Lavandería Makeover

Doing laundry is a fact of life. It’s one of those tasks that instead of being completed, seems to multiply. The laundry room or laundry closet is where it all goes down. Wouldn’t it be lovely if this utilitarian space became a source of inspiration? Here are 10 tips to make your laundry room lovely and functional

—

you might even want to spend more time there after you give it a makeover!

The first thing to do is to clean and organize. Take everything off the shelves and group similar products together. This is the time to throw away stuff you didn’t even remember you had. Tip: If you haven’t used it in the past six months, throw it out!

Which items do you use most frequently? Place those in the lower shelves. Find a nice tray for loose change and other items you may find inside pockets. Place a plastic tray under the detergent and fabric softener bottles to catch any spills and keep the area clean. Find a nice waste basket for used fabric softener sheets and other things you might need to throw away.

The great thing about baskets and bins is that they come in all shapes and sizes. Nowadays, it’s easy to find them in colorful tones, so use them as accessories to add color to your laundry room. Add labels to easily find things.

Clockwise from top left: Square basket with chalkboard, $40</a>; Nesting baskets, $21</a>; Ikea baskets, $5

Use jars for clothespins, powder detergent, detergent pods and stain remover pens. You can also have a jar for buttons, thread and sewing essentials. Jars add a great touch to any shelf and keep items handy and tidy. You can even infuse a little personalidad into your organization with colorful glass, patterned plastic and decorated jars with labels.

Who says a pile of laundry has to be an eyesore? A textured bamboo hamper that doubles as a shelf or a colorful hamper to fit in with your decor scheme will make a big difference in the room. Also think about getting a laundry sorter. It will make your life easier!

To buy: Bamboo laundry hamper, $149

When hand-washing your delicate blusas, sweaters or chones, a folding drying rack comes in very handy. Choose between plastic, wood or metal.

To buy: Mesh top drying rack, $24

Say goodbye to hanger messes and keep hangers a la mano with a hanger-holder. Installing hooks or mounting a retractable hanger holder will help you keep clothing wrinkle free. Its a win-win!

To buy: Hanger holder, $20

Add a touch of cariño to your washer and dryer with decals. We love the idea of adding a pop of color or design to these appliances. They deserve it! After all, they do all the heavy lifting when it comes to getting manchas out of the kids’ clothes!

To buy: Flocked flower block decal, $40

¡Ríete! Nothing will make your laundry room fresher than your smile. Add a cute print or sign that expresses how you feel about that next load of laundry. Now, make yourself a cafecito, sit back and enjoy your new masterpiece.

To buy: Laundry humor print, $12