Sustainable Laundry Room Makeover
The laundry room is the perfect example of how thoughtful design is the first step in creating a functional space, as they are often much smaller and can fall prey to a bit of disorganization. However, smaller spaces can be easier to re-imagine and makeover. If your current laundry room is not up to par, it may be time to consider a few small shifts that will allow you to make better use of your laundry room. Here are a few ways to thoughtfully upgrade this space!
Natural Materials
When searching for the right materials to use when remodeling a room or a home we like to always incorporate as much sustainability as possible without sacrificing durability. When remodeling a laundry room it is important to pick materials that will do well in a moist atmosphere. Flooring can be done with bamboo or cork and can give the room a really natural look with a warmer color and interesting texture. For countertops using stone or marble is a great investment as they are both eco-friendly and long-lasting. Going so far as to add a plant in the corner like a snake plant or a pathos plant can help reduce humidity in the laundry room. These are a few ways to bring in those natural elements into the room that will add both a sustainable aspect to the space and a great design touch as well.
image: shelterness.com
Install A Drying Rack
If your laundry room is a bit smaller and doesn’t have the floor space to fit a drying rack, they can be installed on your walls. Using hinges, drying racks can come off the wall and over the machine to offer a second solution that is better for the planet, and better for the electricity bill too! Hang intimates, dry nicer sweaters, or hang hand-washed items to keep them in the best condition possible. This is a great trick for those smaller spaces and really comes in handy during the warmer months when you don’t want to turn that dryer on.
image: Studio McGee
A Utility Sink
Big sinks in a laundry space offer the function of hand washing items, spot cleaning, and keeping nicer sweaters and blouses from accidentally getting ruined from the normal washing machine. This can help save money on the dry cleaning bill! Utility sinks can be secondhand purchased and refurbished, for a reasonable cost. Reusing what has already been created is a great way to mindfully implement sustainability, and keeping clothes in better condition by having the space to clean them properly won’t have you replacing sweaters and other items as often. Keeping your clothing as new and as well-constructed as possible definitely helps to keep them out of landfills!
image: Home Bunch
Carts & Baskets
The best way to keep your laundry room organized is by having proper storage spaces, well-built cabinets, and a few other items to keep it all contained. Using straw baskets is a great material to choose over plastic bins as they’re much more sustainable and will add a more rustic and personal look to the overall space. Those containers can hold dirty laundry or cleaning items to keep your countertops clear of clutter. Another great hack is having a rolling cart like this one from Crate & Barrel to use as a catch-all to ensure that big piles of laundry never end up on the floor and it can even be a great place to keep used linens before washing them.
image: Anderson & Grant
Earth Friendly Products
A great way to finish off your laundry room is by ensuring that the products you fill it with are also thoughtfully made, and good for the planet. An easy way to do this is by using laundry detergent that comes in biodegradable packaging or by shopping at a local spot that does refills on the products you love. In South Portland & Brunswick, Maine you can find just that at Go Go Refill where you can bring your own container and get refills on things like detergent, and loads of other home and body products. Put the finishing touch on your updated laundry room with products that you can feel good about using.
image: gogorefill.com