Coming Clean on Laundry Room Remodeling

Laundry. That word conjures up thoughts of chores, drudgery, and—fun? What if there was a space you enjoyed being in—and got your laundry done? Then it would seem more of a Zen-like experience of contemplative solitude. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it, but a bright, nicely-equipped and cheerful laundry room could make the time pass almost unnoticed. Bernhardt’s Remodeling Center can plan your project and help you get it done.

Location

Take an honest evaluation of the space you’ve set aside for this task. Is the location itself the issue, or just how it’s organized and outfitted?

For many people, the default laundry area is the basement. In some cases, factors such as humidity, dust and flooding can make the basement a less-than-desirable location. But if you’re on a budget, some upgrades can mitigate the pitfalls and convert the basement into a happening laundry space.

Adequate storage and workspaces, an efficient configuration, moisture-mitigation precautions and new appliances can all make all the difference.

If your budget allows, you may want to consider relocating your laundry room to another floor. This will alleviate the “dark, dank, dungeon” feeling of some basements and will provide you with a space you truly enjoy spending time in.

Flooring

Your flooring in this area is another consideration. It should be water-resistant and durable, and should resist mildew, odors and bacteria. Tile is good solution, but there are more affordable options as well that we can help you select. Since this area is subject to increased humidity, an antimicrobial paint is desirable, and a cheerful color can help brighten things up a bit.

Applicances

Be aware of what you’ll need to accommodate the necessary appliances: adequate electrical power, plumbing and gas hookups, venting and space. Washers require hot- and cold-water lines, some dryers require gas hookups and adequate venting to the outside. For electric, a 20-amp circuit is required in most cases. Of course, these are not “do-it-yourself” projects for the weekend handy person, but rather are best handled by qualified professionals.

You’ll need room in front of the appliances for loading and unloading and plenty of counter space. There are space-saving washer/dryer sets which stack on top of one another to save valuable space to be better utilized for other laundry-related tasks.

Sinks

A well-equipped laundry room should have a large, deep sink. This will avoid splashing water and will be useful for many other purposes. It’s best to locate the sink close to the washer to keep plumbing lines close together. Traditionally, a large floor-mounted soapstone or stainless steel utility sink served this space well, but even if you install a wall-mounted ceramic or porcelain sink, its size and depth need to be up to the job.

Storage

Cabinets are best to keep laundry supplies organized and out of sight and away from curious children or pets, especially if the room is on the main floor of the house. You can also utilize cubby hole spaces mounted to the wall for this purpose if your situation allows. We offer lots of options for you to choose from.

Rolling storage bins are a great idea for keeping laundry off a wet floor and can be stowed under counters instead of taking up valuable floor space. You may also need drying racks and hide-away hampers to keep clutter out of sight.

You should also have an area to hang clothing; whether it’s a hanging bar or moveable rack. If space allows, an area for ironing, or pressing would complete the space.

So, whatever your budget allows for, there are improvements which can be made to convert your laundry room into a powerhouse of efficiency, and into a space you enjoy spending time in. Contact Bernhardt’s Remodeling Center to get things started. We can provide you with a solid plan for whatever your new space needs, and install it all for you so you have a headache-free remodel.

Contact us today for a free design consultation to discuss your laundry remodeling needs.