How to Jazz Up a Laundry Room

Laundry day doesn't have to be dismal. Here are some tips for decorating your laundry room and creating a happier work environment.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mini Stereo Systems
• Televisions
• Bedroom Light Fixtures
• Cabinets
• Card Tables
• Chairs
• Interior Paints
• Wall Art
• Wallpaper
• Wastebaskets
• Window Treatment
• Chairs

1. Dress up the walls. The laundry is usually a small room, so go all-out with a faux finish, striking wallpaper or a bold paint color.

2. Hang art. Vacation memorabilia, a special poster or family photos are some ideas, but your art can be anything you love.

3. Dress the window, but keep natural light coming in for a bright, cheerful atmosphere. A window in the laundry room is probably going to be small, so you can indulge in a luxury fabric, blind or shade without breaking the bank.

4. Take care with lighting. You want to be able to see stains, so don't skimp on the wattage.

5. Upgrade the flooring. It should be a surface that can take the occasional spill, but that doesn't rule out attractive options such as vinyl, ceramic tile and laminate flooring.

6. Set up a table and chair to ease folding chores if there's room.

7. Keep the atmosphere as pleasant and diverting as possible with music or a small television you can turn on when folding or ironing.

8. Hide the clutter of detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, stain lifters and the like. Storage options include a wall cabinet above the appliances or a base cabinet off to one side.

9. Add a wastebasket that coordinates with your other decor. It will be handy for disposal of used fabric-softener sheets, lint and empty detergent containers.

Tips & Warnings

• Laundry/utility rooms are usually small rooms where you spend a few minutes at a time, so its color scheme or patterns can be very dramatic.

on 2/12/2007 By installing a WasherWise laundry enclosure, you not only protect your home and furnishing from water damage, but you also add a cleaner, more attractive feature to a usually drab, grungy area. Check out the www.washerwise.com website for information.