Common Laundry Room Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

Laundry remodel mistakes
"This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links."

A laundry room is an integral part of your home; despite this, many people shove it down to the end of their to-do list. This room is basically a workspace that allows you to do one of the most basic household chores – laundry.

Just like other functional rooms, such as the kitchen or bathroom, you must consider your lifestyle along with ways to maximize the function of a laundry room for optimal support and convenience. Moreover, there’s always room to put some fun in function when it comes to your laundry room remodel.

However, undertaking a project like this can cause many unexpected questions and things to pop up, leaving you confused and unaware of the next steps. Failure to make the correct decisions can also lead to dire financial implications or cause you to alter your plans amidst their execution.

So, when figuring out how to design a laundry room, it’s critical to know what to do and what not to do. In this article, we’re going to cover some of the most common laundry room remodel mistakes to avoid.

Read Also: 7 Must-Have Laundry Room Accessories

Lack of Access to the Water Valve

Most people usually hide the water valves in the laundry room to eradicate a potential eyesore. However, the incorrect placement of these valves can have a disastrous impact in emergency cases where you quickly need to shut off your home’s water supply.

When remodeling your laundry room, it is essential to search for the perfect spot to place your water valve. It shouldn’t be high up above your washer or dryer because it will be challenging to move these heavy appliances because of the wires and hoses they’re connected to. Moreover, your valve shouldn’t be so low that it is easily accessible to children.

A good idea would be to locate the shut-off valve near your storage space or ironing area, ensuring that you have ample and convenient access to it and that it’s placed high enough to be out of children’s reach.

Read Also: Ways to Make Your Laundry Room Family-Friendly

Improper Ventilation

With a washer and dryer running together, there’s no doubt that your laundry room will get steamy. After the bathroom, the laundry room is the second-most moisture-prone room in your home as the use of hot water and high washer, and dryer speeds result in significant humidity. This excess moisture and humidity can result in mold and mildew, which can wreak havoc on your newly-designed laundry room.

However, that’s not something to fret about. Adding one if not multiple vents in the room will allow for better ventilation and prevent the excessive buildup of moisture. Moreover, if you can, installing a few windows can do wonders for the wet air and the aesthetics and lighting of the room.

Poor Placement of the Drain

A floor drain is a critical element of a laundry room, mainly due to the significant involvement of water in the laundry process. Your contractor must properly plan the placement of the drain before starting the remodeling process, as its incorrect placement can result in a huge hassle.

Generally, the golden rule is to place a floor drain at the lowest point of the floor in the room. The flooring of the room should typically slope and lead to the drain. That way, you can get rid of any excess water from the room that may have accumulated due to problems, such as a leaky pipe, leaky appliances, or a broken sump pump. Having a properly installed floor drain can also help avoid floor in case of a washer or dryer malfunction, reducing and limiting the total damage.

Lack of Storage and Space Considerations

While a washer and dryer is the most essential laundry room equipment, many other items require storage space to make the room look organized. Detergent, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets are just a few of the many household items you’ll need in your laundry room. Also, many people also prefer to iron and hang or fold their laundry in the laundry room only to avoid creating a mess in other rooms. Therefore, you must plan your laundry room to ensure you have everything you need within your space.

When planning a small laundry room remodel, consider all storage options, including cabinets, shelves, drawers, and hanging racks. That way, you can maximize your space while avoiding the buildup of unorganized clothing piles. You’ll also want an easy-to-store dryer rack that you can put away when it’s not in use.

A washer and dryer pedestal is another helpful storage tool that will enhance the storage space underneath your appliances and improve your accessibility to them. You can also make use of extra space by designing an ironing area with a foldable iron board or creating additional counter space to fold or sort through your laundry.

Not Installing a Sink

Many people choose not to install a sink regardless of whether they have the space or not. The fact is that installing a sink can be a massive help in the long run if you have the space. A laundry room sink allows one to treat stains and pre-soak clothes. That way, you won’t have to travel all the way to the bathroom or the kitchen sink and create a mess there. You can simply conduct all your laundry in a single space. Moreover, a laundry room sink will also allow you to do dirtier choices, such as filling up a mop bucket or washing the mop.

Lack of Adequate Lighting

You probably think that the lighting of your laundry room isn’t that important, but the fact is that all spaces of a home require adequate lighting, not just to set the mood but also for ease of chores. Whether you plan to install wall lights, smart lights, lamps, and light fixtures, want to let in more natural light, or simply want to create a combination of these, the goal is to make sure that there’s adequate brightness in the laundry room.

Consider the following options for lighting a laundry room effectively:

  • Under-cabinet lighting
  • Overhead lighting
  • Wall lights
  • Low ceilings

Wrapping Up

According to a survey, women spend around two hours a week doing laundry, while men spend about 35 minutes. Given that a lot of time is spent in the laundry room over a week, it makes sense not to push your laundry room to the bottom of your home remodeling project list. When it comes to remodeling your laundry room, make sure to plan everything effectively by researching your options and keeping these tips in mind to avoid any laundry room remodel mistakes.