Whether you're starting from scratch or making over an existing laundry room, some planning will ensure your finished space will be organized and inviting. There's a layout that's right for you and your family, whether it's a simple reach-in closet design that hides your washer, dryer and a shelf for supplies, or an elaborate work room that include spaces for potting plants, sewing, and doing crafts. A great laundry room layout will include not only efficient spaces for all of your tasks and storage needs, but which will also be an attractive and inviting room you'll look forward to working in, even if laundry isn't your favorite thing to do. A laundry room off a kitchen can become a family hub, including a computer corner for studying or a center for family messages and paying bills. If you have the space, a table in the center of the room can serve as a spot for crafts, gift wrapping or folding laundry. Corner shelves, cabinets and sinks can make smart use of spaces that might otherwise be wasted. An ironing board can be tucked inside a cabinet or hidden behind a false drawer front. Pull-out bins can hold dirty clothes, powder detergent and clothes that need to be taken to the dry cleaner. If you wash pets, or have family members coming in muddy from sports practice, a shower stall can make life easier (and a hanging rod in the shower makes drip-drying clothes a breeze). If you like the look of "hidden" appliances, install your washer and under a countertop as part of your cabinet design. Cabinets or open shelves installed above the countertop or appliances can hold laundry supplies and other cleaners and household items. One popular trend is to install a laundry center into a large bathroom or walk-in closet that is part of a master bedroom suite. Families with bedrooms upstairs may choose to have their laundry in a second-floor hallway for greater convenience in putting away clean clothes. New, quieter washers and dryers make running the machines at night less disruptive, although you still don't want them sharing a bedroom wall. If you do plan to install a washing machine on an upper floor of your house, it's important to check local building codes. You'll want to install a washing machine over a shower base with a floor drain or a pan that will funnel water to plumbing waste lines. No matter what floor your washing machine is on, make sure it is hooked up to an automatic shutoff valve. You also need to make sure there is enough space around your dryer to dissipate heat.
If your bedrooms are upstairs but you want your laundry room downstairs, you can incorporate a laundry chute into your design, eliminating the need to lug heavy baskets up and down stairs. Some homes have a laundry area on each floor, for the ultimate in convenience. By definition a basket is interwoven material used to store or carry items. However baskets are not only for function but design. This two-toned basket is giving me all the feels. It has a modern look outside and a natural traditional look on the inside. This large size woven basket in jute from simons.ca is a perfect solution for throws and pillows. Not only are these handmade Huntington Baskets by Serena & Lily gorgeous they are designed with a purpose to help women in India. With three sizes available you can use them for a variety of extra storage purposes. My favorite place for this collection is a nautical themed nursery. This wall bracket with wire baskets from antique farmhouse is a decorative solution for any space. I love using this look in a guest bathroom for items like toilet paper, washcloths, and other toiletries your guests need easy access to. Basket Love
1. The Color ApproachWhen organizing your closet by color use ROYGBIV or Roy G. Biv, an acronym for the sequence of hues which make up a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. White, beige and light neutrals go before the red while grey and black go after violet. Solids go before stripes, and stripes go before prints. 2. The Classification ApproachPutting like things together just makes sense. Dresses with dresses, jeans with jeans, tank tops with tank tops and so on and so forth. For the cleanest look organize tops and dresses not only by color, but by sleeve. Long sleeve first, followed by short sleeve, cap sleeve and sleeveless. 3. The Outfit ApproachChildren's closets are best for this approach. Not only will it save a ton of time, it will save fussing and fighting. Planning ahead during the school week and placing outfits in a hanging divider works like a charm, however I recommend dividing the rest of the closet by outfit/occasion. For example you can divide the closet into playtime clothes, church clothes, comfy clothes and if space allows keep creative dress up clothes in one area. Now when you ask your child to get dressed for church, you know everything in that category is appropriate while at the same time allowing independence and personal style to show through in your child's choice. Other Tips & Tricks
Bright & LightThis traditional, New Orleans inspired home, had a kitchen that was drab and lacked cohesive style. To deliver the client's desire for a brighter look and modern design, white cabinets, painted brick and the use of bold contrasts between dark countertops and light walls brought the space to life. BEFORE Exposed cabinetry can make a space look larger than it is. It is also a great way to incorporate color by displaying decorative dishes, platters and cookbooks. AFTER Floor to CeilingOutdated, small and awkwardly placed this coastal kitchen was in desperate need for a remodel. The easy solution would be new appliances, cabinetry and paint, but the bold choice was a floor to ceiling remodel. BEFORE Dark wood floors, and a tongue and groove, bright white ceiling was just the beginning. Another way to double the size of this space was to extend the cabinetry to the ceiling and all the way to the hallway entrance as well as building a nine foot island to house appliances and cabinetry on both sides. AFTER Removing the existing wall allowed for a coffee bar, a mini refrigerator and an additional sink to be installed. Hidden behind the closet is not a pantry but a washer and dryer which for this client was the best use of space. In both kitchen remodels the most important element of design was lighting. No matter the color scheme chosen or style, if there is a lack of lighting your design will not shine through. Kitchens tend to need more light than other spaces so keep this in mind when you build or remodel your home.
"Bright & Light" Staging Tips The concept of "Bright & Light" sells homes. Here are 6 ways to make your home appeal to buyers and sell for the right price. 1. Light up every room
Perspective buyers want to have the feeling that you are not hiding anything when it comes to your home. Turn on every light in every room before each showing. You are not trying to create ambience, you are trying to sell someone the biggest investment they may ever make. 2. Strip the windows Take down the drapes. "Light and Bright" sells; and although your window treatments may be beautiful, they date and darken your home. You can opt to keep the sheers if you would like. Blinds? Pull them all the way up. Leaving blinds down, even if partially open, reduces light up to 50%. Most importantly, make sure your windows are sparkling clean. 3. Update your fixtures Updating your light fixtures can instantly bring your space from drab to fab. If you are not wanting to paint, an updated light fixture in your dining room, kitchen or master bedroom will give your room a refreshed look at a fraction of the cost. 4. Accessorize with white in the bathrooms The color white communicates cleanliness and gives a space the feeling of being fresh and new. If you do not want to paint the entire room or replace countertops, use accessories like white towels, a white shower curtain, white frames, or a white soap dish to stage this area and give it the appeal it needs. As a side note, if you have bath mats, be sure they are white and new. If your floors are a selling point, then ditch the bath mats all together. 5. Switch out personal photos or art with mirrors Mirrors maximize light and make any space look larger, and brighter. Replace art with mirrors on a couple of key walls. For example, if you have a beautiful view, place a mirror opposite of it to display that view from a different angle. Some mirrors can serve a dual purpose maximizing light while acting as art. 6. Add metallics in main living areas Metallic objects can give a modern, luxurious feel to any space. They are glamorous neutrals and do not commit to a specific color scheme. Adding a metallic pillow, a bronze coffee table, a copper garden stool, or a silver tray in a main living area adds interest and reflects light. |
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