Laundry Rooms Gain Respect May 27, 2004 - Gone are the days when homeowners have to lug their laundry to a Laundromat, down three flights of stairs, or out to a cold, dimly lit garage. In a National Association of Home Builders consumer preference survey, 95 percent of respondents said they either desire or must have a separate laundry room in their new home. According to members of the NAHB Remodelors Council, homeowners also want an expanded space that can serve as a multipurpose work area for more than just washing clothes. “Today’s laundry room has moved upstairs into the living quarters, and it is spacious, practically rivaling the kitchen in finishes and gadgets,” said 2004 Remodelors Council Chairman Douglas L. Sutton Sr. of Sutton Siding and Remodeling, Springfield, Ill. “People want comfortable workspaces no matter what activity they are doing, and they don’t want to lug laundry up and down stairs.” The newest trend in laundry room remodeling reflects homeowners’ demand for convenience while doing this chore. Laundry rooms are moving into spaces adjacent to kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms, according to Remodelors Council members. They report that some homeowners want their laundry room to blend in with the rest of the house, with crown moulding and hardwood or tiled floor to match adjacent rooms. That’s not all remodelers are asked to deliver in today’s laundry rooms.
-People want more counter space to fold, iron or sew clothes, with granite or Formica counter tops that match those found in the kitchen.
-Homeowners also want cabinets to store laundry detergent and other products, often in wood finishes normally used in the kitchen.
-Customers want bigger, high-end appliances—washers and dryers that can handle growing wash loads and even two dryers to keep up with the washer.
-To give the laundry room a more sophisticated look, many homeowners are creating built-in cabinets or closets to hide the appliances when not in use. With today’s remodeled laundry rooms, the seven to nine hours most people spend doing laundry each week can be a less tedious and more enjoyable experience. | 
