When you think of home remodeling and renovation, you usually think of the big headline spaces, like a kitchen, a primary bath, or maybe even an addition. But sometimes it’s the little spaces in between—a pantry, laundry room, or mudroom—that can add the most versatility, functionality, and ultimately, the most comfort to your home.

However, when there’s not enough space to fit these rooms individually, you have to get creative. Dual-purpose spaces, such as a laundry/pantry or laundry/mudroom, are a way to solve some of the tough design puzzles that come up in home renovations.

“These spaces are all about functionality,” Normandy Design Manager Ashley Noethe shares. “You’re bringing together two areas that pair naturally because of the function they provide and the storage you want.”

Revealing Hidden Functionality

When a kitchen is being renovated or enlarged, space can be challenging to find. One technique that is often used to capture additional space for the kitchen is to take it from another room.

For homes that have a laundry room off the kitchen or in an adjacent space, it is sometimes possible to convert this area into a dual-purpose laundry/pantry with a connecting door into the kitchen. The laundry machines are stacked or moved to one side, leaving the rest of the space open for pantry storage, additional countertops, and perhaps even a second sink.

This versatile space can provide a flexible area to do chores or keep messes out of sight while guests are present. “The biggest challenge is getting everything in there,” Ashley says. “You have to get really creative about how you fit everything into the existing space, and not make it feel like a tiny, shoved-in little area.”

While the laundry/pantry scenario is less common than other dual-purpose rooms, having access to an overflow space like this can be a huge benefit, especially for activities like unpacking groceries.

Keeping Messy Business Out Of Sight

Another dual-purpose space that is appearing in home renovations with more frequency is the laundry/mudroom. “A lot of homes don’t currently have a mudroom, so people are trying to incorporate them into the existing space that they have,” Ashley shares.

The purpose of this type of space is to contain messy—yet related—activities and keep them separated from the nicer areas of the home. Laundry rooms keep clothes-washing activities contained and out of sight of visitors. Mudrooms provide a landing area for hats, coats, gloves, muddy shoes, and other items coming in from outdoors—items that would also likely need to be laundered.

Depending on your needs and the condition of your home, it can make sense to pair these two rooms when space is at a premium. If the laundry is located near a rear entry or garage door, it can be an ideal place for a mudroom or partial mudroom as well.

“When you think about how people use these spaces, bringing all of that storage and functionality together in one place is a natural fit,” Ashley says.

If you’re struggling to find more functional space in your home, help is just around the corner. The award-winning designers at Normandy Remodeling offer thoughtful design solutions and stress-free renovations that will make your house feel like it is truly working for you. Reach out for an appointment, find inspiration in our photo gallery, or see the latest tips and trends on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.