Spin cycle: rethink the laundry room

In many of our homes, the laundry room is often an afterthought. It’s time to rethink this workhorse of the house.

The laundry room is often the most overworked and overlooked room in the house: It’s tucked into a hallway. It’s in the garage. It doubles as storage for cleaning supplies, dog food and muddy sports gear. As a designer working with local homeowners, I’ve found that laundry room remodels aren’t about luxury — they’re about removing daily friction.

The family workflow

Before selecting finishes, look at how laundry and other personal items in your household move. Where do dirty clothes pile up? Are you hauling baskets across the house? Do wet jackets and cleats land in the kitchen?

Sometimes a remodel means relocating appliances closer to bedrooms. Other times it’s as simple as adding real folding space and smarter storage. Thoughtful layout changes can reduce stress, especially during the busy school year and our rainy season.

Think utility hub

In our Valley climate, laundry rooms often double as mudrooms. When designed intentionally, they can support both roles beautifully. Consider:

• Built-in cubbies or lockers

• Durable, water-resistant flooring

• A utility sink for soaking and clean-up

• Wall hooks for backpacks and rain jackets

• Cabinetry that hides bulk supplies

Materials for real life

Laundry rooms are high-moisture, high-traffic environments. The right finishes make all the difference. Look for:

• Quartz or other durable material countertops

• Matte or textured tile that hides water spots and prevents slipping

• Wipeable cabinetry finishes

• Proper ventilation and task lighting

• Flooring rated for moisture and heavy use

These choices ensure the room feels as good five years from now as on installation day. Natural light, warm wood tones, a soft paint color or even a patterned tile floor can elevate a space that’s often utilitarian. When a laundry room feels intentional instead of improvised, it becomes a place you don’t mind spending time in. That makes life better and a little easier…load after load.

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Rylee Henderer | DESIGNER

Rylee Henderer grew up around construction job sites, sweeping up endless sawdust in the shop. She formally joined her family’s business in 2017 and learned everything from demolition and framing, to tile and cabinetry installation. From there, Rylee grew into client management, and along the way found a love for design. She is now a full-time designer, creating beautiful, innovative spaces for Henderer Design + Build + Remodel.

hendererdesignbuild.com / 541-753-5660

info@hendererdesignbuild.com

2350 NW Professional Dr. Corvallis