Typically, the laundry is often sacrificed or overlooked in a home renovation to boost the budget for the kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the home. This may make sense on paper; however, it is not always the best choice, particularly if you have a laundry that is poorly designed or you are putting your home up for sale.
Deciding on the Layout
Layout is the very first thing that should be considered in a laundry renovation project. Take a look at the existing layout and determine whether it works for you. If it does not, decide how the layout can be changed to become more functional and maximize use of space.
There will not be an opportunity to change the configuration in most situations where space is limited. However, you might be able to take advantage of some vertical space. As such, it is vital that you take a look at the area in its entirety. Do not only focus on the placement of the tub, washing machine and dryer. Where the washing machine and dryer are concerned, a better option could be to stack them on top of one another to maximize space.
In the design of the layout, you should think about access to the clothesline as well. If possible, make sure the plan includes making it easy to access the clothesline from the laundry room. Another thing that is often overlooked is whether the doors of the washing machine and dryer open in the best direction for the design of the space.
Laundry Flooring
The floor of your laundry should be easy to clean, durable and very importantly, waterproof and non-slip. In addition, it should slope down to a waste hole for the purpose of drainage. Ceramic tiles and vinyl are two great flooring options for the laundry room. Best of all, they are available in a broad range of patterns, colors and finishes.
Laundry Cabinetry
As it relates to cabinetry, it is essential to think about your storage requirements before committing to style of cabinet. Kitchen-style drawers and cupboards look smart and provide a simple method of getting organized; however, a variety of sizes will be necessary to properly house everything.
For instance, tall, deep cupboards will be required to store mops, brooms and vacuum cleaners. Shallow cupboards can work well for cleaning products and detergents and will not use up flooring space.
If there are young children or pets in the household, consider putting a lockable cupboard with childproof lock on at least one cabinet to store bleaches and other poisonous products.
Leaving it to the Professional
You probably have the necessary skills to take on some of the laundry renovation work yourself; however, you need to be realistic about your capabilities. Make sure that you have the required knowledge, skills and tools before diving into the project. If the renovation involves knocking down walls, it is probably best to leave that task to the professionals. In addition, if you are moving or installing electrical and plumbing, you should definitely hire the services of a professional.
Depending on the state, home renovations could require consents, licensing and insurance. Make sure that the professional you are considering to hire has the qualifications and appropriate level of experience needed to undertake your renovation project.
If licensing is required in your state, pay close attention to any licensing they have. Ensure they have insurance as well and do not be afraid to ask for references. There is also the option to search online for their business to determine whether they have any Google or social media reviews that you can check out.