be a place to store towels and other linens. Bars and pegs can be used to hang up clothes and string up a clothesline.
The right pattern on one or more walls can bring a fun vibe to what is often a dreary workspace.
Give ‘em a boost
If your back complains when you’re unloading or loading the washer or dryer, especially if they’re both front-loading models, putting them on a pedestal can be a smart idea. Most manufacturers sell these for their models; many incorporate drawers into their design.
A custom-built platform can be more attractive and tailored to your taste and the existing design.
