The days of the humble home laundry are over! In recent years, we’ve been spying some truly dreamy laundries popping up but none have stopped us in our tracks more than this contemporary and elegant laundry makeover by Jane Ledger Interiors.
Related article: Designing the ultimate laundry, all the tips and tricks you need!
Related article: How to style your laundry
Taking a sad, cramped space and giving it a complete transformation is all in a day’s work for Interior Designer, Jane.
“The existing laundry was a decent size but lacked bench space and storage. It was cluttered and had become a dumping ground for the household.
“The brief was to bring order, calm and functionality to the space, with plenty of storage,” Jane explains.
I love designing laundries. Bringing beauty and functionality to this much-forgotten room brings so much satisfaction and can really change how a family functions.
The way the family used the space helped Jane understand their needs and inspired this stunning makeover.
“The kids would use the laundry as a changing room for the pool. It’s also where they stored all their swimming gear, got dressed for sport and kept all their school and sports equipment.
“Phew! It was a lot to accommodate — and that was before any laundry went on!” laughs Jane.
“Aesthetically, I was inspired by the beautiful natural light streaming into the space.
“I wanted the laundry to have the look and feel of the home’s bathrooms and powder room, which we also renovated.
“Designing these spaces at the same time was a great way to ensure continuity and flow between the rooms. I love how they all look soft and calm.”
Like most families, storage was key for this laundry makeover.
“Accommodating the school bags and sporting equipment was a challenge, as we needed most of the storage space to house the laundry and cleaning equipment.
“We got around this by utilising wall hooks and installing a bench seat [not pictured].
Hooks are a practical way to utilise every inch of wall space and take things off the floor.
“We love the sense of calm created through the soft colour palette, but it’s always the functional improvements that make the biggest impact. Everything has a place now,” says Jane.
We just couldn’t let Jane go without getting her top tips for anyone planning their own laundry renovation.
Make it multi-purpose
“Laundries have become much more than a place to do the washing these days. They really are multi-purpose utility rooms.
“People use their laundry for everything from extra storage, spillover from the kitchen, a place to get ready for school, storing sporting equipment or a mud room.
“If you’re short on storage elsewhere, think of ways to incorporate additional storage in the laundry that caters for your family’s daily routine.”
Think about powerpoints
“Install double powerpoints in your ‘broom cupboard’ for the vacuum cleaner, cordless iron and anything else that needs charging,” Jane says wisely.
“Measure all your appliances, ironing board and cleaning equipment to make sure they fit before confirming the cabinetry design. We draw these items into elevations at the planning stage so clients know everything has a place and has been accounted for.”
Add open rails
“If space allows, I love an open rail to air clothes and reduce piles on the bench top.”
Invest in custom cabinetry
“More than any other space, your laundry has to work hard within the space you’ve got. Use a combination of tall vertical cupboards, overheads and drawers to maximise storage.
“Build in as much as you can and use any leftover sections of wall for hooks or open shelving,” says Jane.
Thank you to Jane for sharing this gorgeous laundry makeover with us. To see what other projects are happening at Jane Ledger Interiors, or to chat to her about your own renovation needs, visit her website or Instagram.
Suppliers
Builder: Westone Bathrooms
Cabinetry: Pro Style Kitchens
Cabinetry colour: 2 pac Dulux Tranquil Retreat Half
Handles: Myra black and white, Linea Standard
Benchtop: Caesarstone Snow
Splashback: Matt white mosaic finger tile, Myaree Ceramics
Floor tile: Wide Chalk porcelain tile 300 x 600, Myaree Ceramics
Washer: 8kg washer, Miele
Dryer: 8kg heat pump dryer, Miele
Basin: Franke sink, Reece Bathrooms
Mixer: Sussex ScalaSink mixer, Reece Bathrooms
Read more building and renovation projects here
What an impressive makeover!! And great tips too, a new laundry is on my wishlist for next year.
Didn’t she do a fab job?! Given how much time we spend in our laundries, it makes sense to create a beautiful space. All the best with your reno 😉