A laundry used to be (and sometimes still is) an area in the garage or a back room where you could do the laundry and leave it as is at the end of the day, closing the door behind you. With today's contemporary living being defined by clean lines, efficient functionality and ergonomic designs; the laundry has evolved with the times and demands more than a heap of clean clothes precariously balanced on the top of the washing machine. Today's laundry boasts a place for everything and everything in its place; and as I mentioned earlier, it demands the space to be functional, practical and contemporary with ergonomic laundry furniture. But, there is a greater expectation and a pretty little room is just not going to cut it, its vital that the space offers plenty of storage, rails with hangers, and convenient cupboard space to ensure from the wash to drawer precision.
So what are the traditional expectations of a laundry? As you already know, its where where clothes are washed - exciting! Traditionally, a laundry would be equipped with an automatic washing machine and clothes dryer, and often a large basin, called a laundry tub, for hand-washing delicate items of clothing such as jerseys, and an ironing board.
A typical laundry is located in the garage or domestic quarters of older homes, but in many modern homes, the laundry is now found near the kitchen. Another location is often adjacent to the garage.
Laundry's also as mentioned include storage cabinets, countertops for folding clothes, and, space permitting, a small sewing machine. Obviously, detergents and spare buttons and the like now find their way out of other cupboards and draws to a dedicated location too.
Unlike the actual laundered items, the design of a laundry room is generally
not the most glamorous designed space, save perhaps as shown in the pictures here. It's often shoved to the end of the interior to-do list. I have to admit though, that I really enjoy designing and constructing rooms like this; from simple modern cabinets to handy mobile organizer units and built-in modular
components, I always enjoy designing and creating custom pieces that bring about simplicity, flexibility and fitness to function. Reconfiguring a home to accommodate areas like this laundry room is the kind of challenge I love to throw in to my mix of building houses and redesigning all items of structure.
Most of the styles I've used above are contemporary and are conducive to a home with a generous amount of space and a budget with a little surplus fat. Either of the above may be an exception to some however, but it needn't be the case in all circumstances. Washing in the kitchen and ironing in the bedroom for ever amen hardly has to be your only option of a laundry either. Below are some funky and streamline designs that will work in just about every home. If you don't agree with me, give me a ring - I'll work out where and how you can put a laundry in!
Simple, clean and practical.
Functional and compact.
A master multifunctional laundry.
This laundry would most definately be the kind of style my mom would choose; chic, modern, functional and yet very classy.... Nice one this is!
A final bit of inspiration...
as promised, you have the final word....
Ciao Alain
