New This Week: 9 Nifty Laundry Rooms
Custom storage, patterned wallpaper and durable materials marry form and function in these hardworking spaces
Laundry rooms pose tricky design challenges. They are usually relatively small spaces that need to be highly functional. Unlike with other rooms in a house, the function isn’t always something people look forward to using. So designers have the added task of making the space pleasant to be in. But good design comes from these constraints, and the following laundry rooms are great examples of how designers can integrate style and function in one welcoming space.

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2. Soothing Style
Designer: Patricia Calasich of KasaMia Interiors
General contractor: Alfredo Jaramillo of Split Level Construction
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Size: 76 square feet (7 square meters); 7 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 9 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This was a brand-new home, and the owner wanted the laundry room to feel fun and inspiring, have lots of storage but feel spatially open at the same time, and have plenty of room to fold and hang clothes,” designer Patricia Calasich says.
Main feature. “We created a focal point with the window across the entrance and decided to place the sink and a hanging fixture above it to show the height of the space,” Calasich says. “We selected a fun floor tile with soothing colors and picked our cabinet color from one of the tile colors. We usually do a couple of shades lighter [for the cabinets], as the tones of the floor tile can be quite bright for cabinetry.”
Other special features. “We love to combine metals for the hardware and fixtures,” Calasich says. “Polished nickel and brass work great together. We also like to balance the amount of color in the space by choosing to make one area of the room very colorful — such as the floor — and keep it softer in the rest of the areas, so they don’t compete with each other.” Calasich set the hanging rod at 35½ inches for above the countertop for hanging delicate children’s clothing and small blouses.
Designer tip. “One of our main goals in every design is to create spaces that have an effortless elegance,” Calasich says. “We want the spaces to feel inviting and sophisticated at the same time. So we love to combine low and high elements. In this case we selected a sophisticated hardware style and cabinetry design — high — with a farm-style wood paneling and floor tile — low.”
Floor tile: Bella Moma porcelain, 9 by 9 inches, Ivy Hill Tile; sink: 16-gauge stainless undermount single-bowl, 32 inches, Kraus; faucet: Sellette pull-down spray in stainless steel, Kraus; light fixture: Westbourne one-light pendant in warm brass, Savoy House
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Designer: Patricia Calasich of KasaMia Interiors
General contractor: Alfredo Jaramillo of Split Level Construction
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Size: 76 square feet (7 square meters); 7 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 9 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This was a brand-new home, and the owner wanted the laundry room to feel fun and inspiring, have lots of storage but feel spatially open at the same time, and have plenty of room to fold and hang clothes,” designer Patricia Calasich says.
Main feature. “We created a focal point with the window across the entrance and decided to place the sink and a hanging fixture above it to show the height of the space,” Calasich says. “We selected a fun floor tile with soothing colors and picked our cabinet color from one of the tile colors. We usually do a couple of shades lighter [for the cabinets], as the tones of the floor tile can be quite bright for cabinetry.”
Other special features. “We love to combine metals for the hardware and fixtures,” Calasich says. “Polished nickel and brass work great together. We also like to balance the amount of color in the space by choosing to make one area of the room very colorful — such as the floor — and keep it softer in the rest of the areas, so they don’t compete with each other.” Calasich set the hanging rod at 35½ inches for above the countertop for hanging delicate children’s clothing and small blouses.
Designer tip. “One of our main goals in every design is to create spaces that have an effortless elegance,” Calasich says. “We want the spaces to feel inviting and sophisticated at the same time. So we love to combine low and high elements. In this case we selected a sophisticated hardware style and cabinetry design — high — with a farm-style wood paneling and floor tile — low.”
Floor tile: Bella Moma porcelain, 9 by 9 inches, Ivy Hill Tile; sink: 16-gauge stainless undermount single-bowl, 32 inches, Kraus; faucet: Sellette pull-down spray in stainless steel, Kraus; light fixture: Westbourne one-light pendant in warm brass, Savoy House
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3. Pretty Pattern
Designers: Caitlin Flynn and Elyse Parkhurst of North Fork Design
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This space was converted from a bathroom that only had access through one of the bedrooms,” designer Caitlin Flynn says. “With plenty of bathrooms in the home, the homeowner wanted a space to take the laundry from a nondesignated space downstairs to its own room upstairs. We closed off what was the door and access to the bedroom and relocated the door to the hallway, and had all bathroom elements removed in order to make space for a washer and dryer, a few cabinets and storage space to create a small but effective laundry room.”
Main feature. “While it is a fairly small space, it was important that all design elements were simple but cohesive,” designer Elyse Parkhurst says. “The homeowners wanted a fun but not too punchy wallpaper, so we chose this cute, subtle light gray pattern. We also had to incorporate a work surface, cabinets and storage space per the homeowner’s request.”
Other special feature. Concrete-look quartz countertop.
Designer tip. “Using and converting the existing bathroom and borrowing a little bit of a space from a very small linen closet helped to give us just enough room to create an effective laundry room,” Flynn says. “Don’t be afraid to borrow some extra space from something that isn’t necessarily serving you the way it potentially could be. Plus, borrowing some space from the linen closet allowed room for cabinets and storage within the actual laundry room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging part of the process for this particular space was deciding the original layout to maximize efficiency in a very small room,” Parkhurst says. Because the space is narrow, “we had to figure out where to put the washer and dryer to allow enough room for the machine doors to open and still be able to get around,” she continues. “We considered stacking the machines, placing them on the window wall and a few other options before finalizing the layout that we ended up going with. Keeping everything on a single wall definitely maxed out the floor space, storage space and workable surface.”
Wallpaper: Mistral Runes Grey Brushstrokes, A-Street Prints, Brewster; countertop: Caesarstone in Raw Concrete
Designers: Caitlin Flynn and Elyse Parkhurst of North Fork Design
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
Size: 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 5 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This space was converted from a bathroom that only had access through one of the bedrooms,” designer Caitlin Flynn says. “With plenty of bathrooms in the home, the homeowner wanted a space to take the laundry from a nondesignated space downstairs to its own room upstairs. We closed off what was the door and access to the bedroom and relocated the door to the hallway, and had all bathroom elements removed in order to make space for a washer and dryer, a few cabinets and storage space to create a small but effective laundry room.”
Main feature. “While it is a fairly small space, it was important that all design elements were simple but cohesive,” designer Elyse Parkhurst says. “The homeowners wanted a fun but not too punchy wallpaper, so we chose this cute, subtle light gray pattern. We also had to incorporate a work surface, cabinets and storage space per the homeowner’s request.”
Other special feature. Concrete-look quartz countertop.
Designer tip. “Using and converting the existing bathroom and borrowing a little bit of a space from a very small linen closet helped to give us just enough room to create an effective laundry room,” Flynn says. “Don’t be afraid to borrow some extra space from something that isn’t necessarily serving you the way it potentially could be. Plus, borrowing some space from the linen closet allowed room for cabinets and storage within the actual laundry room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging part of the process for this particular space was deciding the original layout to maximize efficiency in a very small room,” Parkhurst says. Because the space is narrow, “we had to figure out where to put the washer and dryer to allow enough room for the machine doors to open and still be able to get around,” she continues. “We considered stacking the machines, placing them on the window wall and a few other options before finalizing the layout that we ended up going with. Keeping everything on a single wall definitely maxed out the floor space, storage space and workable surface.”
Wallpaper: Mistral Runes Grey Brushstrokes, A-Street Prints, Brewster; countertop: Caesarstone in Raw Concrete
4. Bold Backsplash
Designer: Brooklyn Nyberg of Interior Design Center
Location: Washington, Utah
Size: 160 square feet (15 square meters); 11 feet by 14 feet, 9 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This [Utah] home was entered in the St. George Area Parade of Homes show for 2020,” designer Brooklyn Nyberg says. “There was no homeowner involved, because it was built as a spec home, so this is my personal vision of a multiuse space. This home also features a full laundry room on the main floor, and my vision was to make this particular laundry room more of a fun kind of a let-your-hair-down multiuse craft room and laundry space.”
Main feature. “The most significant detail is the backsplash wall tile,” Nyberg says. “I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. From there I matched the upper cabinet paint color [Skyline Steel by Sherwin-Williams] to the tile. Also, from the very beginning I knew I wanted to use a green color for the lower base cabinets. I looked at multiple shades of green before I decided on this one [Pewter Green by Sherwin-Williams]. The combination of those three components made for an eye-catching [look and a] timeless feel.”
Other special feature. Wood-look glazed ceramic floor tile set in a herringbone pattern.
Designer tip. “We decided in order to make this room more versatile, we would leave a lot of open shelves for placement and storage for craft-type items or decorative storage bins,” Nyberg says. “The three drawers in the corner cabinets — there is one on each side of the room — would most likely be used for paper, but they are deep enough that you could use a drawer organizer in them for craft supplies as well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Once everything had been installed, I went to put wrapping paper on the dowels for the display,” Nyberg says. “In doing this I then realized that the cabinet company had not made the dowels long enough to fit a standard-size roll of wrapping paper. We ended up cutting the wrapping paper rolls down to make them fit into the space provided.”
Wall paint: Natural Choice, Sherwin-Williams
Designer: Brooklyn Nyberg of Interior Design Center
Location: Washington, Utah
Size: 160 square feet (15 square meters); 11 feet by 14 feet, 9 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This [Utah] home was entered in the St. George Area Parade of Homes show for 2020,” designer Brooklyn Nyberg says. “There was no homeowner involved, because it was built as a spec home, so this is my personal vision of a multiuse space. This home also features a full laundry room on the main floor, and my vision was to make this particular laundry room more of a fun kind of a let-your-hair-down multiuse craft room and laundry space.”
Main feature. “The most significant detail is the backsplash wall tile,” Nyberg says. “I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. From there I matched the upper cabinet paint color [Skyline Steel by Sherwin-Williams] to the tile. Also, from the very beginning I knew I wanted to use a green color for the lower base cabinets. I looked at multiple shades of green before I decided on this one [Pewter Green by Sherwin-Williams]. The combination of those three components made for an eye-catching [look and a] timeless feel.”
Other special feature. Wood-look glazed ceramic floor tile set in a herringbone pattern.
Designer tip. “We decided in order to make this room more versatile, we would leave a lot of open shelves for placement and storage for craft-type items or decorative storage bins,” Nyberg says. “The three drawers in the corner cabinets — there is one on each side of the room — would most likely be used for paper, but they are deep enough that you could use a drawer organizer in them for craft supplies as well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Once everything had been installed, I went to put wrapping paper on the dowels for the display,” Nyberg says. “In doing this I then realized that the cabinet company had not made the dowels long enough to fit a standard-size roll of wrapping paper. We ended up cutting the wrapping paper rolls down to make them fit into the space provided.”
Wall paint: Natural Choice, Sherwin-Williams
5. Wild Wallpaper
Designer: Amanda Reid of Mandarina Studio
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Size: 77 square feet (7.2 square meters); 7 by 11 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was part of a large renovation of a 6,000-square-foot Colonial home built in 1908,” designer Amanda Reid says. “This room is on the second floor and was originally a sewing room. Since there isn’t much sewing done on the premises anymore, we converted the space into a more functional and convenient laundry room that includes a sink, pullout ironing board and plenty of built-in storage. The previous laundry was in the basement.”
Main feature. “The jumping-off point was the wallpaper [Citrus Garden by Schumacher],” Reid says. “It’s whimsical and cheerful, which helps to make the mundane chore of doing laundry a little more fun. The wallpaper is definitely the focal point of the space, and the garden pattern evokes the fresh outdoors. The wallpaper informed the selection of the green tile flooring and green painted custom millwork [Salisbury Green by Benjamin Moore].”
Other special feature. Green ceramic 8-inch hexagonal floor tile.
Designer tip. “Use whimsical wallpapers or fun colors in utilitarian spaces such as laundry rooms,” Reid says. “It livens them up and lifts one’s mood, even when doing mundane tasks.”
Designer: Amanda Reid of Mandarina Studio
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Size: 77 square feet (7.2 square meters); 7 by 11 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This was part of a large renovation of a 6,000-square-foot Colonial home built in 1908,” designer Amanda Reid says. “This room is on the second floor and was originally a sewing room. Since there isn’t much sewing done on the premises anymore, we converted the space into a more functional and convenient laundry room that includes a sink, pullout ironing board and plenty of built-in storage. The previous laundry was in the basement.”
Main feature. “The jumping-off point was the wallpaper [Citrus Garden by Schumacher],” Reid says. “It’s whimsical and cheerful, which helps to make the mundane chore of doing laundry a little more fun. The wallpaper is definitely the focal point of the space, and the garden pattern evokes the fresh outdoors. The wallpaper informed the selection of the green tile flooring and green painted custom millwork [Salisbury Green by Benjamin Moore].”
Other special feature. Green ceramic 8-inch hexagonal floor tile.
Designer tip. “Use whimsical wallpapers or fun colors in utilitarian spaces such as laundry rooms,” Reid says. “It livens them up and lifts one’s mood, even when doing mundane tasks.”
6. Fancy Farmhouse
Designer: Keely Hersh of Right at Home Interiors
Location: Placerville, California
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 7 feet, 7 inches by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This laundry room is in the middle of the home, and the homeowner wanted it to look beautiful because you can see it just walking down the hall,” designer Keely Hersh says. “Before it was remodeled, it was dark and had a water heater in the corner that had to go. I knew there was plenty of room for built-in cabinets floor to ceiling along one wall. This would add the beauty and storage the room needed. On the other wall, we took out a water heater and installed more of the built-in cabinets and a deep laundry sink. I ordered and installed a new window and full glass door to bring in light and a gorgeous view into the room.”
Main feature. “The style of the cabinets is what makes this room special,” Hersh says. “They have a high-end farmhouse feel with the dentil crown molding, V-groove doors and black iron hardware. The crown molding goes all the way around the room, including over the washer and dryer. I had a carved shelf built into the center of the cabinets, which was then painted to match. I also installed a rod for hanging clothes on.”
Other special features. “The hardware on the cabinets sells the look,” Hersh says. “The black iron hardware includes H-style flush hinges, curvy escutcheon plates married with the knobs on the drawer fronts, and the same knobs for the doors. The glass in the cabinets is seeded glass for that antique look. There are several well-placed round wood medallions installed at the top of the cabinet and painted to match. The countertop is a walnut veneer for a dressier look. The walls are all beadboard painted a custom-mixed paint called Sundried Tomato by Sherwin-Williams. I used plain Creamy [also by Sherwin-Williams] for the trim and ceiling and the cabinets too. But I added a warm glaze and clear coat on top of the white to give the cabinets a beautiful custom finish.
“The finishing touch in my designs is always the window treatments. Here are two tailored functional Roman shades and a floral valance with a red fabric flip-over at the top that is tied on three antique rosettes. The floor tile is a pillowed glazed tile with small brass accent tiles set in every other row. The chandelier light shades were custom-covered with fabric and bead trim to coordinate as well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When the cabinets were being installed, it was a tight fit in many areas to get them in the room,” Hersh says. “They had to be cut carefully in order to be installed, as the ceiling is at an odd angle. My saving grace was having a fantastic finish carpenter to trim everything to perfection.”
Designer: Keely Hersh of Right at Home Interiors
Location: Placerville, California
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 7 feet, 7 inches by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This laundry room is in the middle of the home, and the homeowner wanted it to look beautiful because you can see it just walking down the hall,” designer Keely Hersh says. “Before it was remodeled, it was dark and had a water heater in the corner that had to go. I knew there was plenty of room for built-in cabinets floor to ceiling along one wall. This would add the beauty and storage the room needed. On the other wall, we took out a water heater and installed more of the built-in cabinets and a deep laundry sink. I ordered and installed a new window and full glass door to bring in light and a gorgeous view into the room.”
Main feature. “The style of the cabinets is what makes this room special,” Hersh says. “They have a high-end farmhouse feel with the dentil crown molding, V-groove doors and black iron hardware. The crown molding goes all the way around the room, including over the washer and dryer. I had a carved shelf built into the center of the cabinets, which was then painted to match. I also installed a rod for hanging clothes on.”
Other special features. “The hardware on the cabinets sells the look,” Hersh says. “The black iron hardware includes H-style flush hinges, curvy escutcheon plates married with the knobs on the drawer fronts, and the same knobs for the doors. The glass in the cabinets is seeded glass for that antique look. There are several well-placed round wood medallions installed at the top of the cabinet and painted to match. The countertop is a walnut veneer for a dressier look. The walls are all beadboard painted a custom-mixed paint called Sundried Tomato by Sherwin-Williams. I used plain Creamy [also by Sherwin-Williams] for the trim and ceiling and the cabinets too. But I added a warm glaze and clear coat on top of the white to give the cabinets a beautiful custom finish.
“The finishing touch in my designs is always the window treatments. Here are two tailored functional Roman shades and a floral valance with a red fabric flip-over at the top that is tied on three antique rosettes. The floor tile is a pillowed glazed tile with small brass accent tiles set in every other row. The chandelier light shades were custom-covered with fabric and bead trim to coordinate as well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When the cabinets were being installed, it was a tight fit in many areas to get them in the room,” Hersh says. “They had to be cut carefully in order to be installed, as the ceiling is at an odd angle. My saving grace was having a fantastic finish carpenter to trim everything to perfection.”
7. Standout Sink
Designer: Ryan La Haie of 42 North
Location: Ada, Michigan
Size: 90 square feet (8.4 square meters); 7 feet, 6 inches by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our clients wanted to transform their former outdated laundry room into a bright, crisp new space,” designer Ryan La Haie says. “The goal was not only for the new laundry room to be more aesthetically relevant but also to increase functionality.”
Main feature. “The main design element of the new laundry room is the raised farmhouse sink,” La Haie says. “The sink was preserved during the renovation and relocated to sit atop the new cabinets and countertop centered between two windows. It’s a perfect design feature that blends contemporary aesthetics with a classic style.”
Other special features. “Neutral white walls help natural light reflect in the room, creating a bright and airy space,” La Haie says. “Custom cabinetry was specified in order to seamlessly integrate the large washer and dryer units. A hanging drying rack suspended from the ceiling allows maximum use of countertop space.”
Designer tip. “When undertaking a renovation such as this project, it is important to always understand the possibilities and realize the versatility of an existing space,” La Haie says. “Before the renovation, this laundry room was a powder room and storage space. By utilizing the existing plumbing and shifting a couple of walls, we were able to transform the underutilized space into the new, beautiful and efficient laundry room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When originally proposing the idea of the new laundry room, the homeowners had a difficult time envisioning the renovated space,” La Haie says. “However, with advanced 3D modeling and virtual walk-throughs, we were able to provide our clients with a complete mock-up of the new space prior to construction.”
Designer: Ryan La Haie of 42 North
Location: Ada, Michigan
Size: 90 square feet (8.4 square meters); 7 feet, 6 inches by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our clients wanted to transform their former outdated laundry room into a bright, crisp new space,” designer Ryan La Haie says. “The goal was not only for the new laundry room to be more aesthetically relevant but also to increase functionality.”
Main feature. “The main design element of the new laundry room is the raised farmhouse sink,” La Haie says. “The sink was preserved during the renovation and relocated to sit atop the new cabinets and countertop centered between two windows. It’s a perfect design feature that blends contemporary aesthetics with a classic style.”
Other special features. “Neutral white walls help natural light reflect in the room, creating a bright and airy space,” La Haie says. “Custom cabinetry was specified in order to seamlessly integrate the large washer and dryer units. A hanging drying rack suspended from the ceiling allows maximum use of countertop space.”
Designer tip. “When undertaking a renovation such as this project, it is important to always understand the possibilities and realize the versatility of an existing space,” La Haie says. “Before the renovation, this laundry room was a powder room and storage space. By utilizing the existing plumbing and shifting a couple of walls, we were able to transform the underutilized space into the new, beautiful and efficient laundry room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When originally proposing the idea of the new laundry room, the homeowners had a difficult time envisioning the renovated space,” La Haie says. “However, with advanced 3D modeling and virtual walk-throughs, we were able to provide our clients with a complete mock-up of the new space prior to construction.”
8. Hidden Hanging Space
Designer: Wayne Visbeen of Visbeen Architects
Location: Holland, Michigan
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 7 feet, 2 inches by 9 feet, 6 inches
Homeowners’ request. “We worked with the homeowner to design a space in their narrow and compact home while maintaining functionality,” architect Wayne Visbeen says. “The room is tucked away behind the pantry and through the home management center on the main level, to make as little noise as possible while being easily accessed.”
Main feature. “One standout feature of this space is the DryAway rack,” Visbeen says. “It provides hanging space that conveniently tucks away to keep the laundry room functional and clutter-free.”
Other special features. Slate floor tile. Brushed nickel hardware. White quartz countertop.
Designer tip. “The decision to keep things simple and organized made this space a success,” Visbeen says. “With the limited amount of space in the home, we had to be intentional in finding storage solutions that were efficient and functional.”
Paint: Extra White (cabinets), Sherwin-Williams; White Dove (walls), Benjamin Moore
Designer: Wayne Visbeen of Visbeen Architects
Location: Holland, Michigan
Size: 68 square feet (6.3 square meters); 7 feet, 2 inches by 9 feet, 6 inches
Homeowners’ request. “We worked with the homeowner to design a space in their narrow and compact home while maintaining functionality,” architect Wayne Visbeen says. “The room is tucked away behind the pantry and through the home management center on the main level, to make as little noise as possible while being easily accessed.”
Main feature. “One standout feature of this space is the DryAway rack,” Visbeen says. “It provides hanging space that conveniently tucks away to keep the laundry room functional and clutter-free.”
Other special features. Slate floor tile. Brushed nickel hardware. White quartz countertop.
Designer tip. “The decision to keep things simple and organized made this space a success,” Visbeen says. “With the limited amount of space in the home, we had to be intentional in finding storage solutions that were efficient and functional.”
Paint: Extra White (cabinets), Sherwin-Williams; White Dove (walls), Benjamin Moore
9. Marvelous Marble
Designer: Sudi Jelveh of Barclay Butera Interiors
Cabinetmaker: Nickolas Peterson of Cutting Edge Millworks
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A functional, elegant laundry room designed with storage in mind
Main feature. “The custom inset cabinets were the starting point, but the added detail and style of the flooring and backsplash just brought it all together,” cabinetmaker Nickolas Peterson says.
Other special features. Black and white marble floor tile. Marble backsplash. “A pullout hidden ironing board adds to the usefulness but doesn’t [create] clutter,” Peterson says.
More on Houzz
The 10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms So Far in 2020
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Browse photos of newly uploaded laundry rooms
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Designer: Sudi Jelveh of Barclay Butera Interiors
Cabinetmaker: Nickolas Peterson of Cutting Edge Millworks
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A functional, elegant laundry room designed with storage in mind
Main feature. “The custom inset cabinets were the starting point, but the added detail and style of the flooring and backsplash just brought it all together,” cabinetmaker Nickolas Peterson says.
Other special features. Black and white marble floor tile. Marble backsplash. “A pullout hidden ironing board adds to the usefulness but doesn’t [create] clutter,” Peterson says.
More on Houzz
The 10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms So Far in 2020
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Browse photos of newly uploaded laundry rooms
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Designer: Melanie Grabarkiewicz of Meadowlark Design+Build
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Size: 74 square feet (6.9 square meters); 9 feet, 7 inches by 7 feet, 10 inches
Homeowners’ request. A centrally located laundry room for an accessible one-story home meant for aging in place. A space just off the mudroom provided the perfect spot, according to designer Melanie Grabarkiewicz, whose clients used Houzz ideabooks to communicate their style preferences. “This room is modest in size but provides all the necessary storage and function our clients needed,” Grabarkiewicz says.
Main feature. A maple butcher-block folding countertop with custom shelving below it. “Our clients are super organized,” Grabarkiewicz says. “‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ is their mantra. Thus, the folding counter designed to accommodate four laundry baskets underneath was a must-have for them.”
Other special features. “White cabinets and light finishes along with the large window keep this room bright and cheery,” Grabarkiewicz says. “For a relatively modest-size room, it has the function of laundry rooms twice its size. The beauty of this room is that even though it’s centrally located in the home, the room is still tucked away on the side of the mudroom so that it can be closed off when necessary. Having the large window was important so that our clients didn’t feel like they were in a laundry room dungeon while using the room.”
Designer tip. “The goal of this room was to make it easy to throw in a load of laundry at any time during the day,” Grabarkiewicz says. “Thus, a central location was key. This room is right off the kitchen and great room, where the clients spend the majority of their time. And having the large window in the room makes it all bright and sunny.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The clients wanted to be able to accommodate four full-size laundry baskets in the space,” Grabarkiewicz says. “This required raising the counter height beyond standard cabinet sizing to 41 inches. Using a standard pullout trash cabinet as the base, we added an extra site-built shelf to get the necessary height. The result is the perfect folding station with a cubby for mailing- and shipping-envelope storage.”
Paint: Light Pewter (walls) and White Dove (trim and doors), both by Benjamin Moore