New This Week: 6 Stylish Laundry Rooms
See how patterned tile, custom cabinets and other design details create spaces that make washday more fun
Design trends often get their start in kitchens and bathrooms, because that’s where the bulk of renovation budgets is spent. But soon, the materials and colors that are popular in those spaces begin to trickle out to other rooms. And the following laundry rooms are a good example of this effect. Here, patterned tile, shiplap walls, bold-colored cabinets and quartz countertops that are common in kitchens and baths have been used to create equally stylish and durable laundry rooms.
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2. Surefire Shiplap
Designer: Christina Simon of Mark Ashby Design
Location: Johnson City, Texas
Size: About 7 feet long (2.1 meters)
Homeowners’ request. Move the washer and dryer into a hallway to free up room at a back entry to create mudroom storage. “We created a niche that could serve as a key and mail drop — for that we added Absolute Black granite — and concealed the washer and dryer with curtains on an easy-to-maneuver track,” designer Christina Simon says.
Main feature. “The washer and dryer are set into the wall, which allows them to recede visually,” Simon says. “It also allowed for our countertop above to remain at a normal counter depth of 24 inches — so the niche doesn’t read as oversized as it would for a laundry, and feels more like any other office or organization niche you’re used to seeing in the middle of a home.”
Other special features. Pine shiplap painted in Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. European white oak flooring. The adjacent mudroom features patterned encaustic tile.
Designer tip. “We used a really warm gray-cream textural fabric to conceal the washer and dryer,” Simon says. “It is a simple pattern in neutral colors that goes well with the floor, which is a completely different pattern in neutral colors. Then the rest we painted white. I think mixing and matching patterns adds a lightheartedness to a space, and keeping it in the same color palette makes it a more probable success. Add white as a backdrop and almost anything will work together. So have fun with patterns. Anyone can do that.”
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Designer: Christina Simon of Mark Ashby Design
Location: Johnson City, Texas
Size: About 7 feet long (2.1 meters)
Homeowners’ request. Move the washer and dryer into a hallway to free up room at a back entry to create mudroom storage. “We created a niche that could serve as a key and mail drop — for that we added Absolute Black granite — and concealed the washer and dryer with curtains on an easy-to-maneuver track,” designer Christina Simon says.
Main feature. “The washer and dryer are set into the wall, which allows them to recede visually,” Simon says. “It also allowed for our countertop above to remain at a normal counter depth of 24 inches — so the niche doesn’t read as oversized as it would for a laundry, and feels more like any other office or organization niche you’re used to seeing in the middle of a home.”
Other special features. Pine shiplap painted in Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore. European white oak flooring. The adjacent mudroom features patterned encaustic tile.
Designer tip. “We used a really warm gray-cream textural fabric to conceal the washer and dryer,” Simon says. “It is a simple pattern in neutral colors that goes well with the floor, which is a completely different pattern in neutral colors. Then the rest we painted white. I think mixing and matching patterns adds a lightheartedness to a space, and keeping it in the same color palette makes it a more probable success. Add white as a backdrop and almost anything will work together. So have fun with patterns. Anyone can do that.”
Shop for laundry hampers
3. Beautiful Backsplash
Designer: Stephanie Frees of Plain and Posh
Location: Hinsdale, Illinois
Size: 110 square feet (10 square meters); about 10 by 11 feet
Homeowners’ request. Update a dark and cramped 1980s home to include a drop zone that would blend with the modern-farmhouse look the owners were going for in the rest of the house. “As this is a separate space from the rest of the house, we also felt we could use more color and be more playful,” designer Stephanie Frees says.
Main feature. Patterned navy-and-gray 8-by-8-inch encaustic cement wall tile.
Other special features. Custom dark blue cabinets. Granite-remnant countertop. Weathered black honed porcelain floor tile. Brass faucet and hanging bar.
Designer tip. “This room is carefully curated,” Frees says. “As it’s a smaller space, I wanted it to be cohesive and still have fun at every glance. Keeping the countertops dark allowed the eyes to rest on the beautiful tile and brass features. The homeowners also wanted an area to drop dirty clothes [so they] wouldn’t end up on the floor. By creating the open nook under the counter by the sink, we were able to place a basket for that. I kept it multifunction, as they also have a small dog, and we discussed being able to place a dog bed in that area instead of the basket if needed.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowner originally fell in love with a wall tile that was three times her budget and had a long lead time,” Frees says. “We had to hold off on the cabinet order — the cabinet color was based on her choice — and source new tile. The final look is still very much what she was going for, and she loves her new space. Never hesitate to say, ‘Is there something similar at a better price point?’”
Designer: Stephanie Frees of Plain and Posh
Location: Hinsdale, Illinois
Size: 110 square feet (10 square meters); about 10 by 11 feet
Homeowners’ request. Update a dark and cramped 1980s home to include a drop zone that would blend with the modern-farmhouse look the owners were going for in the rest of the house. “As this is a separate space from the rest of the house, we also felt we could use more color and be more playful,” designer Stephanie Frees says.
Main feature. Patterned navy-and-gray 8-by-8-inch encaustic cement wall tile.
Other special features. Custom dark blue cabinets. Granite-remnant countertop. Weathered black honed porcelain floor tile. Brass faucet and hanging bar.
Designer tip. “This room is carefully curated,” Frees says. “As it’s a smaller space, I wanted it to be cohesive and still have fun at every glance. Keeping the countertops dark allowed the eyes to rest on the beautiful tile and brass features. The homeowners also wanted an area to drop dirty clothes [so they] wouldn’t end up on the floor. By creating the open nook under the counter by the sink, we were able to place a basket for that. I kept it multifunction, as they also have a small dog, and we discussed being able to place a dog bed in that area instead of the basket if needed.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowner originally fell in love with a wall tile that was three times her budget and had a long lead time,” Frees says. “We had to hold off on the cabinet order — the cabinet color was based on her choice — and source new tile. The final look is still very much what she was going for, and she loves her new space. Never hesitate to say, ‘Is there something similar at a better price point?’”
4. High-Gloss Storage
Designers: Ethan Stegich of 3rd Street Custom Homes (builder), Darren Hartsock (architect) and the homeowners
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters); 10 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A laundry room with durable cabinets in a high-gloss laminate, and sleek storage for dog crates.
Main feature. “The most significant detail is definitely the cabinets,” builder Ethan Stegich says. “The high-gloss charcoal cabinets add multiple elements to the laundry room. The sleek design keeps with the modern design but also adds plenty of storage, and allows further detail through the dog crates and washer and dryer.”
Other special features. Gray porcelain floor tile. White quartz countertops. Matte black faucet.
Designer tip. “The most specific and beneficial design feature of this laundry room is the inclusion [of] and custom design for the dog crates,” Stegich says. “While accomplishing the storage of crates, it also created a great folding area and place to add decor.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The main struggle in this situation was getting the cabinets drawn perfectly to assure that the dog crates would fit and not protrude,” Stegich says. “Along with that, we had to make sure the area with the dog crates could hold the weight of the 3-centimeter quartz countertops.”
Designers: Ethan Stegich of 3rd Street Custom Homes (builder), Darren Hartsock (architect) and the homeowners
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters); 10 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A laundry room with durable cabinets in a high-gloss laminate, and sleek storage for dog crates.
Main feature. “The most significant detail is definitely the cabinets,” builder Ethan Stegich says. “The high-gloss charcoal cabinets add multiple elements to the laundry room. The sleek design keeps with the modern design but also adds plenty of storage, and allows further detail through the dog crates and washer and dryer.”
Other special features. Gray porcelain floor tile. White quartz countertops. Matte black faucet.
Designer tip. “The most specific and beneficial design feature of this laundry room is the inclusion [of] and custom design for the dog crates,” Stegich says. “While accomplishing the storage of crates, it also created a great folding area and place to add decor.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The main struggle in this situation was getting the cabinets drawn perfectly to assure that the dog crates would fit and not protrude,” Stegich says. “Along with that, we had to make sure the area with the dog crates could hold the weight of the 3-centimeter quartz countertops.”
5. Fantastic Floor
Designers: Jill Williams and Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab (interior designers) and Donna Rose Design (architectural designer)
General contractor: Airehart Construction
Location: Chico, California
Size: 81 square feet (7.5 square meters); 9 by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. This is part of designer Jill Williams’ own new-construction home, for which she drew design inspiration from Spain; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Napa, California. She used Houzz ideabooks to coordinate with the architect and the contractor on the design direction.
Main feature. Patterned Moroccan-style encaustic floor tile
Other special features. White cabinets (Charleston White by Sherwin-Williams). Engineered-quartz countertop that mimics Calacatta Gold marble. Leather cabinet pulls. Palladian windows.
Designer tip. “Making a specific pet space for the dogs was a must,” designer Kerrie Kelly says. “Simply creating a niche for a dog bed keeps the little guys comfortable and out from underfoot while household chores [are being done].”
“Uh-oh” moment. “While the overall building process went well, it was challenging to attempt to match finishes among several vendors,” Kelly says. “Just like we communicate to our clients, the faucet, hardware, lighting and furnishing finishes all come from different manufacturers with different appearances. Brushed brass or antique nickel can be very different among a variety of vendors. While it all worked out in the end, it is definitely something to be aware of so when products are installed, you can celebrate — instead of be disappointed by — the variation in coloration and finishes.”
Designers: Jill Williams and Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab (interior designers) and Donna Rose Design (architectural designer)
General contractor: Airehart Construction
Location: Chico, California
Size: 81 square feet (7.5 square meters); 9 by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. This is part of designer Jill Williams’ own new-construction home, for which she drew design inspiration from Spain; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Napa, California. She used Houzz ideabooks to coordinate with the architect and the contractor on the design direction.
Main feature. Patterned Moroccan-style encaustic floor tile
Other special features. White cabinets (Charleston White by Sherwin-Williams). Engineered-quartz countertop that mimics Calacatta Gold marble. Leather cabinet pulls. Palladian windows.
Designer tip. “Making a specific pet space for the dogs was a must,” designer Kerrie Kelly says. “Simply creating a niche for a dog bed keeps the little guys comfortable and out from underfoot while household chores [are being done].”
“Uh-oh” moment. “While the overall building process went well, it was challenging to attempt to match finishes among several vendors,” Kelly says. “Just like we communicate to our clients, the faucet, hardware, lighting and furnishing finishes all come from different manufacturers with different appearances. Brushed brass or antique nickel can be very different among a variety of vendors. While it all worked out in the end, it is definitely something to be aware of so when products are installed, you can celebrate — instead of be disappointed by — the variation in coloration and finishes.”
6. Walls That Wow
Designers: Jennifer Butler and Andy Yates of Jennifer Butler Design
Location: Ada, Michigan
Size: 112½ square feet (10 square meters); 7½ by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this large custom-built home on a country estate, the owner wanted to have fun in the private spaces with colorful patterned wallpaper.
Main feature. “Obviously, the bright tropical persimmon wallpaper is the showstopper,” designer Andy Yates says. “It is a considerable departure from the more demure, classic and calm papers used elsewhere in the house. While they all have interest and color, this one — being in the red and orange family, which the client notably avoids in most instances — was a bold selection. We knew that the cabinetry and counters would be white, and that the ceiling would be a soft blue, as elsewhere in the home — the pantry, her office. But we were able to take a huge risk with this incredibly striking wallpaper here, and it really delivers.”
Other special features. Full-overlay maple cabinets painted in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams. Wide-plank white oak floors in a custom stain. The light blue ceiling paint is Instinct by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “By keeping the hanging space above the machines open and adding baskets under the counter instead of all closed cabinets, we achieved a more open feeling and added interest to this room,” Yates says.
Cabinets: Ascent Fine Cabinetry; wallpaper: Stroheim Peregrine in Persimmon, Dana Gibson
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Key Measurements for a Dream Laundry Room
Look for an interior designer near you
Designers: Jennifer Butler and Andy Yates of Jennifer Butler Design
Location: Ada, Michigan
Size: 112½ square feet (10 square meters); 7½ by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this large custom-built home on a country estate, the owner wanted to have fun in the private spaces with colorful patterned wallpaper.
Main feature. “Obviously, the bright tropical persimmon wallpaper is the showstopper,” designer Andy Yates says. “It is a considerable departure from the more demure, classic and calm papers used elsewhere in the house. While they all have interest and color, this one — being in the red and orange family, which the client notably avoids in most instances — was a bold selection. We knew that the cabinetry and counters would be white, and that the ceiling would be a soft blue, as elsewhere in the home — the pantry, her office. But we were able to take a huge risk with this incredibly striking wallpaper here, and it really delivers.”
Other special features. Full-overlay maple cabinets painted in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams. Wide-plank white oak floors in a custom stain. The light blue ceiling paint is Instinct by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “By keeping the hanging space above the machines open and adding baskets under the counter instead of all closed cabinets, we achieved a more open feeling and added interest to this room,” Yates says.
Cabinets: Ascent Fine Cabinetry; wallpaper: Stroheim Peregrine in Persimmon, Dana Gibson
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Key Measurements for a Dream Laundry Room
Look for an interior designer near you
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Designer: Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs
Location: Flower Mound, Texas
Size: 100 square feet (9.3 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. For this new-build home, the owners wanted the laundry room to feel light, airy, modern and warm. “This is what we call relaxed modern,” says designer Ginger Curtis, whose clients found her by searching for a pro on Houzz.
Main feature. The cabinet layout. “The layout and design of the cabinets were crucial for not only the very specific functionality we needed to achieve, but also the look and feel we were going for,” Curtis says. “Once we had the cabinet design and layout nailed down, we were able to pull together the rest of the space.”
Other special features. “The wood shelves add warmth and dimension to the space,” Curtis says. “The oversized pendant light adds drama, and our worn woven rug adds a nice soft texture. Lastly, the decor and styling of the space really ‘bring it’ and give it a finished look.” The cabinets are painted in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams.
Designer tip. “We had each cabinet face designed with a custom groove to add subtle dimension and interest,” Curtis says. “Since we were going with all-white, this was a nice way to bring in some character while keeping the space feeling simple and fresh.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Our painter accidentally left a small semiclear smudge mark on the quartz countertops that ever so slightly bled through the tarp that was protecting it — uh-oh,” Curtis says. “Even though it was so minor and could only be seen from a certain angle when the light was hitting it just so, we knew it needed to be fixed. We had a professional come out and remove the stain. This specialty chemical treatment was about half the cost of the stone itself — the entire surface needed to be treated — which nearly gave us a heart attack, but nonetheless it had to be done.”
Watch now: See designer Ginger Curtis give a virtual tour of her home on Houzz TV Live