AGH Country House: Laundry Room

Systems and simplicity bring serenity to the laundry & household room.

This sweet little room packs a big punch. As with most antique homes, suitable storage for the modern home dweller often falls short. So as the only dedicated utility and storage space in the house, we needed to make this petite-sized laundry room count. At just 8’4” x 6’9”, it’s a hardworking room.

Detailed space planning and thoughtful organization systems created maximum storage potential for everything. From categorized cleaning supplies like sprays, solvents, accessories and attachments, to household supplies like lightbulbs, paper goods, fragrance refills and batteries, and even pharmacy products like first-aid and OTC medications in addition to various laundering products, everything has a place.

Laundry & Household Room Shelving Layout
Top Shelf: a treasured collection of antique French vases and bowls
First: First Aid; OTC Medicine,
Second: Fabric Care (lint roller, fabric shaver); Fabric Treatment (stain remover, oxygen); Laundry Detergent Pods, Wool Dryer Balls; Delicates Bags
Third: Surface Sprays and Solvents (all-purpose, bathroom, glass, non-chlorine bleach, stone); Cleaning Accessories (sponges, small rags); Floor Cleaner (spray/solvent, mopping pads); Cleaning Accessories (large rags)
Fourth: Paper Goods (paper towels); Utility Towels (non-bathroom towels- for large spills, messes, etc); Paper Goods (toilet paper)
Bottom Shelf: Vacuum Attachments; More Utility Towels; Iron & Steamer

When setting up numerous open shelves of organization systems, alternating the material and type of product used balances the overall look of the space. Hide certain supplies (like medicine, for instance) inside woven bins and display certain supplies (like pretty cleaning products) in grid baskets. The materials, products and supplies come together to give sophistication to the explosed shelving. Across the room, an antique pine wash stand functions as the folding/ironing/work table, with vintage French laundry baskets around for sorting and transporting. Cleaning tools and accessories hang on an unlaquered brass utility wall rack.

The seagrass area rug brings a sense of continuity to the space’s woven organizing materials. An antique-inspired flushmount with a glass cut fluted dome and brass canopy feels old-school and new at the same time. Nostalgia will always be cool, but it feels especially cool right now.

Supremely functional with just enough space to add aesthetics-- it’s a happy place to be.