(© Bonnie Schiedel Originally published in Canadian House & Home, October 2008).

Where there's life, there's laundry. So it's only fitting that when homeowners Phil and Julie Tapley were planning a down-to-the-studs, two-year renovation of their newly purchased home in Burnaby BC, the layout and decor of their laundry room/mudroom/hobby room was a top priority. The 230-square-foot multipurpose space replaces an old workshop at the rear of the house. "In our last house, the laundry room was quite small and dark, with little storage," says Phil, a partner in an insurance company. "It was not an overly pleasant room to be in. Since we had an opportunity to build this room from scratch, we were able to address all those issues." Phil and Julie, a teacher, enlisted architect Jack Falk of Jack Falk Design Studio to envision the renovation of the entire house. They favour a style that's been dubbed West Coast Contemporary—clean lines, soothing hues inspired by stone, sea and sky, and lots of natural light. The result is a bright, appealing, hardworking room that meets the needs of this active family, which includes daughters Philicia, 4, and Sophia, 2. "It's a little bittersweet," laughs Phil. "Visitors tell us that it's their favourite part of the whole house. And we say, "Really? The laundry room?"

Design for durability

Custom-built open storage, located beside the door to the garage, gives this busy young family easy access to their coats and footwear. The frosted glass and metal partition adds a contemporary touch. The Brazilian slate floor, which was also used in the outdoor landscaping, hides any tracked-in dirt, doesn't absorb moisture and cleans up in a snap. All the cabinetry has a durable melamine finish that wipes down easily and withstands the inevitable bumps and scrapes of a high-traffic area. Radiant electric heating keeps the floor cozy.

Make it practical

The homeowners didn't want the ironing board to be permanently on display in a corner or falling out of a cupboard, so they had a compact fold-away board and hardware installed in the custom cabinets. The drawer face folds down and the board is lifted up and out. They rejected flat-front cabinet doors in favour of simple Shaker-style cabinetry, which adds texture and makes the space warm and welcoming. A laminate countertop is easy to care for and provides ample space for sorting and folding laundry. Crisp right-angle countertop edges rather than rounded ones are in keeping with the modern look.

Carve out leisure time

The hobby area provides countertop space to wrap a present, dash off a card or do a simple home repair. The tall cabinet to the left holds gift bags and wrapping paper, and the shuttered doors to the right conceal the home"s two on-demand tankless hot water heaters—a system that's both energy-efficient and practical for a young family. Deep lower shelves are a catch-all for soccer balls, bike helmets, tennis racquets and other sports equipment. Household tools are tucked into the drawers and storage cases. Cubbies hold square metal storage bins filled with blankets, seasonal clothing and accessories like hats and mitts. Three recessed lights provide task lighting.

Keep things clean

Raised grooves in the deep laundry sink act as a washboard for items that need extra scrubbing. The homeowners chose the washer and dryer for their sleek styling, energy efficiency and features like the "hygiene setting" which is especially useful for deep-cleaning messy kid laundry. The cabinets over the appliances keep laundry supplies close to hand and also hold towels for the adjacent bathroom. Low-VOC paint in a serene khaki colour completes the décor. The room is wired for audio, so the family can listen to their favourite tunes while taking care of chores.

Divide up storage

The Tapleys considered arranging the lockers in a row of four, but splitting them up into banks of two proved more practical and aesthetically pleasing. Phil and Julie hang their gear beside the rear door that leads to the backyard, in part because there was additional ceiling height to accommodate adult-sized clothing. (The ceiling drops lower over the kids' lockers.) Inexpensive metal cases house art projects and other miscellaneous items. The mix of open and closed storage allows quick access to frequently used clothing and accessories that add pops of decorative colour, while small or humdrum items are tucked away to control clutter.