New This Week: 5 Creative and Compact Laundry Areas
Smart design choices deliver tons of storage and style in these efficient spaces
Modern appliances certainly make laundry day go by more quickly and efficiently than in the days of handwashing and air-drying, but they sure do take up a lot of space. But even if you don’t have much square footage, you can still create a high-functioning laundry area with standard appliances and room for things like storage and space to soak, fold and hang. Here are five compact laundry areas that show what’s possible. These rooms incorporate front-loading machines, but top-loaders could also work in these designs, minus the countertop over the machines.
2. Transitional Tranquillity
Designers: Kyle Baptiste and Phoebe DeFries of Next Level Remodeling
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. This is part of an entrance the owners frequently use. They wanted it to look bright and welcoming and to have adequate storage.
Space-saving feature. Light color palette. “When attempting to visually enlarge a space, you can soften the heavy items by introducing a similar color palette among finishes,” designer Kyle Baptiste says.
Other special features. White oak countertop. Floral pattern porcelain floor tile. Floating shelves. Slim laundry sink. White Shaker-style upper cabinets. Matte black hardware. Pull-down faucet. Elevated pony wall behind the appliances. “It makes great use for more decorative items and allows the main countertop to be free and clear to work off of,” Baptiste says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The existing plumbing that supplied the washer and sink was exposed and surface-mounted on the wall,” Baptise says. “It made sense because of the age of the home and that it was an outside wall. We did not want to chance freezing pipes by relocating them into the wall, so we built the additional pony wall. The nice thing about this design detail was it allowed for the washer and dryer to fit into a deeper pocket than the standard countertop surface would have allowed for. This gives us the illusion that the laundry appliances are not nearly as deep as they really are. This was another way for us to take away from the heaviness that you generally get when looking at a washer and dryer.”
Browse storage bins and boxes in the Houzz Shop
Designers: Kyle Baptiste and Phoebe DeFries of Next Level Remodeling
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. This is part of an entrance the owners frequently use. They wanted it to look bright and welcoming and to have adequate storage.
Space-saving feature. Light color palette. “When attempting to visually enlarge a space, you can soften the heavy items by introducing a similar color palette among finishes,” designer Kyle Baptiste says.
Other special features. White oak countertop. Floral pattern porcelain floor tile. Floating shelves. Slim laundry sink. White Shaker-style upper cabinets. Matte black hardware. Pull-down faucet. Elevated pony wall behind the appliances. “It makes great use for more decorative items and allows the main countertop to be free and clear to work off of,” Baptiste says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The existing plumbing that supplied the washer and sink was exposed and surface-mounted on the wall,” Baptise says. “It made sense because of the age of the home and that it was an outside wall. We did not want to chance freezing pipes by relocating them into the wall, so we built the additional pony wall. The nice thing about this design detail was it allowed for the washer and dryer to fit into a deeper pocket than the standard countertop surface would have allowed for. This gives us the illusion that the laundry appliances are not nearly as deep as they really are. This was another way for us to take away from the heaviness that you generally get when looking at a washer and dryer.”
Browse storage bins and boxes in the Houzz Shop
3. Farmhouse Fashion
Designer: Jennifer Lozada of Fresh Start Interiors
Location: Cotuit, Massachusetts
Size: 37½ square feet (3.5 square meters); 5 by 7½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This space was a chaotic small laundry room with limited storage and rough, mismatched finishes,” designer Jennifer Lozada says. “As this room is right off the kitchen, we wanted to update the space so it was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Our goal was to add additional storage, both open and closed. The goal was for a finished look that works with the antique coastal farmhouse style of this 1895 home, so something classic and enduring, but done on a limited budget.”
Space-saving feature. “To maximize use of the space, we removed the hinged entry door and installed a sliding barn door outside the room,” Lozada says. “This allowed us to add a row of utility hooks on the right side for things like brooms and mops and a custom base cabinet on the left for closed storage of less attractive items like laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. The new base cabinet includes a drawer, which serves as the ‘junk drawer’ in the home, and we put up a wood-framed bulletin board above it for saving notes, receipts and photos.”
Other special features. Beadboard ceiling. Natural white pine flooring. Wood hanging bar. Marble-look quartz countertop. “The addition of new beadboard to the ceiling and an antique brass ceiling fixture helped reinforce the traditional style, while the chunky white open shelves were more attractive than the previous shelves and provided the same-capacity storage,” Lozada says. “Adding a countertop above the front-load dryers added more surface space for folding clothes, or placing other items within easy reach.”
Designer tip. “It is important to really think about how you hope to use the space, what specifically you intend to store, and measure carefully,” Lozada says. “Then, once you know what you need and how much space you have, you can focus on selecting the best-looking materials and products to achieve those functional goals.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Prior to renovation, we had ordered a standard-width front-loading washer and dryer from LG,” Lozada says. “When they arrived, the appliance delivery people immediately realized that the door opening was about half an inch narrower than needed to get the new machines into the room. The homeowner had to remove all the door trim with a crowbar during delivery in order to get them inside the space. It worked out, though, because we intended to work on the doorway anyway by doing a barn door. We were able to have the contractor expand the opening, to avoid future issues, and trimmed it out with new stock.”
Light fixture: Geneva flush-mount in aged brass, Hudson Valley Lighting; white shelves: custom, P. M. Vollmer & Son Construction; base cabinets: custom: ML Custom Woodwork; paint colors: Pale Oak in eggshell (walls), Super White in semigloss (beadboard and trim) and Smokey Taupe (base cabinets), all Benjamin Moore
Designer: Jennifer Lozada of Fresh Start Interiors
Location: Cotuit, Massachusetts
Size: 37½ square feet (3.5 square meters); 5 by 7½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This space was a chaotic small laundry room with limited storage and rough, mismatched finishes,” designer Jennifer Lozada says. “As this room is right off the kitchen, we wanted to update the space so it was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Our goal was to add additional storage, both open and closed. The goal was for a finished look that works with the antique coastal farmhouse style of this 1895 home, so something classic and enduring, but done on a limited budget.”
Space-saving feature. “To maximize use of the space, we removed the hinged entry door and installed a sliding barn door outside the room,” Lozada says. “This allowed us to add a row of utility hooks on the right side for things like brooms and mops and a custom base cabinet on the left for closed storage of less attractive items like laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. The new base cabinet includes a drawer, which serves as the ‘junk drawer’ in the home, and we put up a wood-framed bulletin board above it for saving notes, receipts and photos.”
Other special features. Beadboard ceiling. Natural white pine flooring. Wood hanging bar. Marble-look quartz countertop. “The addition of new beadboard to the ceiling and an antique brass ceiling fixture helped reinforce the traditional style, while the chunky white open shelves were more attractive than the previous shelves and provided the same-capacity storage,” Lozada says. “Adding a countertop above the front-load dryers added more surface space for folding clothes, or placing other items within easy reach.”
Designer tip. “It is important to really think about how you hope to use the space, what specifically you intend to store, and measure carefully,” Lozada says. “Then, once you know what you need and how much space you have, you can focus on selecting the best-looking materials and products to achieve those functional goals.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Prior to renovation, we had ordered a standard-width front-loading washer and dryer from LG,” Lozada says. “When they arrived, the appliance delivery people immediately realized that the door opening was about half an inch narrower than needed to get the new machines into the room. The homeowner had to remove all the door trim with a crowbar during delivery in order to get them inside the space. It worked out, though, because we intended to work on the doorway anyway by doing a barn door. We were able to have the contractor expand the opening, to avoid future issues, and trimmed it out with new stock.”
Light fixture: Geneva flush-mount in aged brass, Hudson Valley Lighting; white shelves: custom, P. M. Vollmer & Son Construction; base cabinets: custom: ML Custom Woodwork; paint colors: Pale Oak in eggshell (walls), Super White in semigloss (beadboard and trim) and Smokey Taupe (base cabinets), all Benjamin Moore
4. Contemporary Corner
Designer: Angela Neyman of Sarah Gallop Design
Location: Delta, British Columbia
Homeowners’ request. For this new-build home, the owners wanted this side entrance to combine a mudroom and a laundry area. Designer Angela Neyman had to maximize laundry function and storage in one tight corner of the 148-square-foot space.
Space-saving feature. Custom cabinetry delivers multiple functions in the tight space. “The room had a lot of access points to work around, so we used those to define the laundry and mud areas,” Neyman says. “The laundry area was compact, so we ensured we incorporated all the elements a larger laundry would have with both open and closed storage, a sink, countertop for folding and an area to hang items to be air-dried.”
Other special features. “We went with a combination of a custom-stained rift-cut white oak on the lower cabinet and panels and painted white cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Ice Mist above,” Neyman says. “The backsplash is a marble mosaic to carry in from the adjoining kitchen and dining areas.” The floor tile is porcelain.
Designer tip. “Since this room is directly off the main living spaces, staying with a material palette that links one space to another provides visual continuity,” Neyman says. “In this case we brought in wood and marble from the adjoining spaces, but simply played with format to add additional interest.”
Wall paint: Pure White, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Angela Neyman of Sarah Gallop Design
Location: Delta, British Columbia
Homeowners’ request. For this new-build home, the owners wanted this side entrance to combine a mudroom and a laundry area. Designer Angela Neyman had to maximize laundry function and storage in one tight corner of the 148-square-foot space.
Space-saving feature. Custom cabinetry delivers multiple functions in the tight space. “The room had a lot of access points to work around, so we used those to define the laundry and mud areas,” Neyman says. “The laundry area was compact, so we ensured we incorporated all the elements a larger laundry would have with both open and closed storage, a sink, countertop for folding and an area to hang items to be air-dried.”
Other special features. “We went with a combination of a custom-stained rift-cut white oak on the lower cabinet and panels and painted white cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Ice Mist above,” Neyman says. “The backsplash is a marble mosaic to carry in from the adjoining kitchen and dining areas.” The floor tile is porcelain.
Designer tip. “Since this room is directly off the main living spaces, staying with a material palette that links one space to another provides visual continuity,” Neyman says. “In this case we brought in wood and marble from the adjoining spaces, but simply played with format to add additional interest.”
Wall paint: Pure White, Benjamin Moore
5. Coastal Connection
Designer: Allison Lind Interiors
Location: Hood Canal, Washington
Homeowners’ request. “This is a small beach home, so there were limited options as to where the laundry units could be relocated,” designer Allison Lind says. “The original cabin had the washer and dryer right at the entry — open and exposed as you entered. We wanted to make it feel a bit more chic. Plus, no one wants to stare at their laundry, especially not right when you enter.”
Space-saving feature. Hiding the appliances in a custom cabinet makes the laundry function visually recede, giving the appearance of an entry console. “The cane doors provide necessary ventilation for the washer and dryer units but also add a decorative element,” Lind says. “The quartz counter serves as a folding zone when needed for laundry and an entry console when not.”
Other special features. Shiplap. A built-out shelf hides the washer and dryer plumbing, which was previously exposed above the appliances.
Designer tip. “We opted to keep it light and bright and bring in interest via textures,” Lind says. “We wanted the area to be beautiful because it’s front and center, but not be too attention-grabbing.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we realized the water line was at a height that would have it be the main focal point of our beautifully hidden laundry wall, we thought the whole concept was ruined — everything else tucked away but ugly faucet lines smack in the sight line,” Lind says. “Instead of just enclosing that small section with an awkward box, we extended the box to the adjacent walls to create an intentional shelf ledge that you could lean a mirror on or place a vase. The center portion has a secret hidden door that pops off to access the plumbing when needed.”
Paint color: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
More on Houzz
12 Pro Tips for Planning Your Laundry Area
Read more laundry room stories
Browse photos of newly featured laundry rooms
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Designer: Allison Lind Interiors
Location: Hood Canal, Washington
Homeowners’ request. “This is a small beach home, so there were limited options as to where the laundry units could be relocated,” designer Allison Lind says. “The original cabin had the washer and dryer right at the entry — open and exposed as you entered. We wanted to make it feel a bit more chic. Plus, no one wants to stare at their laundry, especially not right when you enter.”
Space-saving feature. Hiding the appliances in a custom cabinet makes the laundry function visually recede, giving the appearance of an entry console. “The cane doors provide necessary ventilation for the washer and dryer units but also add a decorative element,” Lind says. “The quartz counter serves as a folding zone when needed for laundry and an entry console when not.”
Other special features. Shiplap. A built-out shelf hides the washer and dryer plumbing, which was previously exposed above the appliances.
Designer tip. “We opted to keep it light and bright and bring in interest via textures,” Lind says. “We wanted the area to be beautiful because it’s front and center, but not be too attention-grabbing.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we realized the water line was at a height that would have it be the main focal point of our beautifully hidden laundry wall, we thought the whole concept was ruined — everything else tucked away but ugly faucet lines smack in the sight line,” Lind says. “Instead of just enclosing that small section with an awkward box, we extended the box to the adjacent walls to create an intentional shelf ledge that you could lean a mirror on or place a vase. The center portion has a secret hidden door that pops off to access the plumbing when needed.”
Paint color: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore
More on Houzz
12 Pro Tips for Planning Your Laundry Area
Read more laundry room stories
Browse photos of newly featured laundry rooms
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Designer: Adrienne Hempstock of Jenny Martin Design
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Homeowners’ request. Transform a 1900s home into a luxurious space for a family of five while staying true to the home’s architecture. “It was important to the homeowner to reference the home’s history while integrating modern appliances and updated storage solutions,” designer Adrienne Hempstock says. The laundry area is tucked into a corner of a finished walkout basement that also serves as a mudroom and storage area.
Space-saving feature. “Built-in cabinetry was an important design feature that optimized storage and flow,” Hempstock says.
Other special features. Folding counter. Soaking sink. Hanging rod. Vinyl tile flooring. “This home was designed to stay true to period craftsmanship,” Hempstock says. “To do so, we introduced an inviting palette of rich whites and dreamy grays to highlight the architectural elements of the home, while classical finishes and custom millwork stay authentic to the home’s historical roots.”
Designer tip. “We incorporated a quartz countertop that was both functional and beautiful, while the subway tile referenced the traditional elements of the home that the homeowner wanted to stay loyal to,” Hempstock says.
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