A Tale of Two Laundry Rooms: Kirsten Erickson
Two rooms with different needs and one designer who turned both into stylishly practical spaces.
The basic laundry room has definitely evolved. It’s moved beyond mere functionality to a space that helps to organize the daily household routine. It can even become—dare we say—chic, modern, and practical all at the same time!
After designing countless laundry rooms over the years (and doing loads of laundry herself!) designer Kirsten Erickson declares that "good laundry room design and the right washer and dryer can make this household chore a little less painful.”
That’s why this collaboration with Kirsten Erickson of Alma Homes is so exciting. The designer took on not one, but two, laundry room spaces! You’re going to love the results and maybe even get some ideas for your own laundry room renovation.
The Designer
Kirsten Erickson is someone who has always known what she wanted to do with her life.
“...I actually knew what I wanted to be when I grew up when I was only in 8th grade. I loved math and loved art, and one summer, my dad bought me a computer program where you could draw houses, and I absolutely fell in love right then and there. From that moment on, I was on the fast track to becoming an architect,” remembers Erickson.
Her first job with a custom homebuilder gave her exposure to the construction side of things. “I fell in love with the whole process.” Erickson says.
She founded Alma Homes in 2017 based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota with the intent to create beautiful homes designed around the way clients live. Erickson describes Alma Homes as a “boutique design-build firm” that specializes in high-end custom homes and remodels. The firm takes on 12-15 projects per year to be able to serve clients best.
“Every home we create is designed around our clients, and we are big believers that the homes we create should be a reflection of our clients’ lifestyles and personalities ...” –Kirsten Erickson
The Project
For this project, the two spaces were a primary laundry area and pool house laundry room. The main laundry room would be the workhorse of the home, so she knew a washer and dryer with a large capacity was nonnegotiable. Space was at a premium in the pool house, but including a washer and dryer was a must for towels. Each space had its own limitations, benefits, and requirements, but the first thing to consider, of course, was the appliances.
The Products
In the main laundry room, Erickson selected LG units for their full suite of features and large capacity. Something that was important to Erickson was having a folding space on top of the washer and dryer. A front loader without pedestals provided an even, flat surface above which they could place a counter. Erickson noted that putting pedestals underneath the washer and dryer would have put the counter too high for folding.
Pro Tip from Erickson: If you have plenty of counter space, pedestals can be a great option to raise the washer and dryer up higher, so you aren’t bending over as far. Plus, you get a little extra storage space.
In the pool house, Erickson opted for a single unit, front-load Washtower from LG. Stackable units like these are notable for their space-saving properties, but this model is special. Unlike a lot of stackable units that are just two large front loaders stacked on top of each other, this is an all-in-one unit with centralized, reachable controls. This means it is still able to take on high-capacity loads, but it does so in a smaller footprint, which is crucial for small spaces.
The Laundry Quandary
Because it's a place that acts as a catch-all — from cleaning supplies to dirty clothes, pet supplies and sports equipment — it can be hard to picture the laundry room as a place that can be glamourous, cozy, or anything besides a messy utility room.
That’s why being clever with the appliances chosen and the layout of the space is key to making sure it’s hard-working while being practical and looking good.
The main laundry and the pool house space each had a different list of needs according to the purposes they’d fulfill.
In the main laundry room, the list included: countertop workspace and folding area, faucet and sink, appliances, space for hanging clothes, cabinet storage for household supplies, cabinet hardware, and flooring.
In the pool house laundry area, the list included: appliances, hooks for drying towels and bathing suits, drawer storage for swimming accessories, shelving for clean towels, cabinet and door hardware, and flooring.
"Since Ferguson carries such a wide range of products in their showrooms, while we were there shopping for our appliances, we were also able to look at plumbing fixtures and lights, making sure everything we selected for each space would feel cohesive." –Kirsten Erickson
Suds, Style & Sanctuary
Erickson loves that the selection at Build with Ferguson includes trending and traditional styles, unique finishes, and new technologies. This made it possible for her to choose styles she loves to complete these pristine and tranquil spaces.
Modern matte black cabinet and drawer hardware by Amerock was chosen for the pool house laundry space. With black entry door hardware by Kwikset. Taupe gray Daltile flooring establishes a calming vibe while white cabinetry keeps the area bright.
In the main laundry room, Erickson opted for a pop of color in the cabinetry, accented by champagne gold hardware from Amerock. A Delta pull-down faucet with sink provides even more utility in the space. Daltile flooring adds geometric and visual interest.
Working with Ferguson Showrooms
Quality service is important to Erickson and her company. She noted that Ferguson consultants are very responsive and helpful, especially in the showroom where Erickson appreciates being able to see and feel so many products.
“Working with Ferguson showrooms throughout the selection process helped us feel confident in the decisions we were making, as we had the opportunity to look at different models in their showroom, and their consultants helped us talk through the pros and cons of each option we were considering.” –Kirsten Erickson
Erickson purchases a lot of her materials through and has worked with Build with Ferguson for years. She began sourcing there because she found there to be a wide range of brands and selections online. “They carry all of the brands we would potentially use, and it is really convenient being able to source so many items from one [place].” said Erickson. Erickson says they continue to shop with Ferguson and Build with Ferguson because, “Everything is pro-grade, so we don’t have to worry about quality standards from a warranty standpoint.”
Make It Your Own
What are some things you might consider when redesigning your laundry space? Front-loading appliances or top-loading appliances? Counter space for folding? Maybe some extra storage drawers? Visit the Shop By Look pages for these spaces and start your own project in our project tool to organize your favorite products. Be sure to check out Kirsten Erickson’s Instagram for inspiration @kdanielledesign.
Related Articles
Shop Products