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Room Tour: A Utility Room Gets a Fresh, Dark Blue Makeover
Smoky blue walls, bright white cabinets and wooden worktops star in this stylish laundry room revamp
After sending their two sons off to college, this suburban Seattle couple were ready to give their much-used laundry room a makeover.
They hired designer Holly Bero, who worked within the same footprint to add multiple storage options, more worktop space and a hanging rail for drying clothes. She delivered all of this function while also upping the style factor with new dark blue panelled walls, walnut worktops and hexagon-shaped floor tiles.
They hired designer Holly Bero, who worked within the same footprint to add multiple storage options, more worktop space and a hanging rail for drying clothes. She delivered all of this function while also upping the style factor with new dark blue panelled walls, walnut worktops and hexagon-shaped floor tiles.
Holly asked the homeowners to share Houzz ideabooks with her at the beginning of the project to get a better idea of the colours and materials they were drawn to. She noted from the photos they saved that spaces with a modern farmhouse style and dark, moody colours caught their attention.
Holly swapped the old wood cabinets for new white Shaker-style ones with matt black hardware and she replaced the Formica worktops with walnut staves. New, tongue-and-groove panelling in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody colour the homeowners love.
Panelling painted in Needlepoint Navy; walls and ceiling painted in Alabaster, both Sherwin-Williams.
Holly swapped the old wood cabinets for new white Shaker-style ones with matt black hardware and she replaced the Formica worktops with walnut staves. New, tongue-and-groove panelling in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody colour the homeowners love.
Panelling painted in Needlepoint Navy; walls and ceiling painted in Alabaster, both Sherwin-Williams.
A deep, under-mounted, stainless-steel sink is ideal for washing delicates by hand. A matt black tap adds a sleek, modern look that matches the cabinet hardware.
Holly had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new outlets above the worktops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
Holly had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new outlets above the worktops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
Replacing the former wire shelves with a hanging rail to dry clothes was a top priority for the homeowners. “They didn’t have anywhere to hang shirts before and the wire racks were a bit of an eyesore,” Holly says. “The room now has a nice mix of open and closed storage.”
A section of walnut worktop above the washer and dryer not only makes the area look more finished, it also prevents small items from falling between the machines.
More: 7 Ways to Make the Most of a Small Utility Room
A section of walnut worktop above the washer and dryer not only makes the area look more finished, it also prevents small items from falling between the machines.
More: 7 Ways to Make the Most of a Small Utility Room
Built-in open shelves between the window and sink provides space for cleaning supplies and decorative items.
“We wanted to make the laundry room feel more connected to the rest of the house and not just like a utility space,” Holly says. Art, candles and plants add a warm, homely touch.
“We wanted to make the laundry room feel more connected to the rest of the house and not just like a utility space,” Holly says. Art, candles and plants add a warm, homely touch.
Previously, a wooden bench and more wire shelves on the wall opposite the machines made the former space feel cramped. The Formica worktop beneath the window provided a nice spot for folding clothes, but the material was dated, and the open area below the worktop felt unfinished. The floor tiles also looked a bit dingy.
Now a walnut worktop makes for a more stylish folding surface. New, built-in shelves below hold multiple wicker baskets and offer a more organised storage area.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. A wood-and-metal stepstool helps the homeowners reach the upper shelves.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. A wood-and-metal stepstool helps the homeowners reach the upper shelves.
Instead of wire shelves, the wall opposite the laundry machines now has multiple matt black coat hooks.
“The laundry room is located off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a [boot room],” Holly says. “Now there’s a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this utility room makeover? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“The laundry room is located off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a [boot room],” Holly says. “Now there’s a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this utility room makeover? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with two sons away at college
Location Federal Way, Washington, USA
Room dimensions Around 6.5 sq m
Designer Holly Bero of H Bero Interiors
Photos by Jon + Moch Photography
The existing beige-toned utility room served its purpose, but it was drab. “Both of the couple’s sons played high school sports, so the laundry room got a lot of use and a lot of dirt,” Holly says. Now the homeowners live alone, they wanted a more organised and calming space.
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