Do your 2020 New Year's resolutions include small steps or lofty goals? How about just staying on top of your laundry? Our designers and clients have created innovative and inspiring spaces to help make this household task a little less mundane. Here are some of our favorite design ideas to consider for your laundry room.

Add a Folding Station and Some Pizazz

Folding laundry is arguably the worst step! When taking on such a time-consuming task, a dedicated folding station can help ease some of the pain. A wide, clean countertop gives you space to fold and stack as you go. And, who says a laundry room has to be boring? A happy colored or patterned room, fun decorations, a little music, and a great view, may even help you to find the task relaxing! A thoughtfully designed, beautiful space will inspire even the most opposed parties to keep up with their laundry.

Location, Location, Location

In traditional multi-level floor-plans, the laundry room is often located on the main level or hidden away in the basement, which means hauling loads of clothes up and downstairs. Why create more work? In many recent renovations, we have relocated laundry rooms to more convenient locations on second floors, often converting the original spaces into mudrooms. When relocation wasn't a viable option, we have built a shoot from the second level straight to the laundry room to at least cut one trip. We've even installed an elevator to help with transporting laundry down and up…of course, it can be used for other things too!

Helpful Additions

Make sure you're prepared for clothing with special instructions or needs. Drying racks and ironing boards that extend from the wall, then neatly fold back up when not in use, have been useful additions to our clients' laundry rooms. Another handy feature to consider is a rod for hanging clothes right as they come out of the dryer or after ironing. Cabinets or shelves for storing necessary supplies will help to keep the space tidy and clutter-free.

Oversized Sinks

A large, deep sink in a laundry room can be handy for so many things. They make pre-soaking any size item a breeze and, with easy access to the washer, your whites will never be brighter. Aside from being a laundry helper, a deep sink can also make bathing your small-to-mid-sized dog easier than ever! With a large sink at standing height and an extendable faucet, bath time can become a more enjoyable experience for both you and Fido.

Start this year with a clean start and fresh clothes by maximizing your laundry room with these tips. These design ideas will help your everyday life for many years to come.

Tim Burch is a Vice President and Owner of BOWA, an award-winning design and construction firm specializing in renovations ranging from master suites and kitchens to whole-house remodels and equestrian facilities. For more information, visit bowa.com or call 540-687-6771. Have topics you'd like covered, email me at AskBOWA@bowa.com.