10 Retro Ideas Reworked for the Laundry
Think you can’t make a laundry cool? Think again!
Kerryn Ramsey
6 April 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator, reporting for print and digital articles on architecture, design, travel and business.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance lifestyle journalist and serial renovator,... More
Don’t let the laundry become the most neglected room in the house. Add a little mid-century grooviness to turn this utilitarian space into a place that will be a pleasure to work in.
1. Shiny cabinet finishes
Back in the mid-20th century, paint and wallpaper added colour bursts to different surfaces. These days, the latest finishes, such as two-pack polyurethane doors made from MDF (medium density fibreboard), as seen here, certainly up the ante. For extra impact, a high-gloss finish in burnt orange gives a real punch to the most functional of spaces.
Know matt finishes from gloss
Back in the mid-20th century, paint and wallpaper added colour bursts to different surfaces. These days, the latest finishes, such as two-pack polyurethane doors made from MDF (medium density fibreboard), as seen here, certainly up the ante. For extra impact, a high-gloss finish in burnt orange gives a real punch to the most functional of spaces.
Know matt finishes from gloss
2. Funky colour palette
A washer-and-dryer combo is often hidden away in a bathroom or kitchen, but when it pops up in a home office, there’s every reason to make it into a feature. In fact, this room’s colours and patterns are so ‘shagadelic’, it’s the sort of laundromat that Austin Powers would visit if he needed to clean his plush velvet suit.
A washer-and-dryer combo is often hidden away in a bathroom or kitchen, but when it pops up in a home office, there’s every reason to make it into a feature. In fact, this room’s colours and patterns are so ‘shagadelic’, it’s the sort of laundromat that Austin Powers would visit if he needed to clean his plush velvet suit.
3. Easy-to-clean flooring
If you’re looking for flooring that’s tactile and slip-free, consider the new ranges of laminate, linoleum (usually referred to as lino) and vinyl. Not only are they hard wearing, water resistant and easy to clean, there’s a range of colours and patterns that imitate mid-century style.
Timber laminate flooring
If you’re looking for flooring that’s tactile and slip-free, consider the new ranges of laminate, linoleum (usually referred to as lino) and vinyl. Not only are they hard wearing, water resistant and easy to clean, there’s a range of colours and patterns that imitate mid-century style.
Timber laminate flooring
4. New position
Dark timber surrounds and white surfaces were a popular combo in the late ’60s and ’70s, but back then laundries were never positioned in the kitchen. Thanks to modern advances (love those wrinkle-free garments!), a laundry can even be integrated into a hallway. Well-positioned downlights are essential over the work area, plus good ventilation.
Dark timber surrounds and white surfaces were a popular combo in the late ’60s and ’70s, but back then laundries were never positioned in the kitchen. Thanks to modern advances (love those wrinkle-free garments!), a laundry can even be integrated into a hallway. Well-positioned downlights are essential over the work area, plus good ventilation.
5. Multi-hued tiles
Square tiles were much loved in the ’50s and ’60s, particularly for bathrooms and laundries. Here, the splashback tiles are small and multi-coloured with hues that harken back to modernist times.
Square tiles were much loved in the ’50s and ’60s, particularly for bathrooms and laundries. Here, the splashback tiles are small and multi-coloured with hues that harken back to modernist times.
6. Bathroom bonus
To save space in a small apartment, a washer and dryer can be hidden away in a bathroom cupboard. Here, the mirror cabinet and handle-free doors create an up-to-the-minute look, but the glass tiles have a slightly retro feel.
To save space in a small apartment, a washer and dryer can be hidden away in a bathroom cupboard. Here, the mirror cabinet and handle-free doors create an up-to-the-minute look, but the glass tiles have a slightly retro feel.
7. Black-and-white flooring
A real classic, black-and-white lino is as stylish now as it was in the mid-20th century. The flooring is scratch resistant, easy to clean and also appeals to homeowners with allergy problems as it doesn’t harbour any dust mites.
Classic checkered kitchen floors
A real classic, black-and-white lino is as stylish now as it was in the mid-20th century. The flooring is scratch resistant, easy to clean and also appeals to homeowners with allergy problems as it doesn’t harbour any dust mites.
Classic checkered kitchen floors
8. Scandi-style decor
Honest materials and minimal ornamentation are at the heart of this retro Scandinavian-inspired laundry. Its knotty pine veneer is a raw, textural element while the white finishes are light and glossy. The long benchtop and stainless-steel rod makes the laundry super functional.
Honest materials and minimal ornamentation are at the heart of this retro Scandinavian-inspired laundry. Its knotty pine veneer is a raw, textural element while the white finishes are light and glossy. The long benchtop and stainless-steel rod makes the laundry super functional.
9. Penny tiles
Why not introduce a subtle flower-power reference to your laundry’s flooring? Here, classic hexagonal penny tiles receive an extra dose of oomph with the addition of a clever black flower pattern. It’s certainly a new take on the classic ’60s format.
Using penny tiles in the bathroom
Why not introduce a subtle flower-power reference to your laundry’s flooring? Here, classic hexagonal penny tiles receive an extra dose of oomph with the addition of a clever black flower pattern. It’s certainly a new take on the classic ’60s format.
Using penny tiles in the bathroom
10. Crazy paving
Crazy paving was a popular style for outdoor areas in the mid-20th century but here, the stone flooring adds texture and randomness to the laundry zone. To add another element, the timber veneer of the cupboard doors has a horizontal stripe – turning the laundry into a real geometric wonder.
TELL US
Would you add retro features to a laundry? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments.
MORE
10 Retro Ideas for Your Kids’ Space
10 Retro Kitchen Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
10 Retro Ideas Reworked for Modern Living: The Bathroom
Crazy paving was a popular style for outdoor areas in the mid-20th century but here, the stone flooring adds texture and randomness to the laundry zone. To add another element, the timber veneer of the cupboard doors has a horizontal stripe – turning the laundry into a real geometric wonder.
TELL US
Would you add retro features to a laundry? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments.
MORE
10 Retro Ideas for Your Kids’ Space
10 Retro Kitchen Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
10 Retro Ideas Reworked for Modern Living: The Bathroom
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I would add retro to any room where I spend time as it adds fun, colour and character. But I luckily don't spend any time in the laundry - which in our home consists only of a washing machine and a hills hoist (hey that's retro!!)
My 60s post modern laundry/powder room. Materials, laminex and recycled blackwood cabinetry, from my kitchen. A space for everything including the cat tray, concealed behind a roll top lower cabinet. I chose the lime green and paisley patterned laminate due to them being fashionable in the 1960s. Recycling the blackwood upper doors and butcher block benchtop gave a unifying link to the blackwood neighbouring kitchen and cool retro pine panelled walls and plants in the sunroom beyond! I love my cheery practical kitchen. I designed the space myself in conjunction with Adam from Ace Kitchens and Cabinetry, Ballan!