BY LANA

Let’s be honest, in a perfect renovating world, we’d have all the space and all the budget to make a laundry as big as we like. But we always say that renovating is all about priorities… and compromise. #meh #funpolice So if you’re in a pickle about fitting everything into your floorplan, listen up because this space-saving tip might just be a great option for you.

Have you considered putting your laundry in your powder room? Or turning your powder room into a laundry? Both rooms are considered wet areas, they both need plumbing, so, if you’re short on space, it makes perfect sense to us. I know there are some people out there who are in the “I don’t want to wash where I wee” camp, so then this layout’s probably not for you. But if you’re keen to make a small space work twice as hard and get more bang for your buck, then read on!

The Europeans have been putting laundries in bathrooms for.like.EVER. As well as in kitchens, hallways and various other rooms to create effective dual-purpose spaces. Hence the name ‘European Laundry’. Now, we think they’re actually on to something great here, so much so that we built one in our first ever reno and have repeated it several times when we’ve been tight on space and needed to prioritise other parts of the reno.

Both laundries and powder rooms are considered wet rooms, they both need plumbing, so they have a lot in common when it comes to fit outs. The reason we opted for this layout this in this home was to make more space for living and entertaining, which totally paid off when you see what we gained by forgoing a separate laundry room. The owners were fully onboard with this idea and I think it’s safe to say that they’re laundry/powder room combo converts!

Want our top tips on how to make the laundry/powder room combo work best?

+ Choose a front loader like this one from Electrolux– the key to saving space is all in the stacking of appliances (or placing them side by side under a bench). To stack your appliances, you’ll need a special stacking kit.
+ Don’t forget the ventilation – an exhaust fan is ideal and if you can open a window, even better
+ Tuck the toilet out of view – give your guests a sense of privacy, despite being in what’s technically a laundry
+ Choose a gorgeous mirror, sink and tapware to help the space feel more like a bathroom than a laundry
+ Pop in a pendant light to finish the look and set the mood

I get it, combining your laundry and powder room is not going to rock everyone’s socks but we’d love to know what you think! Would combine your laundry and powder room to make space for other priorities? Tell us in the comments below.