G R E AT E R N A S H V I L L E H O U S E & H O M E & G A R D E N
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aundry rooms that frequently double as mud rooms have
been coming out of the basement and closet for several
years. The experts agree that as the space has become a
prominent feature in many modern homes, homeowners fre-
quently add an additonal laundry area in the master bedroom or
upstairs near bedrooms.
Ferguson's Stansell Dye says that the trend is to place laundry
rooms in more accessible areas of the home. "A first-floor laundry
room can also double as a command center, craf area, or storage
staton," he says. "Laundry ap-
pliances don't have to be
tucked away into a closet or a
nook, so select a coordinatng
washer and dryer that work
well with your existng appli-
ances and decor."
Agreeing that laundry rooms
are not longer the room that is
kept behind closed doors is
Catherine Henderson of CMS
Designs. "They're used for so
much more than just doing laundry," she says. "They can be de-
signed to be very large and grandiose or small and efficient. Shelv-
ing and cubbies have become a popular trend to provide more
storage, organizaton, and to allow the space to act as a drop zone
for items that are used everyday.. They might also incorporate pet
showers, counters for folding clothes, soaking sinks multple laun-
dry hampers, and built-in ironing boards."
Joni Szell of Joni Szell Designs reports that laundry rooms no
longer have one functon—they're multpurpose. "While the tny
house movement has yet to really take hold with most Americans,
the trickle down effect is that every room doubles as something
else and there is no underutlize space any more." One laundry
room she recently designed includes a prep area for the homeown-
ers' busy entertaining schedule. "In additon to the washer and
dryer, it includes refrigerator, dishwasher, prep sink, serving pieces,
and a second pantry," she adds.
The experts agree that homeowners want the laundry room to
be as welcoming as it is functonal. Henderson says that laundry
laundry rooms/mud rooms
Above, laundry/mudroom designed by Joni Szell, photo by Don
Claussen. Below, photo courtesy Nadeau.