BY BONNIE

From our extensive survey (sample size of three!) you’re either a laundry person or you’re not. I’m a laundry person, Erin’s a laundry person... Lana is not. She’s a workaholic (just not the domestic type!) so in her forever home she used the space that could have been a big laundry as a butler’s office instead #eachtotheirown.

With four active boys I’m forever washing sweaty sports clothes, mucky toddler’s clothes, hubby’s get-around-the-garden clothes and well, some days I feel like I don’t even leave the laundry! I don’t actually mind doing it, it’s a bit of an escape from the chaos and an excuse to crank up my favourite playlist and sing like nobody’s listening. #liveandletdry #lovealaundrypun

Since it’s unlikely that any of my family are going to willingly use this room, my dream laundry is one I designed for the person who is in it the most – ME!

I’ve gone to town in this room – there are tiles galore, loads of appliances, a heartfelt relic from a previous reno, a view of a courtyard – heck, there’s even a dog bath! Of course, this won’t suit everyone’s laundry needs and I wouldn’t be suggesting this for a house flip or a client’s home, but my OTT laundry suits me to the tee.

No matter what the size of your laundry, there are some things that I always recommend #letsgetreadytotumble…

TILES

Laundries are considered wet spaces so tiles are a great choice of flooring for this room. Also, for splashbacks, skirting and full walls too– your imagination (and budget!) is the only limit.

Don’t feel you need to match laundry tiles to the bathroom floor tiles in the rest of the house. A laundry is a discreet zone where we like to have a bit of fun and try something different. I used three different shaped tiles in four different colours in my laundry.

Disclaimer: Don’t forget your vision boards! When I say try something different I’m not talking mixing Hamptons with retro – the result may not be the look you’re after. But go to town mixing up colours, shapes and patterns within your overall vision. If you’re unsure how to build a vision board, we teach you in The Reno School.

APPLIANCES

I’ve always thought that doubling up on appliances would be way more efficient in helping me conquer Mount Washmore every day. It’s not for everyone, but I’ve gone with two Fisher & Paykel washing machines and two dryers, so that I can have multiple loads going at once. And OMG, what a difference it makes! It’s like I’ve got my own laundromat in my home #anotherloadbitesthedust.

I love a front loader washing machine. The fact that they stack is such a good space saving feature. And they’re easy on the eye, which you know is very important to me 😉.

VENTILATION AND LIGHT

Of all the rooms in the house, the laundry probably needs ventilation the most. Good airflow will help keep it free from dreaded moisture and mould. An external window or door works best – especially a window that can be locked open while you are out.

Flood your laundry people ... with light, not water! In my dream laundry I’ve got windows above the sink that open out towards the courtyard. Not only do they provide great ventilation, I get a great view while I’m attacking stains in the sink and they help make this room one of the lightest and brightest in the house. I’ve also got a large skylight smack bang in the centre of the ceiling - geez it makes a difference.

QUALITY TAPWARE

Just a quick reminder that you get what you pay for with tapware. If your taps are wall-mounted (which we love in a laundry), a cheap tap that requires a repair job down the track will spoil your splashback and wall linings.

And just because it’s a laundry doesn’t mean the taps need to be boring! I’ve chosen brushed gold tapware in my laundry and it makes me smile every time I look at it. #tapwaretragic

STORAGE AND BENCH SPACE

Getting enough storage and bench space is often easier said than done. Once you add a washing machine, dryer and sink (and maybe even a dog-washing tub!) to your layout, you may not end up with as much as you’d planned. Lots of cupboards are essential, both under and above counter #moreismore.

P.S - Washing powder and stain remover don’t make the prettiest accessories and your laundry will look so much better if they’re stored out of sight.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

I’ve always wanted a dog bath for our British Bulldogs. It’s too messy in the bathroom, too cold outside and so I thought the laundry was the perfect place. I can’t say I’ve designed a dog washing station before the one in my dream laundry! We measured the dogs and played around with the design to get it just right – and I love how it’s turned out. Hope my precious pooches do too! #spoiltrotten

The sink in my laundry is actually salvaged from our House 5 flip. It’s a double trough and I knew it would fit perfectly in this space. It reminds me of a heartbreaking time in my life but it’s so lovely to have this emotional connection in my dream home. The back story is hard for me to put into writing, but you can watch me explain it here. Sam has a special place in my heart and now my house too.