Get Away From It All—And Still Get Things Done (NAPSA)—It may come as a surprise to many, but the laundry doesn’t have to be a dark or bor- ing space. Stephen Saint-Onge, author of “No Place Like Home,” has come up with a few tips on turning your laundry area into a place where you like to spend time. Says Saint-Onge, “You want to end up with a laundry area that you love going into—instead of feeling like you are stuck doing chores—and this can be done creatively and without breaking the bank. These small changes will make the laundry process more enjoyable overall.” Accessorize away. Find fun things to put in the room, such as matching, colorful storage bins and baskets, and area rugs with vivid patterns. To create visual moments on counters, add coordinating canisters for detergents or other cleaning products. Makethe space stylish while still keeping the room practical for everyday use. *Light up your life. Make sure you have proper lighting. Don’t use harsh fluorescent lightbulbs in the laundry room. Use lighting that will warm up the space and make it more comfortable. Easy-to-install halogen track lights are great for directing light on to work areas. Think about nice pendantlights over a “folding counter” or island to add some visual interest to the room. Color a closet. You can even have a lovely laundry room in a closet when you choose a color you love. This can be a great place to put a color that you wanted to use—such as a darker tone or a vibrant color—but didn’t Wherever your laundry room may be, you can turn it into a creative space you'll enjoy being in. want to use in the more “public ” rooms of your home. Complement a big pop of wall color with a stackable front-loading laundry pair in a more neutral shade such as the Whirlpool Duet in Lunar Silver. *Bring in some sound. Having a small sound system or TV in the space can makethe time spent there more enjoyable. Make the space. Evenif you don’t have an actual room open in your home for a laundry room, you can create one in a cornerof the kitchen or some other area. Add chic storage pieces that can also be used as countertops. Bring in some visual detail on the walls by hanging family photos or displaying your child’s artwork for an instant laundry room makeover. The point is to surround yourself with things you love so doing the laundry can feel more like good clean fun. *Learn more. For more ideas and information, see www. whirlpool.com.
