Laundry is not usually an essential feature of the house; in an open house, people do not claim to see it as they do with a kitchen or bathroom. Laundry does not immediately come to mind as a "sensational" piece and it's actually often hidden in the back without much attention.
However, linen can be more than the place where you wash your clothes. You do not have to spend a nice penny to create a beautiful space here; an aesthetic uplift can give a little shine to this often overlooked room and make it a place where you will actually enjoy a chore. From an aesthetic point of view, special attention paid to the linen during a renovation helps you to create a fluid flow from one room to the other.
To begin with, it's important to identify the crucial parts of the laundry, according to veteran renovator Julie Anglesey, who on the following pages shares a $ 1,000 laundry refurbishment. .
"Every laundry needs a deep sink to be able to wash your hands, and there must be space for your wash basket so that it's nice and neat – you do not want that your laundry is out of order ", she says
"Make room for a washing machine and, if possible, room for a tumble dryer. Due to the washing machine and tumble dryer, a cloth needs ventilation. Storage is always good too, as people like to keep their cleaning products in the laundry. "
FIRST STEP: EMPTY THIS
As part of the house that often sees a lot of water based action, it is important to make sure that there are escape holes. able to quickly eliminate all this moisture to limit damage to the ground.
"Make sure that the floor falls so that water will flow down the drain and not on the planks," Anglesey advises.
In addition, you must ensure that the rest of the design of the room does not block the drainage holes; position the cabinets and appliances well away from them.
You do not have to spend a pretty penny … an aesthetic uplift can give some shine to this often overlooked piece and make it a place where you will actually enjoy doing a chore.
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Drains require regular maintenance so that they do not become blocked, overflow or generate odors. Rub the drain with an old toothbrush and pour in boiling water to remove any residue.
STEP TWO: STRENGTHEN THE SOIL
The right soil can make or break your laundry room. Given the functionality of the room, you need something durable, waterproof and easy to maintain – in addition to being comfortable standing for a while while doing your laundry.
Tiles are one of the best options because they tick all these boxes and are decorative. Natural-finish ceramic tiles have good resistance to scratches and water; while vinyl tiles are very versatile, easy to replace and perfect for small budgets.
COUNCIL OF THE BASIS:
Because you work in a space with drains, it is wise to use a tiler to install the slabs to facilitate the flow of water in the drain.
THIRD STAGE: THE MINIMALIST IS MORE
The laundry being more functional than aesthetic, it is better to opt for a clean and simple design: keeping things basic gives the room the illusion of space that it needs. The light colored walls reflect the light, giving the laundry a larger, brighter and more welcoming appearance. They also facilitate the maintenance of the room because you can immediately detect dirt or discoloration.
"A white color scheme keeps it neutral, so it will attract more buyers," says Anglesey.
You can also consider other neutral shades, such as the mole, known for its soothing effect.
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For health reasons and for easy cleaning, always use a moisture and mildew resistant paint for a laundry. Some paint marks clearly indicate whether a paint is suitable for wet environments ..
Step Four: Creating a Breathing Room
Many laundries do not have windows, but since ventilation is an essential part of a laundry room, one of the best ways to meet this requirement is to install a window. This will not only leave more air in the room, but will also bring in natural light and add to the illusion of space. The window can also be useful if you want to air-dry smaller clothes in the summer.
You do not need too many windows for this room because it is not a huge space: one or two well placed panels may be suitable.
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Good window styles for laundry rooms include casement windows and sash windows. Large unblocked tiles are great for keeping the room from becoming muddy, and double glazing saves energy with excellent insulation.
STAGE FIVE: KEEPING THE PROCHES
A good cleaning can help you make your laundry look good. The clutter often gives the impression that the space is small, dirty and that it needs a lot of work, so before making an important decision, beautify the room then reevaluate it. .
A collection of laundry baskets and baskets will help organize your laundry and serve as additional storage space. They can even be decorative in a variety of colors. Some baskets can be folded to make room if necessary.
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Stackable or collapsible baskets and baskets are excellent, especially for small laundry rooms, because you can adjust the space as you please, at any time. Narrow bottom baskets also do not take up much space.
STAGE SIXTH: COME
The functionality may outweigh the aesthetics of a laundry, but nothing justifies that this space is lifeless. A touch of green can be the solution to break the monotony and add life to the literal sense.
"I always like to ensure that there is greenery for the buyer to feel an emotional bond – he can see himself wanting to spend time in this room" says Anglesey.
"Artificial plants are a good choice, especially if you are a busy person and you do not want to take care of it, but you like the look of greenery."
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Philodendrons are suitable for cold climates and less sunny rooms. Other living plants that could work well in a laundromat include Devil's Ivy and Maidenhair Fern, both of which survive in the dark.
STEP SEVEN: OPENING THE SPACES OF STORAGE
Having plenty of storage space is essential for a COST laundry and often involves sacrificing space to have enough cabinets and cabinets. However, with some modifications, you can extend the function of the storage areas.
For example, a good size cabinet under the sink could suffice, with a linen closet. Open shelves can be installed in place of additional cabinets.
"It's nice to have shelves rather than hanging cabinets so you can display pretty customizable powder boxes and put your plants on display," suggests Anglesey.
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Given the moist environment of a laundry, be sure to leave enough space so that storage spaces can breathe and prevent odors from accumulating. Consider open shelves or, if you have furniture, keep the doors open once in a while.
STEP EIGHT: FINISHING WITH NEW DEVICES
Nothing destroys a COST redecorated piece more than obsolete devices. A new washing machine is a wonderful finishing touch and an excellent long-term investment.
Depending on the space you need to work with, it is also good to have a dryer, especially if there is no space to air dry in the laundry room. It also improves the functionality of the room. Mixed washer / dryer machines are ideal if you have little room, and as there are different brands, so it is best to look for a good price.
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Washer / dryer combinations are a wise choice in terms of both financial and convenience. However, you must also take into account the disadvantages of a combo device – drying your clothes takes a lot of time and also requires more water. Plus, if it breaks, you'll have two devices instead of one.
CASE STUDY
Affordability was a challenge, as Julie Anglesey found by entering the laundry room of the cottage that she had jointly purchased with a client.
"The initial condition was very bad; there were some very improvised wooden shelves. The concrete floor was in very bad condition as well, because it was dug and perforated, "she says.
The property had been purchased for only $ 130,000 and Anglesey had only a limited budget. She had to determine where she could save on costs. The budget also meant adjusting expectations to whatever was available. The soil in particular posed a problem for Anglesey, forcing her to reconsider her initial plans.
"On the other side of the old sink, there were raised concrete pedestals on which there would probably have been an old boiler in the 50's or 60's. We had to tear it up – we could not lift it the tiles and lay another floor on it, "she says.
Anglesey removed the old sink and pedestals. She also laid more screed on the concrete to level the floor and covered it with sandstone tiles that she had put on sale.
"Originally, I would paint the concrete or put some vinyl on the floor.But I decided to go with the tiles, because that would end much better. piece, "she says. She also discovered that he was missing the room. a drainage hole, so she had to install one.
"We made sure that there was a drainage hole away from the walls in case people would like to install more cabinets, for that they do not block the drain, "she says.
Anglesey then fitted the room with a new white piece of furniture and a white worktop. Some green plants near the window completed the look. Despite all the extra expenses she incurred along the way, she was able to do all the renovations for just $ 1,000.
The renovation of the laundry room had a significant impact as it ensured that every room in the house was new. Finishing with a new laundry made sense and allowed the house to get a great price when it was marketing for sale, "she said.
Julie Anglesey is a seasoned renovator who has been working for seven years with her company, Renovating Made Easy
Disclaimer: All products and prices shown are correct at the time of printing. The advice contained in this article is provided as general information only and should not be considered as financial advice. Make sure to talk to a qualified professional before making an investment decision.
