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20 Genius Laundry Room Ideas That Will Maximize Your Space

Laundry Room Ideas

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Here’s the deal, most of us spend quite a bit of time doing laundry. Whether it’s loading, folding, ironing, or stain-fighting, it’s often an around-the-clock, seven-days-a-week process that leaves no rest for the weary. If you’re not one who actually enjoys the chore (which is probably the majority of us, right?) then there’s hope for you yet. It’s all about creating a space that you enjoy being in, whether your laundry room is big enough for a party or a tidy closet hidden behind bifold doors. For those looking to gussy up their utility space, we’ve outlined some easy laundry room decor ideas (that don’t require a total renovation).

Punch Up The Paint Color

Use Blue In a Small Space
Vivid hues add richness to small spaces. If you shy away from darker colors, try them out in a bath or laundry room. Paint: Waterscape (SW6470) by Sherwin-Williams; sherwin-williams.com. See more from our Texas Idea House. Photo: Luca Trovato

Let’s start with a no-brainer. A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest ways to transform your space lickety-split. While you shouldn’t be afraid to have a little fun, you’ll want to make sure your hue (or hues) work with the rest of your home’s palette or else you could wind up with a chaotic feel, which is 100% not the energy we need on laundry day.

Due to the lack of natural light in many laundry areas, the colors found throughout the rest of your home might take on a different life here, meaning now is not the time to skip the paint samples. Whether you’re going dark and moody or bright and airy, paint color can set the foundation for the rest of your décor choices within the space, so be sure you give this one its proper consideration.

Don’t Settle With Storage

Clutter Free Home the laundry
Photo: Laurey Glenn; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Nothing can put a damper on mounds of laundry like inadequate storage. Whether it’s a place to hide away detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer balls, or a fold-away drying rack for delicates and more, the right setup will do wonders for your mood come laundry-tackling time. A countertop might not be in the budget or work with your space’s square footage, but storage is for everyone.

If your washer and dryer manufacturer makes pedestal drawers for your particular models, that’s a great place to start if your budget allows. A laundry sorting basket with two or three sections for separating whites, darks, and colors can be transformative for streamlining your wash-and-go process. If you’ve been blessed with existing built-in racks and/or cabinets, don’t settle for good enough. Invest in baskets, storage cubes, lazy Susans, and more to maximize your storage potential. You’ll be amazed at how much more efficient (and peaceful) your laundry process will be once everything has its place.

Light It Up

The Details: Painted Ceiling
High-gloss lilac adds unexpected color above, while a Dutch door and built-in dog beds keep the McKinleys’ pets contained and comfortable in the laundry room. Photo: Erica George Dines; Design: Suzanne Kasler; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Lest we forget, we’re talking about a utility space here—we need to be able to see what we’re doing. That being said, we don’t need to add insult to injury with fluorescents that flatter no one. Setting the right mood in your laundry room can be as simple as a tasteful pendant light with a hint of vintage charm or as statement-making as a brass drum that casts the perfect amount of warm light.

Yet again, this is a time to select a flourish that fits within the same vein as your home’s existing décor, though you can take a bit of creative license since it’s not going to be a room that you’ll likely welcome guests into on the regular. It’s all about what’s going to bring you joy when you’re loading your seemingly 99th load of laundry for the day at 10 at night. If your selected fixture fits the bill, then go for it.

Pack On The Pizzazz

Monica Stewart Black and White Laundry Room
Photo: Jeff Herr; Design: Monica Stewart, Misfit House

Pulls, knobs, pinboards, and more—these little details will make all the difference in creating a space that you actually enjoy. Whether it’s a practical bulletin board or an unexpected piece of art, there’s no going wrong when it comes to adding a bit of visual interest to your laundry room.

Upgrade Your Sink

Stephanie Sabbe Nashville laundry room
Photographer: James Ransom; Styling: Christina Wressell

Consider swapping out your builder-grade utility sink for a vintage farmhouse version. Allow your laundry room to cater to your aesthetic preferences and you might just be tempted to pull in a chair and enjoy the surroundings.

Consider Every Angle

Taylor Family Home Laundry Room
Cooper painted cabinets in the laundry room in Benjamin Moore’s Gray Huskie, 1473. DANE TASHIMA; Styling: PAGE MULLINS

If you’re truly looking to make your laundry room the respite you deserve and are game for a little splurge, you’ve got to go Encanto on this space. Floors! Doors! Drawers! Whether it’s a pretty terracotta tile flooring or a painted door, creating a wow-worthy space from all angles is going to be the clincher in creating a laundry room that doesn’t feel a bit chore-worthy. Even a concrete floor can do wonders when playing off colorful walls or providing the utilitarian counterpoint to an unexpectedly elegant light fixture (yes, we’re still talking about the laundry room here).

Accentuate The Overhead

Dark Green Mudroom
Carmel Brantley; Styling: Matthew Gleason

You’ve redone your floor, swapped your finishes, and added some wallpaper. While you could stop here, one final finishing touch that adds a wow factor to your space is dressing up the ceiling. It could be simply painting it a complementary color or adding some texture with grasscloth wallpaper. Either way, decorating your ceiling creates a jewel box effect that makes the space truly stand out.

Go Bold

Bold blue laundry room
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins

If you’re reticent to go too bold in your main living spaces, your laundry room is a great place to let in a bit more personality. Opt for a bright color on the walls or cabinets; the effect is even more pronounced in a small laundry room. Keep the rest of your decor simple so it doesn’t feel too eclectic.

Add An Island

Idea House 2020 Laundry Room with Farmhouse Sink
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface

Short on counter space? Rather than installing shelves or embarking on a full renovation, add a small island. Visit local antique shops to find a vintage piece that will bring some character to your space. Channel a modern farmhouse or go elegant French country.

Mix Patterns

Red Laundry Room with Stacked Washer and Dryer
Alison Gootee; Design: Meg Kelly; Styling: Matthew Gleason

A small laundry room may feel like there isn’t much opportunity for bold design, but with a few strategic design choices, you can take your space from underwhelming to seriously swoon-worthy. Start with a patterned wallpaper in a vibrant color, then add contrast with the flooring or curtains.

Swap Your Laundry Accessories For Ones That Have Character

2023 Idea House Laundry Room
LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLIST: MATTHEW GLEASON

The laundry room is a utility space, so naturally, you’re going to need plenty of bins for folding and sorting. You could use basic baskets, or you could find a vintage-looking laundry cart that doesn’t feel like as much of an eyesore.

Set The Mood

Use All-Over Color in Small Spaces
Photo: Lucas Allen

Laundry is a chore, but it doesn’t have to feel like one. Set the mood with a bright, cheery color that makes you smile every time you step inside. For a cohesive feel, match your cabinets to your wall color. You can even paint the door to match.

Let Your Washing Machine Add Color

 2021 Idea House Laundry Room
Photo: Marta Xochilt Perez; Design: Sarah Bartholomew; Styling: Page Mullins

If you’re hesitant to try out a bright paint color, add a pop of color to your space through your washing machine. Blue washers and dryers add contrast to an otherwise all-white laundry room, creating a light and airy aesthetic that doesn’t feel sterile.

Install Barn Doors

Briar Farm Laundry Room
Brie Williams; Styling: Kendra Surface

Need to conceal a small laundry nook? Instead of installing pocket doors, opt for sliding barn doors. They’ll add some farmhouse character to your house, elevating a tiny laundry cabinet without much effort.

Embrace Your Inner Plant Parent

Monica Stewart Black and White Laundry Room
Photo: Jeff Herr; Design: Monica Stewart, Misfit House

Fresh greenery can not only transform a space, but it can also uplift your mood. Fill pitchers or vases with plants or flowers and place them around your laundry room. Just make sure to choose plants that do well in low light conditions if your laundry room doesn’t get a ton of natural light.

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