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Creative Ideas for Daily Living

Mudroom Renovation: How to Plan an Efficient Laundry Space

Mudroom Renovation: How to Plan an Efficient Laundry Space

My husband and I are in the midst of renovating our mudroom. We took down some walls, hung drywall, then picked up a gallon of Muralo Breath SafeTM No-VOC Paint from our local hardware store. We’re ready for our original hardwood floors which were buried under old laminate flooring to be repaired and refinished by the pros next week. In the mean time, we need to decide on a layout and cabinetry for the space.

How to design a functional and efficient laundry room

Ok, so now what? We have a big open space, which is quite a change from our old laundry closet. How should we lay it out? Here are a few tips to help make planning a laundry room a cinch.

Find Inspiration

First, I looked through a lot of photos of laundry rooms, online and off, and identified what I liked and didn’t like. Originally, I had decided on placing a washer and dryer side by side with cabinetry above, but realized that I preferred a stacked unit, allowing for a counter top next to the two.
laundry-room-side-by-side-washer-and-dryer-with-cabinetrylaundry-room-stacked-washer-and-dryer-with-cabinetry

Measure Your Space

Next, I measured the room, and drew out a rough layout complete with measurements with the Notes Plus app on my iPad. I love that this app that let’s me write, draw and collect photos in notebooks, perfect for planning projects like these. I also roughed in general cabinet and appliance locations.
laundry-room-rough-sketch-with-measurements

Research Cabinetry Options

We had checked the Habitat for Humanity Re-store for cabinets on several occasions, but weren’t able to find anything that would fit our space. So, we checked a few online retailers, then decided to head out to the store. We visited both Lowe’s and Home Depot, making note of their stock cabinetry sizes and prices (I added some photos of the cabinet styles and pricing to my notebook.) Both stores had comparable options, with identical sizes and pricing. Home Depot was offering 20% off all in-stock cabinetry, so we picked up a brochure detailing the cabinet offerings and started sketching out a plan.

stock-cabinets-and-laminate-countertops-at-Lowe's

Sketching the Plan

Now the fun part-creating the floor plan. When choosing cabinets, it is important to consider the functionality of each piece and how they fit into the floor plan. In my space, there is an awkward corner where the wall bumps out a bit that is just the right size for a pantry cabinet. We weren’t happy with the height and configuration of the stock pantry cabinets, so we thought about stacking several wall cabinets to form a custom unit. Since upper cabinets are not as deep as lower cabinets, using uppers in place of lowers is a great option for a shallow space like ours. Ultimately, we had enough room for a base cabinet, so we opted to use a bank of three drawers for convenient storage of small items like batteries and small tools, with two stacked upper cabinets above to create a custom tall cabinet. Next to the tall cabinet is the best location for the stacked washer and dryer, leaving enough room for a wide base cabinet with a counter top for folding clothes. To take advantage of the wall space we went with a 42″ wall cabinet above the counter top that’s perfect for holding laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, and a small cabinet above the washer and dryer.

laundry-room-renovation-floorplan-sketch

Now that the plan is set, it’s time to double check all the measurements before heading over to Home Depot to place an order. Then, it’s off to find a small counter top remnant to top our base cabinets. I can’t wait to see the finished space!

Amy (91 Posts)

I am a Freelance Graphic Designer full of creative interests! In my spare time, I love to create something new from something old, embark on home decorating and renovation projects, try out new recipes, and attempt to garden. Beyond the artistic pursuits, I have a love for music and enjoy playing the piano and handbells.


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