Design Battle: Two Ways to Place a Laundry Area in a Standard Bathroom

The challenge before designers Nadежda Morgacheva and Margarita Fomin was to make a standard bathroom in a two-bedroom apartment comfortable and functional. They also had to fit in a washing machine and, if possible, a dryer. Check out the solutions they proposed and vote for the one you like best.

Designers' Brief: Bathroom in a panel house series КОПЭ, Area of bathroom and toilet 2.9 sq m and 1.1 sq m, For a family of three people, family couple with teenager. Measurement plan of a two-bedroom apartment in the КОПЭ series

Margarita Fomin's Design

Margarita Fomina, Interior Designer. Prefers to work on a full-cycle basis: from interior design to implementation. Only this way can one achieve a result that will please the client for years.

About the Layout

Only three people live in this apartment, so I combined the toilet and bathroom. This solution allowed me to increase space and make it more functional.

Opposite the entrance is a wall-mounted vanity unit with a sink and a toilet next to it. Using a special low-height installation for the toilet, I managed to align the sink countertop and the installation shelf at the same height. This created a unified convenient surface.

Instead of a bathtub, there is a spacious shower cabin in construction form. The washing machine is installed in a niche at 70 cm from the floor, with a laundry basket underneath and shelves above for storage.

About the Style

For the color palette, I chose a combination of several shades of gray with natural wood. The pattern on the wall tiles defines the style of the interior—American classic. On the floor, there is tile resembling wood. You can find a similar shade and texture of flooring in other rooms of the apartment to visually unite the space.

For additional lighting in the mirror zone, I chose a bathroom light with water splash protection—IP44. The light creates the needed symmetry and is an excellent stylistic element.

In general, the interior turned out calm but not boring. I think it will appeal to all family members and won’t get old quickly.

You Will Need:

Integrated Light Fixture Novotech “Damla” 370386

Ceramic Tile Wood Natura, tile size 15x60 cm

Water Towel Rack with Shelf M5, size 80x50 cm

Suspended Toilet AM PM Jump

Basin Mixer Nove with high spout

Wall-mounted Light Escada

Shower Kit Grohe Vitalio Comfort, 3 Modes, Showerhead 10 cm, Hose 175 cm

Nadежda Morgacheva's Design

Nadежda Morgacheva, Interior Designer. Approaches every project primarily from an analytical and logical perspective, unlocking its maximum potential.

About the Layout

Families with teenagers often prefer a shower over a bath and a combined toilet and bathroom. This makes the bathroom more functional and comfortable.

Panel houses of the КОПЭ series allow not only to remove the partition between the toilet and bathroom but also to expand the bathroom area using a spacious corridor. To do this, you can shift the kitchen door opening, which is easy to do since the wall between the toilet and kitchen is non-load-bearing.

As a result of this expansion, two small rooms became one spacious room—5.75 sq m. It accommodates everything a family needs for daily personal care, including a laundry area with a washing and drying machine, and a large storage cabinet for household items. The plumbing access panel is also hidden in this cabinet but can be easily accessed.

In interior design, there is a rule: people should always prioritize aesthetics. Therefore, I placed an attractive washbasin area directly opposite the entrance, and positioned the toilet to the right of it so that it doesn’t catch the eye upon entering. Behind the toilet, a cabinet houses the installation unit and creates a small shelf where you can place an air freshener or keep your phone away from water. In the spacious 120x80 cm shower cabin, one can comfortably take a shower.

About the Laundry Zone

The biggest advantage of combining the spaces was the dedicated laundry area and storage for household items. This zone is hidden behind high milk-white doors on the left side of the entrance. Everything that usually lives in people's homes—under the door, on the balcony, or in a corner—is stored in one cabinet. This is very convenient!

The water heater is placed at the top of the cabinet for easy access, the lower central part is for storing dirty laundry, and above it on shelves—household chemicals, towels, and an iron. The ironing board is in a neighboring cabinet section. A small ladder can be placed near the vacuum cleaner for easy reach.

About the Style

More and more clients come asking for modern interiors slightly softened with elements of other styles—classical or cottage. This principle was the basis for my design.

The lower part of the bathroom is tiled with contrasting black-brown ceramic tile, as this is where most activities happen that could soil the walls. The upper part is painted in a pleasant peach color, matching which the mosaic in the shower area was chosen.

The bathroom is exactly the place where you can use bright colors if you like them. Since in this room, unlike living areas, you spend very limited time, you won’t get tired of the bright color.

You Will Need:

Suspended Toilet AM PM Jump

Drain Tap “Omega 30”

Shower Tray Orange Solo Slide Acrylic, size 120x80 cm

Single-Hose Basin Mixer “StartEdge MS”

Showerscreen Orange Solo Slide, 120x80 cm

Basket for Storage “Knitting”, volume 7 L

Water Heater Electrolux Maximus Stainless Steel, volume 80 L

Shower Kit Grohe Vitalio Comfort, 3 Modes, Showerhead 10 cm, Hose 175 cm

On the Cover: Design Project by Kati and Egor Vokhin