Storage-Smart Laundry Room

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Front-loading washers and dryers can be set at an ergonomic height for ease of use, since you won't have to reach up to drop clothes in from the top. Look for brands that sell matching drawers that can be installed beneath the machines; these are ideal for storing detergent and dryer sheets. Integrated drawer dividers make organization a snap. The laundry side of the room boasts these amenities:

-- A front-loading washer and dryer. This type of washer saves water and energy, and extends the life of your clothes by using gravity to tumble them instead of a mechanical agitator.

-- Large matching baskets underneath the counter -- one for each member of the family -- to corral the clean duds and make it easier for others to help.