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!
We’ve been deep in the demo phase at the Sixth Street Bungalow, and it’s been both messy and motivating. This upstairs bathroom has kept us on our toes. We’ve re-routed plumbing, reworked the layout, and looked for every possible way to make the most of this space.
Design-wise, it’s a balance of old and new. Classic materials, warm finishes, and soft neutrals that bring a sense of history back into a house that’s been through so many hands. It’s the part of the process that doesn’t always look pretty, but it’s where the good stuff starts to take shape.
This first part of the renovation is coming together, slowly but surely. I can already picture the light hitting that tile in the morning.
Last week when we shared our Etsy finds, a few people asked who we actually source from, and truthfully, it’s a mix. We use Etsy all the time for things like lighting, custom pillows, drapery, and hardware. I always check lead times, message the seller (they’re usually so helpful), and read reviews before ordering. It’s worth paying attention to responsiveness and how items are shipped... especially when something’s vintage or one-of-a-kind. Nothing’s worse than falling in love with a piece that arrives damaged.
So, we pulled together a little guide of our favorite vendors that are tried, trusted, and genuinely so good.
Save this post for the next time you want to shop on Etsy but don’t know where to start.
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Sunday’s are the one day of the week where I can slow down, reflect, and share what’s actually happening bts. Things like what we’re designing, what we’re cooking, what’s inspiring me lately. It’s equal parts journal and catch-up, filled with home tours, my favorite discoveries, and the things that make life + home feel thoughtful again.
I know inboxes can get loud, so I promise to keep it simple, useful, and real. We chose Sundays for a reason... it’s the reset we all need after a week that moved too fast.
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Furniture is arriving at the Sun Valley Saddle House 🤎 Pieces from vendors like @oldhickoryfurniture are what makes my heart skip a beat. And the custom sectional from @mosshomeusa — I’m 💀! Ok, I know I geek out over furniture details, but sourcing beautiful accents like these for our clients’ new home is a part of my job that truly makes me so happy. I can already feel how much soul they are going to add to the home. They are rugged, romantic and textural. Everything we love about this project is coming to life and we can’t wait to share more soon!