
Age in Place: What’s going on in the master closet and laundry room?
As you may be aware, I’m designing an entire bungalow to age in place. A couple of weeks ago I shared the master bathroom and then the following week, I shared the master bedroom. This week, I’m sharing my age in place master closet and adjoining laundry room.
Age in Place: Master Wing
As a little review, I wanted to share with you what the master wing is starting to look like.

With an age in place home, I wanted to make sure all of the essentials for living were on the same floor. The master bedroom connects to the master bathroom, the walk in closet, and the laundry room. Let’s take a closer look at the master walk in closet.
Age In Place Master Closet
First of all, I want to let you all know that designing a master closet is not in my wheel-house. I typically review with clients the wants and wishes, together we come up with a detailed list, and then I work closely with my closet company who specializes in closets.
For this master closet design, I’m still not happy with this as I’ve done this all on my own (so far). A couple of things that I wanted to point out that will help us age in place.
- There will be ample lighting in the closet. In this plan, I have 2 larger chandelier-type lights providing more than enough lighting.
- Installed in the closet will also be lighting to light up the interiors.
- The higher closet rods will be the ones that can be pulled down (see below).
- For now, I have placed a bench in the middle of this space. Instead of installing an island, I chose for a removable bench that can be removed, if and when needed.
Don’t judge the closet design! As I said, I’m not happy with it as it sits, but it’s a start. Good thing we’re not building this home tomorrow!
What I want to ensure is that we do not need any furniture in our master bedroom for clothes. I also want to make sure there are no flat surfaces for the Mister to toss his crap on (don’t tell him I wrote that).


Age In Place Laundry Room
As you can see from the image above, the laundry room connects to the master closet.

There are a couple of items I have made sure that are important for an age in place laundry room.
- I wanted to laundry room very close to the master bedroom
- The washer and dryer are front loading. This will ensure that anyone can easily reach inside (vs reaching in with a top loading unit).
- I have added a sink however the vanity is a floating vanity (that also has lighting underneath).
- I have raised the washing machine and the dryer by 12″. This is also for ease of access and not having to bend down so far.


As you may see, I chose not to have a closet closet in this room. Instead, I left this space (above) open for easy access to any cleaning supplies that may be housed here.
Age in Place Thoughts
Other than the home office, which I am still insisting we have in our age in place home, the master wing is almost complete.
Just like with the past two blogs, I would love to hear your thoughts about the master closet and the laundry room. I know I’m most likely missing some important things in these two spaces.
I didn’t go into great detail about the electrical for these two spaces, but I have thought through all of the 3-way switches (at least I hope I have).

Shop the Look
While there are so many options for closet accessories and laundry room accessories, I’ve pulled together some of my favourites that I could see myself using in this home.
The items below contain affiliate links. Any purchases, at no additional charge to you, are most appreciated and make this blog possible.
If you are looking to build your own home, or wish to make changes to your existing home, I would love to start the conversation with you to help you achieve the home of your dreams.



Sheri,
I think it’s looking great! So smart to put the laundry room close to the bedroom and to be able to access it from the closet is awesome. Can’t wait to see the rest!
Thank you.
Beautiful concept for aging in place Sheri! Can’t wait to see the final result!
Thank you.
This is again, a thoughtful approach to aging in place. the way the bath, closet and laundry flow will be so efficient and make life so full of ease.
Thank you, Lisa.
Brilliantly organized spaces! And RE horizontal surfaces for the mister’s stuff?…better the closet than the nightstands LOL!
Oh my gosh…if there’s a flat surface, his crap will find its way there! Love him to bits…just not all his crap.
I have always loved the idea of having the laundry near the bedroom. My friends had a small washer and dryer in their master closet and a larger laundry room down the hall. I loved that! I hate doing laundry though.
I am seeing that a lot now – adding in a secondary washer/dryer in the master. I’m with you on the laundry work!
What a fabulous floorplan! I want to move in!
Thank you Wendy!
I love how you connected all the essential spaces! Awesome idea!
Thank you, Elizabeth.
This is a fabulous post! I agree with you on placing laundry near master and having access- I do this even in homes not specially for aging in place! One thing i would suggest as a minor consideration is the glass containers – it is so hard for people with arthritis to grasp those lids. I learned this with a project i did a few years ago. ( I know these are for looks but it reminded me of accessories i purchased for a kitchen and had to take back!)
I also like your closet layout! I like to use storage ottomans in a closet too for extra storage- ( my husbands ball caps live in one at our house!)
Love this post truly! Inspiring many to make the functional rooms in their home work smarter!
Hi Cheryl,
Yes – those glass containers are really for the ‘pretty’ in decorating this room. I just broke a glass jar yesterday (cleaning) so I know they’re not the best for an ‘age in place’ home.
Thank you so much for your comment. It really means a lot. <3
Sheri, I think this looks amazing so far, and it’s given me a lot of inspiration for a new build home I’m working on. You’ve inspired me to start designing closets in Chief. Did you get the shoe racks from their library.
Hi Jillian,
Yes, the shoe racks are from the library. Closets are not my strength in design, but I can get the idea across to my clients and then get the rest all figured out with our closet company. It’s actually not too difficult.
I love the closet! I need a bigger house.
I’ve never been one to have loads of clothes. The Mister has more clothes than I have – LOL. I also follow my little rule of ‘one new item in, one old item out’. I feel that it keeps down the excess clothes in our lives.
Sheri I think you did a brilliant job here! It is inspiring and well thought out, and I love your design! Well done.
Thank you.
What a great project Sheri! I am jealous of the laundry room and the closet. It is one of the spaces in my house that they are in great need of attention.
Thank you!
Hi Maria. Yes, keeping my creative brain busy is a good thing for me.
So much amazing information here! You could teach a class!
Thank you, Jennifer!
I love the idea of the laundry room being accessible from the master. Great job!
Thank you.
Great ideas. I love the idea of the pull down closet rod and having the washer/dryer near the bedroom!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann.
Love this idea! Perfect for ageing in place, I am seeing a lot of laundry in the master designs lately!