New This Week: 5 Laundry Room Ideas to Perk Up Your Space
Integrate these ideas into your design for a more functional and inviting laundry room
Yes, doing laundry is a chore, but it doesn’t have to be something to dread. A well-designed room with functional areas for washing, sorting, folding and drying paired with thoughtful style that puts a smile on your face goes a long way toward making laundry day something to look forward to, or at least not such a downer. Here, five laundry rooms showcase fun ideas that might get your space spinning. (And fans of top-loaders, please note that several of these ideas can work with those machines.)
2. Room to Maneuver
Designers: Alan K. Barley and Peter L. Pfeiffer of Barley Pfeiffer Architecture and Sharon Radovich of Panache Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A roomy space in which the homeowners could maneuver with laundry baskets full of clothes, plus an area for air-drying clothes, hamper storage to sort dirty clothes and a countertop for folding. Natural light and storage for cleaning products and dog supplies were also important. One of the homeowners used Houzz to find inspirational photos that influenced the design.
Main feature. “The floor was the first material selected,” architect Alan K. Barley says. “The nostalgic pattern brings a bit of their heritage to the space and adds warmth to the cool tone of the cabinetry.”
Other special features. “This room is a balancing of many important features to make it a beautiful and functional space,” Barley says. “Plenty of counter space, a deep utility sink and lots of storage were essential. Providing good natural light, balanced task lighting and bold but durable finishes elevates the space to make it beautiful and comfortable as well as functional. Light-colored countertops, floors and paint colors help reflect the natural light throughout the space, making a smaller space feel open and airy.”
A floor drain was installed under the washing machine so any future leaks could be contained without damaging any other areas of the house.
Designer tip. “The juxtaposition of the floor tile’s fluid lines and graphic flower adds energy to the space,” Barley says. “The diagonal lines of the flowers explode outward, making the space appear bigger. The fresh aqua on the cabinets takes away the typical utilitarian look of white.”
Aqua-Sphere cabinet paint: Sherwin-Williams
Shop for wall and floor tile on Houzz
Designers: Alan K. Barley and Peter L. Pfeiffer of Barley Pfeiffer Architecture and Sharon Radovich of Panache Interiors
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A roomy space in which the homeowners could maneuver with laundry baskets full of clothes, plus an area for air-drying clothes, hamper storage to sort dirty clothes and a countertop for folding. Natural light and storage for cleaning products and dog supplies were also important. One of the homeowners used Houzz to find inspirational photos that influenced the design.
Main feature. “The floor was the first material selected,” architect Alan K. Barley says. “The nostalgic pattern brings a bit of their heritage to the space and adds warmth to the cool tone of the cabinetry.”
Other special features. “This room is a balancing of many important features to make it a beautiful and functional space,” Barley says. “Plenty of counter space, a deep utility sink and lots of storage were essential. Providing good natural light, balanced task lighting and bold but durable finishes elevates the space to make it beautiful and comfortable as well as functional. Light-colored countertops, floors and paint colors help reflect the natural light throughout the space, making a smaller space feel open and airy.”
A floor drain was installed under the washing machine so any future leaks could be contained without damaging any other areas of the house.
Designer tip. “The juxtaposition of the floor tile’s fluid lines and graphic flower adds energy to the space,” Barley says. “The diagonal lines of the flowers explode outward, making the space appear bigger. The fresh aqua on the cabinets takes away the typical utilitarian look of white.”
Aqua-Sphere cabinet paint: Sherwin-Williams
Shop for wall and floor tile on Houzz
3. Custom Table for Folding
Designers: Jeff Squier of Joma Construction, in collaboration with Breckyn Alexander of BMA Designs
Location: Cobbham Historic District of Athens, Georgia
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 10 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. Pair luxury with practicality in this historic home, and include storage, folding space, hampers and modern appliances. “Clean and bright was the theme of this laundry room,” designer Jeff Squier says.
Main feature. The custom reclaimed heart-pine wood table hand-fabricated by a local vendor. “It was made for this space — literally,” Squier says. “Counter-depth cabinets and a countertop would have been too large for the machines to fit. Table legs allow the room to stay relatively large-feeling and airy.”
Other special features. Refurbished original pivot-hinge windows. Brass hardware. Glass penny-round floor tile. Ceramic ceiling light.
Designer tip. “Cohesive design makes this small room with few features a part of the bigger picture,” Squier says. “Brass hardware that is seen around the home helps match off-the-shelf cabinets with the custom ones seen in all of the other rooms. The ceramic ceiling light matches the color of the cabinets and appears period. Wood from the home is used on this table, and also [for] a bench in the kitchen and mudroom. The glass tiles echo those found in the first-floor guest bath. Large jars [act as decor but also] hold fabric cleansers, and the basket can be used to stash kitchen towels and the like, just like the mirrored decor in the master bath. It is simple yet carefully planned.”
White Heron in matte finish wall paint and Sheep’s Wool in semigloss finish trim paint: Benjamin Moore
Designers: Jeff Squier of Joma Construction, in collaboration with Breckyn Alexander of BMA Designs
Location: Cobbham Historic District of Athens, Georgia
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 10 by 8 feet
Homeowners’ request. Pair luxury with practicality in this historic home, and include storage, folding space, hampers and modern appliances. “Clean and bright was the theme of this laundry room,” designer Jeff Squier says.
Main feature. The custom reclaimed heart-pine wood table hand-fabricated by a local vendor. “It was made for this space — literally,” Squier says. “Counter-depth cabinets and a countertop would have been too large for the machines to fit. Table legs allow the room to stay relatively large-feeling and airy.”
Other special features. Refurbished original pivot-hinge windows. Brass hardware. Glass penny-round floor tile. Ceramic ceiling light.
Designer tip. “Cohesive design makes this small room with few features a part of the bigger picture,” Squier says. “Brass hardware that is seen around the home helps match off-the-shelf cabinets with the custom ones seen in all of the other rooms. The ceramic ceiling light matches the color of the cabinets and appears period. Wood from the home is used on this table, and also [for] a bench in the kitchen and mudroom. The glass tiles echo those found in the first-floor guest bath. Large jars [act as decor but also] hold fabric cleansers, and the basket can be used to stash kitchen towels and the like, just like the mirrored decor in the master bath. It is simple yet carefully planned.”
White Heron in matte finish wall paint and Sheep’s Wool in semigloss finish trim paint: Benjamin Moore
4. Lacquered Cabinets
Designers: Jonathan Miller (architectural and interior design), William Exum (architectural design) and Emily Yoakum (interior design) of Jonathan Miller Architecture and Design
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Size: 63 square feet (5.9 square meters); 10½ by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner really wanted this space to feel current, yet she really likes her antique pieces, so we married these two design directions by going with a lacquered navy cabinet with brass hardware and an antique door and antique paint-by-numbers paintings from her collection,” interior designer Emily Yoakum says.
Main feature. “We started with the lacquered blue cabinet color for this room, and everything else was tied in from there,” Yoakum says. “We knew we wanted this space to have a fun pop of color but not be too much of a pop to not feel appropriate with the rest of the house.”
Other special features. Natural white oak floors and floating shelves. Farmhouse sink. White quartz countertop. Pullout laundry hampers and pullout ironing board drawer.
Designer tip. “The addition of the lacquered cabinets to this space really helped set this room apart,” Yoakum says. “This room does not have any windows, so the sheen on the cabinets helps reflect some light even though the cabinets are dark, and the brass hardware brings an extra pop.”
Hale Navy cabinet paint and China White wall paint: Benjamin Moore
Designers: Jonathan Miller (architectural and interior design), William Exum (architectural design) and Emily Yoakum (interior design) of Jonathan Miller Architecture and Design
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Size: 63 square feet (5.9 square meters); 10½ by 6 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner really wanted this space to feel current, yet she really likes her antique pieces, so we married these two design directions by going with a lacquered navy cabinet with brass hardware and an antique door and antique paint-by-numbers paintings from her collection,” interior designer Emily Yoakum says.
Main feature. “We started with the lacquered blue cabinet color for this room, and everything else was tied in from there,” Yoakum says. “We knew we wanted this space to have a fun pop of color but not be too much of a pop to not feel appropriate with the rest of the house.”
Other special features. Natural white oak floors and floating shelves. Farmhouse sink. White quartz countertop. Pullout laundry hampers and pullout ironing board drawer.
Designer tip. “The addition of the lacquered cabinets to this space really helped set this room apart,” Yoakum says. “This room does not have any windows, so the sheen on the cabinets helps reflect some light even though the cabinets are dark, and the brass hardware brings an extra pop.”
Hale Navy cabinet paint and China White wall paint: Benjamin Moore
5. Patterned Floor Tile
Designer: Beth Booth of Spaces Renewed
Location: Oceanside, California
Size: 75 square feet (7 square meters); 10 by 7½ feet
Homeowners’ request. An inviting, creative and inspiring space. “No one likes to do laundry, but we felt that if the space was designed with intention, the owner would love to do laundry again,” designer Beth Booth says.
Main feature. Handmade cement floor tile. “Everything else was based off the pattern and tone of the floor,” Booth says.
Other special features. Seafoam green cabinets and floating shelves (Beach Glass by Benjamin Moore). “What you don’t see in this photo is that there’s actually a built-in mini fridge, because sometimes the laundry room becomes a mom’s temporary getaway oasis,” Booth says.
Designer tip. “The color of the cabinets took this room from somewhat small with limited natural light to a fun and bright space,” Booth says. “The color is so unique, carrying a coastal vibe but also [bridging] the gap between vintage and modern.”
Milano Remy floor tile in Damsel pattern, 8 by 8 inches: Fancy Design Group; Foggy Day wall paint: Dunn-Edwards Paints; custom cabinets: San Diego Custom Cabinets; Trinsic faucet in matte black: Delta
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Where to Put the Laundry Room
These Are the 10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms in 2019 So Far
Find a pro to help with your laundry room
Designer: Beth Booth of Spaces Renewed
Location: Oceanside, California
Size: 75 square feet (7 square meters); 10 by 7½ feet
Homeowners’ request. An inviting, creative and inspiring space. “No one likes to do laundry, but we felt that if the space was designed with intention, the owner would love to do laundry again,” designer Beth Booth says.
Main feature. Handmade cement floor tile. “Everything else was based off the pattern and tone of the floor,” Booth says.
Other special features. Seafoam green cabinets and floating shelves (Beach Glass by Benjamin Moore). “What you don’t see in this photo is that there’s actually a built-in mini fridge, because sometimes the laundry room becomes a mom’s temporary getaway oasis,” Booth says.
Designer tip. “The color of the cabinets took this room from somewhat small with limited natural light to a fun and bright space,” Booth says. “The color is so unique, carrying a coastal vibe but also [bridging] the gap between vintage and modern.”
Milano Remy floor tile in Damsel pattern, 8 by 8 inches: Fancy Design Group; Foggy Day wall paint: Dunn-Edwards Paints; custom cabinets: San Diego Custom Cabinets; Trinsic faucet in matte black: Delta
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Where to Put the Laundry Room
These Are the 10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms in 2019 So Far
Find a pro to help with your laundry room
Designers: Jonathan Kukk of Kukk Architecture & Design and Chrissy Howard of Jinx McDonald Interior Designs
Location: Marco Island, Florida
Size: 72 square feet (6.7 square meters); 6 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. A small but efficient secondary laundry room off the master suite.
Main feature. Custom barn doors. “These allow the small room to open up and feel much larger and full of light,” architect Jonathan Kukk says.
Other special features. Patterned cement floor tile. Lots of cabinet storage. Large window for natural light.
Designer tips. “Design built-in cabinets to accommodate the newer style of oversize washers and dryers, and provide a comfortable space behind the units for venting and plumbing so units fit flush with cabinets,” Kukk says.
Pendant light in chrome with shade in seafoam: Golden Lighting; Opaline wall paint and Pure White cabinet, trim and barn door paint: Sherwin-Williams; Steam Punk pulls on barn doors: Atlas Homewares
Find a local designer on Houzz