Before & After
USA Before & After: An "Eyesore" Laundry Gets a Moody Makeover
Smoky blue walls, fresh white cabinetry and butcher's-block benchtops star in this stylish new Seattle laundry redesign
After sending their two sons off to university, the couple who live here in Seattle, USA, were ready to give their much-used laundry a makeover, and tasked designer Holly Bero with the project. Bero worked within the same footprint to add multiple storage options in the laundry, more bench space and a hanging rod for drying clothes. As well as increasing the room’s functionality, Bero also upped the style factor with new dark-blue panelled walls, walnut butcher’s-block benchtops and hexagonal floor tiles.
The laundry before works.
The existing timber and beige laundry served its purpose, but it was drab.
Does your laundry need updating? Find specialised laundry and bathroom designers near you and browse their projects
The existing timber and beige laundry served its purpose, but it was drab.
Does your laundry need updating? Find specialised laundry and bathroom designers near you and browse their projects
The laundry after works.
At the beginning of the project, Bero had the homeowners share Houzz Ideabooks with her to show the designer which colours and materials they were drawn to. Bero noted from the photos they saved that spaces with a modern farmhouse style and dark, moody colours caught their attention.
Bero swapped the dated timber cabinets for new white Shaker-style joinery and paired it with matt black hardware. She also replaced the old Formica benchtops with butcher’s-block benchtops in walnut. New timber-panelled walls in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody colour that the owners love.
At the beginning of the project, Bero had the homeowners share Houzz Ideabooks with her to show the designer which colours and materials they were drawn to. Bero noted from the photos they saved that spaces with a modern farmhouse style and dark, moody colours caught their attention.
Bero swapped the dated timber cabinets for new white Shaker-style joinery and paired it with matt black hardware. She also replaced the old Formica benchtops with butcher’s-block benchtops in walnut. New timber-panelled walls in a smoky shade of blue bring in the dark, moody colour that the owners love.
A deep undermounted stainless steel sink is ideal for washing delicates by hand. A matt black tap adds a sleek, contemporary look that matches the cabinetry hardware.
Bero had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new power points above the benchtops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
Bero had the room’s electrical wiring redone in order to add new power points above the benchtops for easy access when plugging in an iron or other appliances.
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,” says Bero. “The room now has a nice mix of open and closed storage.”
A continuation of the walnut butcher’s block benchtops, stepped above the laundry appliances, not only makes the area look more finished but also prevents small items from falling between the machines.
A continuation of the walnut butcher’s block benchtops, stepped above the laundry appliances, 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,” says the designer. Art, candles and plants add a warm, cosy touch.
Browse stunning Australian laundries featuring blue
“We wanted to make the laundry room feel more connected to the rest of the house and not feel just like a utility space,” says the designer. Art, candles and plants add a warm, cosy touch.
Browse stunning Australian laundries featuring blue
The laundry before works.
A timber bench and more wire shelves on the wall opposite the washing machine and dryer made the former space feel cramped. The Formica benchtop beneath the window provided a nice spot to fold clothes, but the material was dated and the open space below the bench felt unfinished. And to top it off, the tiled floors looked a tad dingy.
A timber bench and more wire shelves on the wall opposite the washing machine and dryer made the former space feel cramped. The Formica benchtop beneath the window provided a nice spot to fold clothes, but the material was dated and the open space below the bench felt unfinished. And to top it off, the tiled floors looked a tad dingy.
The laundry after works.
Today, the walnut butcher’s-block benchtops offer a more stylish folding surface for the couple. New built-in shelving below the benchtop holds multiple wicker baskets and offers a more organised storage area.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles now provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. To help the homeowners reach the upper shelves, a timber-and-metal step stool does the trick, while blending in with the new colour and materials palette.
Today, the walnut butcher’s-block benchtops offer a more stylish folding surface for the couple. New built-in shelving below the benchtop holds multiple wicker baskets and offers a more organised storage area.
Hexagonal porcelain floor tiles now provide a subtle pattern and a fresher look. To help the homeowners reach the upper shelves, a timber-and-metal step stool does the trick, while blending in with the new colour and materials palette.
Instead of wire shelves, the wall opposite the laundry appliances now has multiple matt black coat hooks.
“The laundry room is located right off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a mudroom,” says Bero. “Now there is a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
“The laundry room is located right off the garage, so it acts like a bit of a mudroom,” says Bero. “Now there is a spot for the homeowners to hang their coats when they come in from the garage.”
Your turn
Which design ideas in this laundry would you steal for your own space? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Can’t get enough of home makeovers? You’ll love this collection of USA Before & Afters: 3 Bathroom Makeovers From Dire to Delightful
Which design ideas in this laundry would you steal for your own space? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Can’t get enough of home makeovers? You’ll love this collection of USA Before & Afters: 3 Bathroom Makeovers From Dire to Delightful
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Seattle, USA
Size: About 6.5 square metres
Designer: Holly Bero of H. Bero Interiors
“Both of their sons played high-school sports, so the laundry room got a lot of use and a lot of dirt,” says Bero. Now that the homeowners live alone, they wanted a more organised and calming space.