Before and After: Laundry Room Gets a Moody Blue Makeover
Smoky blue walls, bright white cabinets and butcher block countertops star in this stylish laundry room remodel
After sending their two athletic 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 counter space and a hanging rod for drying clothes. She delivered all of this function while also upping the style factor with new dark blue paneled walls, walnut butcher block countertops and hexagon-shaped floor tiles.
After: Bero had the homeowners share Houzz ideabooks with her at the beginning of the project to get a better idea of the colors and materials they were drawn to. She noted from the photos they saved that spaces with a modern farmhouse style and dark, moody colors caught their attention.
Bero swapped the old wood cabinets for new white Shaker-style ones with matte black hardware and she replaced the Formica countertops with walnut butcher block. New wood-paneled walls in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody color the homeowners love.
Blue wall paint: Needlepoint Navy, Sherwin-Williams; white wall and ceiling paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
Bero swapped the old wood cabinets for new white Shaker-style ones with matte black hardware and she replaced the Formica countertops with walnut butcher block. New wood-paneled walls in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody color the homeowners love.
Blue wall paint: Needlepoint Navy, Sherwin-Williams; white wall and ceiling paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams
A deep undermount stainless steel sink is ideal for washing delicates by hand. A matte black faucet adds a sleek, modern look that matches the cabinet hardware.
Bero had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new outlets above the countertops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
Shop for undermount sinks on Houzz
Bero had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new outlets above the countertops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
Shop for undermount sinks on Houzz
Replacing the former wire shelves with a hanging rod 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,” Bero says. “The room now has a nice mix of open and closed storage.”
A piece of walnut butcher block above the laundry machines not only makes the area look more finished but also prevents small items from falling between the machines.
A piece of walnut butcher block above the laundry machines not only makes the area look more finished but also prevents small items from falling between the machines.
A tower of 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 feel just like a utility space,” the designer says. Art, candles and plants add a warm, homey touch.
“We wanted to make the laundry room feel more connected to the rest of the house and not feel just like a utility space,” the designer says. Art, candles and plants add a warm, homey touch.
Before: A wood bench and more wire shelves on the wall opposite the machines made the former space feel cramped. The Formica countertop underneath the window provided a nice spot to fold clothes but the material was dated. The open area below the counter felt unfinished. And the tile floors looked a tad dingy.
After: The walnut butcher block countertop makes for a more stylish folding surface. New built-in shelves below the counter hold multiple wicker baskets and offer a more organized storage area.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. A wood-and-metal step stool helps the homeowners reach the upper shelves.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. A wood-and-metal step stool helps the homeowners reach the upper shelves.
Instead of wire shelves, the wall opposite the laundry machines now has multiple matte black coat hooks.
“The laundry room is located right off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a mudroom,” Bero says. “Now there is a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
More on Houzz
Read more laundry room stories
Browse newly featured laundry room photos
Hire a local general contractor
Shop for laundry room products
“The laundry room is located right off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a mudroom,” Bero says. “Now there is a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
More on Houzz
Read more laundry room stories
Browse newly featured laundry room photos
Hire a local general contractor
Shop for laundry room products
Laundry Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two sons in college
Location: Federal Way, Washington
Size: About 70 square feet (6.5 square meters)
Designer: H. Bero Interiors
Before: The existing beige-toned laundry room served its purpose, but it was drab. “Both of their sons played high school sports, so the laundry room got a lot of use and a lot of dirt,” Bero says. Now that the homeowners live alone, they wanted a more organized and calming space.
Find an interior designer near you