Nothing says, "I'm a Grown-up living in a Grown-up House," quite like a dedicated Laundry Room.
When I was growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the washing machine and tumble dryer were plonked in the garage, right next to the Chrysler Le Baron parked precisely under a tennis ball on a string. There was usually a narrow shelf above the machines to hold the giant plastic jugs of Tide and maybe some dryer sheets. That was about it. It was exactly the same setup in all my friends' houses. Dedicated Laundry Rooms in the home weren't really a thing—until they were.
Sometime in the Mid-Nineties, well-appointed laundry/utility rooms started popping up in design magazines like Elle Decor and Architectural Digest. They had gorgeous tiled floors, gleaming designer appliances, great lighting, and neat cubbies to organize laundry accoutrements. Like Kitchens a decade before, Laundry Rooms were suddenly being designed, considered, and given the attention they deserved. I desperately wanted one.
It would be another twenty years of tragic rentals and utilitarian laundry before I achieved my dreams of a dedicated laundry room, and I love it. It’s not big, but is has a simple hexagon tiled floor, a pair of stacked machines, an apron sink, marble counter tops and floor to ceiling shelves to hold bedding, towels, and tablecloths. I feel grateful whenever I walk in there. I’ve managed to get almost everything on my dream list into that narrow space, but there is still room for improvement. Some I have, and some are still to come, but they will all be included in my next phase of Laundry Design.
Shiplap Walls and Utility Pegs. I like the classically clubby vibe of shiplap or beadboard walls. Paired with a rail of Shaker pegs, they give plain walls some texture (and are handy for holding everything from brooms to laundry bags). I love anything that's both functional and Instagram-worthy, and this is a manageable DIY project I’m determined to achieve.
Brass Gallery Rails. I want to swap my bog-standard IKEA floating laundry shelves for slim oak or even marble (!) shelves fitted with brass gallery rails. I love the security and functionality they offer. OK, it's more the look, but they keep things firmly in place, so that counts as functionality, right? Right!
A Wall-Mounted Dryer. One of the best things I bought was this wooden wall-mounted dryer. It was pricey, but it has gone from rental to rental with us and is now installed in our Laundry Room. It expands for laundry day and then tucks away when your clothes are dry. Mine never folds down because I use it daily for things I don't want to throw in the dryer (like underwear, workout clothes, and sweaters).
Rolling Laundry Carts. If you're still carting laundry baskets or bags around, you're working too hard. A rolling laundry cart is a true game-changer. I'm getting multiples of this slim laundry cart: One each for lights, darks, and towels.
A Chrome Butler. I still like to iron things (feel free to roll your eyes). It gives me a moment of Zen when I’m feeling overwhelmed, sensory pleasure when the scented mist hits the warm iron, and a feeling of accomplishment when it’s all done. The only part I don’t like is hauling it all back to the wardrobes to hang. That’s where this guy comes in handy.
A Built-in Ironing Board. I like a big ironing session in front of the telly, but I love the idea of an ironing cabinet with a drop-down board for quick touch-ups. It spares me the hassle of bringing down the big board. Nothing gets too wrinkled if I remember to take them out of the machine when they are still warm from the dryer. Wool dryer balls and a little fragrance oil do most of the wrinkle reduction. But a quick press and spritz with Linen Water give me that professional finish I love.
Canvas Storage Bins. My built-in shelves are great, but they are big, and I noticed our sheets and blankets getting disorganized and dusty every time I pulled one out to use. These Laundry Bins are made from the same sturdy canvas as your boat-and-tote, but they are the ideal size and shape to keep your folded sheets and bedding secure and organized.
Real Wicker Baskets. I have a thing for baskets. A basket obsession, really. To me, wicker baskets represent the very essence of practical beauty: they hold stuff while exuding timeless charm. I buy them by the stack to freshly washed laundry and freshly pressed ironing. They never date or go out of style. The good ones are expensive but well worth it for the years of service they provide, looking far more handsome and distinguished than their plastic counterparts.
xx,
mlk.
