How I Fell in Love with My Laundry Room

I admit it: I love my laundry room. Maybe that’s weird, but it really makes me happy. It’s bright and organized with the right amount of storage. It’s incredibly functional and it’s so cute!

When we built our house, we gave equal time to our laundry room design. I spend so much time in this workhorse space that I wanted to make it a place I loved to be in. At about 120 square feet, it’s roomy without being crazy big, and the materials we chose stand up to lots of use. The simple layout satisfied our need for form and function, and the neutral palette gave me a great canvas for decorative details. It’s also easy to keep clean.

As noted above, the laundry room layout is very simple. The dimensions are approximately 10×12 feet. When you enter, cabinet storage runs along the righthand wall, while the washer and dryer and laundry sink populate the wall to the left. The galley-style setup is complemented with two large windows: one at the end of the galley and the other separating the cabinets on the east wall.

Because we’re in and out of this room multiple times a day, durable materials were a priority. The floor is a dark gray non-slip tile. We used drywall skim coated with plaster for the walls (versus tile), as I wanted it to feel a little softer and warmer. Cabinets are painted wood and countertops are natural pine finished with a clear sealant. Door hardware for the cabinetry are simple round knobs in a brushed nickel finish.

For the laundry sink, we chose a 52-inch stainless steel version from John Boos. The setup includes an attached drain board that comes in handy when I’m handwashing clothes, or filling buckets and dog bowls. It’s great to have a surface to set things down – sort of a staging area. The faucet is in polished chrome.

Recessed lights make up our overhead lighting, which is rarely used during the day thanks to ample sunlight.

Hubby built all the storage which includes two sets of upper and lower cabinets and the countertops, along with a tall closet for mops and brooms. He also built a long shelf we installed above the washer and dryer. The cabinets offer more than enough room for linens, blankets, and towels. We use the extra space to store toilet paper, tissues, extra toiletries, and cleaning supplies.

The countertop between the two sets of lower cabinets offers the perfect spot to fold clothes. Gazing out the window above it into the woods beyond makes folding laundry pretty relaxing. We maximized the space underneath with rolling laundry carts; one is reserved for really grimy washables.

The shelf above the washing machine and dryer is painted wood. It holds laundry detergent and dryer sheets. It also holds a glass jar to collect the contents of hubby’s pockets before his clothes hit the wash (think: nails, screws, golf tees, etc.). The convenience of having all these items in exactly the place you use them is wonderful.

We opted for a Speed Queen set for our washer-dryer on the recommendation of the local appliance store. It was a great choice and we love it.

For my style-conscious friends, I will say don’t be fooled by it’s very simple appearance (they only come in white). This sucker is heavy duty and has won accolades from Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports. It’s also made in the USA and is considered one of the most reliable brands on the market.

Our model features dials over digital controls, as hubby is not a fan of all-things-computerized. It’s a top loader, but you can also get front load and stackable models with digital controls. This brand is also very quiet when it’s operating, which we love.  

If you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer, I recommend checking them out.

Now for the fun stuff! Walls are painted Thundercloud gray in a satin finish by Benjamin Moore. This is also the predominant color throughout the house. The trim is a white semi-gloss. The wall color makes the perfect neutral backdrop for my collection of “dog art” and black and white touches. It feels serene and cool, but not cold (my photography does not do it justice).

Because this is a laundry room, I gave myself permission to have some fun with the décor. Relaxed and cheerful was the plan and nothing says that more than dogs! We love dogs, so when I spotted some of the widely-available “Black Dog” prints, I was all in. Three found their way onto the walls. They remind me of Trigger, our mixed breed, and the colors really pop.

I also scored two colorized photos of a yellow lab in a truck – so cute! They were something like $10 each on eBay.

A framed paper-art lighthouse (originally a card from my sister-in-law) paired with a black and white sign from a local antiques store offers a nod to our Maine location.

In addition to the art, two big windows flood the space with morning sunlight and bring the green of outside indoors. We outfitted them with cellular shades from Blinds.com. The shades are a Levolor cordless model in a light-filtering gray linen finish and they are fabulous. I love that they basically disappear when fully opened.

The windowsills are deep enough for plants or holiday décor. (I always have a couple of small arrangements with candles on them at Christmas.) An artificial boxwood sits on the sill in the east-facing window during most of the year. A second one sits on the shelf above the dryer. They’re simple, but add an organic contrast to the framed art.

To warm up the floor, we added a 5×7-foot indoor-outdoor rug in tones of dark blue and dark gray. It hides dirt and dog hair and it’s super easy to keep clean.  

I adore this laundry room, but I’m always looking for ways to make it even better. Currently under consideration: a wide piece of art or vintage sign to hang above the laundry shelf and a built-in that would go next to the sink.

Until then, I will continue to enjoy my sunny room while keeping our clothes clean!