Your Laundry Room Remodel Checklist

The Laundry Room Checklist

If your Chicagoland laundry room falls short in any category; what essentials should you incorporate in a renovation? Here is a Baker’s Dozen list of things to consider, according to design professionals:

1. Convenient Location
2. Size and Layout
3. Clearances and Traffic Patterns
4. Type of Appliances: Front-load or Top-load washer, Stackables, Single Stacked Unit, Gas or Electric Dryer
5. Safety Factors; The proper kind of hoses, ductwork and connectors
6. Storage: Type and Kind
7. Energy Efficiency Ratings
8. Hampers and Storage Baskets
9. Utility Sink — or Not?
10. Lighting
11. Countertops
12. Flooring and Wall Finishes
13. Extras, Special Needs, Wish List Items

Laundry room decor should be bright and cheerful, but there are also basic needs for noise insulation, ventilation and heat dispersal from the dryer and insulating against noise. You may not want to hide your modern appliances, but you must be aware of safety concerns, and protect against the possibility of noise, fire and flooding.

Unique Laundry Room Amenities

Truly unique laundry rooms feature much more than just a washer and dryer! Once you decide on the type of washer and dryer you prefer, there are many other amenities you might want to include in your laundry center. A pet shower, drip-dry closet, built-in ironing board, steamer or dry-cleaning unit, or a separate utility sink that can double as a gardening clean-up center and flower-arranging station are just some of the ideas available.

In addition, many things can make wash day easier. Pedestal bases for new appliances raise front-load washers and dryers to a more convenient height, while the option of stackable units saves space but eliminates surface area. Ample open shelves and storage closets or cabinets with plenty of counter space for sorting and folding, should be a part of the plan. Windows not only let in light, but can supply fresh air. Well-planning lighting is as important as for any other room.

The laundry area might also serve as a craft and hobby center, or it can become the true “utility room” of your home, with planned storage for vacuums, sweepers, brooms and even gardening equipment. As an alternative, homeowners might love the convenience of a small desk with a laptop, or even a comfortable chair with a small television. Today’s laundry rooms have become very personal spaces.

Just as the rest of your home decor should be appropriate for your family, your laundry room choices should meet your needs and reflect your personality. Keep it cool and efficient, or fill the walls with vibrant art. The Kitchen Master staff consultants will help you plan the perfect space. Just call for an appointment, and we’ll help you get started on plans for your laundry room remodel.