

People are realizing that laundry rooms get so much of their time, so why not make them special?
When you put special attention into the design, laundry can feel less like a chore and almost a “cause for celebration.”
“It’s something that offers a little surprise and delight. It can really amp up your quality of life and increase the joy you experience spending time at home.” says Marie Flanigan, an interior designer in Houston. I agree wholeheartedly. Life is about savouring the everyday, and interior design has such an impact on well-being and quality of life.
So if you’ve got a laundry room reno on the mind, Pin this post to refer back when the time is nye.
We just completed this laundry room and I thought I’d share a few transformation tips to help support you with the best outcome in your own upgrades!
This space is teeny. Approximately 9×5′. But with the right planning, you can still get a ton of functionality, storage (and beauty!) out of your space. So do not dismay if you doubt your own laundry room’s potential, and read on!
Let’s get right to it!
TOP 4 TIPS WHEN DESIGNING YOUR DREAM LAUNDRY ROOM
1. Consider all functions that will occur in this room.
While you’re renovating, could a toilet be added to create a 3rd bathroom in your home?
Do you need your laundry room to be your acting mudroom or storage space?
How do you do laundry?
Do you like to separate? Design a space that has multiple sorting bins.
Do you dry everything in the machine? If not, do you lay garments flat or hang on hangers? There are so many customizations that are available now through custom cabinet makers, my favourite being the drawers that contain a mesh flat-dry rack built in. To have these items built into the space ensures you won’t constantly be battling their presence on your countertop.
It is 1000% worth considering how YOU use your space so that you can determine best flow and function. If you can find the budget, you will not regret spending extra to make your day-to-day tasks quicker and easier. Don’t rush this step, ask yourself lots of questions to ensure that your new space is well-equipped to anticipate your every need! Can you even imagine how that would change your energy day in and out? Dreamy.
2. Map it out.
Whether you’re working with a professional or not, if this step is missed, the custom-look just isn’t possible. Even if you’re not using a custom cabinet maker, and going with assembled cabinetry from a box store, or perhaps just outfitting your space with DIY open shelving, taking measurements of your space is critical to ensure everything fits like a glove, looking custom, even if it’s not. You don’t need special software, just pencil, graph paper and a measuring tape totally works! However there are free floorplan softwares online – check out floorplanner or roomsketcher.
Once this less-than-glamourous but oh-so-essential step is complete, you’ll know with confidence what size cabinets you’re looking for, and it takes all the guess-work out of it!
3. Moodboards make the dream work.
Which cabinet colour goes with which floors?
What colour hardware should I select?
This design is missing something, but what?
It doesn’t have to be fancy, even a rudimentary visualization of the evolving design helps DIYer or pro alike to confidently carry out a plan, knowing it will all work together in the end. Test out different cabinetry colours or floor options by seeing how they interact. Simply copy and paste images from the web into PowerPoint (pro tip: the remove background button is your friend to create a pretty layered look without the product backgrounds getting in the way).
Once the bones are accounted for – in this case – cabinetry, washer/dryer, you can begin finish selections such as countertop, pulls/knobs, faucet, mirror, lighting, paint, even
accessories if you’re so inclined.
As you check in with your moodboard along the process, it will start to become clear what elements may be missing…for example, when I’m decorating any room, I’m looking for a good representation of materials so that I’m not left with an unbalanced room.
I often think in terms of “wet” and “dry” materials.
Dry: wood, woven materials, drier looking/feeling fabrics such as linens, concrete, stone, matte finishes.
Wet: glass, glossy finishes, metal, reflective surfaces, textiles like velvet.
I also consider the balance of “soft” and “hard”
Soft: fabrics, plants, textiles, upholstery
Hard: solid furniture, solid decor.
Here is a list of materials you’ll want to consider for your space. You don’t have to have all included in every room, use of certain materials depends on your style (e.g. acrylic = more modern), but let it serve as a checkpoint to give you ideas if you’re feeling your room is lacking something in the design:
Raw or stained Wood
Painted wood
Woven / natural fibres
Glass
Mirror
Something living (plants, cut flowers, bowl of fruit, heck, even the cat livens up a room!)
Textiles
Metal
Ceramic
Stone
Something Black – it’s my opinion that every room needs at least a touch of black. Why? I believe it’s because it grounds every other colour giving it context.
By diversifying the materials in your room it’ll add dimension and contrast, and good design is all about the relationship between contrast and complement!
4. STYLE like it’s going out of style!
This space would look pretty flat if it weren’t for that cute little shelf that gives an opportunity for a stylish moment. This room has no windows, so we needed to bring some greenery indoors with a little faux plant, and added a pretty woven basket with soft towels, a glass canister for displaying/storing wool dryer balls (hello beauty and function all in one), and a candle because it’s a scientific fact that lighting a candle makes a chore sooooo much less chorey.
The pewter bowl is gorg and practical as well (clients own – yes she has great taste!) – it catches the loonies, nails, washers, drywall screws (ok maybe that’s just my laundry experience at my house! :D) but you get the picture.
When you’re styling think about both use and aesthetics…it will make you so happy when all those finishing touches are done thoughtfully. It’ll change how you experience the chore, and also how you feel when you step into that room. Glorious!
Cabinets: Home Depot
Hardware: Marathon
Countertop: Home Depot
Shelf: custom (aka offcut of butcher block counter) 😉
Styling: Homesense
I hope this helps you to bring all your Laundry dreams and desires to life!
Remember if you need support in achieving the best result, we are here for you at whatever level you require, from consultation to e-design to construction to full-service. Hit us up for a free Discovery Call to learn more!
Have you found us on IG yet? We share tons of tips there on the regular.
@juxta.interiordesign
Until next time friends!
Be well,
Meg