When you find yourself updating your laundry room, you will probably focus on the basics (such as washer capacity and available cycles). But the world of laundry room renovation and organization goes much, much deeper than that. Laundry is more complex than we give it credit for, and a laundry room remodel should account for every step in the process. We're here with a list of appliance upgrades that can help improve every laundry day in your home.
Efficient, Easy-Folding Ironing Centers
When it comes to getting wrinkles out of your clothes, you don't have to wrestle with setting up your ironing board anymore! Ironing centers are one of the newest laundry room improvements on the market, and they are designed with both power and efficiency in mind.
Instead of a traditional iron and board, an ironing center is a single large unit which is used to press and steam clothing. This increased surface area allows you to reduce the amount of time you spend ironing, and many units have adjustable speed settings for different fabrics and clothing items. Most of these ironing centers can fold away and be stored in a closet when not in active use. As a bonus, you get to sit down while you iron!
This ironing center from Miele is one of the best. Its open-ended roller can be adjusted to fit anything from blouses to large tablecloths. The four rollers allow you to move it exactly where you need it. And finally, the automatic finger guard makes this one of the safest ironing centers available today.
Laundry Pedestals
Adding laundry pedestals to your washer and dryer is extremely useful for a lot of people. Not only do many pedestals contain storage (which is perfect in compact laundry rooms), but they reduce the need to bend over to access their interiors. This can be a welcome change for homeowners who have bad backs. While laundry pedestals aren't designed for top-opening washers, you should definitely consider adding them to your laundry room if you choose a front-opening unit.
Smart and Connected Laundry Pairs
When you think of a smart washer and dryer pair, you probably imagine controlling and monitoring your laundry from your smartphone. The capabilities of smart laundry pairs go well beyond this, however. Many smart appliances will send service alert notifications to your phone when your machines need maintenance, and some will even help to diagnose issues (potentially preventing an expensive service call). Some of them will even update you on your machines' water and energy usage, which is great for ensuring efficiency in your laundry room.
One of our favorite smart laundry pairs is this one from GE. In addition to its smart features, the washer has an UltraFresh Vent System with OdorBlock™ that eliminates excess moisture from the drum, preventing mold and mildew from growing there. It also automatically rebalances uneven loads during the spin cycle, reducing your washer's noise level. The dryer, meanwhile, has four-way venting, enhancing its flexibility of installation. It even detects blockages in the vent before they become a problem.
Related Questions
Where do you put laundry baskets in the laundry room?
If you have space under your laundry room's countertop, this is a great place to put your laundry baskets. Another option is to get short, wide baskets and place them on sturdy wall shelves.
Does updating your laundry room add value to your home?
Renovating your laundry room can add several thousand dollars to your home's resale value, according to Homes & Gardens.
How do I modernize my laundry room?
The best way to modernize nearly any laundry room is to add more options for storage and organization. Use whatever space you have available for shelves, drawers, and other storage solutions.