“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.” E.B. White
I wonder how much of my life is devoted to keeping clothes clean and pressed. It often feels as though this tedious chore is a large part of every day. Luckily, today’s laundry rooms are being designed with efficiency and convenience in mind so the process can be much more enjoyable. Here are some recent trends we are seeing in Nashville home sales.
- More square footage is being devoted to laundry rooms in new construction and remodels. Homeowners are adding custom built-in bins for sorting and storing dirty clothes. Often laundry rooms are large enough to have a center island for folding and separating. Custom cabinets with beautiful finishes that coordinate with the kitchen cabinets are popular for storing detergents, stain-removers, and cleaning supplies. Sinks are popular for hand washing delicate items.
- Laundry rooms are more conveniently located. Most new home contractors are adding laundry rooms to the level of the house with the majority of bedrooms. The basement laundry area is history. Some new homes even have the benefit of a laundry room on each floor – no more dragging heavy baskets up and down stairs!
- Washers and dryers are quieter and more efficient than in years past. Less water and electricity usage means smaller utility bills. Not only are they saving energy, these new appliances save your back by adding platforms under the machines to elevate them easing back strain.
- No longer a utilitarian room, laundry areas are receiving designer treatment. Homeowners are replacing their Formica countertops with granite. Bright colors on the walls add a lot of cheer, and there are even some whimsical wallpapers on the market that are perfect for brightening up the space. Not to be outdone, appliances are receiving makeovers as well. The colors of the new washers and dryers are amazing – metallic finishes in candy apple red and charcoal gray. Some rooms have modern amenities such as flat screen tvs for passing the time between spin cycles, while others are are a nod to vintage homes with built-in ironing boards. Whatever the look, basic is out, and luxurious is in!
I personally designed a laundry room for a client with a custom sofa, designer lamps, and gorgeous English oak hall bench. Another client was determined to reorganize her small laundry room to make it easier for her children to put their own clothes away. We had some cabinets built with cubbies and baskets for that very purpose.
In a nutshell, why not design and decorate the laundry room to enhance the time that is spent there? Not all homes have well-appointed laundry rooms, but most buyer clients want them and appreciate them.
Well, gotta go. I hear the dryer beeping.
