I have designed dozens of laundry rooms over the years using closet interiors to full size rooms and wanted to share some of my favorite ideas and feedback from my clients.What makes laundry rooms challenging to design is that most have limitations when it comes to their location. Even in new construction I have found that the laundry room becomes the left over space after the more significant mud room and powder room are space-planned. In most cases my clients call me in because they are looking to move their laundry area out of the basement and this is really where the fun begins.
Step one; is to find a space where your laundry area can go. Some options are; add to an existing mud room, the inside of a closet, a hallway or in a home office. Recently I utilized half of the interior of a large guest room closet and added a stackable laundry station, flipping the entrance to it into the hallway on the opposite side of the guest room. The guest room did not need the double wide closet and this gave me the opportunity to bring the laundry area upstairs near the bedrooms. Most people are concerned about running the plumbing and proper ventilation but that is what the experts are for. I have never had a case where we couldn’t add the laundry area where we wanted, it just may have cost more to move based on the location and distance from the existing plumbing.Left, simple and chic with a fun light fixture and marble floor. A drying bar, sink and plantation shutter are all favorite design features as well.
Step two; once the location has been determined it is on to the layout of the room or area maximizing the functionality. Remember to take into consideration the alternate functions of the space if being shared. Above a multi-purpose room serves as a home office and laundry room combination while below a mud and laundry room co-habitat. I just adore the painted beadboard ceiling and the cat LOL.
If a closet interior is your best option my first choice is not to stack. Stackable is totally fine if you do not have the space for side- by- side but if you do then you will gain a counter top for folding, drying bar and a nice amount of storage. Add a fun metallic silver back-splash for a touch of bling.
Step three; now that you have determined where the laundry area will be and what the layout is, it is time to add details and custom features. If your household warrants multiple washer/dryers then stacking is the best option to maximize the space and building them in as shown here provides a nice, neat aesthetic.
One of my personal favorite features is separate baskets/bins for people in the household. Below, these bins are rolling, oh my and there is a large stainless counter top for folding. I try to maximize storage wherever possible to house overflow of household supplies in addition to laundry supplies. Drying bars are a must for me, a sink and I use built -ins to maximize storage if the budget allows. Designer tip- try using a closet design company for your custom laundry room or a local kitchen cabinet vendor. If you are handy Lowes has some creative options to design your dream laundry room as well.
Step four; what is the color scheme and what will the room look like? I have found that my clients that have separate rooms, even really small size laundry rooms, are looking for bright, cheerful colors and to add a bit of whimsy. The theory is, if I have to spend time in there I want it to feel happy. Turquoise and orange are my clients top two colors for laundry rooms to this day and adding a whimsical floor pattern can also add to the charm.
Themes are also a fun way to infuse some fun, below a coastal beach inspired laundry room boasts a fabulous pale turquoise wall color and functional laundry baskets. For laundry rooms that are in public spaces or serve multiple functions a more neutral palette is more typical infused with some high-end finishes like stainless steel or Carrera marble.
Below, concealing the washer/dryer behind cabinet doors is a nice option if they are in a public space or in a kitchen for the times when they are not in use. So there you have it, four simple steps to get you started designing, click here for more laundry room ideas. Remember you can always email me your design dilemmas in Just Ask, I am here to help you design your dream.
