With our Book Club series, we hand over the proverbial mic to our Experts—letting them share their work, thought process, and best tips, all in their own words. The following is an excerpt from Marie Flanigan’s book The Perfect Room, published this month with Rizzoli.

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Areas dedicated to utilitarian functions ease everyday activities and, when decorated with imagination, inspire us to make the most of mundane pursuits.

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When everything has its place in a room designed with both efficiency and aesthetics in mind, stress and frustration fade away and we experience satisfaction as we go about our household chores. Just because an area is functional in purpose doesn’t mean that character and style should be sacrificed.

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When possible, I like to locate the laundry room on an upper floor near bedrooms and bathrooms. This streamlines washing and prevents dirty linens and clothes from making their way downstairs. If the primary bedroom is located on the ground floor, it’s a worthwhile convenience to incorporate a small washer and dryer into a nearby closet. Well-designed storage solutions are a must in laundry rooms, which accommodate a host of moving pieces including sorting hampers, drying racks, ironing boards, and steamers. Each object needs its own place where it can be tucked away when not in use.

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Mudrooms are basic, everyday luxuries that allow family members to easily store belongings without disrupting the overall order of the house. Cabinetry can be accented with louvers, decorative openings, or finishes with a furniture-like appearance. Sometimes I’ll bring in more depth with stained walnut or oak countertops. Windows can be softened with café curtains or roman shades and benches upholstered with textured fabric. It’s best for surfaces to be durable and moisture-proof, especially flooring. Since mudrooms are transitional areas, I sometimes use the same paving material inside and outside the front door. Stone, herringbone brick, and tile are excellent options.

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Compact, optimized storage options are a must. Cabinets with cubbies; drawers for light bulbs, batteries, and sunscreen; a countertop for keys and sunglasses; and hooks for sports bags, backpacks, purses, and jackets are all pieces of the organizational puzzle that keep routines running smoothly. I always suggest incorporating charging stations near the door to encourage family members to put down their electronic devices when they get home and engage more closely with each other.

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Tuck mudrooms into unexpected places

I once found space for a mudroom complete with storage cabinets and a padded bench for removing shoes underneath the stairs in an entrance hall—the perfect location for stashing possessions upon entering the house. When the doors are shut, everything remains hidden from sight.

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Customize storage areas to meet specific needs

This keeps everything in its place, easing household tasks and making tidying up less time-consuming. A combination of open and closed storage conceals some contents while ensuring that others are readily found. Pull-out shelves, clear containers, cloth-lined bins, and baskets are great ways to accommodate various items, keeping them organized and accessible.

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Patterned floors instantly uplift the energy of a small space

Encaustic tile is one of my favorite materials for laundry-room floors. Durable, water resistant, and easy to clean, it is ideal for daily use. Softer underfoot than ceramic tile, it comes in myriad colors, shapes, and patterns that pair beautifully with other materials such as concrete counters and glossy ceramic backsplashes.

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Add charm to balance the utilitarian aspects

When task-oriented rooms have a furnished look, they are more pleasant to spend time in. I love repurposing antique washstands and worktables or designing custom pieces with furniture-like appeal to mix among the cabinetry. Stained wood countertops and handsomely detailed door and drawer fronts also add charm to utilitarian spaces.

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Order The Perfect Room for more tips, or book a consultation with Marie to get personalized advice for your space.