Our little laundry room lacked some key necessities for our family of five, and it was dated and cramped. So we decided to give it a major refresh ... see below for all the details!
Image: Clouz Houz / Photography: Zee Wendell
When we set out to revamp our laundry room, there were some key things to consider. For example:
#1: How to make the 5′ x 10′ space feel a little more spacious and bring it into this century (!)
#2: How to incorporate a utility sink for a place to treat stains, soak clothes, fill vases and such
#3: How to keep some storage space but without upper cabinetry
#4: How to install a hanging rod for delicates and create a place to fold piles and piles of laundry
#5: Create a classic and unique look for such a utilitarian space (in other words, how do you create a space to do laundry and feel inspired??)
Image: Clouz Houz / Photography: Zee WendellImage: Clouz Houz / Photography: Zee Wendell
How we achieved all our goals:
STACKABLE WASHER AND DRYER
We’ve never had a stackable washer and dryer unit, but we have to say- – for a small laundry room — we are huge proponents! By going “up” we were able to save some of the footprint of the room so we could add a sink and more counter space for folding.
UTILITY SINK
We knew we needed a sink for various tasks like treating stains, washing delicates, filling vases, etc. The room didn’t currently have a sink, but we were able to easily add a water line off the plumbing — it was already there for the washing machine. We are so happy to have this 18″ under mount sink, even though it’s small. It was a great solution to achieve our goal.
STORAGE
This room is so so small, and yet, we needed a way to store things like cleaning supplies, rags, vases, iron/steamer etc. Upper cabinets “dwarfed” the space even more, so we decided to eliminate all those cabinets except the ones over the new sink. This allowed some closed storage without feeling too heavy. Then Derrick built some open shelving under the new butcher block countertop. I found the cutest café curtains to close off the open shelving, which provides some softness to the room and adds a little texture.
HANGING SPACE FOR DRYING DELICATES
Sometimes it’s better to dry clothes naturally, so I knew we needed a way to hang them. However, the space was so narrow that the extendable hanging rods I found online were going to extend too far into the room. Thank goodness, I found the most perfect un-lacquered brass rod and brackets from which to hang our clothes! I love its size (it’s fully customizable in length), and the brass is a beautiful accent against the dark paint color.
CREATE A CLASSIC… AND SOMEWHAT VINTAGE VIBE
I knew this space lacked character (I mean, how many laundry rooms really have character?), but doing laundry is one of my least favorite chores, so I knew it needed to be pretty and inviting. Maybe if the space felt more charming, I would feel more inspired to get all our laundry done? Ha ha … So, we added new tile flooring, bead board on all the walls, butcher block countertops, and vintage inspired light fixtures to give the room some soul and character. See our mood room below for all the inspo.
CLOUZ HOUZ TIP: Add a moody, rich color to a small space that has no natural light! Embrace the darkness, and just add more artificial lighting. It really makes the space feel cozy and inviting.
See all the links below to shop this look. If your laundry room doesn’t necessarily spark inspiring and happy feelings, we hope this will inspire you to create one. Of course, we’re always happy to help!
I didn’t fully understand this early in my career. I thought good design was 90% about pulling together beautiful finishes and getting the palette right.
But over time (and after walking through many homes), here’s what I noticed: The homes that felt the best weren’t always the most expensive. Or the most styled. They were the ones where everything worked together in a way that supported the people living there. And the homeowners? They weren’t constantly tweaking or second-guessing. They were living.
That’s when I realized design is about creating a space that quietly holds you.
When a home feels right, you can’t always explain why. But you feel it immediately. And once you feel it, you can’t un-feel it.
We’re kicking off the season with The March Edit - now live.
Think of it as a little peek into what we’re loving right now... what we’re noticing, bookmarking, wearing, cooking, reading, and saving for projects. This month feels fresh and full of ideas, and I’m leaning all the way in.
I’m also introducing more of the team and sharing a few of the things we’re personally obsessing over lately — from design to everyday life. It’s a little more journal-style this time, and I kind of love it.
If you want to see what we’re manifesting for spring (and maybe find a few new favorites of your own), head to the blog and read the full March Edit. (link in bio)
People always think design starts with picking the sofa or paint color... but honestly, so much of our process lives in the tiny details.
A room doesn’t become you until it’s styled with intention. That’s why we spend time learning how you move through your day, what objects matter, where your eye naturally lands.
When we work with clients, we don’t just drop furniture into a floor plan. We design the feeling - the quiet corner, the morning moment, the lived-in beauty.
Styling a coffee table is just a peek at how much thought goes into every inch.
Ready to love where you live? Start the process through the link in our bio.
9 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom, and suddenly the future felt wide open after this life-changing event.
If you’re new here, you might not know much about the other half of Clouz Houz...
Derrick (my husband). He used to show up on here more, but these days he prefers being behind the scenes. He’s the hands-on one, deep in renovations, and every once in a while he’ll pop in to teach a lesson or share a bit of the work.
Long before Clouz Houz existed, Derrick and I were always renovating our own homes because making something old feel fresh again was what we loved most. I started helping friends with their homes as a hobby, and after we moved, that uncertainty slowly turned into clarity.
Fast forward to today: Derrick and I built Clouz Houz together, getting back to our roots-flipping homes, investing in properties, restoring character, and creating spaces meant to be lived in. This little peek at our Sixth Street Bungalow feels like a full-circle moment... proof that sometimes not knowing what you’re going to do next is exactly how something meaningful begins.❤️