Turning a Beach Cottage Into a Coastal Gem

GDC’s carpenters created custom mahogany doors and jams for the office and laundry space.

Easy access to outside clothesline in this laundry room. Storage above and below and drying rack for those wet rainy days.

Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition

Katie Hutchison Studio

Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Legacy Ridge Remodel

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

A laundry room doesn't need to be boring. This client wanted a cheerful color in her laundry room. We concealed many of her utilitarian items behind closed doors and removed the clutter. What a nice space to launder and fold or hang clothes.

Light & Airy Laundry

Dwell Design Co

Westminster Residence

Hsu McCullough

Laundry room with view of garden with white oak cabinets with recessed integral pulls in lieu of exposed hardware

Laundry Rooms

Closets of Virginia

Weston Laundry Room

Carriagetown Kitchens

Luxury Modern Farmhouse in Town & Country, MO

Hibbs Homes

The mudroom in this modern farmhouse is made with custom cubbies and expansive storage.

Fairy Lake Retreat

Cassis Design Studio with Urban Rustic Living

Laundry Room

SINGLEPOINT DESIGN BUILD INC.

Modern Luxury with a View

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc.

Laundry room.

"the welsh house"

New Old, LLC

Dustin Peck Photography

Kitchen and Family Room

Tali Hardonag Architect

Mountain View laundry station A barn door slides close when needed to hide the stacked washer/dryer and a cubby for the pet dog

Boca II Project

Dream Finders Homes

Multi purpose Room - Butlers Pantry, Laundry & Mud Room

User

Multi purpose room with loads of storage for pantry items, laundry and mudroom to dump those dirty shoes at the end of the day.

The Perfect Family Home

Parkyn Design

This multipurpose room serves as laundry storage and craft room.

Whirlpool Laundry Appliances

Baron's Major Brands

Our front load washers help you best care for your family. Browse today to find the right appliance for you. Every day, care.

Laundry Room Design Ideas with Solid Surface Benchtops and Light Hardwood Floors

Laundry designs seldom receive the attention they deserve, especially considering how often they’re used. A well-planned laundry, complete with built-in cabinets, a laundry sink, washing machine and clothes dryer, can serve many needs. It can help simplify your household chores; store drying clothes and cleaning products; and can even provide a spot for you to groom pets. Because of its hardworking, multipurpose potential, a laundry renovation is a worthwhile investment. Smart laundry designs have layouts that save you time and effort. For example, a washing machine and clothes dryer should be positioned next to one another or stacked, and laundry baskets and hampers should be within easy reach; while an ironing board should be stowed by a power point. Ample storage, bench space for laundry baskets and practical lighting are also essential. Browse the photos on Houzz for efficient laundry ideas, from layouts and storage to appliances, and strike up a conversation with the designers of your favourite laundry renovations. For more laundry ideas, browse the Stories section on Houzz.

How do I add storage to my laundry?

A combination of storage solutions is key to running an efficient laundry. Include shelves above or beside the washing machine to store washing detergent, softener and other cleaning products; and laundry bins for dirty clothes. Consider a custom-built cupboard for an ironing board, so it can easily fold out when you need it, or mount the ironing board directly to the wall or on the back of a door. A retractable clothesline is a handy addition to dry delicate clothes, while a clothes hanger mounted to the wall is ideal for hanging freshly pressed shirts.

What else can I use my laundry for?

Multipurpose laundry rooms or utility rooms can help save valuable space in your home. The laundry sink can be used to bathe your furry friends; your laundry cupboard can store sports equipment, gardening tools and umbrellas; and a spare nook can be filled with a desk and chair to create an office space while you wait for your load to finish. If your laundry is at the front of the house, consider using it as a drop station for mail, mobile phones and keys. Include a bench seat or stool, wall-mounted hooks for bags and a coat stand and it can even be used as a place to get the kids organised before you walk out the front door.

How can I decorate my laundry?

Laundries are usually filled to the brim with appliances and storage, so take advantage of your walls when decorating and use cheery paint colours or wallpaper to make doing the chores more pleasant! Fun signs, posters, murals and wall decals will also add character to the space. Think of your storage as decor, too – look for bins and baskets with decorative touches, and use brightly-coloured or patterned hangers.