On the Surface: Fabricating for the Laundry Room

BLANCO, the German manufacturer of finely crafted sinks and faucets, surveyed top fabricators and designers in the industry (including NSMotif, CR Home, Garden State Tile and PJ Marble & Granite) to uncover leading trends and expert advice on fabricating for the laundry room. The laundry or mudroom seems to be having its moment. This space, like the kitchen, has moved from back room operation to living area. Elements such as storage and functionality go hand-in-hand with color and design aesthetic. Here’s what BLANCO learned…

Countertop material and edge

Countertops are a key element for the laundry space for ironing, folding and daily tasks. Designers call for as much counter space as possible along with open shelving for storage. Quartz is the most popular material being used in laundry rooms at 57.1% followed by porcelain tile, porcelain wood look tile and granite (all three at 14.3%). “Many of our customers are selecting quartz countertops for their laundry room,” states Eleanor Brooks, marketing manager at CR Home. “Sometimes these projects are a part of a larger scale remodel, including a kitchen or bath, so they may even have the opportunity to use remnant material from their quartz selection in those spaces. They see the benefit quartz has to offer in terms of durability and resistance to stains.” A simple edge for the counter was recommended such as an eased, light beveled, 1/3 radius or half bullnose.

Colors for the laundry room

Far and away white and grey were the most popular colors for laundry rooms. The consensus among designers and fabricators was to create a bright and cheery space for chores. “Alternately, for floors, you want to go on the darker side and the surface should have some pattern or movement,” states Lindsay Hall, operations manager at Garden State Tile.

Backsplash recommendations

A backsplash for the main counter with sink was highly recommended to protect sheetrock from water. “Most of the work we have done includes a full backsplash made of the same color and material as the countertops,” states Karen Roe, founder and president of NSMotif. “Clients like the sophisticated and seamless look.” Other designers recommended white ceramic or glass subway tile.

Important laundry sink features

“Laundry rooms tend to be a ‘catch-all’ area for other home cleaning needs so sink selection should to be durable, functional and big enough to serve multiple purposes,” Roe continues. BLANCO’s latest laundry sink launches including LIVEN™ and QUATRUS™, feature large, deep single bowl designs in durable SILGRANIT or Stainless Steel with accessories to hold cleaning tools and save valuable counter space.

Tips for a successful design

According to Julia Da Silva, owner of PJ Marble & Granite, “It’s important for the fabricator to know what style of laundry machine is under the counter (top or front load) as well as where the detergent compartment is located before doing the template.” If the machines are under the countertop, it’s vital to leave room around the tops and sides so they can be pulled out for repair or replacement. Homeowners should also consider how much movement the machines make and if it will knock things over that are placed on nearby shelves or counters.