New This Week: 6 Fresh and Stylish Laundry Rooms
See how bright colors, eye-catching tile and other details add function and style in these hardworking spaces
Calm, uplifting spaces in a home are more important than ever these days. In the laundry room, that means fresh colors, lots of natural light, and details and materials that create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. See how the following designers nailed that feeling in these six laundry rooms.
Other special features. Birch veneer countertop. Tapered brushed-brass hardware. Two 24-inch full-height cabinets store linens and seasonal items. Two base cabinets store family games. “The original washer-and-dryer placement was underneath the window,” Jones says. “We were able to give them more storage and counter space by stacking the washer and dryer.”
Designer tip. “Because of their size and use, laundry rooms are always a great place to play and experiment with color or pattern,” Jones says. “Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and let your creativity shine through in a space like this. Just because it’s a utility room doesn’t mean the design has to be mundane. A really fun floor or a pop of color in the cabinetry can really make a statement without making a huge design commitment.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The biggest hurdle was the flooring,” Jones says. “Because this tile was handmade, we had a very difficult time matching the size and pattern. Unfortunately we didn’t notice this until we were a third of the way done with laying the tile. So, naturally, the tile had to come up and we had to go through each box and handpick the tiles that would work in the space.”
Wall paint: High Reflective White, Sherwin-Williams; cabinets: maple wood in Shaker style, Sims-Lohman
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Designer tip. “Because of their size and use, laundry rooms are always a great place to play and experiment with color or pattern,” Jones says. “Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and let your creativity shine through in a space like this. Just because it’s a utility room doesn’t mean the design has to be mundane. A really fun floor or a pop of color in the cabinetry can really make a statement without making a huge design commitment.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The biggest hurdle was the flooring,” Jones says. “Because this tile was handmade, we had a very difficult time matching the size and pattern. Unfortunately we didn’t notice this until we were a third of the way done with laying the tile. So, naturally, the tile had to come up and we had to go through each box and handpick the tiles that would work in the space.”
Wall paint: High Reflective White, Sherwin-Williams; cabinets: maple wood in Shaker style, Sims-Lohman
Shop for laundry room products
2. Blue and Beautiful
Designer: Chloe Rideout of Cummings Architecture + Interiors
Builder (and homeowner): Shawn Cayer of Windhill Builders
Location: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Size: 114 square feet (10.6 square meters); 9½ by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A modern farmhouse aesthetic with some color and character.
Main feature. “Two different tiles were the jumping-off point for this project,” designer Chloe Rideout says. “I had admired this textured white brick tile for a while and had been wanting to use it in a project. This client loved it for the backsplash, so we started there. Then I found the light blue porcelain floor tile that looks like a cement encaustic. From there, I selected the blue cabinetry color [Montpelier by Benjamin Moore].”
Other special features. Custom beaded inset cabinetry. Gray quartz countertop. White farmhouse sink. Custom black walnut open shelves. Mixed metals — chrome faucet; black hardware and sconce.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go bold with a cabinetry paint color,” Rideout says. “Using the blue-gray paint on the trim and cabinets really transforms the space and pulls you in. You can have fun in a laundry room — not to mention actually enjoy folding when you’re in a pretty space. Also, quartz countertops make it easy to clean up any detergent spills or dust that might get on the counter. And lighter tile floors hide laundry lint.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One nearly ‘uh-oh’ moment was the sconce above the window,” Rideout says. “We really wanted to use it, but the back plate was a hair too big. I believe the contractor shortened the window trim header a touch to fit it, and visually it all matches.”
Wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Chloe Rideout of Cummings Architecture + Interiors
Builder (and homeowner): Shawn Cayer of Windhill Builders
Location: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Size: 114 square feet (10.6 square meters); 9½ by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A modern farmhouse aesthetic with some color and character.
Main feature. “Two different tiles were the jumping-off point for this project,” designer Chloe Rideout says. “I had admired this textured white brick tile for a while and had been wanting to use it in a project. This client loved it for the backsplash, so we started there. Then I found the light blue porcelain floor tile that looks like a cement encaustic. From there, I selected the blue cabinetry color [Montpelier by Benjamin Moore].”
Other special features. Custom beaded inset cabinetry. Gray quartz countertop. White farmhouse sink. Custom black walnut open shelves. Mixed metals — chrome faucet; black hardware and sconce.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go bold with a cabinetry paint color,” Rideout says. “Using the blue-gray paint on the trim and cabinets really transforms the space and pulls you in. You can have fun in a laundry room — not to mention actually enjoy folding when you’re in a pretty space. Also, quartz countertops make it easy to clean up any detergent spills or dust that might get on the counter. And lighter tile floors hide laundry lint.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One nearly ‘uh-oh’ moment was the sconce above the window,” Rideout says. “We really wanted to use it, but the back plate was a hair too big. I believe the contractor shortened the window trim header a touch to fit it, and visually it all matches.”
Wall paint: Paper White, Benjamin Moore
3. White, Wood and a Touch of Teal
Designer: Sheila Mayden Interiors
Location: Kent, Washington
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 8 feet, 2 inches by 8 feet, 4 inches
Homeowners’ request. Relocate the laundry room to the second floor near the bedrooms and bathrooms. “To carve out the necessary space on the second floor, the homeowners decided to give up half of a rarely used bedroom,” designer Sheila Mayden says. “The existing bedroom was divided into two spaces, creating a comfortably sized laundry and a snug but sufficient guest bedroom. The rest of the home has a casual farmhouse style, and the owner wanted to keep the laundry room consistent. Materials were chosen for their traditional farmhouse character, but also durability and ease of maintenance.”
Main feature. “The two best features of this space are color and natural light,” Mayden says. “The laundry room sits on the corner of the second floor and was fortunate to have two good-sized windows, one facing east and one south. The space is always flooded with light, which makes it seem roomier than its 8-by-8-foot footprint.
“To play off of the already cheerful vibe, the homeowner selected a bright shade of teal [Mariner by Sherwin-Williams] to contrast against all of the bright white shiplap and cabinetry. The color was applied liberally on the door, shelf brackets, counter legs and even on the walls inside the supply closet. Of all of those applications, I think the teal legs on the folding counter are the most whimsical and eye-catching. The color highlights the frivolous contours, which are meant to be a little silly and make you smile, something we could all use a little more of when we’re doing laundry.”
Designer: Sheila Mayden Interiors
Location: Kent, Washington
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 8 feet, 2 inches by 8 feet, 4 inches
Homeowners’ request. Relocate the laundry room to the second floor near the bedrooms and bathrooms. “To carve out the necessary space on the second floor, the homeowners decided to give up half of a rarely used bedroom,” designer Sheila Mayden says. “The existing bedroom was divided into two spaces, creating a comfortably sized laundry and a snug but sufficient guest bedroom. The rest of the home has a casual farmhouse style, and the owner wanted to keep the laundry room consistent. Materials were chosen for their traditional farmhouse character, but also durability and ease of maintenance.”
Main feature. “The two best features of this space are color and natural light,” Mayden says. “The laundry room sits on the corner of the second floor and was fortunate to have two good-sized windows, one facing east and one south. The space is always flooded with light, which makes it seem roomier than its 8-by-8-foot footprint.
“To play off of the already cheerful vibe, the homeowner selected a bright shade of teal [Mariner by Sherwin-Williams] to contrast against all of the bright white shiplap and cabinetry. The color was applied liberally on the door, shelf brackets, counter legs and even on the walls inside the supply closet. Of all of those applications, I think the teal legs on the folding counter are the most whimsical and eye-catching. The color highlights the frivolous contours, which are meant to be a little silly and make you smile, something we could all use a little more of when we’re doing laundry.”
Other special features. Maple butcher-block countertops. Rolling laundry bins. Slate tile flooring.
Designer tip. “I think my favorite detail in the space is the repurposed laundry room door, which was previously used as the exterior door to the laundry and mudroom when it was located on the main floor,” Mayden says. “The design — glass-top door with X-panel bottom — is synonymous with ‘farmhouse style,’ and it was original to the house so we thought, ‘Why not incorporate it?’ Using a glass-top door in a bold color was a real game-changer and set the tone for the rest of the space. When you see it from the hallway side, you know it’s going to be a fun space. I also love how the glass lets all the lovely natural light spill out into the hallway.”
Paint: Pearly White in eggshell finish (shiplap) and Alabaster (ceiling and trim), Sherwin-Williams
Designer tip. “I think my favorite detail in the space is the repurposed laundry room door, which was previously used as the exterior door to the laundry and mudroom when it was located on the main floor,” Mayden says. “The design — glass-top door with X-panel bottom — is synonymous with ‘farmhouse style,’ and it was original to the house so we thought, ‘Why not incorporate it?’ Using a glass-top door in a bold color was a real game-changer and set the tone for the rest of the space. When you see it from the hallway side, you know it’s going to be a fun space. I also love how the glass lets all the lovely natural light spill out into the hallway.”
Paint: Pearly White in eggshell finish (shiplap) and Alabaster (ceiling and trim), Sherwin-Williams
4. Soft and Spacious
Designer: Anna Morris of TenFour Home
Builder: Augusta Homes
Location: Davidson, North Carolina
Size: 144 square feet (13.4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. This space was for a show house for the Interior Design Society of Charlotte, North Carolina. Designer Anna Morris helped create a bright and functional laundry room that highlights the view of a lush, wooded nature preserve. “An abundance of cabinetry plus fun details like the built-in dog area keep ordinary items tucked away yet easily accessible,” Morris says.
Main feature. “The focus of the laundry room was equal parts form and function,” Morris says. “Implementing design principles such as balance, proportion, scale and repetition is always key in creating a space that is easy on the eye. Since this home was designed and built before a buyer was involved, designing a space that would function well for a potential buyer was also vital. Careful consideration of the cabinetry layout, use of high-performance materials and a versatile mix of fixtures and finishes made this space appealing to a variety of potential homeowners.
“The launching point for the color scheme was the cabinet color. As part of a designer show house, a color palette of about 25 colors was suggested in order to give the house a cohesive feel and flow. Sherwin-Williams’ Morning Fog was the perfect soft blue-gray and really popped against the Sherwin-Williams Pure White walls and trim. Ashley Sellner’s art also provided a launching point for the color scheme. The pale pinks, blues and purples added fun accents to the cabinetry.”
Designer: Anna Morris of TenFour Home
Builder: Augusta Homes
Location: Davidson, North Carolina
Size: 144 square feet (13.4 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. This space was for a show house for the Interior Design Society of Charlotte, North Carolina. Designer Anna Morris helped create a bright and functional laundry room that highlights the view of a lush, wooded nature preserve. “An abundance of cabinetry plus fun details like the built-in dog area keep ordinary items tucked away yet easily accessible,” Morris says.
Main feature. “The focus of the laundry room was equal parts form and function,” Morris says. “Implementing design principles such as balance, proportion, scale and repetition is always key in creating a space that is easy on the eye. Since this home was designed and built before a buyer was involved, designing a space that would function well for a potential buyer was also vital. Careful consideration of the cabinetry layout, use of high-performance materials and a versatile mix of fixtures and finishes made this space appealing to a variety of potential homeowners.
“The launching point for the color scheme was the cabinet color. As part of a designer show house, a color palette of about 25 colors was suggested in order to give the house a cohesive feel and flow. Sherwin-Williams’ Morning Fog was the perfect soft blue-gray and really popped against the Sherwin-Williams Pure White walls and trim. Ashley Sellner’s art also provided a launching point for the color scheme. The pale pinks, blues and purples added fun accents to the cabinetry.”
Other special features. “This laundry room is located just inside the back entrance, making it a perfect space for storing dog treats, tennis balls and leashes,” Morris says. “We decided to include a built-in dog bed and convert the bottom drawer beside the sink into a pullout for food and water bowls. Large-scale tile floors with minimal grout lines, simple quartz countertops, a large farm sink and a fully tiled wall behind the sink allow for easy cleanup from muddy paws, drips and dribbles, and dirty clothes and shoes following walks on the nature trails.”
Designer tip. “Using color on the cabinets really made this space fun,” Morris says. “While some might choose to play it safe with color in the kitchen or other more public areas, the laundry room is a perfect place to make a splash. Pulling in original art from a local artist is another favorite tip for elevating any space. The art in the laundry room added just the right amount of color and gave a launching point for pulling in some pink accessories to make the space feel more playful. The white walls, tile and countertops in combination with the natural-fiber rug, stained floating shelves and woven baskets help to balance the pops of color.”
Cabinetry: Vine & Branch Woodworks; project photography: Dustin Peck Photography
Designer tip. “Using color on the cabinets really made this space fun,” Morris says. “While some might choose to play it safe with color in the kitchen or other more public areas, the laundry room is a perfect place to make a splash. Pulling in original art from a local artist is another favorite tip for elevating any space. The art in the laundry room added just the right amount of color and gave a launching point for pulling in some pink accessories to make the space feel more playful. The white walls, tile and countertops in combination with the natural-fiber rug, stained floating shelves and woven baskets help to balance the pops of color.”
Cabinetry: Vine & Branch Woodworks; project photography: Dustin Peck Photography
5. Crisp and Compact
Designer: Libby Rawes of Sharp and Grey Interiors
Location: Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. Something clean and bright that would have classic elements to match the historic nature of the home. “We brought in classic subway tile and white cabinetry but made it feel fresh and modern with modern matte black hardware and plumbing, and warmed up the space with walnut butcher-block counters,” designer Libby Rawes says.
Main feature. “I think the most significant design details are the subway tile to the ceiling and a big farmhouse sink,” Rawes says. “We wanted to do something that was an upgrade from a standard laundry room sink and make it feel like a special spot in the home.”
Other special features. Walnut shelf and hanging rod that coordinate with the walnut butcher-block countertop. Dark charcoal gray pocket doors with leather steamer trunk handles. “We used a mix of large-scale slate-colored tile on the floors to make the space feel larger, as well as some classic subway tile with a gray grout to tie the different tiles together,” Rawes says.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to add a little [of the] unexpected into a space, like the leather door handles in this room,” Rawes says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Under the washer and dryer is a big concrete slab,” Rawes says. “It wasn’t in the budget to remove it, so we had to get creative with how the cabinetry fit around the higher washer-and-dryer area. With a few adjustments and varying the height of the cabinetry, adding a wooden board between the cabinetry on the left and the washer and dryer on the right, we now have a space that looks fully built in. This keeps the design feeling intentional even with the slab, which actually makes it a bit easier to access the laundry.”
Wall paint: Burnished Clay, Behr; project photography: S. Brenner Photography
Designer: Libby Rawes of Sharp and Grey Interiors
Location: Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters); 5 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. Something clean and bright that would have classic elements to match the historic nature of the home. “We brought in classic subway tile and white cabinetry but made it feel fresh and modern with modern matte black hardware and plumbing, and warmed up the space with walnut butcher-block counters,” designer Libby Rawes says.
Main feature. “I think the most significant design details are the subway tile to the ceiling and a big farmhouse sink,” Rawes says. “We wanted to do something that was an upgrade from a standard laundry room sink and make it feel like a special spot in the home.”
Other special features. Walnut shelf and hanging rod that coordinate with the walnut butcher-block countertop. Dark charcoal gray pocket doors with leather steamer trunk handles. “We used a mix of large-scale slate-colored tile on the floors to make the space feel larger, as well as some classic subway tile with a gray grout to tie the different tiles together,” Rawes says.
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to add a little [of the] unexpected into a space, like the leather door handles in this room,” Rawes says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Under the washer and dryer is a big concrete slab,” Rawes says. “It wasn’t in the budget to remove it, so we had to get creative with how the cabinetry fit around the higher washer-and-dryer area. With a few adjustments and varying the height of the cabinetry, adding a wooden board between the cabinetry on the left and the washer and dryer on the right, we now have a space that looks fully built in. This keeps the design feeling intentional even with the slab, which actually makes it a bit easier to access the laundry.”
Wall paint: Burnished Clay, Behr; project photography: S. Brenner Photography
6. Bright and Breezy
Designer: Whitley Wirkkala of Oak & Linen Interiors
Location: Bothell, Washington
Size: 48 feet (4.5 square meters); 6 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client’s overall request was that the space be functional, with tons of storage space,” designer Whitley Wirkkala says. “The laundry room was where kids drop shoes, backpacks, coats, etc., but they still needed to maintain a clean and spacious working environment for doing laundry. We moved the interior wall to add more space for custom lockers, and added a sliding barn door to eliminate the space from a traditional door.”
Main feature. “When I first walked through the space, the washer and dryer just sat in the designated spot and laundry detergent was stored on the top of the washer,” Wirkkala says. “We added a quartz countertop above the washer and dryer to create a working space, and enclosed the washer and dryer for a finished look.”
Designer: Whitley Wirkkala of Oak & Linen Interiors
Location: Bothell, Washington
Size: 48 feet (4.5 square meters); 6 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client’s overall request was that the space be functional, with tons of storage space,” designer Whitley Wirkkala says. “The laundry room was where kids drop shoes, backpacks, coats, etc., but they still needed to maintain a clean and spacious working environment for doing laundry. We moved the interior wall to add more space for custom lockers, and added a sliding barn door to eliminate the space from a traditional door.”
Main feature. “When I first walked through the space, the washer and dryer just sat in the designated spot and laundry detergent was stored on the top of the washer,” Wirkkala says. “We added a quartz countertop above the washer and dryer to create a working space, and enclosed the washer and dryer for a finished look.”
Other special features. White 2-by-12-inch tile laid in a herringbone pattern. Crisp white walls (Aesthetic White by Sherwin-Williams).
Designer tip. “We integrated three pullout laundry hampers into the cabinets so that dirty laundry could be stored and out of the way,” Wirkkala says. “We also took the tile all the way up the wall so that it could easily be wiped down.”
More on Houzz
12 Pro Tips for Planning Your Laundry Area
Read more design and remodeling stories
Find a home professional
Shop for home products
Designer tip. “We integrated three pullout laundry hampers into the cabinets so that dirty laundry could be stored and out of the way,” Wirkkala says. “We also took the tile all the way up the wall so that it could easily be wiped down.”
More on Houzz
12 Pro Tips for Planning Your Laundry Area
Read more design and remodeling stories
Find a home professional
Shop for home products
Designer: Chazzmin Jones of Jones Design Group
Location: Indianapolis
Size: 126 square feet (11.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners were torn between a minimalist design and something more eclectic,” says designer Chazzmin Jones, whose clients found him on Houzz. “The wife loved things ‘outside the box,’ and the husband wanted something more clean and simple. Our solution was to do a neutral color palette to appease the husband, but to play with patterns and texture through the finishes to satisfy the wife’s need for an eclectic and fun room. We achieved this by choosing a patterned floor tile and paired it with a fun art deco wallpaper.”
Main feature. “The main feature in this room was the Apache black-and-white matte porcelain floor tile,” Jones says. “The original flooring was a beige vinyl peel-and-stick tile, so we naturally couldn’t go anywhere but up from there. Doing white cabinets and a butcher-block counter balances the color and busy pattern on the floor, allowing nothing in the space to compete with the other. The wallpaper on the focal wall provided a nice cherry on top to bring some interests off of the floor and onto the walls.”
Jones collaborated with the homeowners through Houzz ideabooks for this project, and used Houzz Pro software to create floor plans and estimates for them.