Kathy & Neil’s Samford Mudroom & Laundry Renovation

An Interview with The MKN Designer From This Project Megan

Mudroom Meets Laundry in This Smart Samford Renovation

Kathy and Neil from Samford came to Modern Kitchens Northside wanting to rework their existing laundry. The space didn’t just serve laundry duties, it was also their main entry point into the house, making it function more like a mudroom.

“They wanted the new space to match their kitchen,” said Megan, their MKN designer. “The kitchen had shaker profile doors and a shark nose handleless system, so we replicated that same style in the laundry-mudroom to keep it cohesive.”

More Than Just a Laundry

The existing room wasn’t working. “They lacked storage, and they needed somewhere easy to do laundry, but also storage for things like Neil’s outdoor boots,” Megan explained. “They’re on acreage, so he’s in and out of the yard a lot.”

MKN built custom cabinetry with pull-out shoe racks inside one of the tall pantries and added practical storage for coats, shoes, and bags. “We also added a rail so Kathy could drip dry some clothes,” said Megan. “Because it’s the door they use most, they wanted a space where they could come in, take their shoes off, hang their coat up, and then walk into the rest of the house.”

Designed With Purpose

Megan drew inspiration from another mudroom-laundry project she’d done out at Whites Mountain. “I wanted to create something that was not just functional for doing the laundry, but also felt like a beautiful entryway, so when you step in at the end of the day, you’re stepping into a lovely space, not just a practical one.”

While the design brief was clear, there were some physical limitations. “There was an electrical box near the window that couldn’t be moved,” she said. “So we custom-built a cabinet around it so it looked like part of the cabinetry but could still be accessed when needed.”

Clever Details That Make a Difference

Megan also added slide-out shelves beneath the washer and dryer. “They’re probably my favourite feature,” she said. “Not everyone thinks of it, but once you lift your washer and dryer off the ground, you realise you need somewhere to sit your laundry basket. Those shelves make it so much easier to load and unload.”

The washer and dryer were placed opposite each other, which Megan said was both practical and intentional. “Partly it was for symmetry, so when you walk through, it looks balanced. But it’s also convenient. You can open both and spin around from washer to dryer without having to step sideways.”

The hanging rail also got thoughtful placement. “You can use it to drip dry, or to hang coats. A lot of people hang freshly ironed clothes there just to cool down too, it’s a super handy addition.”

Want to create your own dual-purpose laundry and mudroom?

At Modern Kitchens Northside, we don’t just renovate, we reimagine your space around how you live. From matching cabinetry styles to clever storage and flow, we’ll bring your vision to life with thoughtful, beautiful design.