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.

Given how busy and chaotic life can be, sometimes we all need a comfortable space to decompress at the end of the day and get a good night’s sleep. While the kitchen and bathrooms may be the rooms that affect your property value the most, showing your bedroom some love could prove valuable. You may be thinking that a bedroom remodel sounds stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. These DIY bedroom remodel tips from Greenbrook Design will help you give your bedroom a makeover while ensuring the process goes smoothly.

When redoing a room in your home, several key elements are considered, including color, furniture, and accent pieces. One piece that can often be overlooked or become an afterthought is a rug. Usually, a rug is selected based on something we like about it, or we hate a bare floor and need something to cover it. Rugs, however, are more than just something fuzzy under your feet; there are multiple benefits to having a good rug in your space, but what is a good rug? Let’s discuss what you need to know when buying a rug for your home.

Outdoor spaces are trending this year as homeowners realize the amazing potential they hold, as well as the value they can add to their property. Having an outdoor area also means you have additional square footage for your family to use for various purposes.

connecting spaces

Connection has become a priority in the home over the last couple of years. It can be considered the most basic function of the home, as this is where we gather with family and friends to celebrate, congratulate, and comfort one another. Designing with socializing opportunities has been at the forefront of design for decades, exemplified by spaces such as sitting rooms and large dining tables. This need for connection has made a strong comeback, and designers are once again looking for ways to bring families together. We want to have a home where we can relax and easily engage with one another, but many homeowners also desire spaces that are unified while still retaining a unique character of their own. Let’s talk about how to create a home with connecting spaces. 

tile in the home

Several variables are involved in selecting the perfect tile, including material, pattern, and color, as well as factors that influence style and placement. Tile is also a versatile and durable design element, making it a suitable option for frequently used areas. Let’s explore how you can incorporate tile in the home.