Is your home laundry room design at a standstill?
Designing a laundry room on your own is not easy: you need to take into account measurements, systems, appliances and, above all, find solutions that adapt to your lifestyle and your home.
It is worth planning everything carefully, because, whether we like it or not, this area contains fundamental 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 together step by step .
Systems and space: what you need for a laundry room at home
If you can dedicate a room exclusively to laundry use, it is always better that it has excellent ventilation. It is always better, therefore, to opt, when possible, for a room with windows, to prevent humidity and mold.
In a laundry space you can't miss:
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hydraulic connections and drains for washing machine and sink;
- at least three electrical outlets (for washing machine, dryer and iron);
- effective lighting: choose both the lamp and the bulb carefully.
Better to opt for a neutral or warm light.
Look at the CRI (colour rendering index) on the bulb packaging, which, if greater than 90, will guarantee optimal visibility of the colours of the garments and any stains.
You can add a wall lamp with arm, to be placed in the area where you treat the clothes and/or above the ironing board.
Let's talk about space: how many centimeters do you need for the laundry area?
We make things easier for you with this table with the indicative dimensions and the empty space to leave in front of the stations.
| 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 |
| Washer + Dryer side by side | 120 x 60 x 85 | 70–80 | Also consider lateral space for porthole opening |
| Stacked Washer + Dryer | 60 x 60 x 170 | 70–80 | Front space for opening upper and lower doors |
| Wash house | 50/60 x 60 x 85 | 80–90 | Space is needed 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 get a laundry area at home? 5 places you may not have 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, fit the washer and dryer into a custom-made cabinet.
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In the hallway : a niche closed by a curtain in furnishing fabric or by disappearing doors can become a 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.
- Outdoors : If you have an enclosed balcony or covered porch, you can set up a bright and airy laundry room there.
Open Laundry: How to Make It Beautiful (Not Just Practical)
An open laundry room requires special attention. It is not enough that it is functional: it must be tidy, harmonious and consistent with the style of the house.
How to 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 use it and arrange it with care.
Choose coordinated containers, fabric or metal baskets, well-organized shelves and colors consistent with the rest of the room (and/or combined 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 to integrate the laundry into the context. Even a simple colored shelf or a coordinated laundry basket can make the difference.
To find out how to choose the right tones, read our Mini guide to organizing the laundry room with style: ideas in color .
Checklist: Must-Haves for Your Open 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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Laundry baskets with wheels , double compartment, designer: choose a laundry basket that does not look like a banal laundry basket, but a piece of design. Do not settle for an open basket.
The double compartment baskets save you time in separating the whites from the colors. The wheels? A plus you will no longer 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 environment.
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Colored or natural material containers , to store clothes pegs, brushes, scented sachets.
- For those who need capacity and structure, a shelf that combines different materials is the best, to break the monotony. For example, you can opt for an open shelf in wood and colored metal or for 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 more airy and light shelves to keep the whole balanced.
Display only beautiful objects , such as, for example, carefully designed dispensers or glass containers with detergent powder, for a laundry corner that seems 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 corner that makes your life easier without compromising on style.
