The majority of homeowners (9 out of 10) spend more time in their laundry rooms, than in their dining rooms, yet it's the least thought about room in terms of decorating. Whether it's large or small, upstairs or down, you can make your laundry room a pleasant place to be. Laundry doesn't have to be a dismal chore when you surround yourself with things you love, just as you do in the rest of your home.

If you are lucky enough to have a large laundry room, you can install cabinetry that will hold all your laundry supplies, as well as household cleaning supplies, ironing board, iron, wrapping paper, ribbon, and crafts. A sink for cleaning hand-washables and a wood bar to hang your freshly ironed shirts are just some "perks" that can be added to your laundry room. A counter area for folding finished laundry also becomes a space for craft projects or a gift-wrap station. Utilizing front-loading washers and dryers allows a counter to be used on top of what would normally be wasted space.

If you have a small laundry room, you can still install upper wall cabinets over your washer and dryer. There are many gadgets on the market that you can utilize in a smaller laundry room such as wall-mounted, closeable clothing hangers; storage units that fit between a washer and dryer; and collapsible brackets, which allow you to have a counter for folding laundry, but which folds down when not in use.

With all the decorative baskets and hampers on the market today, keeping your laundry room neat and tidy doesn't have to be a chore. Paint or wallpaper using light, bright colors will make for a cheery space. If the laundry room adjoins another public room, or can be seen from other rooms in your home, continue your decorating scheme through to the laundry room. Hang pictures or decorative accessories. If you have the room, use decorative containers to hold detergent and other cleaning supplies.

Make this room as enjoyable to you as the rest of your home.

Kathy Passarette is a Certified Interior Decorator and Affiliate member of the Interior Design Society. She is the owner of Creative Home Expressions located on Long Island, New York. You can contact Kathy through her website at http://www.creativehomeexpressions.com.