When it comes to interior design, utility rooms such as the laundry are usually just an afterthought. And while it might be true that you are not going to spend the majority of your free time in these spaces, rest assured that if they are functional, comfortable and look nice, the time you do have to spend there will be much more pleasant.
In fact, you would be surprised just how many hours you spend doing laundry every year. According to statistics, women spend over 2 hours every week on this chore alone! It is no question, thus, that turning the laundry room into an efficient and stylish space is a good investment. Here are a few ideas if you are looking for inspiration to add a touch of luxury to your old and boring laundry room.
Create the Illusion of Space
A small and cramped room cannot exude luxury the way an airy and spacious room would. But although your laundry is probably not the largest room in your home, the good news is that you can easily create the illusion of spaciousness. First and foremost, you have to ensure that the space is properly lit. If there is a window, you are lucky since you can leverage natural light. By hanging up a mirror, preferably opposite to the window, you can boost the amount of illumination your room gets.
If your laundry room doesn’t have a window, you’ll have to install ample artificial lighting. Make sure there is more than one light source so that you don’t end up fumbling in the darkness whenever you’re doing something at the counter. Another thing that can help in making your laundry appear bigger is the right color palette.
Stick to a Luxurious Color Palette
As we just mentioned, choosing the right colors for your laundry is of crucial importance. Firstly, painting the walls white and sticking to a light color palette throughout the design will further enhance your room’s apparent size. Moreover, white is a sleek color often used in modern, minimalist design as it makes any space appear clean and polished.
But when talking about luxury, white is not the only possible choice to go for. Other light colors, such as off-white, warm grey, beige, and light taupe, can also work in your favor. Just keep in mind that your best bet is neutral colors for a simple but luxurious look. If you still want to bring in some interest, you can choose a complementing accent color.
Choose the Right Flooring Option
The next crucial aspect of a sleek laundry is the floor. The floor of a utility room, such as the laundry, has to endure quite a lot. In such a moisture-prone place, no one wants to spend a fortune on expensive flooring that will be ruined the first time the washing machine floods the room. For that reason, many people neglect the floor’s looks and simply choose something practical. However, you can have the best of both worlds by doing some research.
Tiles look amazing, but they can be quite uncomfortable for your feet. The same is right for concrete. Laminate flooring might be easy to clean, but it’s not that durable against water. A solid choice would be affordable vinyl flooring – it is waterproof, and it comes in a lot of designs today so you can create a luxurious look that will withstand the foot traffic. It can imitate the look of real wood really well, but designs that look like ceramic or stone can fit into any style.
Get Stylish Accessories
The next – and possibly the most fun – step is decoration. Here, you can allow yourself some creative freedom and won’t have to break the bank since laundry accessories are usually affordable and have a wide variety. All you have to do is keep a consistent theme, and your laundry will look like a magazine page.
For instance, if you went for a warm color palette for your walls with beiges, you can choose natural wicker baskets to fit the style. If you went for a more modern vibe with white walls, it would be an interesting idea to choose black wire accessories that will bring in some contrast and stand out.
Don’t forget that just like any other room in the home, the laundry can benefit from a little bit of greenery. Choose a plant that is easy to maintain and boost the look of the space immediately.
One thing that you should keep in mind while decorating this space is steering clear of clutter. Too many accessories, especially in such a small space, will create clutter, and cluttered space is everything but luxurious. Combat clutter by installing additional storage space if necessary. For instance, some open shelving above the counter will help keep things out of the way.
Swap Your Old Appliances
Finally, the largest financial investment and the upgrade that will have the most significant impact on your laundry room experience is swapping your old appliances for new ones. If your washing machine has been serving you for decades and functions less than efficiently now, it’s worth considering buying a new one that will save you money in the long run.
New, Energy Star rated washers use as much as 25% less energy, while dryers consume about 20% less. Considering that these two appliances are among the top energy vampires in an average home, a family that uses them frequently can save a considerable amount of money on their electricity bills by opting for the right models. In addition, new, modern appliances will immediately make your laundry room appear upscale.
Final Words
All parts of our home deserve some love, and the same goes for the laundry. Turning your old laundry room into a luxurious corner will not only improve the time you spend there, but it will also boost your home value, should you decide to sell it in the future. Hopefully, the ideas mentioned above gave you some inspiration for your own laundry room remodel.
