Design Notes

What To Consider Before Renovating Your Laundry Room

The laundry room.  Most would agree that this is among the essentials in a home; after all, who wants to haul their clothes to a laundromat? Many things should be considered before new construction or even a remodel, including:

  • Will the laundry room be upstairs or downstairs?
  • Planning for more than one laundry room?
  • Will it be used as an additional storage area?
  • Will it double as a mudroom?
  • What kind of flooring works best?

We will answer these and a few other things you should consider before starting your laundry room project.

Laundry Room Upstairs vs Downstairs

This is a common question and a valid one. With most bedrooms upstairs, it makes sense to have the laundry room nearby for convenience. No more lugging the loads up and down; it eliminates the need for hampers in each room, freeing up closet space. No laundry room on the first floor adds more square footage, perhaps a mudroom, for other areas.

There are, however, some advantages of having the laundry room on the main floor. If there is ever a plumbing issue or major leak, this could lead to significant water damage or flooring issues later. Also, if laundry day is the same day you do all your other household chores, it might be more efficient to have it downstairs because it saves time running up and down to check on a load. There are several other areas in the home where a laundry room can be placed, including near the kitchen, a hallway closet, or even the garage. It is always best to consider your lifestyle to determine which location will work best for you. In some homes, we see more than one laundry room, one upstairs and one downstairs. This option is great for families with more children or even multi-generational homes.

What To Store In The Laundry Room

The laundry room is not only an essential space, but also a versatile one. Detergent, dryer sheets, stain removers, and bleach are among the top items stored inside this room, but that is not the limit. This area is a great place to store extra towels, paper products, bags (shopping, trash, or plastic), and even those appliance manuals. Cubbies, decorative storage baskets or bins, and rolling carts are several ways to maximize storage in your laundry room.

Laundry Room Combo

Design trends are shifting, and people are looking to maximize space by combining rooms, so the laundry room has been built to meet this demand. A mudroom combined with a laundry room can be a great area. As the family enters the home, they can drop off any dirty clothing, eliminating any major messes. This is also a logical spot to have the dog feeding area or even the litter box, both of which prevent your guests from seeing the dirty side of your pets. A small pet bathing area can be added, making it convenient to wash the dog and then dry it with the towel in the washer. There are a few other combinations, including a pantry or bathroom. Be sure to consider what matters most to you and your family’s needs.

What Flooring For Laundry Room

The flooring could be considered one of the most essential choices for the laundry room due to the potential for spills or leaks and high foot traffic. While each has its pros and cons, here are a few of the top choices:

  • Tile: There are so many styles that it will be easy to find something that matches your style. It is not affected by water leaks. Its downside is temperature. It is cold and hard.
  • Engineered wood flooring: This choice adds value to the home since many buyers like it and can be a better choice than hardwood. The disadvantages are that it is susceptible to damage from water leaks, and it is a more expensive option.
  • Solid hardwood: A beautiful option that also adds value to the home, and it can always be sanded to bring it back. If a water leak happens, however, it can make it harder to restore.

These products usually come in refillable, recyclable, or compostable packaging and containers. Some have no packaging at all if you buy them from your local health food stores. You can also switch to more sustainable cleaning products, such as vinegar and hot water. For toilet paper, look for options with compostable packaging. You can also switch to a bidet to achieve complete waste-free status.

Being eco-friendly is at the heart of minimalism. If you want to adopt this light, sustainable, and freeing lifestyle, making eco-minimalist changes in your bathroom is a great first step. For more tips on achieving an elevated lifestyle, visit us here at Greenbrook Design.

As one of the most used areas in the home for our intimate needs, the bathroom should be designed as a place of refuge and relaxation from the cares and stresses of life. This means that it should reflect your personality in every way, from color to pattern; everything should make it a place you enjoy using, rather than just serving a purpose. Design details matter, and with traditional rules being replaced with out-of-the-box thinking, it is easier than ever to accomplish this task. You deserve to have a well-functioning and lovely bathroom that is designed with you in mind. Designing a bathroom should be all about you!

It’s hard to believe that the farmhouse style has only recently become so popular, thanks to its warm colors and romantic charm. It was once a haven for those seeking to escape city life and return to simpler times. Nowadays, farmhouse design is about elegant simplicity in every piece of furniture. Whether you live in a bungalow or a mansion, incorporating modern farmhouse design into your home is easier than ever. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Wanting the custom kitchen of your dreams can be overwhelming and isn’t always budget-friendly. However, an easy, cost-effective way to have the kitchen of your dreams is closer to your grasp than you think.

Although having a professional come in and assist is sometimes the best solution, there are certain things that you can do to get a head start or do it all by yourself. Clutter is a friend to no one and can quickly overwhelm and suffocate you. Although it is never easy to begin the task of removing piles of junk from a home, the end results are well worth the investment of time and effort. But that is only half the battle; the other is knowing what to do after it has all been neatly tucked away. Use these tips to organize like a pro—start with a plan and be deliberate about its implementation. As you regain control over your home, you will feel the stress melt away as you enjoy coming home again.