Q. My laundry space drives me crazy! It’s as well cramped as well as I requirement a lot more area for folding as well as ironing. We never utilize the side door, so I believed I’d leave the dryer where it is as well as swing the washer around next to it as well as top both with a counter, then set up new cupboards along that entire wall. I’d likewise like a stainless-steel sink.

— R.C., by means of email (To submit your own question, see our Ask A Designer™ page.)

A. Your laundry space is absolutely an uncomfortable space! To make the design a lot more efficient, I believe you must eliminate the side door (after inspecting with your municipal building department that this does not interfere with building codes) as well as set up a window to let in natural light.

To freshen the space, paint your walls a charming light blue, like Pratt & Lambert’s Copenhagen (24-6) (shown at top), as well as set up honed limestone floor tiles (shown at top) from Ciot. Your area is small, so you won’t requirement as well many.

I’m a huge fan of symmetry, so I suggest replacing your present dryer with a front-loader that matches your front-loading washer. Then, location the new dryer where your old one is as well as put the washer in the opposite corner with a sink in between (see floor plan at top) as well as a length of counter on each. Although this will split the counter, it’ll provide strong visual impact. If you like an unobstructed counter, location the washer next to the dryer as well as the sink in the corner, as in our motivation shot.

I’d think about a white cast-iron sink instead of stainless steel to match your appliances. The Tandem utility sink (shown) by Kohler is best for your space; it includes a soaking pan for treating little batches of laundry as well as a tray for spot-cleaning.

Upper cupboards may crowd the room, however open shelves will keep things airy. A pair of Ikea’s Ekby Järpen/Ekby Valter wall shelves (shown at top) on either side of the window will provide you lots of storage, as well as the black surface will contrast with the new lighter elements. Ikea’s textural Byholma baskets (shown at top) will provide you elegant storage on the shelves.

Finally, a striped runner, like the Starboard (shown) from dash & Albert, would complement your new wall colour as well as bring a hit of pattern.

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1. Paint, Copenhagen (24-6), Pratt & Lambert. 2. Tandem utility sink, Kohler. 3. Starboard runner, dash & Albert. 4. Ekby Järpen/Ekby Valter wall shelf, Ikea. 5. Honed limestone tiles, Ciot. 6. Byholma basket, Ikea.