In many homes, the laundry room is the logical place for working on hobbies or storing recreational equipment, pet supplies, and nonperishable groceries. This laundry room combines several functions in a compact space.

The laundry equipment and supplies line one wall. In addition to the washer and dryer, there's a deep sink for soaking clothes, counters for folding clothes, a pull-out ironing board, and oodles of space for storing detergent and stain-removal products.

 

The opposite wall includes a general purpose table and bench, plus shelves and a wall-mounted gift-wrap center. Because the laundry room adjoins the kitchen, the designer installed space-saving louvered bifold doors. Often while entertaining, the homeowners leave these doors open, draping the washer and dryer with a floor-length tablecloth so they can use them along with the tabletop as a buffet.

 

Even the dog has a special place in the laundry room. The cozy tunnel below the built-in ironing board leads to a pet door on the exterior wall. Sloppy dog prints are never an issue thanks to the easy-to-clean ceramic floor tile, chosen to match the tile in the kitchen.