It's time for laundry rooms to come clean.
Just because they're situated in the darkest corner of the basement -- that space where you snuck your first kiss -- doesn't mean the room has to be dreary.
Stacks of storage and stylish fixtures will brighten this dungeon. Heck, you could even mount a TV in the corner so you don't miss an episode of Desperate Housewives.
Paint the room a cheery colour and hang up some fabulous artwork.
But before fixing up that dingy space, remember to purge any unused supplies, says Hellen Buttigieg, professional organizer and host of HGTV's Neat.
"Cleaning first creates space," says Buttigieg, "and leaves you with a clear indication of what you have left to store."
Create zones for the tasks at hand, adds Buttigieg: An area for sorting, for ironing and for storage.
Try these other tips from Buttigieg to make short work of a never-ending task:
- Add cabinets and use baskets or plastic bins to house dust rags, mesh garment bags and dryer sheets. Group items by type and label them. If space is tight, slide a skinny caddy in the gap between the washer and dryer to stow laundry supplies.
- Install a counter top over a front-loading washing machine to use for sorting and folding. Or hang a hinged-top table that folds out of the way.
- Hang a retractable clothes line or buy a folding rack for air-drying delicates.
- Hang the ironing board and iron on an over-the-door device to save space.
- If you live in an apartment or condo unit, purchase a rolling hamper and a portable caddy to transport supplies to and from the laundry room.
- Keep a hamper in every bedroom. Colour code or label them, then place the clean clothes back in the respective hampers and let everyone put their own clothes away.
