Wood Mode
Luxe Laundry
Today's Hardworking Laundry Room Does Practically Everything.
????L aundry is, for most of us, one of life’s most tedious, time-consuming chores.
The average American spends an estimated five to seven hours a week—or up to 364 hours a year—in the laundry room, according to experts at Lowe’s home improvement stores.?
????So it’s no wonder builders and homeowners are eagerly dressing up this area, which was once delegated to a garage or hidden in a hallway closet.?
????Says Rob Meyers, national sales director for More Space Place in St. Petersburg: “If you’re stuck doing laundry, why not make your surroundings as pleasant as possible?”
COMMAND CENTRAL
????In an era when multitasking is required, it only stands to reason that a room in which we spend so much time should have multiple purposes.
????According to Cheryl Ferris, general manager of Builder Resource and Designer Center, home of Artisan Cabinetry and All Interior Furnishings in Tampa" target="_blank">Tampa, the new laundry room is being designed as the home’s “control center.”
????In addition to caring for clothes, it’s become a hobby room for everything from potting plants and painting to sewing, crafting and gift-wrapping.?
????Depending on the homeowners’ needs, the laundry room can also function as a project hub for children, a pet care center, a fitness room for exercise enthusiasts and even a media center complete with a flat-screen TVs.?
????“The laundry room has become a central location in which family members can successfully multitask,’” says Ferris. “For women, it’s now the equivalent of the man’s workshop.”
????Bob Ostrowski, senior designer at Allikrist?Fine Cabinetry and Design in St. Petersburg, agrees. “The laundry room has been redesigned to meet the needs of today’s families, who need space where they can spread out and work,” he says. “It’s no longer just a place to wash and dry your clothes.”
????That means projects that once cluttered the dining room table are now obsolete. Instead, they can now be left intact on either freestanding or fold-out hobby/work tables until they’re completed.??
????And for homeowners with limited interior storage space or without garages, the modern-day laundry room also serves as a full-blown storage area, says Meyers.?
????Designed or renovated with an abundance of “cubbies,” shelving and built-in cabinetry, it now stores cleaning supplies and household overflow, such as infrequently used kitchen appliances, extra linens, light bulbs, pet products, mops and brooms, toolboxes, craft supplies and wrapping paper.?
????Builders and homeowners are also using laundry room space to create combined storage/pantry systems, says Bob Miano, owner of deGeorge Cabinetry in Clearwater.?
????“With one or two floor-to-ceiling cabinets, you can house things that would otherwise be stored in basements, if we had basements, says Miano.
THE “XL” FACTOR
????With so many more functions, not surprisingly, size is critical in the design or renovation of a multipurpose laundry room.?
????“In a small area, there are only so many features you can add,” says Miano. “Install a washer, dryer and a laundry tub, and you’re out of there.”
????In new construction, however, the laundry room can truly blossom, measuring up to 12-by-16 feet, or the size of a small bedroom. Ostrowski says his clients’ laundry rooms are even larger—324 square feet to 400 square feet, or 18-by-18 to 20-by-20 feet on average.
????“That’s because today’s larger laundry rooms tend to serve as family gathering places and are dressed accordingly,” says Meyers.
ALL IN THE DESIGN DETAILS?
????Today’s laundry room is anything but sterile.?
????The cabinetry, in particular, has become more sophisticated, with high-quality, raised-panel doors and decorative trims that often match or complement the kitchen cabinetry, especially sensible when these rooms adjoin each other.?
????Crown molding, granite and Corian countertops, ceramic tile or stone flooring and other stylish, easy-care amenities are also being used to enhance the room’s comfort and d?or.?
????The end result?? “With high-end cabinetry, finishes and details, many of today’s multipurpose laundry rooms resemble libraries when they’re not in use,” says Miano at deGeorge Cabinetry.
Color schemes are anything but bland, as well.?
????“Laundry room colors are becoming fun, not boring, with fabulous tile details and splashes of soft greens and other pastels or bold yellows and blues on the walls, floors and cabinets,” says Ostrowski.?
????The key to successful color selection, says Meyers, is to approach the laundry room as if it is a real room, rather than just a utility closet.?
????“If it’s painted a happier color,” Meyers notes, “it’ll make you feel better about doing laundry.”
A NEW SPIN
????Washers and dryers have also moved beyond white to rich reds, bright blues and other vivid colors, inspiring homeowners to coordinate their room d?or to complement them.
In addition to a broader range of color choices, other developments in appliances have made incorporating them into a multipurpose room easier than ever.
????Once limited to small spaces, stackable washers and dryers are now used to conserve space in larger rooms as well. Some builders, says Ostrowski, are creating mini-laundromats with two sets of stackable appliances.
????Front-loading washers and dryers are becoming increasingly popular, says Bob Martra, an appliance sales associate at Home Depot in Ruskin.?
????“Not only are they more economical to operate, some models can even be stacked to save space,” says Martra.?
????An added advantage: A countertop can easily be installed to create a folding surface, and/or a large cabinet system can be built above the appliances.
????“New technology has also made washers and dryers quieter,” says Miano. “They’re built with better balance, so there is minimal gyration and less noise.”?
????Other updated features include automatic water level sensors that save water, moisture sensors that automatically stop heat when clothes are dry and front controls for easy accessibility.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
????When furnishing a multipurpose laundry room, options that create additional space and add design interest abound.
????A built-in ironing center, for example, can be concealed in a recessed cabinet or a drawer to save floor space. Many wall cabinets also include an electrical outlet as well as a place to store an iron.
A laundry chute that empties behind cabinet doors is another popular preference, says Lynne Stacy at Kitchen Center Plus in St. Petersburg.
????The traditional plastic laundry tub has been replaced by an old-fashioned farm sink or a wash basin made of copper and porcelain. Some models are even specially designed with drain boards and jet sprays for handwashing delicates.?
????Another amenity laundry rooms shouldn’t be without: hanging rods positioned above the sink to care for clothes that requireline drying.
MINIMAL MAINTENANCE, MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT
????Design experts agree that easy upkeep is essential in planning a multipurpose laundry room.
Miano recommends installing vinyl-lined cabinetry that won’t become stained by detergent or cleanser spills. Low-maintenance floor and countertop surfaces that only require a quick wipe-down also make cleanup a breeze.?
????Who knows? With all these improvements, doing laundry may soon seem like less of a chore and more of a pastime.
The average American spends an estimated five to seven hours a week—or up to 364 hours a year—in the laundry room, according to experts at Lowe’s home improvement stores.?
????So it’s no wonder builders and homeowners are eagerly dressing up this area, which was once delegated to a garage or hidden in a hallway closet.?
????Says Rob Meyers, national sales director for More Space Place in St. Petersburg: “If you’re stuck doing laundry, why not make your surroundings as pleasant as possible?”
COMMAND CENTRAL
????In an era when multitasking is required, it only stands to reason that a room in which we spend so much time should have multiple purposes.
????According to Cheryl Ferris, general manager of Builder Resource and Designer Center, home of Artisan Cabinetry and All Interior Furnishings in Tampa" target="_blank">Tampa, the new laundry room is being designed as the home’s “control center.”
????In addition to caring for clothes, it’s become a hobby room for everything from potting plants and painting to sewing, crafting and gift-wrapping.?
????Depending on the homeowners’ needs, the laundry room can also function as a project hub for children, a pet care center, a fitness room for exercise enthusiasts and even a media center complete with a flat-screen TVs.?
????“The laundry room has become a central location in which family members can successfully multitask,’” says Ferris. “For women, it’s now the equivalent of the man’s workshop.”
????Bob Ostrowski, senior designer at Allikrist?Fine Cabinetry and Design in St. Petersburg, agrees. “The laundry room has been redesigned to meet the needs of today’s families, who need space where they can spread out and work,” he says. “It’s no longer just a place to wash and dry your clothes.”
????That means projects that once cluttered the dining room table are now obsolete. Instead, they can now be left intact on either freestanding or fold-out hobby/work tables until they’re completed.??
????And for homeowners with limited interior storage space or without garages, the modern-day laundry room also serves as a full-blown storage area, says Meyers.?
????Designed or renovated with an abundance of “cubbies,” shelving and built-in cabinetry, it now stores cleaning supplies and household overflow, such as infrequently used kitchen appliances, extra linens, light bulbs, pet products, mops and brooms, toolboxes, craft supplies and wrapping paper.?
????Builders and homeowners are also using laundry room space to create combined storage/pantry systems, says Bob Miano, owner of deGeorge Cabinetry in Clearwater.?
????“With one or two floor-to-ceiling cabinets, you can house things that would otherwise be stored in basements, if we had basements, says Miano.
THE “XL” FACTOR
????With so many more functions, not surprisingly, size is critical in the design or renovation of a multipurpose laundry room.?
????“In a small area, there are only so many features you can add,” says Miano. “Install a washer, dryer and a laundry tub, and you’re out of there.”
????In new construction, however, the laundry room can truly blossom, measuring up to 12-by-16 feet, or the size of a small bedroom. Ostrowski says his clients’ laundry rooms are even larger—324 square feet to 400 square feet, or 18-by-18 to 20-by-20 feet on average.
????“That’s because today’s larger laundry rooms tend to serve as family gathering places and are dressed accordingly,” says Meyers.
ALL IN THE DESIGN DETAILS?
????Today’s laundry room is anything but sterile.?
????The cabinetry, in particular, has become more sophisticated, with high-quality, raised-panel doors and decorative trims that often match or complement the kitchen cabinetry, especially sensible when these rooms adjoin each other.?
????Crown molding, granite and Corian countertops, ceramic tile or stone flooring and other stylish, easy-care amenities are also being used to enhance the room’s comfort and d?or.?
????The end result?? “With high-end cabinetry, finishes and details, many of today’s multipurpose laundry rooms resemble libraries when they’re not in use,” says Miano at deGeorge Cabinetry.
Color schemes are anything but bland, as well.?
????“Laundry room colors are becoming fun, not boring, with fabulous tile details and splashes of soft greens and other pastels or bold yellows and blues on the walls, floors and cabinets,” says Ostrowski.?
????The key to successful color selection, says Meyers, is to approach the laundry room as if it is a real room, rather than just a utility closet.?
????“If it’s painted a happier color,” Meyers notes, “it’ll make you feel better about doing laundry.”
A NEW SPIN
????Washers and dryers have also moved beyond white to rich reds, bright blues and other vivid colors, inspiring homeowners to coordinate their room d?or to complement them.
In addition to a broader range of color choices, other developments in appliances have made incorporating them into a multipurpose room easier than ever.
????Once limited to small spaces, stackable washers and dryers are now used to conserve space in larger rooms as well. Some builders, says Ostrowski, are creating mini-laundromats with two sets of stackable appliances.
????Front-loading washers and dryers are becoming increasingly popular, says Bob Martra, an appliance sales associate at Home Depot in Ruskin.?
????“Not only are they more economical to operate, some models can even be stacked to save space,” says Martra.?
????An added advantage: A countertop can easily be installed to create a folding surface, and/or a large cabinet system can be built above the appliances.
????“New technology has also made washers and dryers quieter,” says Miano. “They’re built with better balance, so there is minimal gyration and less noise.”?
????Other updated features include automatic water level sensors that save water, moisture sensors that automatically stop heat when clothes are dry and front controls for easy accessibility.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
????When furnishing a multipurpose laundry room, options that create additional space and add design interest abound.
????A built-in ironing center, for example, can be concealed in a recessed cabinet or a drawer to save floor space. Many wall cabinets also include an electrical outlet as well as a place to store an iron.
A laundry chute that empties behind cabinet doors is another popular preference, says Lynne Stacy at Kitchen Center Plus in St. Petersburg.
????The traditional plastic laundry tub has been replaced by an old-fashioned farm sink or a wash basin made of copper and porcelain. Some models are even specially designed with drain boards and jet sprays for handwashing delicates.?
????Another amenity laundry rooms shouldn’t be without: hanging rods positioned above the sink to care for clothes that requireline drying.
MINIMAL MAINTENANCE, MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT
????Design experts agree that easy upkeep is essential in planning a multipurpose laundry room.
Miano recommends installing vinyl-lined cabinetry that won’t become stained by detergent or cleanser spills. Low-maintenance floor and countertop surfaces that only require a quick wipe-down also make cleanup a breeze.?
????Who knows? With all these improvements, doing laundry may soon seem like less of a chore and more of a pastime.