Tired of dragging the ironing board in and out of the cupboard? Smooth out the creases in your ironing with this space-saving laundry design idea – an ironing station.

If the thought of doing the ironing in your home causes a feeling of dread in your heart, then streamline your laundry design with an ironing station. Not only will this home ironing solution keep the laundry looking neat and tidy, but it will take some of the hassle out of this arduous task.

Ironing stations are simply ironing boards that are mounted on a wall or inside a cupboard or drawer. Some come with all kinds of bells and whistles to make home ironing a breeze – like a storage area for your iron and a power point – while others are simply a plain old board that folds up to less than half its size.

When ironing day comes around, there is no struggling to drag the clunky old board in and out of the cupboard; you simply flip the board out and away you go. And the best thing about ironing stations is that they can easily be disguised with a cover or a cabinet to blend in with the design of your laundry.

Ironing stations are ideal for laundries with limited space, as they are cleverly designed to fit into extremely tight spots. Some ingenious models even have the ability to swivel 180 degrees, and sit parallel to the wall, which is a great solution in a narrow laundry.

They can be mounted at any height, which is an advantage for people who find traditional ironing boards too high or too low. Some models are also adjustable, which allows people of different heights to comfortably use the same board.

When choosing where to place an ironing station in your home, keep in mind that most models will need to be attached to a stud wall for stability, and near a power point. Ensure that in its extended position the ironing board will not be blocking traffic or preventing access to cupboards.

Installation can be as easy as a few screws for the simpler models, to removing plasterboard for those that sit within the wall cavity. No special tools or knowledge are required, so a competent home handyperson should find installation an easy task.

On the downside, ironing stations are considerably more expensive than traditional ironing boards, particularly for a deluxe model, which can include a board with adjustable height, a power point, a light and a shelving system.

Ironing stations also lack the freedom of traditional ironing boards to be moved from room to room, which can be a drawback if you like to zone out to your favourite TV show or chat to your family as you work.

Find ironing boards and ironing station equipment at retailers throughout Australia: