Software
Houzz Logo Print
joelcoqui

Multi-function Laundry room help

5 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

I have no choice then to use this 12 x 12 room as my office, laundry room, cat friendly room. Need to update and make it function at the same time on a budget. The sink area and washer and dryer must stay on that wall but I would love a counter to fold my clothes and would like my cat to stay happy by the window. I could make my desk area smaller as long as it can hold a PC and keyboard. Would also love to hide the litter box. My kitty sleeps here overnight. Photos shown starting at entrance of room. ideas?

Comments (20)

  • 5 years ago







  • 5 years ago

    It looks like there is a tall white cabinet just inside the door, that is not shown on floor plan?


  • 5 years ago

    mjlb Yes, it isnt a necessary piece. I was using it for cat food, litter storage. It is not attached.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you are willing to change out the desk, consider getting a cat tree for the kitty window. There's a variety of litter box enclosures, even ones with a cat tree kind of topper to them- but that depends in if your cat is OK with using an enclosed box or not.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Rotation of desk will allow space for cat tree.


    joelcoqui thanked mdln
  • 5 years ago

    It looks like you have enough space between the sink and washer to place the litter box -- preferably contained in a cabinet with no door. By no means necessary, but it would be fun to mount cat-climbing shelves on the wall above sink/washer/dryer. (Or just shelving, if needed for storage). I'd hang a larger mirror opposite your window, on the wall that has the door. The mirror will reflect light and make the room feel larger. Below that mirror, could be a drop-down counter for folding clothes. Simple narrow shelving on the window wall could accommodate the cat, cat stuff, and other stuff. A smaller desk (48x24) and file cabinet would fit easily on the wall opposite the W/D. However, I don't like to look at a wall - I'd rather be able to see a window, so I would probably angle the desk - which would be easy enough to do with a rolling desk like this one:

    rolling desk


    joelcoqui thanked mjlb
  • 5 years ago

    I see a hamper atop the dryer and another between sink and washer. How do you use that one? Could you do something narrower? You could move the machines to the left, and perhaps fit the litter box between dryer and closet. Extra litter behind the box or in the closet. A surface above the washer and dryer, split with left side hinged to accommodate the washer lid, could be your folding surface (or just lay a sewing board over them).

    Stock cabinets are not that expensive-- we bought a sink base with side storage and a 3 or 4 door upper for under$100, they were on sale at HD but that was 20 years ago-- above the machines for most of what's in the tall cabinet.

  • 5 years ago

    bpath That is a laundry basket with the clean clothes I take out of dryer to fold. Thats sounds like a good idea. and maybe put a pull down line to air dry some clothes. I would love to see a perspective drawing. The cat bed is under the window tho. I believe he needs that. I have a tall cat tree in the living room where he hangs out during the day.


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Looks like you have wall space to the right of the builtin closet. I would replace the corner desk with standard desk/table. You could also add a movable island for folding.



    Bedroom Built-Ins · More Info



    A Collector’s Paradise · More Info


    I would also open shelves above the washer and dryer:

    Crystal Cabinets- Contemporary Laundry · More Info


    https://www.younghouselove.com/beach-house-laundry-room-makeover/

    joelcoqui thanked er612
  • 5 years ago

    Er612 -- I love it! Especially the cat pictogram in the floor plan. And the cat climbing shelves!

    joelcoqui thanked mjlb
  • 5 years ago

    I wonder if I have enough room to make a little cat door on the built-in closet on the side of my present dryer. FYI will be top loading equipment.

  • 5 years ago

    This is one of my favourite laundry room makeover threads. Maybe it will give you some good ideas. The wallpaper was a key design decision. Maybe cat wallpaper on one wall? Or wall decals? This is a room where you can have a little fun with the decor.

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3792622/sad-ugly-laundry-room

    https://www.amazon.com/cat-wall-decals/s?k=cat+wall+decals

    joelcoqui thanked partim
  • 5 years ago

    I'm thinking about the office function and am wondering if you've considered how you use the closet and whether it's been configured to maximize how you use this room. For example, do you have shelves in there where you can place the printer or office supplies storage to free up desk workspace? Is there a rod for the jackets so you take out the coat tree?

    joelcoqui thanked JT7abcz
  • 5 years ago

    That's a good idea to wire the printer over there

  • 5 years ago

    er612 How much is enough space to have a floating island. May wanna put some storage cabinets on the opposite wall of the washer and dryer

  • 5 years ago

    In general, 3-ft all the way around an island, if it is fixed. I suppose if on wheels, and you don't mind moving it, you could reduce that.

    joelcoqui thanked mjlb
  • 5 years ago

    Not enough space for a floating island.

  • 5 years ago

    mdln Kitty likes a bed, not a tree as I have shown in photo above. Its covered in a spiderman fleece blanket. LOL.

  • 3 years ago

    I need to bump this thread again. Final thoughts. Will make closet with louver door a regular door with cat door access to litter box. Shelving in there for the printer/fax machine, kitty toys and litter stock. Possibly to the left of door entrance make a wall counter to fold clothes??? If I move sink to far right, it will only leave 18" of counter and then it would bump out. As for the desk, maybe an L shape. I would be facing the wall but the window would be to my immediate left. Thoughts? I wish I had a program to see a perspective.