Utilitarian spaces such as laundry rooms and mudrooms seldom receive the attention they deserve, which is odd when you consider how often they are used. A properly planned utility room can be a complete housekeeping area that simplifies your household chores. These rooms may even serve multiple purposes. A mudroom may double as a grooming center for the family pets and a storage room for sports gear. An overhead rack in a laundry room can be used for drying flowers as well as clothes, and the sink can be turned into a potting center.

A full-sized laundry room is more than a place to put your washer and dryer. If there’s space for more than appliances and a sink, add a table or table-height shelf for folding laundry, wrapping gifts or potting plants. Add additional shelves or cabinets to store laundry supplies. A drying rack over the sink that folds up against the wall makes it easy to hang clothing directly out of the washing machine. If there’s room, add a rack for hanging clothes and even an ironing board. You may spend a lot of time in this area, so make sure it’s attractive. Paint your laundry room a vibrant color that draws you in or a soothing color that calms. Wall sayings or murals are a fun way to add interest. Laundry rooms are more functional if organized. Use clear jars for clothespins, sewing items, and detergent. Choose various heights to add interest.

While the laundry room is one of the most functional rooms in the house, it by no means needs to be the most utilitarian of spaces. There are many important decisions that go into selecting the laundry products you plan on filling your home with, and countless creative arrangements that can make the space completely your own. Your washer and dryer are also responsible for making sure your whites shine their brightest and your shirt collars are their crispest.

Pick the laundry room appliances you want. The first and most important products you’ll decide on to fill your laundry space will be your washer and dryer. Most likely that will include choosing from an array of brightly colored and different sized machines. Consider space for clotheslines and dryer racks that may perhaps replace a dryer altogether. If you’re short on space or are looking to lower your energy costs, these can be great space saving devices that are easily collapsed or stored in closets and cabinets.

Irons and ironing boards. Once clothes are cleaned and dried, irons and ironing boards get to work on ironing out the kinks, literally, in your clothes. If you are aiming for a showpiece laundry room or just don’t have the square footage to secretly stow your ironing board, make sure to pick out a fun and decorative ironing board cover that shows off your design personality.

Consider using the laundry room for other housekeeping needs. The laundry room can also serve double duty for storing and tackling any other cleaning needs that you may have. If you have the space, consider an oversized utility tub for hand-washing and other delicate items. It can be a great asset if you ever have oversized or unusually large items that can’t quite fit in the kitchen sink — perhaps a pet? Place a hamper near the entryway to store everything from dirty clothes to shoes without cluttering the rest of the house or adding to your extensive list of household chores.

Any other laundry machines on your mind and on your radar — find them here.