New This Week: 7 Lovely Laundry Rooms
Bright colors, eye-catching materials and lots of sunshine lighten the load in these hardworking areas
Wash, rinse, dry, repeat. As mundane as laundry day is, your laundry room doesn’t have to be. Plus, with the rise in popularity of open floor plans and hardworking mudroom entrances that often feature laundry areas, homeowners and designers are realizing that these busy and often-on-display areas should look just as good as they function. The following seven laundry rooms show that with a little color and some thoughtful materials, your laundry room can be as fashionable as your wardrobe.
2. Luxurious Layout
Designer: Sara Hadden of CG&S Design-Build
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 145 square feet (13.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners use this space on a daily basis and needed additional storage, mudroom and drop-off functions as well as laundry,” says designer Sara Hadden, who collaborated with her clients through Houzz ideabooks.
Main feature. “The space planning and new layout make it functionally better than the old layout,” Hadden says. “Previously, the laundry area seemed like it was an afterthought, stuck in an area originally meant to be a simple hallway between the garage and kitchen. Now there is a dedicated space for drop-off, a mudroom directly adjacent to the door into the garage, and laundry and storage in their own separate space out of the main traffic pattern from the garage into the home.”
Other special features. Flat-panel wood cabinets in a clear finish. Wood-look porcelain floor tile.
Designer tip. “Adding a sink was essential, so that the homeowners no longer have to use their kitchen sink to rinse and soak laundry,” Hadden says.
Wall and ceiling paint: Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore
Shop for runner rugs
Designer: Sara Hadden of CG&S Design-Build
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 145 square feet (13.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners use this space on a daily basis and needed additional storage, mudroom and drop-off functions as well as laundry,” says designer Sara Hadden, who collaborated with her clients through Houzz ideabooks.
Main feature. “The space planning and new layout make it functionally better than the old layout,” Hadden says. “Previously, the laundry area seemed like it was an afterthought, stuck in an area originally meant to be a simple hallway between the garage and kitchen. Now there is a dedicated space for drop-off, a mudroom directly adjacent to the door into the garage, and laundry and storage in their own separate space out of the main traffic pattern from the garage into the home.”
Other special features. Flat-panel wood cabinets in a clear finish. Wood-look porcelain floor tile.
Designer tip. “Adding a sink was essential, so that the homeowners no longer have to use their kitchen sink to rinse and soak laundry,” Hadden says.
Wall and ceiling paint: Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore
Shop for runner rugs
3. Teal Appeal
Designer: Kristi Hopper
Location: Dallas
Size: 60½ square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This homeowner needed a larger laundry room to care for her elderly rescue dogs that she takes in and loves so dearly,” designer Kristi Hopper says. “We took space from the garage and added it to this laundry room to accommodate a sink, large counter space and a refrigerator for pet medications.”
Main feature. “We needed this space to be pretty, since it’s seen from the main area of the home,” Hopper says. “This client’s love of color was met with the whimsical light fixture, deep teal cabinets and touches of orange.”
Designer: Kristi Hopper
Location: Dallas
Size: 60½ square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This homeowner needed a larger laundry room to care for her elderly rescue dogs that she takes in and loves so dearly,” designer Kristi Hopper says. “We took space from the garage and added it to this laundry room to accommodate a sink, large counter space and a refrigerator for pet medications.”
Main feature. “We needed this space to be pretty, since it’s seen from the main area of the home,” Hopper says. “This client’s love of color was met with the whimsical light fixture, deep teal cabinets and touches of orange.”
Other special features. “We have a place for everything,” Hopper says. “We made a space specifically for the laundry basket that this client already owned, and a stepladder compartment. [We also added] a deep sink to accommodate the needs of her dogs, and the fabulous white backsplash that ties everything together from the countertops to the beautifully painted cabinets.”
Designer tip. “Stacking the washer and dryer made this room possible, because it allowed us to have the extra space we needed,” Hopper says.
Designer tip. “Stacking the washer and dryer made this room possible, because it allowed us to have the extra space we needed,” Hopper says.
4. Gorgeous Gray
Designer: Kelley Vieregg of KVID Interiors
Builder: Alair Homes Charlotte
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 128 square feet (11.9 square meters); 8 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Their previous laundry room was too small and inefficient for this busy family of four,” designer Kelley Vieregg says. “There was a need for more hanging space for drying clothes and a sink for hand-washing. The larger footprint allowed for more room to sort clothes. Additional cabinetry allowed for storing additional items.”
Main feature. A sophisticated, soothing color palette. The cabinets are painted Lamp Room Gray by Farrow & Ball. “Since this space is off of the newly renovated kitchen and high-traffic area, we wanted it to be pretty and cohesive with the other spaces,” Vieregg says.
Other special features. Honed and leathered black granite countertops. Ceramic tile flooring.
Designer: Kelley Vieregg of KVID Interiors
Builder: Alair Homes Charlotte
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 128 square feet (11.9 square meters); 8 by 16 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Their previous laundry room was too small and inefficient for this busy family of four,” designer Kelley Vieregg says. “There was a need for more hanging space for drying clothes and a sink for hand-washing. The larger footprint allowed for more room to sort clothes. Additional cabinetry allowed for storing additional items.”
Main feature. A sophisticated, soothing color palette. The cabinets are painted Lamp Room Gray by Farrow & Ball. “Since this space is off of the newly renovated kitchen and high-traffic area, we wanted it to be pretty and cohesive with the other spaces,” Vieregg says.
Other special features. Honed and leathered black granite countertops. Ceramic tile flooring.
5. Shining Star
Designers: Kippen Chermak from Pillar Homes and Jim Kuiken from Jim Kuiken Design
Location: Wayzata, Minnesota
Size: About 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 6 feet, 8 inches by 7 feet, 2 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The original home was built over a hundred years ago, so that fact, along with the home’s lake views, helped influence its new design as a luxury duplex,” designer and remodeler Kippen Chermak says. “By necessity the new laundry room space was smaller, so the goal was to maximize utility and durability without sacrificing design. We wanted it to be timeless and have historically inspired details yet be current and fresh.”
Main feature. “The main feature would be the star floor tile, which was deliberately chosen to capture a timeless look while staying on trend,” Chermak says. “The star design is carried into other parts of the duplex, such as the star-shaped ceiling light in the master vestibule visible from the laundry room. Many of the original maple and birch floors were reinstalled, so the tile was a nice change from all the wood.”
Other special features. Star-pattern perforated metal upper cabinets. Rolling utility cart. Nautical-style flush-mount ceiling light. Quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “This room was designed to maximize usability in a small space while still creating timeless details,” Chermak says. “Keeping the palette neutral allowed for a few key elements to pop.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Because of the age of the house, the structural framing and appliance venting became complicated, so the space above the stackable washer and dryer became a cosmetic panel as opposed to a functioning cabinet,” Chermak says.
Conrad flush-mount light: Hudson Valley Lighting; Simply White cabinet and trim paint and Metro Gray wall paint: Benjamin Moore
Designers: Kippen Chermak from Pillar Homes and Jim Kuiken from Jim Kuiken Design
Location: Wayzata, Minnesota
Size: About 50 square feet (4.6 square meters); 6 feet, 8 inches by 7 feet, 2 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The original home was built over a hundred years ago, so that fact, along with the home’s lake views, helped influence its new design as a luxury duplex,” designer and remodeler Kippen Chermak says. “By necessity the new laundry room space was smaller, so the goal was to maximize utility and durability without sacrificing design. We wanted it to be timeless and have historically inspired details yet be current and fresh.”
Main feature. “The main feature would be the star floor tile, which was deliberately chosen to capture a timeless look while staying on trend,” Chermak says. “The star design is carried into other parts of the duplex, such as the star-shaped ceiling light in the master vestibule visible from the laundry room. Many of the original maple and birch floors were reinstalled, so the tile was a nice change from all the wood.”
Other special features. Star-pattern perforated metal upper cabinets. Rolling utility cart. Nautical-style flush-mount ceiling light. Quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “This room was designed to maximize usability in a small space while still creating timeless details,” Chermak says. “Keeping the palette neutral allowed for a few key elements to pop.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Because of the age of the house, the structural framing and appliance venting became complicated, so the space above the stackable washer and dryer became a cosmetic panel as opposed to a functioning cabinet,” Chermak says.
Conrad flush-mount light: Hudson Valley Lighting; Simply White cabinet and trim paint and Metro Gray wall paint: Benjamin Moore
6. Marvelous Mediterranean
Designers: Nina Panebianco of PB Built (floor plan designer and project manager) and Kylene McRoberts of McRoberts Interiors (interior designer)
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Size: 91 square feet (8.5 square meters); 6½ by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client made hanging space a priority,” project manager Nina Panebianco says. “They did not want wall-to-wall cabinetry but rather open shelving. Also, the laundry room is the first room as you enter from the garage, so that room needed to be beautiful, not just functional.”
Main feature. Mediterranean-style cement-look porcelain floor tiles from Houzz. “The design really pivoted around the flooring,” Panebianco says.
Other special features. Blue-gray door and trim paint (Oxford Gray in a satin finish by Benjamin Moore). The wall paint is a custom lightened version of Lily White by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “Rather than paint the trim white, we had the trim and doors painted Oxford Gray,” Panebianco says. “The result was eye-catching but not overwhelming, especially since the walls and cabinetry are so neutral.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We designed the cabinet layout around the appliances the homeowner wanted,” Panebianco says. “Further down the line when it was time to order the washer and dryer, the specific pedestal that was selected to raise the washer and dryer had been discontinued. You can see from the photo that the appliance height was very important to the overall aesthetic. Since the cabinets had already been installed, we had to find a new washer and dryer set not only that the owner loved but that would fit in the space perfectly. In the end, we were able to find just that.”
Moma porcelain floor tile, 9 by 9 inches, Anabella collection: Ivy Hill Tile
Designers: Nina Panebianco of PB Built (floor plan designer and project manager) and Kylene McRoberts of McRoberts Interiors (interior designer)
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Size: 91 square feet (8.5 square meters); 6½ by 14 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client made hanging space a priority,” project manager Nina Panebianco says. “They did not want wall-to-wall cabinetry but rather open shelving. Also, the laundry room is the first room as you enter from the garage, so that room needed to be beautiful, not just functional.”
Main feature. Mediterranean-style cement-look porcelain floor tiles from Houzz. “The design really pivoted around the flooring,” Panebianco says.
Other special features. Blue-gray door and trim paint (Oxford Gray in a satin finish by Benjamin Moore). The wall paint is a custom lightened version of Lily White by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “Rather than paint the trim white, we had the trim and doors painted Oxford Gray,” Panebianco says. “The result was eye-catching but not overwhelming, especially since the walls and cabinetry are so neutral.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “We designed the cabinet layout around the appliances the homeowner wanted,” Panebianco says. “Further down the line when it was time to order the washer and dryer, the specific pedestal that was selected to raise the washer and dryer had been discontinued. You can see from the photo that the appliance height was very important to the overall aesthetic. Since the cabinets had already been installed, we had to find a new washer and dryer set not only that the owner loved but that would fit in the space perfectly. In the end, we were able to find just that.”
Moma porcelain floor tile, 9 by 9 inches, Anabella collection: Ivy Hill Tile
7. Bright Idea
Builder: Andrew Patterson of Patterson Custom Homes
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 72 square feet (6.7 square meters); 6 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This laundry room was designed with function in mind,” builder Andrew Patterson says. “A front-loading washer and dryer were built in, allowing countertops to be installed above the machines for additional space to stack folded clothes. Instead of a wall of cabinets, a bar was installed so that certain clothing items could be hung on hangers.”
Main feature. “Allowing natural light to permeate the home is a main feature in our homes, and the laundry room is no exception,” Patterson says. “The space feels bright and open, thanks to the window and the color choices.”
Other special features. Custom cabinets. Gray floor tile with gray grout. Graphic cement-look porcelain backsplash tile. “The tile makes the room stand out,” Patterson says.
Designer tip. “Always plan for plenty of countertop space,” Patterson says.
Whisper White paint: Dunn-Edwards
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Where to Put the Laundry Room
Browse newly featured laundry rooms
Find a general contractor
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Builder: Andrew Patterson of Patterson Custom Homes
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 72 square feet (6.7 square meters); 6 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This laundry room was designed with function in mind,” builder Andrew Patterson says. “A front-loading washer and dryer were built in, allowing countertops to be installed above the machines for additional space to stack folded clothes. Instead of a wall of cabinets, a bar was installed so that certain clothing items could be hung on hangers.”
Main feature. “Allowing natural light to permeate the home is a main feature in our homes, and the laundry room is no exception,” Patterson says. “The space feels bright and open, thanks to the window and the color choices.”
Other special features. Custom cabinets. Gray floor tile with gray grout. Graphic cement-look porcelain backsplash tile. “The tile makes the room stand out,” Patterson says.
Designer tip. “Always plan for plenty of countertop space,” Patterson says.
Whisper White paint: Dunn-Edwards
More on Houzz
How to Remodel the Laundry Room
Where to Put the Laundry Room
Browse newly featured laundry rooms
Find a general contractor
Shop for laundry room products on Houzz
Designer: Jason LaGorga of DesignCrossover
Location: Needham, Massachusetts
Size: 70 square feet (6.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. As part of a larger construction project, the owners wanted to relocate their basement laundry room to an area upstairs. And “while they wanted the laundry room to be functional, they didn’t want it to be sterile and boring,” designer Jason LaGorga says.
Main feature. “The deep reproduction farmhouse sink was a must for laundry and gardening,” LaGorga says.
Other special features. “By using a simple subway-format tile on the floor in a herringbone pattern, we were able to introduce interest and visual movement in the space without breaking the bank,” LaGorga says. “A crisp blue-green cabinet color against a warm wall color brightens the space without being overpowering.”
Designer tip. “Making spaces serve more than one function, no matter how large the home, is critical,” LaGorga says. “This space functions as a laundry room, gardening center and, maybe in the future, a dog wash hub.”
Find a general contractor near you