A laundry room should be as useful and attractive as any other space in your home. The best way to do that is by adding a sink to the space, and here’s why.
Utility Sinks
A laundry sink is one of the key elements of any utility space or laundry room. A sink can serve both practical and aesthetic functions depending on its materials and style; you should choose carefully!
Laundry room sinks come in various designs for maximum flexibility in any space, such as drop-in, undermount, wall-mounted and free-standing models. When selecting a stainless steel utility sink in the laundry room, keep in mind the other storage requirements based on detergents, chemicals, or other supplies. Installation type may also depend on how frequently the sink will be used.
One of the most widely-used materials for laundry room sinks is fiberglass, as its lightweight nature and stain-resistance makes it one of the best materials to choose. Fiberglass sinks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles and can even be reinforced to increase strength if necessary – Durastone sinks are strong yet mildew resistant, easy to maintain cleanly, moldable into various configurations and provide great value overall.
Another lightweight and relatively affordable choice for laundry sinks is stainless steel, which makes for a sleek industrial look while being heat resistant and soundproof – although these types of sinks may produce loud noises when hit with water drops. Cast iron laundry sinks may also make an appealing statement while being heavy. Professional installation may be required.
If you need to wash many large items, a floor-standing laundry sink might be just what’s needed to ensure they get cleaned efficiently and thoroughly. These basins can easily accommodate pots and pans too large for kitchen sinks; plus they make for great soaking spots for grill racks, oven racks, car mats, air filters, ceiling vents as well as doggie bathing during wet seasons!
For an elegant design, there are laundry sinks with cabinets on top that are great for hiding plumbing while adding some additional storage space. These come in various widths and lengths; some even feature an upper shelf to store items like drying powder or cleaning products.
Countertops
Laundry room countertops serve many functions, from sorting and folding clothes to storing detergents and other household cleaning products. When selecting a countertop for this area, homeowners must take into account both space limitations and personal style preferences when making their selection.
Tile countertops offer plenty of design choices at an economical price point and are resistant to heat, stains and scratches – perfect for use in a laundry room environment – however it is important that their grout lines be regularly cleaned to prevent dirt accumulation and germ accumulation.
If your budget doesn’t allow for tile countertops, other alternatives include stainless steel and wood. Stainless steel counters offer sleek modern style while being highly moisture resistant (https://stainlesssteelguide.com/is-stainless-steel-waterproof/) however they may exhibit fingerprints, smudges or be scratched by sharp objects and are susceptible to fingerprints being left behind on them. Wood is often more economical, yet still durable when choosing countertops than stainless steel.
Wood counters add warmth and charm to any room, adding warmth without overbearing your senses. Wood can easily be sanded and refinished to remove scratches or stains and relatively easy repairs can be completed quickly and cost effectively. However, water and wood don’t always get along, so sealing must remain an essential step in protecting them against warping or rotting.
Flooring
Laundry rooms provide a great opportunity to add some charm and personality to the home. Whether you use this space to separate washing, airing and ironing from the kitchen or you prefer keeping machines hidden away in a basement or utility room, thoughtful design and decor can transform it into an enjoyable working environment rather than an extension of its surroundings.
Begin by selecting flooring suitable for the wear and tear of a busy laundry room. Laminate, linoleum and vinyl floors offer exceptional moisture management capabilities while resisting staining and cracking, plus require less maintenance than natural stone and hardwood alternatives. If wood flooring is your choice then look for one with engineered construction which offers moisture resistance.
Lighting is of paramount importance in any space and should provide sufficient general illumination, and this site says it can be achieved with recessed or track lighting. To add character and highlight folding areas and upper cabinets, decorative lights that brighten and add character may add the perfect final touch.
Add visual interest to the room with a tile backsplash above or behind your sink or washer and dryer – an affordable way to personalize and add color, shine or pattern without going all-out with remodeling costs. Or use an accent wall as an opportunity to show off artwork that fits in with your family’s aesthetic!
Lighting
Many homeowners fail to consider adding adequate lighting in their laundry rooms, yet sufficient illumination is a vital part of this busy space. Layering ambient, accent and task lighting is the best way to illuminate this functional and stylish area of the house.
Many laundry rooms rely on just a single overhead light source that casts shadows and illuminates only part of the space. Reducing shadows by installing recessed lighting can be both affordable and effective; modern LED recessed lights feature minimal profiles that won’t overshadow your ceiling; various lumen packages are available depending on your laundry room size; you can even choose dimmers to adjust brightness accordingly.
Installing flush mount fixtures in your laundry room is another excellent lighting idea, as these simple yet beautiful fixtures are easy to install and look fantastic in any laundry space. For an unexpected flair, add an eye-catching chandelier – for example a rubbed bronze neo-industrial pendant with wire guard offers stylish industrial flair, while galvanized wall sconces can give a similar aesthetic feel to the room.
If you’re replacing an existing fixture, look for bulbs with a high color rendering index (CRI). A CRI of 90 or above allows for better reflection of natural daylight, making fabric stains and color variations more apparent. LED options offer even greater savings with less electricity consumed while lasting longer than their traditional incandescent counterparts.
