It may be hard to believe that something as humdrum (and thankless) as doing the laundry is actually getting to be more fun. Compared with our mothers, who lugged clothes up and down from a dark basement, most of us have it pretty easy. The newest washers are loaded with special settings (two new ones: Bedding and Active Wear) so you can tailor wash time and temperature to your load. Clothes pop out of dryers soft and wrinkle-free. And then there are all those colorful laundry gadgets--storage drawers, hangers, hide-away ironing boards, folding tables--that you can buy to match your sky-blue or cherry-red washer and dryer. “They add a pretty but practical touch to what used to be a bland utility space,” says Jennifer Gilmer, a certified kitchen designer in Chevy Chase, Md.

Many homeowners are putting laundry rooms closer to the main source of dirty clothes and linens, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders. “The typical places are off a master bedroom, a bath, or the kitchen,” says Gilmer. “Also hugely popular is adding a second washer and dryer to a home, with the primary laundry area on the first floor, and a smaller one near the kids’ rooms on the second.” If you’re thinking of doing the same, or just spiffing up an existing laundry area, check out our design pointers below.


How to design a laundry room that works:

1

MAKE IT MULTIPURPOSE Whether you’re adapting an existing space or adding a new one, consider having the laundry room serve more than one function, says architect Bulent Baydar of Harrison Design Associates in Atlanta. You can double the usage and attractiveness of the space by combining it with a mudroom that has storage hooks and cubbies for coats, umbrellas, backpacks, and boots, or with a potting room that houses plants and gardening gear. Baydar once added cabinets and a central island to a laundry space to make it a crafts and wrapping center. “The cabinets conceal laundry and art supplies, and the island serves as a wide, flat place for folding as well as a work surface,” he says.

2

GET THE RIGHT ADD-ONS Install task lighting so you can tell the brown socks from black. And, if there’s room, add bins or shelves for easy sorting, a flat area for folding, and a hanging rack where clothes can drip-dry. “The floor doesn’t have to be ugly cement, either,” says Baydar. “A beautiful stone or colorful tile floor is durable, withstands spills and scuffs, and can help make the laundry room a place you don’t mind being in.” In fact, it’s a good place to punch up the color. Use tones that complement the rest of your home or something a little wilder and crazier. Sears’ Web site has a virtual model that lets you match colors to its laundry appliances. Because the laundry is usually a small, closed-off space, you can afford to take some decorating risks.

3

MUFFLE THE NOISE As laundries migrate closer to living spaces, appliance noise and vibration matter a lot more. So look for washers with very good ratings for noise, and end-of-cycle signals that can be turned off or down. Top-loaders tend to make noise throughout the wash cycle. Front-loaders are quieter overall but can make high-pitched sounds and vibrate during spin cycles. See “The best and worst washers” on page 50 for our quietest pick.

4

PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE Be sure the spot you pick for the laundry has adequate venting and easy access to water and electrical or gas lines. If you’re planning a second-floor laundry, floor joists must be able to support the extra weight and vibration, so check with a contractor or an architect.

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SQUEEZE IT IN Don’t think you can fit a washer and dryer in your home? Designer Jennifer Gilmer says she has tucked compact models--24 inches wide or less and about 27 inches deep--behind closed doors, under kitchen counters, and in closets off bed-rooms, hallways, and bathrooms. Another compact option: stacked units--though be sure to allow a little more than 6 feet to accommodate their height.

Find out how to pick the right washer and dryer in the October/November issue of ShopSmart, available now! Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.

Click any of the links below for a selection of articles from the October/November 2007 issue of ShopSmart;) Editor's Letter Greetings from ShopSmart Editor-in-Chief Lisa Lee Freeman 3 online shopping trends you'll love New ways to save time and find the absolute greatest deals In the bag Paper or plastic? Choose neither! Tote your own cloth bag. 9 tips for finding a great-fitting shoe Follow these steps so you can treat your feet to a supercomfortable pair Facial cleanser shopping tips Pick the right cleanser for your skin type Candy calorie countdown How much damage are you really doing with these Halloween treats? Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.