One of my biggest projects this year is renovating our less-than-stellar laundry room.
The laundry has been a point of contention since we built the house. With all the bedrooms located on the second floor, we end up with a row of hampers lining the wall waiting to be washed. To make matters worse, the room is long and narrow, just under 6 feet wide, so it quickly becomes a cramped space.
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When we first moved in we did a bandaid job by taking an upper cabinet from our kitchen, adding a shelf and a rod along with a peg rail for hanging jackets and bags.
In theory, it was a great way to add storage to the space; however, functionality was not great. If you had anything hanging the walkway immediately became blocked. At times, I had to remove bags and coats to change over the laundry because the doors could not fully open. So to say our hardest working room needs a makeover is an understatement.
I’ve worked on the layout and design for this room since last year and came up with two elevations.
The main wall in the laundry room is where I plan to keep the washer and dryer. Plus, there will be added closed storage as well. The Utah Project by Aymee and Molly of Light and Dwell has been my main inspiration for the project. I fell in love with the shiplap on the ceiling, the tile, and the built-ins.
Design by Aymee Kuhlman and Molly Kidd. Photography by Amy Bartlam.
The first option is to keep the units side by side, and remove the drawer bases which would allow for a countertop. Closed storage could be added about the washer and dryer and a pantry-style cabinet to the left for cleaning supplies. This option gives us space for a hanging rod, too.
The second option would be to stack the washer and dryer, moving the units to the right, and giving us plenty of storage to the left. This way we get three locker-style cabinets for bags and coats with a bench and hidden shoe storage below. There would be upper cabinets spanning the entire wall for the house and cleaning supplies.
Ultimately, I opted for the machines to the stacked for more closed storage. Though I loved the idea of a countertop and hanging rod, the room would be solely devoted to laundry and since this is also our mudroom, we needed storage for everyday items more.
Option two also opens up the room, allowing for a larger walkway since the units are stacked in the corner. Each child will have a designated locker and shoe bin while Mike and I share the third.
We do have a small closet in this space that houses our extra coats and shoes at the moment. With the second elevation, everyone’s shoes will have a designated spot and I’ll finally be able to store our vacuum cleaner and mop in their rightful place.
When it comes to selecting finishes for this space, I want crisp lines but I need it to feel warm and inviting, too. This is the first room we enter every day.
Shop the Look
I wanted to incorporate the herringbone tile as a nod to our powder room, but stained cabinetry would be overwhelming. Instead, I’ll use a putty color on the walls, ceiling, and cabinetry. This will make the room feel larger. Unlacquered brass hardware and light fixtures will be the perfect vintage-inspired accent.
The demo is more than complete. The subcontractors have moved the plumbing and the electrical outlets, and now the fun beings.
First up…TILE!
