Laundry rooms are often the most neglected rooms in the house. When we were house hunting, I can't tell you how many laundry rooms we saw that we were basically machines plunked in unfinished basements, sitting on concrete floors with creepy lighting and no storage or countertops. I don't know why that is. Like, what about that says "clean clothes"? I'd much rather wash my skivvies in a room that has elements like these...
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This room packs it all in - counterspace, a mix of open and closed storage, good symmetry, nice textures, ample natural light and overhead pot lights. I like how they've painted the cabinet fronts a colour similar to the washing machines too.
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This one has a lot of features that were already in my plan - Ikea cabinets, and a rod to hang wet clothes. Counters over the washing machines are also a must.
Is it just me or are you seeing horizontal planking everywhere? I love the look, a little bit beachy, a little bit traditional. Sort of like my basement :) The tongue and groove ceiling is fabulous too. I wonder how that would look in a room that only has 7" ceilings?
Using a graphic wallpaper like this helps to break up all the cabinetry. Since our laundry room will also house our pantry and linens, we'll need a lot of closed storage. Pattern like this can help the room feel less heavy.
HandyMan says he wants a TV in the laundry room. If it gets him to do the laundry, then I'm all for it ;)
What does your laundry room look like? Scary or sublime?
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We have LG in graphite too and love them! Room for crafts and sewing is a great idea. Make use of every square inch, right?
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. I can't imagine doing laundry with a plywood and dirt floor! Hope your renos come quick.
ReplyDeleteIt is! But fun decisions :)
ReplyDeleteOh, that's great to hear. I so love the look.
ReplyDeletePretty doesn't have to be big. And it forces you to do the laundry and put it away too ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a lot to work with!
ReplyDeleteGreat inspiration sources! I like the one with the dark blue W/D the best though. Simple and practical. A hanging bar in our someday remodeled laundry room is a must for me. I also would love to have a countertop over them. For now I'll have to live vicariously though you though. : ) This room is going to be stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks a lot for sharing. This really gave me idea. Nice post
ReplyDeleteIf my laundry room was big enough I'd totally put a TV in it. I'd love to watch TV while I ironed.
ReplyDeleteMine is all doom and gloom, two machines plunked in the utility room - sighhh. Once we work on finishing our basement I will work a laundry area into our future basement bathroom. Can't wait to see how far you go - TV and all ;)
ReplyDeleteMy laundry room is pretty scary. It's a tiny, tiny space in a little room that leads out to the garage. You are inspiring me to make it be a little more practical though :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a laundry room like that in my rental. Gushing.Right.Now. So excited to watch your reno unfold. Cheers! xo
ReplyDeleteI would looove to have a gorgeous and functional laundry room!
ReplyDeleteMy laundry "room" is one like you mentioned while house hunting - in my unfinished basement with zero storage and bad lighting. The furnace sits between the washer and dryer. It would require MAJOR work to move things around and make it look even half-okay. :P Oh well...
Heated floors are a must! I have that and a tv!
ReplyDeletegreat ideas... Loves the idea in the last picture.. you can enjoy watching TV while waiting for your laundry.. haha..
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a super job. I have a laundry closet right off the kitchen, it is very handy and the kitchen island works well to fold towels etc.
ReplyDeleteGood point Tim. Yes those tiles from Edgewater Studio would be spectacular (and so so far out of my budget, ha!)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I love your laundry room! And that tile!! And I clicked through and fell in love with your bedroom wardrobes. And the sliding barn door!!! Now I'll have to dedicate the rest of the afternoon to poking around your blog ;)
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with you about getting the hubby to do laundry! I've scared mine a few times (or, I should say, he's scared me-- by washing AND drying my delicates on occasion), so now he only does his own laundry and won't touch mine. Baby steps. :-)
ReplyDeleteErin @ The Great Indoors
Great renovations, the kitchen looks very nice and well organized. Installing business surveillance systems will also enhance this kind of home improvement.
ReplyDeleteLove all of these images. I have to say I have a rod for hanging - it is fantastic - don't know what I would do without it now.
ReplyDeleteMy laundry room desperately needs a makeover. Thanks for sharing all the lovely inspiration pics! I love that wallpapered one!
ReplyDeleteWe're currently renovating ourselves and we're adding a laundry room/mudroom that I'm so excited about. Lots of natural light and subway tile:) Just gave an update yesterday on it. Check it out...maybe you'll get some ideas. http://www.mapleleavessycamoretrees.com/2012/03/randoms.html
ReplyDeleteI went from having a laundry closet in my 2nd floor bathroom to my washer & dryer on the cement floor in my basement. It's MUCH safer (as the stacked laundry pair were unsecured, unvented, the dryer line leaked into my bedroom and there was no drain in case the washer overflowed.) So I feel much safer about the whole thing, but the washer & dryer plonked in my dreary basement leaves much to be desired. I am unable to finish the basement (low low ceilings, 100 year old brick foundation that does not leak, but needs to breathe.) I do plan on putting drycore flooring panels down (I am also considering Ikea's Platta decking as a basement floor solution). I am going to do tongue & groove whitewashed pine on the walls (with breathing room behind). An ikea butcherblock countertop over my washer dryer pair, and an old Ikea stainless steel island for basket storage and more folding/sorting space. I am totally with your husband on the tv thing. You can spend a lot of time ironing and doing laundy! It will make it more like a room you'd want to spend time in. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Laundry Room was one of my favorite parts of the house when we first toured it. Sure, it might have been because the rest of the foreclosure home looked like a crime scene, but I instantly saw potential in the main floor laundry with tons of natural light. It's still my favorite room in the house. http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/2011/10/laundry-room-reveal.html
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved into our house, the basement was unfinished, and it was just like you described- washer and dryer on a cold concrete floor, hanging lightbulb with a pull cord for light, and that was it. I wanted a REAL laundry room, because I was tired of dropping clean items on the floor and having to rewash them- bare concrete floors are IMPOSSIBLE to keep clean- and then it turned into "While we're at it...why don't we just FINISH THE WHOLE BASEMENT???" Talk about scope creep!!!
ReplyDeleteMy laundry room is small- it's L-shaped, with the short side being 5'x4' and housing the washer and dryer, and the long side being 8'x4' with a counter, the sink, and storage. It feels bigger than it is- there are two folding spaces, and it's pretty easy to handwash in the sink without having to step over piles of dirties (or cleans!)....and, I figure it's JUST a laundry room, it serves no other purpose, I'm not spending 8 hours a day in there, so who cares if it's small! I always feel that single-purpose spaces can be much smaller than rooms that have to play double or triple duty!
The only thing I don't like are our countertops- we went with laminate because going with granite was absolutely cost prohibitive, but I think it looks cheap compared to the rest of the basement, and I don't think it "matches". Someday, I will switch them out!!!
I have never seen a laundry room more frightening than mine. Someone prior to us dug out under the porch, and that's the laundry room. The size is more than ample, but the floor was never finished - it's literally plywood on the dirt, it has proper walls, but no insulation, it's painted a dingy green colour. It's cold in winter, and it does not make me want to do laundry. It is on our list of renovations for next year.
ReplyDeleteI have put the planks on ceilings in several rooms in my home. I think it is great for a lower ceiling, because it will bounce light around
ReplyDeleteWe're working on our laundry room right now as well. It just got walls, and the tile is going in, but still a lot of work and decisions to make.
ReplyDeleteMine is somewhere in the middle. I have a great sized room, lots of shelves and cupboards, a window but sad lino and mismatched appliances. Oh that room could be great if I wasn't renting! I am planning on re-painting and changing the blind - again!
ReplyDeleteYour basement is sounding so LOVELY!
I gave up a laundry room for what could only be described as a laundry cupboard...kinda like giving up my deep freezer. It, like so many of my recent changes, has forced me to simplify. But what I love is that I can focus on the pretty. Since I can't really hide the laundry baskets that line the hallway I'm going to make sure they are ones that I like to look at!
ReplyDeleteWe have tongue and groove ceilings in our kitchen (8 ft. ceilings) and I feel like it really heightens the look of the kitchen. It is painted white (if that makes any difference). LOVE the look (although painting it with a brush by hand was a pain).
ReplyDeletelove your inspiration Jen!! I would totally take that last two shots in a heart beat. My only concern is wallpaper in the laundry area where splashes may happen ... maybe those lovely laser cut glass tile in similar pattern? Maybe a little pricey ... but i'm sure it will look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration. I have a good size laundry room compared to most and I am in the process of putting ideas together to refinish it. We have the main part done: we just took hold of our brand new LG machines in graphite! The Home Depot had an awesome sale a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking Ikea too for cabinetry. Perhaps a cabinet with counter/desk combo for crafts and sewing?
ReplyDeleteWe are a little further along on our basement renovation. We used horizontal wood plank (beadboard planks turned backwards) for most of the basement walls. We are using thinner beadboard panels as custom made drop ceiling (at about 7'). I actually think that the beadboard ceiling looks especially nice with a low ceiling, since it is more visible. We are still painting and finishing our space up. We unfortunately don't have as much space as you, but it is still an upgrade. We are on month 6 now of this project and it is finally coming to a close.
ReplyDeleteWe had a couple of months of dirt in front of the washer and dryer, which brought a new low to doing laundry in the basement. I am especially loving have nice lighting. We used LED down lights at the washer and dryer area which I really like.
http://www.statelykitsch.com/category/our-house/basement/
Sounds like a great plan. I'm not a fan of upper floor laundry rooms myself though I know they're convenient.
ReplyDeleteLove your idea of butcherblock and tongue & groove. That sounds lovely.
Your laundry room looks awesome! What a great use of the limited space. I like the laundry basket storage and your painted rug. Great job!
ReplyDeletedefinitely scary! We are planning to repurpose our old kitchen countertop to add some "nicer" surface in there and add some lower cabinets as well. I guarantee I wil be drooling over whatever you decide :)
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, that is scope creep! We're debating countertops too. Laminate is in the budget but you're right, its a different look.
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