Designing a Laundry/Multi-Purpose/Family Command Center Room to Fit Your Needs!
New Year, New Beginnings: How to Design the Perfect Laundry / Multi-Purpose Room
Since we’ve survived January, and this is a fresh new month…we can all exhale, and reaffirm our commitment to new beginnings as we stay positive and committed to positive changes ahead. As such, I wanted to share one of my favorite projects: A multi-purpose, Family Command Central for a family that includes their laundry space, mudroom, tons of storage, a crafting area and work space. Just beyoooond, right!?!? Just looking at these pictures again, soothes my brain and soul.
Now, take heart…this is NOT intended to induce envy of the unattainable for those of us that don’t have the space for such magnificence, including myself. There are many ways you can incorporate these ideas in your current spaces, which I cover below, so don’t miss scrolling down.
So, when I first saw this client’s floorpan for an intended gut renovation of the family’s forever home, I noticed that their planned storage space was a bit of an awkward solution, drawn next to their master suite, but with NO direct access from the house. Since many people would be needing to access this space, opening a door into it from their bedroom sanctuary was not cutting it for me.
After tweaking the plans, I decided to relocate their master closet into that “anex” space. And as for the space they had originally planned for the closet, well….luckily…it was next to the very small laundry room they had planned. Therefore, I was able to combine both of those spaces to create a large Multi-Purpose room. The city had just approved their floorplans before I met with the family, so I knew these changes would create some delays to go back, but ultimately, it was worth the additional time to get it done right!
Here are a few things we considered when laying out the space to best suit the family’s needs. If you’re not interested in reading about the process behind the design, skip ahead to the TIPS below on how you can incorporate some of these solutions in your home! It’s ok…I won’t mind…just don’t miss the pretty pictures!
Establishing the room’s vibe
We didn’t want this new space, however grand it was, to compete with the beautiful kitchen just across the hall. Although it would also have a sink and counters and tons of cabinetry, we took it down a notch by just letting the FLOOR be the showpiece here. The clients, who are first generation Cuban Americans, loved the idea of Cuban tile in their home, but with such an open floorplan, it would have been overkill anywhere else. Here was the perfect opportunity to let it shine while bringing in the main color scheme of the rest of the house and keeping things calm, cool and collected.
We designed the cabinets a light, neutral color with the slightest bit of texture for visual interest, and although we installed quartz counters for durability, we went with a plain white. As soon as you walk in, the floor catches your eye, followed by the view out the window above the sink. That’s the picture we wanted to paint…A beautiful, welcoming spot that doesn’t immediately scream “CHAOS AHEAD!”
Arranging Multi-function Work Spaces
The long stretch of counter next to the sink is a multi-function spot for sorting and folding laundry, arts and crafts, flower arranging or extra prep space for entertaining.
Hidden Busy Zones
We left the hardworking areas such as the Family Drop Zone/Mudroom and the Laundry areas out of initial sight. To the left, behind a wall to stay out of immediate sight, are the side by side front loading washer and dryer, topped with a quartz counter and a rod above for hanging clothes. Extra cabinets reach above all the way to the ceiling.
To the right upon entering is the coveted “Mudroom,” a comfortable cushioned bench with drawers for school paperwork and individual family members’ gadgets and gizmos, with a cubby space and baskets below for shoes. Hooks on the back panel offer plenty of backpack and coat storage, as well as tons of space above for lesser used items.
Storage that Packs a Mean Punch
Beyond the laundry area is a stretch of extra deep cabinets that store everything from laundry essentials, to the vacuum cleaner, brooms and ironing board, as well as the family’s suitcases and bulky items.
Surprises Around the Corner
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, the fun really begins as you turn the corner into a more private desk space perfect for mom to work on her teacher lesson plans or keep up with the million family to-do’s. With a beautiful window, comfortable chair and pretty shelving and smile items serving as decoration, it’s a great little escape! The row of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry behind the desk, along the back row is only 12” deep. This saved floorspace and allowed for extra pantry space, as well as office and crafting supplies, which doesn’t require such deep shelving.
Make it Your Own - 5 Tips To Try!!
I definitely lived out some of my own organization dreams in this project, but here are a few things you can try in your own home (even if they don’t all come together in one space such as this) along with some of our favorite images from the Cocó Interior Design Inspiration Files.
Tip #1
Find places in arrival or high traffic areas, where you can hang some hooks on the wall, maybe even with a shelf above them to hold some bins and basket. Then, include a bench with cubbies below. There are so many affordable options out there. Plop a pretty cushion on it and voila…instant mudroom!
Tip #2
Don’t have walls to the side of your washer and dryer to suspend a drying rod or rack? Think vertical! You can hang a rod from the ceiling. Perfect spot for hanging items to dry or as you iron before putting them away. An alternative is installing a wall mounted drying rack, that folds up and down to save space.
Tip #3
Look for any unused and underwhelming corners in your home, or perhaps hallways or underused closets, to add a writing desk and comfortable chair. Think through storage and functionality needs…and install some shelving above for a productive and easy home office. Rolling file cabinets or extra storage below allow for flexibility
Tip #4
Think through your true storage needs, down to sizes. We measured suitcases to make sure they would fit in this client’s cabinetry for example. Make sure shelves are adjustable so as your needs change, so can they. Some pre-planning is worth the work! In this project, continuing the extra deep cabinets along the back wall as well would have been not only a waste of space but nonfunctional for the items needed close to the desk that work well on 12” deep shelves.
Tip #5
Storage and working areas can be pretty and welcoming too! There is already so much stress and busy-ness in life. Put BEAUTY to work. Beauty is not an unattainable luxury reserved for the elite. A few touches here and there can instantly lift a mood! Think of small ways you can take spaces from utilitarian to welcoming spots that make you slow down a notch.
If you can’t retile your floors, check out the countless modular carpeting solutions available today that can be placed on top of almost any flooring in order to define a space and make it beautiful and fun!
If your laundry room is in the garage for example, consider repainting the garage floor with a garage floor paint or Epoxy coating in a color that makes you happy.
Incorporate artwork and sayings and photographs that make you happy. Pretty wallpaper in a frame is instant art…and you’d be amazed how framing some of your kids artwork makes them look like an extra million bucks.
You don’t need to buy a black, plastic office chair for a desk because “that’s what office chairs should look like.” Places like Target, Homegoods and Amazon, as well as Wayfair and World Market offer such great, affordable chairs that are comfortable, durable AND beautiful!
Beautiful Chairs for Days…
Wrapping paper and wallpaper swatches framed as art…easy peasy!
Not your grandma’s carpet…“tiles” from FLOR and other similar vendors let you get creative and functional!
The Bottom Line
I firmly believe that working with what you have and making it function as optimally as it can, allows you to accept the NOW instead of just waiting for “Someday.” Having big dreams is one of life’s greatest joys, but so is living and loving the NOW, which brings such necessary comfort and satisfaction in life.
Take the time to really figure out what areas of your home feel “stuck.” Which drain your energy and how could you rearrange them to be more efficient for your lifestyle? Tackle them little by little…space by space. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day and the fun is just getting started. Comment below to share some of your favorite tricks or ask us any questions.
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LET’S MAKE IT A GREAT 2021!