laundry
“Uh-oh” moment. “That nook where the drying is situated was a bit tough to work out,” Meisels says. “We tried storage there and all sorts of various layouts. Given the pitch of the ceiling, it was an odd space to work with. When we realized it was a perfect solution for drying, there were high-fives all around.”
Designer tips. “Pullouts for supplies make things easily accessible,” designer Shirley Meisels says. “A devoted drying space is handy too. We used a Caesarstone top on the base for waterproofing against drips. The wool rug, which is very durable around water, adds a fun hit of color and adds warmth to a functional space.”
. Elevated Ergonomics Elevating front-loading appliances means less bending over, making it more comfortable to load and unload the laundry. This is also a good strategy for those who wish to age in place. For this sleek design in Vancouver, Lida Homes took advantage of the space beneath the machines to add two large drawers.
Homeowners’ request. Create a new laundry space — with a sink, hanging racks, storage and a sink — after incorporating the existing laundry room into a new addition. Style. “The laundry space is, above all else, whimsical,” designer Carly Nemtean says. “We kept the cabinetry and counters clean and simple but installed a fun fig wallpaper that is oversized in pattern so it shines.” Special features. Sliding pocket doors that close off the area. Rod for hanging and drying clothes. Lots of storage for cleaning supplies. “It’s a flexible space that is incorporated into the walls and niches so that every space is usable,” Nemtean says.
Ironing board: The client wanted an ironing board but didn’t want it to always be in the way. The solution was a small, white cabinet next to the window that houses a pull-down ironing board. When they are done using it, they just push it up and it’s out of sight. Drying racks: The drying racks next to the ironing board function similarly. The racks pull out from the wall and push back into place when the clients are done with them.
The fact that the space serves multiple purposes, from laundry room to pantry, meant the team had to tuck in function anywhere they could. “We were able to create a bright, attractive space that is also practical and utilitarian,” says Jimmy Crisp, owner of Crisp Architects. One example of that is the hanging rack installed above the washer.
Use a thick wall strategy. This back hallway serves as the laundry area — the washer and dryer are located behind the closed cabinet doors. The designer made the most of a thick wall strategy — the wall that separates the hall from a staircase had enough room for a shallow cabinet for brooms and other cleaning supplies.
The side opposite the cabinets acts as a closet for the family. The McFaddens keep their shoes on the main level to make coming and going easier. The stacked basket organizer keeps the room cleaner while still allowing them to store the shoes near the door. The wall hooks are great for backpacks, coats, scarves and hats, and again, they organize everything neatly in one place.
Another design element Mayhall used for this room was layering. She chose to use wood tones because they added dimension to this airy space, mimicked the adjacent kitchen’s style and completed the rustic design of the whole house. The wooden frame of the mirror was even stained to match. The room is now so neat and tidy that the kids end up doing homework on the folding counter, Marin says. Why not? They can hang up their backpacks, finish their homework and then repack their bags to be ready for the next morning. Plus, the counter acts as a phone charging station for anyone hanging out in the room. Another benefit to having your laundry room right inside your home’s main entrance is that kids can easily deposit dirty clothes and shoes before running through the rest of the house.
One complaint the homeowners had with their former setup was that they had to constantly bend over to load and unload the laundry, so Mayhall elevated both appliances. Sounds like a simple solution, right? Well, the process was much more involved than expected. Contractor Mark Fredricksen helped with the logistics of elevating these large appliances. First, to have easy access to the water’s shut-off valve, they had to relocate it to the basement. Second, they had to make sure the custom-made cabinetry would fit around the washer and dryer. Mayhall, when designing, also left a few inches around the appliances, which will be helpful if they ever need to be moved or replaced. Lastly, the team had to prepare for possible leaks. Because this is a high-traffic area of the house, the family was not worried about undetected ones. Just in case, though, the storage under the washer and dryer is not attached to the rest of the cabinets, making replacement easy if it gets damaged. With the exterior door being a popular place to come and go, the designer had to make sure the washer and dryer would not be in the way. Luckily, Marin says it has never been a problem because the machines are loc...
AFTER: The room’s first job is to be functional, but this family of five also wanted it to be fun. “The goal was to make a light-filled, layered and lovely laundry room that would include a home for every item and leave room for collections to grow, as well as make storing, organizing and washing the laundry a bit easier,” Mayhall says. She started by lightening up the place. The color she chose for the custom cabinets — an off-white shade of canvas — lifted the look of the entire room. “This color is a great alternative, bright neutral color if you can’t or don’t want to use pure white in a space,” Mayhall says. Finally, she added pendant lights to make the room even brighter and more inviting. This busy room is narrow, so Mayhall chose custom cabinets to maximize the space. She removed the rarely used sink and then used all the vertical space along one wall by bringing in custom-built cabinets from KraftMaid. The doors below the folding counter are actually pullout laundry baskets, which hide any dirty laundry that is waiting to be washed. And the McFaddens often host get-togethers with family and friends, so the adjustable shelving in the cabinets allow them to neatly store th...
BEFORE: The exterior door in the laundry room leads to the driveway and is the main entrance to the house. Additionally, this room is right off the kitchen, and many of the items not used on a daily basis, such as serving platters and extra bottles of wine, are stored here. And most obviously, this is the family’s laundry room. Because there was no effective storage system, everything kept in this space quickly piled up.
Look up. Again, if space is limited, stop thinking horizontally and try going vertical. Stacking your appliances, extending shelving to the ceiling, and using wall space for rods and baskets will help you achieve the laundry room of your dreams, even in tight quarters.
Bring in something old. To add a little character to your space, consider an old-timey sink or other vintage piece. Paired with classic details like white Shaker cabinets and subway tile, the look will feel more collected and relaxing.
Let the air in. Even with ventilation, laundry rooms can get pretty stuffy. This San Francisco space gets around that with a Dutch door to let in breezes and views
Go bold. A refreshing blue paint on the cabinets perks up this small laundry room just enough to bring a little cheer to the task at hand.
10. Slim cabinetry. Similarly, a tall, slim cabinet fits in next to these stackables. Because the washer and dryer are located in a bathroom, coordinating cabinet doors helps the laundry supply area fit right into the room. The lower cabinet houses a pullout hamper.
9. Wire shelves and baskets. Stackables make room for sorting in this laundry closet that is just 54 inches wide. The homeowner customized a wire shelving system designed around laundry basket size. This system can be used to sort colors and delicates, or for everyone in the family to keep track of and do their own laundry.
African basket. This hamper is a lovely design accent in the laundry room. You’ll need a little bit of extra room in your laundry room for it. I have a very tight laundry room, and I place a similar hamper next to the dryer. The door doesn’t open quite all the way without hitting it, but it certainly opens wide enough for functionality. And you don’t have to use an African basket — choose whatever fits your style, be it an antique wicker hamper or a streamlined rattan hamper. Heck, I’ve even seen a darling elephant-shaped hamper here on Houzz.
Borrowed space in a recess. If the previous photo made you drool with envy over the laundry room’s square footage, you may still be able to fit a rolling hamper into a tighter space — sometimes space for a hamper might be hiding right near your laundry room. To accommodate a rolling hamper next to the machines, the architect transformed a linen closet into storage recesses. The linens are stored on the shelves above, while the hamper rolls into a small alcove that’s right next to the machines. This hamper has different sections for presorting.
. Baskets under the machines. These portable laundry baskets fit right under an 18-inch-high shelf that supports the appliances, making it all fit into a laundry closet that’s just 5½ feet wide. They can be removed to gather up the laundry around the house and then stowed here. Another bonus to this design is not having to bend over to load and unload the washer and dryer (though you may have to get a duster extender to dust the top of the machines).
. Below-window counter. A window wall may nix the possibility of installing storage-heavy upper cabinets, but that doesn’t mean the space needs to go to waste. Instead of cabinetry, try adding a slim counter below the window and a hanging rod above it. If space is really tight, make the counter a fold-down version.
Pullout folding surface. Expand the usefulness of your cabinetry by swapping out a drawer for a pull-out folding surface. And when you’re not using it for laundry, it can work as a gift-wrapping station
Wall-mounted table. A narrow laundry room can be hard to maneuver in, much less find a surface for folding clothes. Unless, that is, you take a cue from this smart space and mount a drop-leaf table on the wall. The slim profile takes up hardly any room yet opens to a generous size when you’re ready to fold.
Floating-shelf trick. Think you don’t have room for shelves? You just might if you use this clever floating-shelf trick. By attaching shelves to the side wall, you can create narrow (but deep) shelves in even a slender gap, where other shelving just won’t go. Use baskets to organize and contain smaller items and prevent toppling
Narrow shelving unit. A slim shelving unit in this compact laundry room keeps detergent and other supplies handy without taking up much floor space. Wall-mounted drying racks expand to provide space for air-drying clothes, and fold down between uses.
Valet rods. A valet rod is an awesome little piece of hardware that I personally believe is underrated. It can be installed on a wall or the outside of a cabinet and extended when you need to hang something, then put away when you’re all done.
It is indeed an amazing idea that makes a lot of sense,” she wrote. “It folds in two and slides back in the cabinet horizontally — it doesn’t affect the cabinet below at all, which in this case is a pullout laundry basket.” The ironing board is completely concealed by a drawer panel.
. Swivel-out under-counter board. In this dressing room-laundry area, a clever ironing board design makes the most of the space. The board swings out from beneath the folding counter and tucks back neatly once everything is pressed. Curtains conceal the laundry station when it’s not in use.
. Washer-dryer accessories. Appliance companies are getting on board with this idea. ASKO offers pullout shelves and ironing boards as accessories that go with their washers and dryers. This setup includes both. The convenience of these extras allowed interior designer Connie Young to set up the laundry workspace as a wall of cabinets along a hallway. Everything is concealed behind the cabinet doors when the laundry is done.
New recess. Here’s homeowner Ronda Batchelor’s take on the old-fashioned recessed ironing cabinet. (Be forewarned: This woman is super-handy; check out the rest of her amazing DIY laundry room.) Batchelor cut the back off a cabinet and recessed it into the wall, attached molding overhead to make it look built-in, and designed and fashioned the fold-down, swiveling ironing board system herself. The adjacent side has plenty of room for all of her ironing equipment. Tip: If you set up something like this, make sure it’s close to an electrical outlet. You could get extra fancy and have one installed in the cabinet.
On the other side of the narrow space there’s room to dry clothes and hang coats — or even robes for the kiddos for when they’re down to their skivvies in here.
The mudroom-laundry room-back entry solution. A back-entry hall can be wasted space. If you have kids, you know how great this is. They can strip out of muddy uniforms here and throw them straight into the washer without mucking up the rest of the house. Then they can knock off the excess mud in their cleats right in the sink. Lush Kitchen Design Save Email On the other side of the narrow space there’s room to dry clothes and hang coats — or even robes for the kiddos for when they’re down to their skivvies in here.
5. The under-stair solution. This design takes a similar approach, but in the often-wasted space beneath a staircase. The counter and sink can be used for laundry and then, when it’s time to relax with friends, as a wet bar or buffet.
4. The laundry-bar combo. The idea behind a college laundromat-bar-music venue in Cincinnati called Sudsy Malone’s always struck me as genius. (Alas, the place is now gone.) What’s better than listening to some great music with a domestic draft while performing the drudgery of laundry? This finished basement is the residential version of that philosophy.
Behind doors No. 1 and 2, there’s a sink and storage; behind doors No. 3 and 4, a stackable washer-dryer. There’s even enough room for a water softener below the sink, plus storage overhead. Perfect for cleaning supplies, a laundry basket or extra linens.
2. The closet solution. Many of us have only a double closet for our laundry “room.” These charming doors conceal quite a smart solution.
The stackable solution. The good thing about a laundry room designed for side-by-side appliances is that it immediately gains space if you switch over to stackables. Suddenly, half of that appliance-designated floorspace is available for a sink.
Fold-down drying rack. This wall-mounted design folds down to provide flexible space for hanging out clothes to dry. When not in use, it takes up hardly any space.
Extra-long hanging rod. Slim, wall-mounted designs, like the Shaker peg rail and hanging rod shown here, make the most of a narrow room. Use the rod to drape damp clothes to dry and the peg rail above to hang hangers.
Overhead drying rack. This closet laundry room makes clever use of the tight quarters with wall-mounted shelves, a counter over the washer and dryer for folding, and a ceiling-mounted drying rack. With the doors open, it’s a fully functional laundry; close the doors, and it all disappears.
Nook-size hanging rod. Even the tiniest sliver of room can be outfitted with a hanging rod. This under-the-stairs laundry area turns an awkwardly angled space into a place for several hangers.
Take a closer look: When you’re ready to hang up clothes to dry, simply slide out one or both racks
Pullout drying rack. This laundry room has a trick up its sleeve — dual pullout drying racks built into the countertop. The slim design is barely noticeable when not in use.
Undershelf hanging rod. Attaching a hanging rod to the underside of an upper shelf means not a bit of space is wasted. Use the top shelf to stow supplies in bins, and hang freshly laundered shirts below. Plumbing pipe gives this rustic laundry room an industrial edge, and it offers a budget-friendly material if you’re looking to DIY.
In a nook. Many homes have a nook, be it a place to store correspondence or sit for a cup of coffee. Because laundry areas can be designed to be compact, the idea of one in a nook is clever. Here, mesh doors open and slide back into the surrounding cabinetry so that they are out of the way when the laundry is in use. The mesh doors can be closed while the washer and dryer are in use because air can flow easily through the area without creating condensation inside the cabinet. Since the doors are almost opaque, shutting them hides the functionality of the space.
In a hallway. Good planning has created space in this corridor for a side-by-side washer and dryer with hanging racks above. A traditional door that opens out to access the laundry area would not have worked in the narrow hallway, but a sliding barn-style door does the trick. When closed, the door is almost invisible within the architecture of the home, which is just what the owners wanted.
In a kitchen. Hiding a laundry area in a kitchen is easier than you may think. Here, it’s at the far end of a single-wall kitchen. Space is a priority in this compact home, so it’s vital that every nook and cranny is used to maximum advantage.
by Margot Hartford Photography Margot Hartford Photography Save Email Sliding panels are more attractive and space-saving than conventional doors. This one hides the family’s stacked laundry appliances.
This laundry room, by R House Design Build, is upstairs in a Minneapolis home. The space includes a farmhouse sink and a stainless steel rod for drying shirts.
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