In many homes the basement is an infrequently used space where you find seldom used sports equipment, an oversize chest freezer, out of season clothes, and broken articles waiting for repair. Why not make this area work for you. Create a designer laundry room in your basement and actually enjoy the process of spotting, washing, drying, folding and ironing!

There are many things to consider when creating the basement laundry room of your dreams and many choices!

1. Flooring should be stain resistant, easy to clean, impact resistant, long lasting, waterproof, affordable and aesthetically pleasing. 

• Vinyl  tiles are affordable, durable, moisture resistant, easy to clean, available in a variety of patterns, simple to install and damaged tiles can be replace without having to re-do the entire floor.
• Sheet vinyl flooring shares the advantages of vinyl tile, is inexpensive and comes in an array of designer patterns including those that mimic stone or wood. Opt for the thickest you can afford to increase longevity. 
• Cork flooring is handsome, hard wearing, moisture resistant and relatively inexpensive.
• Rubber mat flooring is quick to install, sound muffling and comfortable underfoot.
• Stone flooring is elegant and durable but expensive and needs to be well sealed to prevent etching and staining.
• Hardwood is durable, comfortable for standing, stylish but expensive and does not handle spills or drippy clothes.  
• Carpet is not a good choice. Dust, lint, stains and moisture will create havoc. If you must have a carpet, choose an indoor-outdoor variety that will tolerate moisture. 
• While carpeting is a poor choice, an area rug or gel mat is a great idea. They’ll cushion your feet and add a designer flair. 
• Laminate floors are comfortable, easy to clean and come in a variety of finishes but do not deal well with moisture.

1. Lighting: You need to see stains in order to treat them and notice wrinkles before you decide to iron. Make sure your basement laundry room is well lit. Try LED under-cabinet strips, recessed lighting and low profile ceiling-mount fixtures. Track lighting with its multiple heads can be adjusted to illuminate different work areas.
2. Storage: Use cupboards, open shelves and cubbies to organize and conceal the clutter of your basement laundry room. Baskets and jars can hold soap, softener, dryer sheets, and stain sticks. An over-the-door rack may hold laundry supplies. Place hooks on the wall for hanging articles such as coats, sports gear and backpacks. Install an island to provide extra storage and act as a folding station. Place a metal basket on the wall to contain lost socks until you can find the mates. Create a niche to tuck hampers within easy grabbing distance.
3. Soundproofing: To keep the noise of your laundry appliances from the rest of your home, install two layers of drywall on the walls and ceiling and fill the cavities between wall studs and floor joists with fiberglass, rigid foam or spray insulation.
4. Prepare for a possible flood: Install a floor drain, opt for automatic shutoff that halts water flow in the event of a leak and install a raised threshold at the entrance to the laundry room. 
5. Laundry sink: Standard, plastic, laundry tubs stain easily and are too deep to be practical. Install a stainless steel sink with a gooseneck faucet and a pull-out spray, perfect for washing delicates, cleaning your hands, and filling buckets. 
6. Paint: Opt for an easy-to-wipe semi-gloss paint.
7. Counter for folding: If you have front loading laundry machines, install a space-saving counter above them. For top loading machines, mount a small piece of counter onto your wall or place a freestanding table close to your appliances.
8. Drying station: Install a metal rod that can bear the weight of wet garments. Add a wall-mounted pull-out clothesline or choose a wooden or metal foldaway rack. 
9. Laundry chute: If you have a clear path between floors (no wiring, plumbing or duct work in the way), consider installing a laundry chute to reduce the trips up and down the stairs. 
10. Ironing board: Create a storage closet for your ironing board or install a foldout or drop-down version. 
11. Extras: Consider a vent fan to carry out moisture. How about a wall mounted flat-screen TV to entertain you as you fold, iron and hang. The addition of colourful curtains and an area rug can brighten the room.

That unused space under your home can become a bright, cheerful, organized, efficient, command center for laundry! Take the drudgery out of wash day by creating a designer laundry room in your basement.When you are ready to create the basement laundry room of your dreams, call the Calgary basement experts, Econo Basements at (403) 768-0256 or email at info@econobasements.ca.