MUST-HAVES
Good quality appliances, a laundry sink and a surface for folding clothes are all you need for this practical space. Extra touches, such as a rail for hanging shirts or a wall-hung ironing board, are useful additions that won’t break the bank. Also, a heat pump dryer is another possibility. “They’re very efficient,” says senior marketing manager for home appliances Brad Reed of LG Electronics.
COMPROMISE
Match kitchen surfaces with cheaper alternatives, like marble-look Laminex, or splash out on one standout feature, such as a tiled splashback or a wall of beautiful wallpaper. If your laundry levels warrant a second washing machine, a good compromise could be a dual unit, such as LG’s TWINWash, which combines a large machine with a smaller ‘sidekick’ unit underneath for tackling smaller loads.