Is your laundry room design at a standstill?
Designing a laundry room on your own isn't easy: you need to consider dimensions, systems, appliances, and, above all, find solutions that fit your lifestyle and your home.
It's worth planning everything carefully, because, like it or not, this area contains essential elements of our domestic routine. The goal is to make it functional, but also a pleasant place to hang out.
How do you do it? Let's proceed step by step .
Plumbing and space: what you need for a home laundry room
If you can dedicate a room exclusively to laundry use, it's always best to have excellent ventilation. Therefore, it's always best to opt for a room with windows whenever possible to prevent humidity and mold.
In a laundry space you cannot miss:
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hydraulic connections and drains for washing machines and sinks;
- at least three electrical outlets (for washing machine, dryer and iron);
- effective lighting: choose both the lamp and the bulb carefully.
It is better to opt for a neutral or warm light.
Look at the CRI (color rendering index) on the bulb packaging. If it is higher than 90, it will ensure optimal visibility of the colors of your clothes and any stains.
You can add a wall lamp with a arm, to be placed in the area where you iron your clothes and/or above the ironing board.
Let's talk space: how many centimeters do you need for the laundry area?
We'll make things easier for you with this table showing approximate dimensions and the amount of space to leave in front of each workstation.
| Element | Standard dimensions (L x W x H in cm) |
Minimum recommended front clearance (cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine | 60 x 60 x 85 | 70–80 | Space for door opening and ease of movement |
| Dryer | 60 x 60 x 85 | 70–80 | NB Dimensions may vary depending on the model |
| Washing machine + dryer side by side | 120 x 60 x 85 | 70–80 | Also consider lateral space for porthole opening |
| Stacked washer and dryer | 60 x 60 x 170 | 70–80 | Front space for opening upper and lower doors |
| Washhouse | 50/60 x 60 x 85 | 80–90 | It requires space for comfortable use and a small support surface |
| Ironing board (folding) | 120 x 40 (open) | 80–100 (station) + 40 frontal + 60 lateral | To iron properly you need a free area of at least 160 x 180 cm |
Where to find a laundry area at home? 5 places you probably haven't thought of.
We know, there isn't always an extra room to dedicate entirely to laundry and ironing, so here are five areas you can dedicate to this function.
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In the bathroom : if you can, install the washer and dryer in a custom-made cabinet.
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In the hallway : a niche closed by a curtain in decorative fabric or by pocket doors can become the perfect laundry room.
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In the closet : with the right furnishings, it becomes super functional.
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Under the stairs : you can use the space horizontally or vertically, depending on the measurements you have available.
- Outside : If you have an enclosed balcony or covered porch, you can set up a bright and airy laundry room there.
Open-plan laundry room: how to make it beautiful (not just practical)
An open laundry room requires special attention. It's not enough to be functional: it must be tidy, harmonious, and consistent with the home's style.
How should I arrange the washing machine and dryer if they are visible?
You have two options, which one is right for you?
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Side by side and “visible” .
If space doesn't allow you to hide them, let's focus on styling: add a shelf above the appliances, so you can exploit it and arrange it carefully.
Choose coordinated containers, fabric or metal baskets, well-organized shelves and colors consistent with the rest of the room (and/or coordinated with bathroom accessories ).
The goal is to create an “open” laundry room that looks thoughtful, not improvised.
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In a column (stacked), in a corner .
One of the most common space-saving solutions: stack the washer and dryer in a column, perhaps near the shower or against a side wall.
If it's visible, it must be beautiful
Color is your best ally for integrating your laundry room into its surroundings. Even a simple colored shelf or a matching laundry basket can make a difference.
To find out how to choose the right shades, read our Mini Guide to Organizing the Laundry Room with Style: Color Ideas .
Checklist: Must-haves for your open-plan laundry room
You will never regret choosing versatile solutions, capable of responding to different needs and small spaces, without sacrificing aesthetics.
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Designer laundry baskets with wheels , double compartments: choose a laundry basket that doesn't look like a simple laundry basket, but rather a statement piece. Don't settle for an open basket.
The double-compartment baskets save you time sorting whites from colors. Wheels? A plus you won't be able to do without.
- A fun touch to bring cheer to the most boring room in the house : wallpaper with a fun pattern, an ironic painting, a touch of unexpected pop color or a shelf with a wave motif : choose that element that can make you smile even while you're ironing.
- A free support surface , useful as a folding table.
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Shelves with coat hangers or wall hooks coordinated with the room.
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Colored or natural material containers for storing clothes pegs, brushes, and scented sachets.
- For those who need storage space and structure, a shelf that combines different materials is ideal to break up the monotony. For example, you could opt for an open shelf in wood and colored metal or a closed shelf with a wooden top .
Visual order: full and empty spaces in balance
Alternate solid elements , such as doors or closed baskets, with airier, lighter shelves to maintain a balanced overall impression.
Display only beautiful objects , such as carefully designed dispensers or glass containers with detergent powder, for a laundry corner that feels like part of the furniture and not just a technical space.
With careful planning and a few carefully chosen elements, your home laundry room can become a functional and pleasant space that simplifies your life without compromising on style.
