It’s time to stop letting your laundry area become an afterthought and start giving it love—and taking a look at these creative laundry room ideas will certainly have you feeling inspired to revamp your space. As designer Kristine Renee says, “Laundry rooms don’t need to look sterile and simply utilitarian anymore.” The Sacramento, California–based cofounder of Design Alchemy adds, “Significant time is spent in the laundry room so it’s important to make the space comfortable and inviting.”
Whether you’re a small-space dweller, have a laundry room that doubles as a mudroom, are looking for a simple DIY hack, or are about to complete a remodel or makeover, the small laundry room ideas below, which come from 30 different interior design pros, are sure to inspire you. You’re well on your way to designing the best laundry room on the block.
How can I make my laundry room attractive?
Laundry day is bound to be much more enjoyable when your space suits your style. There are many simple ways to ensure that your laundry room shines, whether you opt to hire a pro or take a DIY approach. Renee offers a few design ideas, which include experimenting with decorative lighting, fun wallpaper, cabinet colors, or backsplash to add instant flair. You’ll see all of these elements in the laundry room ideas shown here. You’ll also want to keep storage solutions top of mind to corral clutter—grab plenty of hangers, baskets, and hampers—and hang up some artwork or lay down a rug for coziness, Renee adds.
When it comes to picking a paint color or wallpaper pattern, note that the hues you select for your space are entirely your decision. “Play with colors and patterns that make you happy,” Hillery advises. “Diagonal patterns [are best] for those who want to be energized to work in the room and softer lines [are best] for those who like the routine of folding and find it almost therapeutic.”
How to turn a room into a laundry room?
You’ll need plumbing, venting, and electrical, but from there, you can certainly turn a small closet or other unused space into a laundry area. “If you are starting from scratch, consider building storage and counters that coincide with your washer and dryer placement,” Watts suggests. “If you are using an existing room see if you can repurpose closets, storage and layouts that already are in place.” When space allows, Molten is partial to a side by side washer dryer arrangement and adds that windows, if possible, are always ideal.
How to design your own laundry room
When designing a laundry room, it’s important to keep your personal preferences top of mind. Consider factors such as whether you will need a drying rack, prefer folding clothes in the laundry room or elsewhere, are looking for a way to tuck away hampers, and more, Renee suggests. You will want to base your laundry room design around these types of habits.
How do you make a laundry room look luxurious?
To make your laundry area look as luxurious as possible, pay attention to small details, says Kishani Perera, who operates an eponymous firm in Los Angeles. She states, “Why not create a mini destination with a vibe that diminishes the dreaded chore of doing laundry?” Look for interesting tiles, wallpapers, cabinet colors, and the like, she says. Keep in mind that the right lighting will also work wonders. Susan Yeley, the founder of Susan Yeley Homes in Bloomington, Indiana, recommends a mix of sconces, pendant lights, and lamps as needed. Don’t forget about custom elements, either. “Custom design features like built-in step stools and concealed drying racks can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality, exuding a sense of understated luxury,” Blakely says.
How to remodel a small laundry room?
When remodeling a small or narrow laundry room, Janelle Blakely, the founder of Blakely Interior Design in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, suggests opting for a stacking washing machine and dryer to make the most of your square footage. Be sure to install a base cabinet with a countertop too, she says, noting that this will come in handy when it’s time to fold clothes. “Utilize every inch with a built-in vertical drying rack and foldaway ironing board,” the designer adds. Don’t be afraid to add special touches, either. “A great way to add design elements and elevate a small space is to focus on the floor and the ceiling,” says Nadia Watts, the founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design in Denver. “When you have limited square feet you can splurge on finishes such as tile, flooring and wall coverings.”
How do you brighten a small laundry room?
Not all laundry rooms feature windows, but you can remedy the situation with artificial solutions, Renee shares. “In addition to bright can lighting, we incorporate decorative light fixtures with separate switches whenever possible to integrate personality into the space,” she explains. “Who doesn’t love a moody space?”
Where should a washer and dryer be placed in a small house?
If your home is lacking in square footage, you may wish to set up a laundry area nearby the bedrooms, Hanley notes, adding, “If you don’t have an actual room that would allow for this, is there a closet in the hallway that could convert to a washer/dryer closet?”
Opting for a stacked washer and dryer is the best bet for those living in a small space. “There are great European stackable units on the market that are smaller in scale, and fit well in compact spaces, allowing you to incorporate your laundry into the main area of your home,” Renee comments.
What shouldn’t go in a laundry room?
Make note that you will want to steer clear of certain types of wall coverings as you map out your laundry room design. “Fragile wallpaper like silk or grasscloth is not suitable for areas where damp clothing might hang to dry, as it can easily be damaged by moisture,” Blakely says. Be mindful to not crowd your laundry area with too many extras—there is such a thing as too much laundry room decor. “Avoid placing too many decorative items or non-essential objects that can make the space feel cramped and disorganized,” says Kimberly Harrison, the founder of Kimberley Harrison Interiors in Lafayette, California. Additionally, she says, do not store holiday decorations, sports equipment, or other collections in the laundry room. Harrison adds that if you plan to house cleaning supplies in the laundry room, you will want to ensure that they are kept away from heat sources and appliances.
