Now a pro at renovating with no less than four caravan flips, under her belt, Carlene says that with the right planning and choices before you start, you can create a lot of glamour in a little laundry. Here’s how she tackles the process:
1. Know your style
Decide on what look you’re going for by looking through websites and magazines to save pictues of laundries you’re drawn to. Look for a consistent theme, such as penny round tiles, or rich, bold colours. For a glam effect, “I would also suggest timber cabinets in a rich navy or even black, high end tapware and natural stone such as marble,” Carlene says.
“If you’re going for pizazz, make a statement on the wall with a striking tile pattern.”
Carlene Duffy
2. Install a drool-worth benchtop
“A beautiful benchtop is often the most eye-catching element in a laundry so it has to be right,” says Carlene. “A natural stone like a striking marble is still the apex of laundry glam for many people. However, a composite stone (in a marble-type look) is also a good choice as it’s more durable and budget-friendly compared to a natural stone.”
3. Make sure you have enough stylish cabinets
First, work out your storage requirements. “Use a combination of tall cabinets, under-counter cabinets and overheads with gorgeous handles for added interest,” Carlene suggests.
4. Create a focal point of interest with stunning tiles
This is where you can get creative to add va-va-voom – no matter what your budget is. “Beautiful splash backs and flooring will really draw the eye in, particularly if you are predominantly going for a white type of room,” says Carlene. “I’m a huge fan of mosaics, natural stone and small decorative tiles in laundries. Laundries don’t tend to get as grubby as bathrooms, so there won’t be as much work scrubbing grout with smaller tiles in this area. I also like to contrast the grout to highlight the pattern of the tiles.”
5. Don’t go mad with too many shelves
Keep shelving to just what you really need to avoid collecting clutter in your laundry. “I would install no more than a couple of shelves. Display your prettiest items on the shelves such as a cascading plant or nice glass jar of fabric softener and stylish baskets. Anything that doesn’t fit the bill should be hidden away,” suggests Carlene.
“Ideally, everything has a place within the cabinetry to ensure the benchtop remains clutter-free for maximum effect.”
6. Go for glam with your appliances
If budget allows, choose high-end brand appliances that complement your scheme and keep the rest of the décor simple. “You also don’t need a lot of little bits of décor in a laundry. A small photo or painting, a nice pot plant, and a decorative jar or two are probably all you need,” says Carlene.
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