The kitchen may be the focal point of most homes, but laundry rooms are beginning to take centre stage when it comes to design. It’s hardly surprising given that laundries are second only to kitchens when it comes to doing the heavy-lifting in the home.
Recent home trends have seen a return to prioritising this often overlooked room. The biggest shift has seen a push for design continuity that ties in many of the key features of the kitchen to create a seamless aesthetic.
Many of the same materials used in the kitchen are flowing over into the laundry including stone bench tops, feature walls and cabinetry styles. It seems the laundry is no longer viewed as simply a functional space – it’s a space people spend a lot of time in and are willing to invest in this room to create a consistent theme throughout the home.
Electrolux ambassador, Anna-Carin McNamara says another easy way to add interest to a laundry space is to incorporate greenery and plants. "Incorporating plants will freshen the interior design of your laundry – plus, you can get great indoor plants such as fers that thrive in humid spaces. This adds to the inviting nature of the space regardless of the amount of natural light in the room."
The other big trend has seen a desire for energy efficient appliances in the laundry. Given that large appliances account for up to 30 per cent of a home’s energy use it’s little wonder. Energy and water-efficient laundry appliances save on energy in the long term and also money – which is why these appliances are under closer scrutiny than ever before.
Electrolux has met consumer demand with its smart two-in-one washer-dryers. Not only are these high-tech appliances quietly and efficiently reducing energy needs by up to 50 percent (thanks to a powerful and reliable EcoInverter motor) but they also meet the ever-growing need for homeowners to design laundries in smaller spaces.
These two-in-one appliances use the very latest technology to wash and then perfectly dry your clothes without compromising results. The high-tech motors also cut vibration which therefore reduces noise to the barest whisper making them a firm favourite in homes featuring European style laundries (i.e. one in a cupboard).
Given laundries are now more of a priority than ever before but space is also tighten than ever the emphasis has been on creating extra storage and bench space. There is less emphasis on laundry sinks because smart appliances have made them almost redundant.
Whites, blacks and textured wood grains are continuing to be the most popular choices for modern laundry design. A somewhat Nordic look is ever-present with different tones of soft to mid greys occasionally being incorporated to add interest.
McNamara suggests incorporating different storage options throughout the laundry to really maximize space too. "Try and source stylish trays, containers and organiser for all your cleaning products. The combination of drawers and open shelving ensures there is always a place for everything, so you can enjoy a spacious, clutter-free space."
Historically stacked laundry appliances have been an obvious way to save space however, the continued popularity of two-in-one appliances have meant this trend is quickly disappearing.
Also, many homeowners who still prefer separate washer/dryers are erring towards front-loading appliances and placing them side-by-side to create more workable bench space and to create a more aesthetically appealing room.
The biggest advantage of the trend towards more European (read small) laundries has to be the flexibility it gives homeowners to borrow some work space from a different area – often a hallway or kitchen which frees up the traditional laundry room to increase living spaces.
This article is created for Electrolux
