Scott McGillivray Reveals 8 Tips for Designing the Perfect Laundry Room

If your home allows for it, move the laundry out of the basement and up to the main or second floor. Anywhere off the kitchen, mudroom or garage works well. On a second floor, try to have the washer and dryer back onto a bathroom. It’s important that you don’t put your machines into sunrooms or additions that aren’t heated. Unless a heat source is added when the washer is installed, you can run the risk of frozen pipes.

Don’t ignore the importance of good ventilation. Laundry generates a significant amount of heat and moisture and therefore, ventilation to the outside is a must. The ventilation hose should be a rigid metal in order to decrease the build-up of lint (this is required by law in most areas). Dryer fires pose a serious threat, so avoiding lint build-up is very important. Take this into consideration when planning where your laundry will go.

Seriously consider whether you want a top-loading or front-loading washer and dryer. Top-loading machines used to be the norm, and I know plenty of people still like them; but front loaders are easier to clean, more efficient and offer more flexibility for placement. Here are 18 laundry room ideas that are beyond stylish (and super functional).

Choose a durable floor material such as ceramic, porcelain or vinyl. A lot of water flows through this room and you want something that can withstand leaks or floods, should they occur. If using tile, I suggest using an uncoupling layer underneath, combined with an electric floor warming system. These will protect the tile and help heat the room. This is particularly great in basement laundry rooms where the floors can get a bit chilly. Here are 10 rookie flooring mistakes to avoid during your next reno.

Don’t forget about lighting. General, ambient light is an obvious requirement, but consider task lighting to illuminate certain areas. Having the right amount of light when performing tasks like ironing or sewing is important. Here are the 8 coolest lighting trends that will transform any room.

Don’t choose wallpaper or any other types of wall treatment that don’t stand up well to water. Easy-to-wipe semi-gloss paint or some type of durable tile is a good way to inject colour and pattern into the room, while still being practical. And if you have a sink – which most laundry rooms do – a backsplash can be a great addition.

More often than not, laundry rooms are a bit on the small side. And given the importance of functionality in this space, make sure you include lots of storage, drying racks and a surface for folding. Speaking of functionality, if your washer and dryer are side-by-side, you want their doors to open in opposite directions, so you can easily transfer clothes from one to the other. Here are 13 ways to make laundry day easier.

When it comes to return on investment, don’t go over the top with your laundry room design. While stylish laundry rooms are becoming increasingly popular, spending a lot of money here won’t get you a very good ROI. Stick with the basics: washer, dryer, sink and storage.