4 Lovely New Laundry Rooms
Pros share details on the stylish elements they used to bring beauty and function to these hardworking spaces
A pleasing environment can often make a chore more enjoyable. For proof, consider the stylish elements and functional features in these four laundry rooms pros recently uploaded to Houzz.
2. Pretty With Pullouts
Designers: Emma Legg and Sydney Foley of Kindred Interior Studios
Location: Summerfield, North Carolina
Size: 50 square feet (4.7 square meters); 6 by 8⅓ feet
Homeowners’ request. Increase storage and functionality with space for folding and soaking. “Our client also asked us to bring some personality and drama into this small room,” designer Emma Legg says. “She walks through the room every day, as it leads to her garage. She also spends a fair amount of time doing laundry with two young boys. Therefore, she wanted to feel happy when being in the room.”
Main feature. “Given the small footprint of this space, we had to get creative with how to maximize storage,” Legg says. “We opted to stack the washer and dryer to create more cabinet space. This allowed us to have a pullout hamper to neatly and privately store the laundry.”
Other special features. “Our client’s desire for a statement space, coupled with the fact that a laundry room needs to be easy to clean, guided us to a bold, vinyl wallpaper,” Legg says. “The floral wallpaper is beautiful and packs a punch while also being durable at the same time.”
The countertop is black granite. The cabinets are painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “Do not be afraid to go bold and dark in a small space,” Legg says. “Hiring a professional interior designer to help even in small spaces can pay off big time and help you accomplish your goals in ways you may not have thought of.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Our largest challenge with this remodel was keeping the project within budget while creating a wow-factor space,” Legg says. “To save on costs, we kept the existing tile floor, did not change the footprint of the room, did not move the sink plumbing location and selected a remnant for the countertop. We were able to splurge on the wallpaper and custom cabinetry by saving on those items to keep the project within budget.”
Faucet: Crue, Kohler; wallpaper: Herbaria in Obsidian, Black Edition
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Designers: Emma Legg and Sydney Foley of Kindred Interior Studios
Location: Summerfield, North Carolina
Size: 50 square feet (4.7 square meters); 6 by 8⅓ feet
Homeowners’ request. Increase storage and functionality with space for folding and soaking. “Our client also asked us to bring some personality and drama into this small room,” designer Emma Legg says. “She walks through the room every day, as it leads to her garage. She also spends a fair amount of time doing laundry with two young boys. Therefore, she wanted to feel happy when being in the room.”
Main feature. “Given the small footprint of this space, we had to get creative with how to maximize storage,” Legg says. “We opted to stack the washer and dryer to create more cabinet space. This allowed us to have a pullout hamper to neatly and privately store the laundry.”
Other special features. “Our client’s desire for a statement space, coupled with the fact that a laundry room needs to be easy to clean, guided us to a bold, vinyl wallpaper,” Legg says. “The floral wallpaper is beautiful and packs a punch while also being durable at the same time.”
The countertop is black granite. The cabinets are painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “Do not be afraid to go bold and dark in a small space,” Legg says. “Hiring a professional interior designer to help even in small spaces can pay off big time and help you accomplish your goals in ways you may not have thought of.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Our largest challenge with this remodel was keeping the project within budget while creating a wow-factor space,” Legg says. “To save on costs, we kept the existing tile floor, did not change the footprint of the room, did not move the sink plumbing location and selected a remnant for the countertop. We were able to splurge on the wallpaper and custom cabinetry by saving on those items to keep the project within budget.”
Faucet: Crue, Kohler; wallpaper: Herbaria in Obsidian, Black Edition
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3. Zoned Out
Designer: Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal
Location: McMurray, Pennsylvania
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 12 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This room needed to pull triple duty,” designer Seashal Belldina says. “It’s a laundry room, craft space and home office, all located just off the kitchen. I created stations in each section of the room to give every part a functional purpose.”
Main feature. “The entire room was based around the custom cabinetry and storage,” Belldina says. “With three different major functions — laundry, work, crafts — and that much cabinetry, the design trick was keeping all the components light and airy so the room didn’t feel overwhelming.”
The cabinet color is a light gray with blue-green undertones.
Other special features. Blue zellige wall tile. Porcelain floor tile. Marble-look quartz countertops. White walls, ceiling and trim (Simply White by Benjamin Moore). Large apron-front sink. Two hidden pullout hampers beneath a message center.
Designer tip. “For high-use and multifunctional rooms like this, I recommend floor-to-ceiling cabinetry,” Belldina says. “Laundry, crafts and work supplies can all quickly make a room feel cluttered and overwhelming. Closed cabinetry will give everything a place so your workstation and mind stay clear and you can focus on the task in front of you.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we went to install the quartz and cabinetry around the washer and dryer, we realized that the drain was blocked by the center counter support and it was going to be nearly impossible to pull [the appliances] out for repairs or replacement in the future,” Belldina says. “The quartz was too long and heavy to be supported just on the back wall, so I had the cabinetmaker create a new center support that didn’t cover the drain and allows you to pull the washer and dryer out to make repairs.”
The Top 10 Laundry Rooms of Summer 2022
Designer: Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal
Location: McMurray, Pennsylvania
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 12 by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This room needed to pull triple duty,” designer Seashal Belldina says. “It’s a laundry room, craft space and home office, all located just off the kitchen. I created stations in each section of the room to give every part a functional purpose.”
Main feature. “The entire room was based around the custom cabinetry and storage,” Belldina says. “With three different major functions — laundry, work, crafts — and that much cabinetry, the design trick was keeping all the components light and airy so the room didn’t feel overwhelming.”
The cabinet color is a light gray with blue-green undertones.
Other special features. Blue zellige wall tile. Porcelain floor tile. Marble-look quartz countertops. White walls, ceiling and trim (Simply White by Benjamin Moore). Large apron-front sink. Two hidden pullout hampers beneath a message center.
Designer tip. “For high-use and multifunctional rooms like this, I recommend floor-to-ceiling cabinetry,” Belldina says. “Laundry, crafts and work supplies can all quickly make a room feel cluttered and overwhelming. Closed cabinetry will give everything a place so your workstation and mind stay clear and you can focus on the task in front of you.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we went to install the quartz and cabinetry around the washer and dryer, we realized that the drain was blocked by the center counter support and it was going to be nearly impossible to pull [the appliances] out for repairs or replacement in the future,” Belldina says. “The quartz was too long and heavy to be supported just on the back wall, so I had the cabinetmaker create a new center support that didn’t cover the drain and allows you to pull the washer and dryer out to make repairs.”
The Top 10 Laundry Rooms of Summer 2022
4. Ocean Orientation
Designer: Gabrielle Bove of Opaline Interiors Studio
Location: Cape Neddick, Maine
Size: 72 square feet (6.7 square meters); 6 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners requested a new layout that prioritized washing and drying convenience, laundry supplies storage, cleaning supplies storage and folding space,” designer Gabrielle Bove says. “The key to making this happen was repositioning the washer and dryer at the end of the room and stacking them. This allowed for ample counter space, cabinets for closed storage and space for the wash sink. We hung multiple wall-mounted drying racks on the wall opposite the washer and dryer. They are perfect for hang-drying swimsuits after a day at the beach.”
Main feature. “It was important to the homeowners that this room be a cheerful place,” Bove says. “The cabinets are designed to reflect the beauty of the beach and marshlands surrounding the home. We selected a deep-hued blue (Pacific Ocean Blue by Benjamin Moore) for the cabinet color reminiscent of the ocean visible from the exterior windows. The cabinetry hardware is crafted from handblown white glass suggestive of sea glass and adds a touch of whimsy to the room.”
Other special features. “The traditional white-and-black-patterned floor tile juxtaposes the blue cabinetry and adds visual interest,” Bove says.
The walls are a light blue-green (Waterfall by Benjamin Moore). Full-height cabinets have custom dividers for an ironing board, vacuums, mops and smaller cleaning supplies. Lower cabinets to the right of the washer and dryer include pullout hampers for separating laundry by color. Cherry shelves offer display space and a touch of warmth.
Designer tip. “We painted the walls a lighter blue hue similar to the cabinet paint color and this instantly makes the room feel larger,” Bove says. “When you paint the major elements of a small room the same color, it tricks the eye into seeing a more expansive space. We juxtaposed this large expanse of color with a small-scale tile pattern on the floor that brings your eye through the room.”
More on Houzz
Read more laundry room stories
Browse newly featured laundry room photos
Hire a local general contractor
Shop for laundry room products
Designer: Gabrielle Bove of Opaline Interiors Studio
Location: Cape Neddick, Maine
Size: 72 square feet (6.7 square meters); 6 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners requested a new layout that prioritized washing and drying convenience, laundry supplies storage, cleaning supplies storage and folding space,” designer Gabrielle Bove says. “The key to making this happen was repositioning the washer and dryer at the end of the room and stacking them. This allowed for ample counter space, cabinets for closed storage and space for the wash sink. We hung multiple wall-mounted drying racks on the wall opposite the washer and dryer. They are perfect for hang-drying swimsuits after a day at the beach.”
Main feature. “It was important to the homeowners that this room be a cheerful place,” Bove says. “The cabinets are designed to reflect the beauty of the beach and marshlands surrounding the home. We selected a deep-hued blue (Pacific Ocean Blue by Benjamin Moore) for the cabinet color reminiscent of the ocean visible from the exterior windows. The cabinetry hardware is crafted from handblown white glass suggestive of sea glass and adds a touch of whimsy to the room.”
Other special features. “The traditional white-and-black-patterned floor tile juxtaposes the blue cabinetry and adds visual interest,” Bove says.
The walls are a light blue-green (Waterfall by Benjamin Moore). Full-height cabinets have custom dividers for an ironing board, vacuums, mops and smaller cleaning supplies. Lower cabinets to the right of the washer and dryer include pullout hampers for separating laundry by color. Cherry shelves offer display space and a touch of warmth.
Designer tip. “We painted the walls a lighter blue hue similar to the cabinet paint color and this instantly makes the room feel larger,” Bove says. “When you paint the major elements of a small room the same color, it tricks the eye into seeing a more expansive space. We juxtaposed this large expanse of color with a small-scale tile pattern on the floor that brings your eye through the room.”
More on Houzz
Read more laundry room stories
Browse newly featured laundry room photos
Hire a local general contractor
Shop for laundry room products
Designer: Jessica Nelson Design
Location: Edmonds, Washington
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 12 by 25 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This actually used to be the kitchen, believe it or not,” designer Jessica Nelson says. “Our client wanted a functional yet beautiful space that could serve as a mudroom and laundry room with tons of storage for crafts, wrapping paper, seasonal decor, etc.”
Main feature. Whitewashed brick flooring. “It’s meant to patina and will only get better with age,” Nelson says. “The subtle wallpaper plays so nicely with the floors.”
Other special features. Vintage-inspired sink. Oak butcher block countertop and folding counter. “This space is directly off the garage, so we added a bench for putting on shoes and storage for coats and bags,” Nelson says.
Designer tip. “Embracing materials that are going to patina can be such an advantage in a space like this,” Nelson says. “I often tell my clients that you don’t want your home to stay perfect forever. A home should age gracefully and change over time.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We had a very scary grout moment,” Nelson says. “The grout was applied way too heavy and turned the whole brick floor white. We had to have the tile guys scrub it to remove it and basically redo the whole floor.”
Sink: Gilford, Kohler; flooring: Real Thin Brick
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