The Right Ironing Board for Your Steam Generator: A Complete UK Guide
Extra-wide, sturdy and built for professional results at home. Here is everything you need to know before you buy.
What Makes a Professional-Standard Ironing Board?
If you have invested in a heavy steam generator, you already know that laundry is more than a chore. It is a gesture of care, a commitment to quality. And yet, even the finest steam station will underperform if it is paired with the wrong ironing board. Across UK households, this is one of the most overlooked elements of the laundry room setup.
A professional-standard ironing board is not simply a wider plank on legs. It is an engineered piece of household equipment, designed around four non-negotiable principles: stability, a wide surface, a robust steam station rest, and a high-quality cotton cover. Together, these features define the difference between a frustrating ironing session and one that delivers truly crisp, professional results.
Let us start with stability. A heavy-duty steam generator can weigh anywhere from four to six kilograms, and when it is producing pressurised steam at full output, any wobble in the board becomes both a safety risk and a quality issue. A sturdy ironing board with non-slip, wide-set legs is not a luxury for steam generator users. It is an absolute requirement.
Next comes the wide surface. Ironing board surfaces range from around 33 cm to over 42 cm in width. For anyone tackling bed linen, tablecloths, duvet covers or large garments, a narrow board means constant repositioning, more effort, and more room for creases to settle back in. An extra-wide board transforms the ironing experience: fewer movements, faster results, and a genuinely flat finish on even the largest household textiles.
The 5 Criteria of a Heavy-Duty Ironing Board
Before exploring specific models, here are the five standards a sturdy, professional ironing board must meet when paired with a steam generator.
A Truly Wide Surface
An extra-wide ironing board surface of 40 cm or more gives you the space to handle bed linen, shirts and large garments without dragging them across the floor. A wide surface means fewer passes, less fatigue and better results in the laundry room.
Rock-Solid Stability
A sturdy and stable frame is essential when supporting the weight and pressure of a steam generator. Non-slip feet and a rigid structure prevent dangerous tipping and ensure the board stays perfectly still throughout the ironing session.
A Dedicated Steam Station Rest
A purpose-designed, generously sized steam station rest is critical. It must be able to accommodate the footprint of a heavy-duty steam generator safely and securely, keeping cables and hoses neatly managed during use.
Adjustable Height
Adjustable height is not simply a comfort feature. It is a health one. Being able to set the board between 75 cm and 97 cm protects your back during long laundry sessions, whether you are tackling a weekly pile of shirts or a full set of bed linen.
A High-Quality Cotton Cover
A cotton cover with polyester foam padding ensures that steam passes through the board evenly rather than condensing on your garments. This is especially important with high-output steam generators, where poor steam dispersal can leave fabrics damp and marked.
Why Laurastar Ironing Boards Are in a League of Their Own
Laurastar is a family-owned Swiss company and the world leader in high-quality steam systems, and the brand's ironing boards are designed to the same exacting standard as its steam generators. That means every board in the Laurastar range has been engineered to work in harmony with a powerful steam station, not merely to tolerate it. Compatible with most leading steam generators, every Laurastar board is built from the ground up to perform.
Every Laurastar ironing board shares a set of defining qualities that set them apart in the UK market:
- A wide surface designed for ergonomic ironing, whether you are working on delicate blouses or large sheets
- A sturdy, stable metal frame with a secure locking system that keeps the board exactly where you set it
- An iron rest sized and positioned to accommodate steam generators from the Laurastar range and most other leading brands
- A 100% cotton cover with polyester foam padding, engineered to allow steam to circulate properly and moisture to evaporate cleanly
- An adjustable height system, so the board suits every user and every ironing situation
- A secure closure and transport system that makes moving and storing the board safe and simple
Whether you iron occasionally or tackle a full household laundry load every week, there is a Laurastar board designed for your needs. Not sure which model is right for you? Let us take you through the full range.
Explore the Laurastar Ironing Board Range
From the most heavy-duty, feature-rich board to a compact solution for small spaces, the Laurastar ironing board family covers every profile of UK household. Here is a model-by-model guide.
PRESTIGEBOARD
The flagship of the Laurastar range, the PRESTIGEBOARD is the ultimate professional choice for UK households that demand the very best. Its extra-wide 40 x 122 cm cotton cover surface gives you generous room for bed linen, large garments and tablecloths, while the oversized 43 x 28 cm iron rest is built to accommodate most steam generators safely and securely.
Solid, stable and impeccably finished, this heavy duty ironing board features a seven-level adjustable height system (75 to 97 cm), a practical linen rack, a secure closure system, and a high-quality light grey cotton cover with 100% polyester foam padding. At approximately 8.5 kg, the PRESTIGEBOARD delivers outstanding ironing comfort in any laundry room.
PLUSBOARD
The PLUSBOARD is the widest board in the standard Laurastar range, with an impressive 42 x 125 cm wide surface that makes light work of bed linen, large garments and everything in between. Its sturdy, stable frame is fully compatible with most steam generators, thanks to a dedicated steam station rest of 39 x 25 cm.
What makes the PLUSBOARD truly stand out in the UK household is its pair of integrated wheels, allowing you to glide it effortlessly between rooms without lifting. The dark grey cotton cover (100% cotton, polyester foam inner) ensures proper steam dispersal, while the adjustable height up to 93 cm guarantees ergonomic ironing comfort for every user. A genuinely heavy duty board built for daily laundry.
COMFORTBOARD
The COMFORTBOARD is the elegant all-rounder of the Laurastar family, designed for UK households that want reliable performance and refined style in equal measure. Its 38 x 120 cm ergonomic surface paired with a 39 x 25 cm iron rest makes it a fully stable, steam generator-compatible board for everyday laundry sessions.
At approximately 7.3 kg, the COMFORTBOARD is lighter and easy to handle without sacrificing ironing comfort or stability. An adjustable height up to 96 cm and a secure closure system make it simple to set up and store. Available in classic Beige as well as the bold Universalcover Lips and trendy-chic Glasses designs, the COMFORTBOARD brings high-quality finishing touches to every laundry room.
COMFORTBOARD: Elegant Ironing Comfort for Every Household
The COMFORTBOARD family represents Laurastar's dedication to delivering high-quality ironing comfort with an elegant, modern aesthetic. Available in three distinctive designs, each COMFORTBOARD shares an identical set of professional specifications, giving you the freedom to choose the style that best suits your laundry room.
The board surface measures 38 x 120 cm, offering a generously wide surface that handles bed linen, shirts and large garments with ease. The iron rest (39 x 25 cm) is designed to accommodate most steam generators safely. At approximately 7.3 kg, the COMFORTBOARD range is slightly lighter than the PLUSBOARD, while still delivering a sturdy and stable ironing platform thanks to its secure locking system.
Adjustable height to 96 cm ensures ergonomic ironing comfort for all users, and the 100% cotton cover with polyester foam padding guarantees proper steam dispersal. Three versions are available to match your personal style:
- COMFORTBOARD BEIGE: A timeless, understated beige cover that suits any laundry room.
- COMFORTBOARD LIPS: A vibrant, tangy lips Universalcover for those who like a touch of fun in their household routine.
- COMFORTBOARD GLASSES: A trendy-chic glasses Universalcover that brings a fashion-forward edge to the ironing board.
Whichever design you choose, the COMFORTBOARD delivers the same professional performance, the same steam generator compatibility, and the same commitment to ironing comfort that defines the entire Laurastar range.
The Laurastar Ironing Board Range at a Glance
From the flagship PRESTIGEBOARD to the designer COMFORTBOARD editions, every Laurastar ironing board is built to the same standard: sturdy, stable, extra-wide and perfectly matched to your steam generator. Explore the full range below.
A Word About the XS BOARD
Not every ironing situation calls for a full-size board. For occasional use, small spaces or a second ironing setup in a spare room, the XS BOARD offers a compact, lightweight alternative that still carries the full Laurastar quality promise.
XS BOARD: Compact, Clever, Laurastar Quality
The XS BOARD is designed for small spaces and occasional ironing sessions. Extremely compact at 82 x 31 cm and weighing just 2 kg, it folds flat to just 4 cm thick, making it easy to store behind a door, under furniture or inside a cupboard. Its retractable legs mean it can be set up on any stable surface in any room of the house. The cover is made from 100% cotton with polyester foam padding, delivering genuine Laurastar ironing quality wherever you need it. Note that the XS BOARD is best suited to traditional irons rather than heavy steam generators, and is not designed as a heavy-duty household board.
How to Choose the Right Laurastar Ironing Board for Your Steam Generator
Choosing the right ironing board in the UK comes down to matching the board's capabilities to the demands of your steam generator and your laundry habits. Here is a simple framework to guide your decision. Still have questions? Head to our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
If you own a powerful Laurastar steam generator and regularly iron bed linen, large garments or household textiles, the PRESTIGEBOARD is your board. Its seven-level adjustable height, its extra-large steam station rest and its professional-grade stability make it the only ironing board in the range designed explicitly for this level of use. The integrated linen rack is a practical bonus for managing your laundry workflow.
If you want an extra-wide surface with the flexibility to move the board around your home, consider the PLUSBOARD or PLUSBOARD LIPS. With the widest ironing surface in the standard range at 42 x 125 cm, integrated wheels and full steam generator compatibility, these boards are the ideal choice for households where the laundry room doubles as another space or where the board needs to move regularly.
If you value elegant design alongside professional performance, the COMFORTBOARD family delivers all the technical credentials of a high-quality ironing board at a slightly lighter weight. Choose COMFORTBOARD BEIGE for timeless simplicity, COMFORTBOARD LIPS for vibrant colour, or COMFORTBOARD GLASSES for a trendy-chic finishing touch.
Whatever your choice, every Laurastar ironing board is engineered to work with a steam generator, covered in a high-quality cotton cover, and built to last. That is not a compromise. It is a commitment.
The Ironing Board Cover: The Unsung Hero of Laundry Comfort
Many UK households focus on the frame, the height and the size of an ironing board and overlook the one element that has the most direct impact on ironing results: the cover. A high-quality cotton cover is not merely decorative. It is the surface through which your steam generator delivers its power. Find out why the cover matters so much when using a steam generator.
A 100% cotton cover with polyester foam padding does three things that a cheap synthetic cover cannot. First, it allows steam to pass cleanly through the surface, preventing it from condensing and leaving damp patches on your garments. Second, its padding provides just enough give to let the iron press down into the fabric, creating a sharper crease and a smoother finish on even heavy textiles like bed linen. Third, a properly constructed cover grips the fabric during ironing, reducing the amount of repositioning you need to do and making the process faster and more comfortable overall.
Every Laurastar ironing board comes fitted with a high-quality cotton cover as standard, whether that is the understated light grey of the PRESTIGEBOARD, the smart dark grey of the PLUSBOARD, the classic beige of the COMFORTBOARD BEIGE, or one of the expressive Universalcover designs available across the range. And when the time comes to replace it, Laurastar's range of replacement covers ensures your board continues to perform at its best for years to come. See which Laurastar board is our most professional and heavy-duty option.
Ready to find the ironing board that matches your steam generator and transforms your laundry routine? Explore the full Laurastar ironing board range and discover the board that is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sturdy ironing board suitable for a heavy-duty steam generator needs four key features: a rigid, non-slip frame that can support the weight and pressure of the appliance without wobbling; an extra-wide steam station rest that safely accommodates the steam generator's footprint; a generous, wide surface for tackling bed linen and large garments; and a 100% cotton cover that allows steam to disperse evenly rather than condensing. Laurastar ironing boards, particularly the PRESTIGEBOARD and PLUSBOARD, are designed specifically to meet all of these criteria.
The PRESTIGEBOARD is Laurastar's most professional and heavy-duty ironing board. It features a 40 x 122 cm extra-wide surface, a seven-level adjustable height system from 75 to 97 cm, the largest steam station rest in the range at 43 x 28 cm, an integrated linen rack and a light grey high-quality cotton cover. It is the flagship choice for UK households that use a steam generator regularly and demand professional ironing results.
Yes. All Laurastar ironing boards, including the PRESTIGEBOARD, PLUSBOARD, PLUSBOARD LIPS, and the entire COMFORTBOARD range, are designed to be compatible with most leading steam generators, not only Laurastar models. The iron rest dimensions on each board are sized to accommodate the footprint of the majority of steam stations available on the UK market.
The PLUSBOARD and PLUSBOARD LIPS both offer the widest ironing surface in the standard Laurastar range, measuring 42 x 125 cm. This makes them the ideal choice for ironing bed linen, large tablecloths and oversized garments. The PRESTIGEBOARD's surface of 40 x 122 cm is also extra-wide and is complemented by the most generous iron rest in the range, making it the better choice when steam generator stability is the primary concern.
When using a steam generator, the board cover becomes a critical part of the ironing system. A high-quality cotton cover with polyester foam padding allows steam to pass through the surface cleanly, preventing condensation from forming on your garments. A poor-quality cover can trap steam, leaving laundry damp and potentially marked. Laurastar covers are made from 100% cotton with foam padding, engineered specifically to work with high-output steam stations and to deliver superior ironing comfort across all fabric types.
Yes, adjustable height is one of the most important ergonomic features on any professional ironing board. Ironing at the wrong height puts strain on your back and shoulders, leading to fatigue and discomfort during longer laundry sessions. The PRESTIGEBOARD offers seven height levels from 75 to 97 cm, accommodating a wide range of users. When ironing in a standing position, a height of between 90 and 97 cm is generally recommended for most adults in UK households.
Absolutely. While boards such as the PRESTIGEBOARD and PLUSBOARD are designed for full-size laundry room setups, the XS BOARD offers a compact alternative for smaller spaces. At just 82 x 31 cm and 2 kg, it folds flat to 4 cm and can be stored behind a door or under furniture. For those who need a full-size board but want the flexibility to move it between rooms, the PLUSBOARD and PLUSBOARD LIPS both feature integrated wheels for easy manoeuvrability across the household.