Laundry may be a chore we all face, but it doesn't have to feel like one. Clean and serene is the theme for this laundry center. Located in a busy part of the house next to the back door and combined with coat and shoe storage into a mud room, it still offers a sense of peace and calm by providing a place for everything and preventing chaos from taking over. It's easier to keep the room looking tidy when you have a good organizational system like this one. Shelves and cabinets above the side-by-side front loading washer and dryer provide convenient storage for detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener and other laundry aids. A shelf with a basket is a great place to temporarily store all the little items that were left in pockets and shouldn't go in the wash. The small hanging rod in the corner takes care of the delicate drip dry items that can't go in the dryer, while the small sink with storage cabinets is large enough for hand wash and things you want to quickly rinse out like swim suits. It's also a great place to stop and wash dirty hands before continuing into the rest of the house. A garbage can is hidden in the cabinet beneath the sink. The lower shelves with baskets next to the sink can store either folded clothing that has yet to be put away, or a basket or dirty laundry waiting to go into the wash. The oil rubbed bronze finish on the cabinet handles and faucet ties in with blue, beige, dark brown and white color scheme present throughout the first floor of the home and is a strong accent against the white. It also ties in perfectly with the dark wood look ceramic tiles on the floor. Designer - Gerry Ayala Photo - Cathy Rabeler

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

The mud room in this Bloomfield Hills residence was a part of a whole house renovation and addition, completed in 2016. Directly adjacent to the indoor gym, outdoor pool, and motor court, this room had to serve a variety of functions. The tile floor in the mud room is in a herringbone pattern with a tile border that extends the length of the hallway. Two sliding doors conceal a utility room that features cabinet storage of the children's backpacks, supplies, coats, and shoes. The room also has a stackable washer/dryer and sink to clean off items after using the gym, pool, or from outside. Arched French doors along the motor court wall allow natural light to fill the space and help the hallway feel more open.

A large space that was made narrow by a second staircase. We took the stairs out and turned it into the principle gathering space for the family, combining the functionalities of living room, great room, family room and media room.

This three-story vacation home for a family of ski enthusiasts features 5 bedrooms and a six-bed bunk room, 5 1/2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, great room, 2 wet bars, great room, exercise room, basement game room, office, mud room, ski work room, decks, stone patio with sunken hot tub, garage, and elevator. The home sits into an extremely steep, half-acre lot that shares a property line with a ski resort and allows for ski-in, ski-out access to the mountain’s 61 trails. This unique location and challenging terrain informed the home’s siting, footprint, program, design, interior design, finishes, and custom made furniture. Credit: Samyn-D'Elia Architects

Clean and organized spaces to store all of our clients’ outdoor gear! Bright and airy, integrated plenty of storage, coat and hat racks, and bursts of color through baskets, throw pillows, and accent walls. Each mudroom differs in design style, exuding functionality and beauty. Project designed by Denver, Colorado interior designer Margarita Bravo. She serves Denver as well as surrounding areas such as Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, Greenwood Village, and Bow Mar. For more about MARGARITA BRAVO, click here: https://www.margaritabravo.com/

Utility cabinet in Laundry Room
Utility room - large scandinavian medium tone wood floor utility room idea in Chicago with gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and recessed-panel cabinets

Black and white carry throughout this crisp powder room: black and white marble floor tiles, black and white graphic wallpaper, and a black and white double wall sconce. Elegant white bathroom fixtures, including the pedestal sink, and a long narrow silver framed rectangular mirror bring additional brightness to this small powder room. WKD’s experience in historic preservation and antique curation restored this gentleman’s farm into a casual, comfortable, livable home for the next chapter in this couple’s lives. The project included a new family entrance and mud room, new powder room, and opening up some of the rooms for better circulation. While WKD curated the client’s existing collection of art and antiques, refurbishing where necessary, new furnishings were also added to give the home a new lease on life. Working with older homes, and historic homes, is one of Wilson Kelsey Design’s specialties. This project was featured on the cover of Design New England's September/October 2013 issue. Read the full article at: http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Heritage-Restored1.pdf It was also featured in the Sept. issue of Old House Journal, 2016 - article is at http://wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-09-OHJ.pdf Photo by Michael Lee

An entry area to the home, this family laundry room became a catch-all for coats, bags and shoes. It also served as the laundry hub with a collection of portable drying racks, storage shelves and furniture that did not optimize the available space and layout. The new design made the most of the unique space and delivered an organized and attractive mud and laundry room with bench seating, hooks for hanging jackets and laundry needs, integrated wall drying racks, and lots of convenient storage.

The new vaulted and high ceiling living room has large aluminum framed windows of the San Francisco bay with see-through glass railings. Owner-sourced artwork, live edge wood and acrylic coffee table, Eames chair and grand piano complete the space.

Mid-sized country porcelain tile and gray floor entryway photo in St Louis with beige walls and a gray front door

Nick McGinn
Example of a large transitional l-shaped slate floor utility room design in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

New Laundry Room and Mud Room with Wood Grain Porcelain Tile, Custom Walnut Bench and Built-In, Caesarstone Waterfall Counter above Washer/Dryer in Lagos Blue, Subway Tile Backsplash, and Apron Sink. Photo by David Lauer. www.davidlauerphotography.com

This large, open great room serves as an excellent space to entertain. On nice nights, open up the french doors and take the party to the deck. Produced By: PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes. Photo Credit: Hilliard Photographics

Example of a large mountain style open concept medium tone wood floor game room design in Minneapolis with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

THEME This room is dedicated to supporting and encouraging the young artist in art and music. From the hand-painted instruments decorating the music corner to the dedicated foldaway art table, every space is tailored to the creative spirit, offering a place to be inspired, a nook to relax or a corner to practice. This environment radiates energy from the ground up, showering the room in natural, vibrant color. FOCUS A majestic, floor-to-ceiling tree anchors the space, boldly transporting the beauty of nature into the house--along with the fun of swinging from a tree branch, pitching a tent or reading under the beautiful canopy. The tree shares pride of place with a unique, retroinspired room divider housing a colorful padded nook perfect for reading, watching television or just relaxing. STORAGE Multiple storage options are integrated to accommodate the family’s eclectic interests and varied needs. From hidden cabinets in the floor to movable shelves and storage bins, there is room for everything. The two wardrobes provide generous storage capacity without taking up valuable floor space, and readily open up to sweep toys out of sight. The myWall® panels accommodate various shelving options and bins that can all be repositioned as needed. Additional storage and display options are strategically provided around the room to store sheet music or display art projects on any of three magnetic panels. GROWTH While the young artist experiments with media or music, he can also adapt this space to complement his experiences. The myWall® panels promote easy transformation and expansion, offer unlimited options, and keep shelving at an optimum height as he grows. All the furniture rolls on casters so the room can sustain the action during a play date or be completely re-imagined if the family wants a makeover. SAFETY The elements in this large open space are all designed to enfold a young boy in a playful, creative and safe place. The modular components on the myWall® panels are all locked securely in place no matter what they store. The custom drop-down table includes two safety latches to prevent unintentional opening. The floor drop doors are all equipped with slow glide closing hinges so no fingers will be trapped.

Werner Straube
Transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photography: Christian Garibaldi
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed carpeted living room remodel in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Large bathroom and separate laundry room. Shower features large format tiles with multiple shower sprayers, heated floors, and custom tall cabinetry for a closet solution. The bathroom also features a textured wallpaper wall beyond the double vanity sinks. The laundry room is a fun escape with custom cabinetry with pullout folding shelves, a fun wallpaper, and tile flooring