Our client had the laundry room down in the basement, like so many other homes, but could not figure out how to get it upstairs. There simply was no room for it, so when we were called in to design the bathroom, we were asked to figure out a way to do what so many home owners are doing right now. That is; how do we bring the laundry room upstairs where all of the bedrooms are located, where all the dirty laundry is generated, saving us from having to go down 3 floors back and forth. So, the looming questions were, can this be done in our already small bathroom area, and If this can be done, how can we do it to make it fit within the upstairs living quarters seamlessly? It would take some creative thinking, some compromising and some clients who trust you enough to make some decisions that would affect not only their bathroom but their closets, their hallway, parts of their master bedroom and then having the logistics to work around their family, going in and out of their private sanctuary, keeping the area clean while generating a mountain of dust and debris, all in the same breath of being mindful of their precious children and a lovely dog.

Custom designed cabinetry by Rutt Regency with a space for everything. Drying rack for the care of modern fabrics. Just the right space for the ol' lost socks! Photos by Stacy Zarin-Goldberg

Pine Valley is not your ordinary lake cabin. This craftsman-inspired design offers everything you love about summer vacation within the comfort of a beautiful year-round home. Metal roofing and custom wood trim accent the shake and stone exterior, while a cupola and flower boxes add quaintness to sophistication. The main level offers an open floor plan, with multiple porches and sitting areas overlooking the water. The master suite is located on the upper level, along with two additional guest rooms. A custom-designed craft room sits just a few steps down from the upstairs study. Billiards, a bar and kitchenette, a sitting room and game table combine to make the walkout lower level all about entertainment. In keeping with the rest of the home, this floor opens to lake views and outdoor living areas.

Small contemporary l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Charlotte with beige cabinets, laminate benchtops, a side-by-side washer and dryer, blue walls, ceramic floors and recessed-panel cabinets.

barndominium utility room
Small traditional single-wall laundry cupboard in Dallas with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

This is an example of a small country galley dedicated laundry room in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue walls and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped utility room in Other with white cabinets, blue walls, carpet, brown floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Photo of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped dedicated laundry room in Tampa with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, blue walls, porcelain floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, brown floor and white benchtop.

See "5-Year Kitchen in Elgin" for the kitchen featured in this description. Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

Photo of a small traditional single-wall dedicated laundry room in Calgary with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, blue walls and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Revamping the laundry room brings a blend of functionality and style to an often-overlooked space. Upgrading appliances to energy-efficient models enhances efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Custom cabinetry and shelving solutions maximize storage for detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry essentials, promoting an organized and clutter-free environment. Consideration of ergonomic design, such as a folding counter or ironing station, streamlines tasks and adds a touch of convenience. Thoughtful lighting choices, perhaps with LED fixtures or natural light sources, contribute to a bright and inviting atmosphere. Flooring upgrades for durability, such as water-resistant tiles or easy-to-clean materials, can withstand the demands of laundry tasks. Ultimately, a remodeled laundry room not only elevates its practical functionality but also transforms it into a well-designed, efficient space that makes the often-dreaded chore of laundry a more pleasant experience.

Josh Beeman Photography
Photo of a transitional single-wall dedicated laundry room in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a stacked washer and dryer, brown floor and black benchtop.

M & M Quality Home Contractors
Mid-sized traditional laundry room in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, blue walls, ceramic floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer and recessed-panel cabinets.

Inspiration for a traditional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, blue walls, brick floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, red floor, white benchtop and wallpaper.

Jonathan Edwards
Photo of a large beach style utility room in Other with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate benchtops, blue walls, marble floors and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Revamping the laundry room brings a blend of functionality and style to an often-overlooked space. Upgrading appliances to energy-efficient models enhances efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Custom cabinetry and shelving solutions maximize storage for detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry essentials, promoting an organized and clutter-free environment. Consideration of ergonomic design, such as a folding counter or ironing station, streamlines tasks and adds a touch of convenience. Thoughtful lighting choices, perhaps with LED fixtures or natural light sources, contribute to a bright and inviting atmosphere. Flooring upgrades for durability, such as water-resistant tiles or easy-to-clean materials, can withstand the demands of laundry tasks. Ultimately, a remodeled laundry room not only elevates its practical functionality but also transforms it into a well-designed, efficient space that makes the often-dreaded chore of laundry a more pleasant experience.

Design ideas for a large traditional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, ceramic floors and a stacked washer and dryer.

James Lee
Design ideas for a country u-shaped dedicated laundry room in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, a side-by-side washer and dryer, beige floor and white benchtop.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a side-by-side washer and dryer.