How To: Makeover Your Laundry in Three Steps

The laundry is an often-overlooked space in the home – let’s be honest, no one likes spending time in the laundry. Is there a way we could make ourselves love our laundries? You might be thinking something along the lines of “no way” and don’t worry, I am totally with you! However, do have three great ways to update your laundry to make it not only look great, but also increase its functionality.

Step One: A laundry needs to be highly functional and organised

No matter how spacious or compact your laundry may be, a laundry is a lot harder to work in when it doesn’t function for you properly. We all want to get in and out of that space ASAP, so anything to increase function and efficiency is key!

First up, it’s time to declutter. Re-organising your powders and detergents, towels and linens, brooms, cleaning equipment (and anything else you store in your laundry) will give you a great indication as to what type of storage you need in the space, as well as how you use the space which leads to step two.

Secondly, you should take into consideration the layout of your laundry. Is your laundry sink positioned near a hanging rack? Are your washer and dryer in extremely close proximity to one another? Which cabinet or set of shelves do you store your washing powders and bleach? Does the ironing board just lean folded in a spare corner or does it even get folded up at all?

By answering these questions, you are giving yourself great direction into how your laundry elements should be organised.

Step Two: Great storage is key to functionality and organisation

Ultimately, the questions you answered above will have a huge impact on your storage elements. And it goes without saying that you can never have enough storage in a laundry.

I find that hiding things behind closed doors creates a neat, fresh atmosphere and it also creates a more functional layout because you aren’t storing things on your benchtop. That said, make sure that when you ‘hide’ your things, you take into consideration how they are organised behind your cupboard doors.

Alternatively, you may prefer open shelving – it certainly provides plenty of styling opportunities which may appeal. Floating shelves are a particularly great choose – they are easy to get a hold of, and look great because they won’t close in your laundry space!

Baskets and boxes are a great way to organise items like towels, pegs, washing detergents, buttons, etc. Keep it clean and organised and your functionality will sky-rocket!

Step Three: Style your laundry like a magazine

For a total update, you could re-finish your cabinetry or replace your splashback. This is a great way to freshen up the space if it is totally dated. I find that white is always a great base colour for a laundry – it’s a very clean colour. But in saying that, don’t be afraid to be bold and add some colour if that is what you love!

The smallest details can also make the biggest impact. Greenery is my favourite styling element, especially in a space like a laundry. It brings instant colour and life into the space. It’s also soft and relatable.

Another way to create interest and add warmth is by adding timber accents into the space. This could be anything from some timber shelves, a cabinetry finish, or even timber storage boxes.

Style your benchtop or open shelves with some luscious candles (and beautiful greenery), a weaved basket with rolled and towels, and a lovely hand soap near the sink, and you have just styled your laundry like they do in magazines!

By using any, or all, of these steps you can update as many elements of your laundry that you like. It doesn’t matter whether your laundry is a large, spacious room or a compact European design, an update is always an uplifting and fresh experience, especially when you can increase its functionality too!

Love your laundry without spending more time in there!