Make the most of a small space! The existing laundry room in this charming craftsman was converted into a laundry and bathroom with personality. We demoed a wall to make room for the shower. Next, we installed new tile, granite countertops, a vessel sink, toilet, exhaust fan, and two recessed lights over the vanity.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of a cottage chic home office design in New York with pink walls

M. Wright Design Photographer: Marc Angeles
Laundry room - traditional laundry room idea in Los Angeles with a side-by-side washer/dryer

Example of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped slate floor and green floor eat-in kitchen design in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

A serene riverside retreat in Aspen, this home blends natural materials, custom details, and modern lines to create a timeless, sensory-rich sanctuary rooted in calm, connection, and flow. A minimalist home gym with a sleek treadmill, a workout bench, and essential fitness equipment. Calming artwork and soft lighting create a serene, focused atmosphere.

Example of a small classic medium tone wood floor laundry closet design in Chicago with wood countertops and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Jenna & Lauren Weiler
Mid-sized minimalist multicolored floor laundry room photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, a stacked washer/dryer and gray walls

Antique Coastal farmhouse laundry room with floating shelves, quartz counters, wall mounted drying rack and custom storage cabinet. Rustic casual style.

Transitional laundry room photo in Chicago

Transitional laundry room photo in Other

Example of a classic laundry room design in Minneapolis

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Beach style single-wall gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and black countertops

Cherie Cordellos Photography http://www.photosbycherie.net/

This beverage center is located adjacent to the kitchen and joint living area composed of greys, whites and blue accents. Our main focus was to create a space that would grab people’s attention, and be a feature of the kitchen. The cabinet color is a rich blue (amalfi) that creates a moody, elegant, and sleek atmosphere for the perfect cocktail hour. This client is one who is not afraid to add sparkle, use fun patterns, and design with bold colors. For that added fun design we utilized glass Vihara tile in a iridescent finish along the back wall and behind the floating shelves. The cabinets with glass doors also have a wood mullion for an added accent. This gave our client a space to feature his beautiful collection of specialty glassware. The quilted hardware in a polished chrome finish adds that extra sparkle element to the design. This design maximizes storage space with a lazy susan in the corner, and pull-out cabinet organizers for beverages, spirits, and utensils.

Photography by Matt Sartain
Small transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor laundry closet photo in San Francisco with white cabinets, marble countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, shaker cabinets, white countertops and white walls

A design for a busy, active family longing for order and a central place for the family to gather. We utilized every inch of this room from floor to ceiling to give custom cabinetry that would completely expand their kitchen storage. Directly off the kitchen overlooks their dining space, with beautiful brown leather stools detailed with exposed nail heads and white wood. Fresh colors of bright blue and yellow liven their dining area. The kitchen & dining space is completely rejuvenated as these crisp whites and colorful details breath life into this family hub. We further fulfilled our ambition of maximum storage in our design of this client’s mudroom and laundry room. We completely transformed these areas with our millwork and cabinet designs allowing for the best amount of storage in a well-organized entry. Optimizing a small space with organization and classic elements has them ready to entertain and welcome family and friends. Custom designed by Hartley and Hill Design All materials and furnishings in this space are available through Hartley and Hill Design. www.hartleyandhilldesign.com 888-639-0639 Neil Landino

DryAway’s revolutionary and patented design is the smarter way to dry your clothes. DryAway is a series of drying racks that retract out of sight and out of the way, that saves you money while protecting the environment and your clothes! Easily installed in 2, 4, 6 or 8 frames and available in five colors. Visit us online at DryAway.net or Call us today! 855-379-2929

Photo by KuDa Photography
Example of a farmhouse l-shaped gray floor laundry room design in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer and brown countertops