As you work your way up that list of home-improvement projects, remodeling the laundry room may not rank. But considering that the average American family does around 400 loads of laundry a year, maybe it should. Fact is, more homeowners are calling on architects and designers like Merrick Design and Build to help upgrade those often dim, dank, and unwelcoming spaces they call laundry rooms in their basement where they spend so much of their time.

Consider how careful cabinet planning, built-in ironing boards, sorting hampers, updated plumbing, better lighting and heating and new flooring can transform your laundry room into a cozy multi-purpose work area you won't dread working in..

And, if you're ever ready to install an upstairs laundry room, your updated basement laundry room is a great start towards a secondary living area like an in-law suite.