What Decorating Ideas & Options Do You Have When Your Washer and Dryer Are in Your Bathroom?

Washer and Dryer Type

• A stackable washer and dryer unit leaves you with more space in the bathroom for decorating and getting ready in the morning. The size options for stacking washer and dryer units usually include both 24 and 27 inches for the unit's width. The smaller footprint means you are also able to fit in shelving, storage or other items to help camouflage the washer and dryer.

Built-in Surround

• If you don't like the look of the washer and dryer sitting in the bathroom, consider a custom closet or built-in surround unit. Whether you have a stackable unit or a separate washer and dry, the built-in option allows you to frame a custom closet around the pieces so they are hidden. Decorate the outer walls of the closet the same as the rest of the walls in the bathroom for the best look. For example, if the rest of the walls are covered with wainscoting on the bottom half, continue that treatment on the closet walls for continuity.

Temporary Shades

• If you don't want to go to the trouble of framing out a laundry closet in your bathroom, consider temporary shading options to hide the unit. A room divider screen is one option that adds a decorative touch to the space. Place the screen in front of the washer and dryer to keep it hidden when not in use. When you do need to wash your clothes, simply move the screen to the side. Another temporary cover is a curtain hanging from the ceiling or upper wall area. Choose a pattern and color of curtain panels that blends with the living room.

Tips

• Instead of thinking of the washer and dryer as a separate part of the bathroom, look at the room as a whole. Use the same type of decorating techniques in the washer and dryer area as you do the rest of the bathroom. For example, if you lay tile on the bathroom floor, continue it under the washer and dryer. By using the same decorating techniques, the washer and dryer blend in to become simply another fixture in the bathroom.