Decorating ideas for a small laundry room
53 Small Laundry Room Ideas With Big Style
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/18/22
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
With enough ingenuity, organization, and attention to detail. there is absolutely no reason that a small laundry room can't be just as functional and good looking as a larger one. Interior designers and home decorators are always finding smart new ways to optimize small space laundry rooms, from clever layout and storage to good lighting. Paying extra attention to decor can help transform a bare bones utility room into an area of your home that is a pleasure to spend time in, rather than simply a room dedicated to household chores that must be endured.
A well designed small laundry room might include floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to maximize vertical space; stacked washer dryers to save floor space; or be part of a mud room or bathroom to create a high-functioning multipurpose hub. You can decorate your laundry room with as much creativity as any other room in the house, adding bold wallpaper, layered lighting, custom storage, a patterned tile backsplash, or a beautiful paint color. Or you can design a stealth laundry space hidden behind louvered closet doors, a barn door, a secret cabinet, or fitted into the dead space under the stairs.
A high-functioning, well decorated laundry room isn't going to make you love doing the laundry if you don't already, but it will help improve the experience. And for those who find enjoyment or satisfaction in the ritual of washing clothes and the scent of freshly laundered linens, having a well organized and stylish place to take care of the laundry it is just a bonus.
Check out these modestly proportioned, user-friendly spaces that will help inspire you to make the most of your small laundry room.
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Bold Pattern
Casa Watkins Living
Making a few confident decor choices can transform a small utility space, making it feel more like a well appointed room than just a place to do the laundry. This small laundry room from Casa Watkins Living has a practical layout embellished with colorful, bold patterned wallpaper and an inexpensive bamboo lattice pendant light that makes it feel more dynamic, finished, and integrated into the decor of the home.
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Glam
Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona
Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona ran floor-to-ceiling storage along one full wall of her small, narrow laundry room.
Then she installed glossy black stacked washer dryers on the far wall to save space. The small laundry sink and cabinetry are accented with gold-toned hardware to match the overhead pendant light, and to add some warmth and bling to this compact but high-functioning space that's infused with a touch of glam. -
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Large Scale Floral
Design by Sarah Sherman Samuel
When your laundry room is located in plain sight just off of another room, there are two ways that you can approach the interior design. One is to create a cohesive look between adjacent spaces by using the same finishes and materials. The other is to give the laundry room its own distinct personality. In this small laundry room, interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel ran the washer and dryer along the same wall as the kitchen appliances for practical and aesthetic reasons. But she chose to make the laundry room a destination in itself, with large scale floral wallpaper from Ellie Cashman that is a feast for the eyes and a distraction from the task at hand.
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Laundry Cabinet
Fantastic Frank
If you've got the plumbing and enough square footage for a washing machine, no space is too small for a mini laundry room, as demonstrated by this discreet, pint-sized Swedish laundry cabinet from Fantastic Frank.
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Pretty in Pink
Design by deVOL Kitchens
You can use bathroom or kitchen cabinetry to add storage to a small laundry room. This cozy and colorful laundry room from deVOL Kitchens features classic Shaker cabinetry and a wooden backsplash installed to the height of the cabinetry, painted in a luminous, feel-good vintage pink. The contrasting black countertops add plenty of space for sorting and folding large loads of laundry. And the pink and black color palette has throwback vibes that give it a timeless appeal.
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Polished Materials
Design by Brophy Interiors / Photo by Tim Hirschmann
There's no reason that your laundry room can't be as polished as the rest of your interior.
In this small laundry room from Brophy Interiors, a minimalist design and focus on materials such as warm natural hardwood and cool toned stone creates a serene zen feel. There's plenty of storage seamlessly built into the narrow, L-shaped room to keep it all feeling streamlined and clutter-free. Black accents add sophistication, and a tile backsplash carried to the ceiling surrounding the window above the sink makes the room feel larger. -
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Multifunctional
Fantastic Frank
Having access to in-house laundry is a luxury in most parts of the world. But you don't need a dedicated laundry room to get the job done. In this small Swedish apartment from Fantastic Frank, the laundry room is conveniently tucked into a corner of a small bathroom next to the shower. With a wood countertop for sorting and folding and built-in shelving, this petite laundry room alcove maximizes every inch of the multifunctional space. If you only have room for one machine, you can choose a combo washer/dryer unit, or save energy, extend the longevity of your linens, and be kind to the planet by skipping the dryer and hanging them on a rack or clothesline instead.
The 5 Best All-in-One Washer Dryers of 2022
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Mud Room
Design by Stefani Stein / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
In this light-flooded Pasadena, CA combination laundry room/mudroom from interior designer Stefani Stein, built-in cabinetry running up to the ceiling provides plenty of open and closed storage. A stacked washer dryer combo saves space, and copper accents and a mixed pattern tile backsplash add style.
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Sink Nook
Design by Kate Lester Interiors
In this narrow laundry room from Kate Lester Interiors, the sink is set into a recessed alcove at the far end of the room, maximizing what could have been a wasted space, and helping to keep the small space from feeling cramped. Giving the sink its own dedicated corner leaves room for more counter space over the washer dryers that run along the side wall.
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Stormy
Design by Sarah Sherman Samuel
This small but eye-catching laundry room was designed by interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel for a client who enjoys doing the laundry, actress Mandy Moore.
The compact laundry room in Moore's 's midcentury house in Los Angeles has white appliances and sleek countertops that provide plenty of space for folding. White cabinetry flush with the ceiling and a single floating wood shelf provide storage. And the walls are covered in dreamy Fornasetti wallpaper in a moody black-and-white storm cloud pattern that makes the room come alive. -
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Every Nook
Design by deVOL Kitchens
In a small laundry room it's important to look for opportunities to utilize every nook and cranny to maximize functionality and create dedicated zones for sorting, folding, pre-treating stains, and other laundry room activities. In this small pink laundry room from deVOL Kitchens, a petite folding area is built to hug the irregular angles of the walls, outfitted with wall hooks for easy storage, and finished with a timeless butcher block countertop that is practical and adds warmth.
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Hall Closet
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
If your laundry space is a closet in a pass-through corridor or hallway, it can be tempting to neglect it from a decorating perspective.
But those who love their homes know that every last square inch of space deserves a little love. This small laundry room closet from Emily Henderson Design has pretty blue-and-white wallpaper on the back wall to add interest and distract the eye when the doors are left open. Back-of-door storage is a convenient spot for hanging cleaning equipment like mops and brooms, making the space double as a utility closet. While it's a good idea to light the inside of your laundry closet whenever possible, you can also install a wall sconce outside above the opening of the closet doors as seen here, which will brighten the area enough to make it functional at night or during the daytime in a hallway without natural light. -
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Touches of Color
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lindsay Stetson Thompson
This sunny Southern California laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has white walls and appliances, natural wood and woven accents, and a hint of color to keep it from feeling sterile.
The lower cabinetry is painted a soft shade of pastel blue, and a soft geometric patterned rug in shades of pink and blue adds warmth, interest, and personality, and can be changed out easily to create a different mood. -
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Eclectic
Design by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel remodeled this small laundry room with custom designed wallpaper with a graphic black-and-white pattern, Ikea cabinets, dark appliances, and a high quality birch plywood countertop sealed with polyurethane that creates an affordable countertop space for sorting and folding laundry. A leaning ladder styled with beach towels and a sun hat, natural woven baskets on the countertop for easy access storage, and a dark red vintage-style rug on the floor adds a hint of low key boho style and just a touch of color.
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Happy
A Beautiful Mess
This happy little laundry room from A Beautiful Mess has cheerful orange paint, DIY open shelving custom built for supplies and laundry basket storage, and black electrical tape dots and stripes on the washer dryer that add a fun graphic touch that barely costs a dime.
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Pass Through
Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona
Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona whipped her small pass through laundry room into shape with warm medium-toned gray paint on the walls, framed laundry-themed photography, a striped rug, and built-in cabinetry above the washer dryers that runs to the ceiling to provide ample storage space.
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Curtains
Most Lovely Things
This small laundry room from Most Lovely Things has stacked washer dryers, a wall-to-wall drying rod, wall hooks, and curtains that add privacy to both the lower half of the window and the under-counter storage area. A sober neutral palette of gray, white, and black creates a timeless feel, and a hanging spider plant in the window adds some welcome greenery.
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Pattern Play
Design by Clella Design / Styling by Matthew Gleason / Photo by Alison Gootee
Interior designer Meg Kelly of Clella Design converted the unused garage in a Nashville, TN home into a primary bedroom en suite complete with a custom designed built-in closet and a small laundry room.
The compact space is decorated with colorful patterned wallpaper, large checkered curtains to conceal the contents of built-in cabinetry, decorative lighting, and framed art, injecting it with loads of personality and cheerful energy despite its limited size. -
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Herringbone
Design by Kate Lester Interiors
Laying the floor tile in a herringbone pattern that runs toward the window at the far end of this small laundry room from Kate Lester Interiors creates a sense of movement that makes the space feel larger. The soothing greenish gray paint on lower cabinets creates a soft fresh feel that is soothing and serene.
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DIY
A Beautiful Mess
This laundry closet DIY makeover from A Beautiful Mess has a gleaming tile backsplash in soft shades of pink, a birch plywood folding station above the washer dryer, a faux fiddle leaf fern, and custom shelving in shades of fresh soothing pink that provide storage and tie it all together.
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Seeing Stars
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
The lightly star patterned tile backsplash in this laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. runs all the way to the ceiling, making it practical and decorative at the same time. A globe pendant light hung over the small sink creates a focal point.
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Studio Style
Fantastic Frank
This small space Stockholm bathroom from Fantastic Frank includes an under-counter washing machine adjacent to the sink.
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Burnt Wood
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
This efficient laundry closet from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has stacked washer dryers that disappear behind a Shou Sugi Ban barn door with a burnt wood finish that adds a cool design element to the pass-through space.
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Bright and Cheerful
Thistlewood Farm
Blogger KariAnne Wood from Thistlewood Farm gives her laundry room pride of place with a vintage laundry sign on the door and a black-and-white penny tile flower mosaic on the floor.
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Built In
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lane Dittoe
This laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has built-in upper and lower cabinetry that maximizes every inch of space, and stacked vertical tile to add a modern touch.
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Compact
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors
This space-saving laundry closet tucked behind a door along a wall of closed pantry storage from Marie Flanigan Interiors features a stacked washer dryer combo, built-in shelving, and a drying rod.
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Green and Gray
Design by Fiorella Design
Interior designer Mary Jo Fiorella of Fiorella Design created a small, functional laundry room with cool pastel green built-in cabinetry contrasted with a dark gray stacked washer dryer combo, a dynamic gray-and-white geometric patterned tile backsplash, and bronze cabinet pulls, sink hardware and a brass drying rod to add warmth.
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Hot and Cold
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
In this small laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co., cool tile, stone, and tones of silver, white, and gray are contrasted with warm pale wood cabinets.
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Patterned Floor Tiles
Design by Interior Impressions
This small laundry room from Interior Impressions has gray walls, stainless steel appliances, a free-standing sink, a wall-mounted drying rack, and a patterned floor tile to add color and interest to the functional space.
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Touched With Gold
A Beautiful Mess
This small but light-flooded laundry room from A Beautiful Mess has marble countertops, plenty of storage, and thoughtful decorative touches like wicker baskets, hanging plants, and gold hooks, cabinet pulls, and sink hardware.
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Surprisingly Elegant
Fantastic Frank
Sometimes the best place to put the washing machine is wherever space and plumbing hookups allow.
This compact European water closet/laundry room from Fantastic Frank pairs the dirtiest place in the house with the cleanest, while elegant wallpaper elevates the space. -
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Whimsical
Design by Hungerford Interior Design / Photo by Janice Nicolay
This laundry closet from Hungerford Interior Design is hidden behind pale wood doors, but the lighthearted black-and-white dog-themed wallpaper adds a graphic note and an unexpected surprise every time you open the door to put a load in.
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Cottage
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
This built-in cottage laundry alcove from Kate Marker Interiors is hidden behind a curtain that conceals it from view until laundry day rolls around again.
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Micro
Design by Geraldine Laferté
Having a washing machine in even the tiniest studio apartments isn't considered a luxury but a norm in Paris. This micro laundry closet is built into a custom wall of storage in a 183-square-foot studio designed by Parisian interior designer Geraldine Laferté, demonstrating that there's no such thing as not having enough room for a dedicated laundry space.
Instead of a dryer, opt for a washer-dryer combo unit, or save energy, money, and increase the lifespan of your linens and clothes by skipping the dryer altogether and hanging your laundry on a drying rack instead. -
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Contrast
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
The under-counter washer and dryer in this small laundry room from Kate Marker Interiors disappear behind custom cabinetry when not in use, while a light illustrated wallpaper adds interest and contrast with the dark painted cabinetry and appliances.
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Colorful
Design by Gail Davis Designs / Photo by Rayon Richards
In this laundry room from Gail Davis Designs, multi-colored wallpaper with an abstract pattern steals the show and elevates the mood.
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Closeted
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
This handsome laundry closet from Kate Marker Interiors has stacked washer dryers and plenty of storage with shiny black lacquer louvered doors to make it all disappear in a flash.
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Alcove
Design by Albie K. Buabeng for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Ellie Lillstrom
This alcove laundry room from Albie K. Buabeng for Emily Henderson Design has a contemporary look with black appliances and graphic wallpaper in a black-and-white pattern.
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Floral
Design by Interior Impressions
This bright and cheerful laundry room from Interior Impressions went from drab to fab with colorful wraparound floral wallpaper.
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Blue and White
Design by Issy & H Creative
Sydney, Australia-based interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy & H Creative utilized stacked washer dryers and built-in cabinetry to maximize space in this small laundry room. A fresh palette of white and robin's egg blue, a petite farmhouse sink, and black-and-white floor tile in a dynamic pattern adds style.
The 8 Best Stackable Washers and Dryers of 2022
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Coastal
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co.
/ Photo by Vanessa LentineGraphic wallpaper in a subtle light blue and white pattern makes this small Southern California laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. feel polished while retaining a light and coastal feel.
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Pocket Door
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
A pocket door is the key to making this laundry room from Kate Marker Interiors functional and easy to use.
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U-Shaped
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Vanessa Lentine
The U-shaped layout of this compact laundry room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. combined with cabinetry that runs to the ceiling maximizes every inch of space, while the all-white palette makes the windowless room feel bright despite the lack of natural light.
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Hidden Cabinet
Design by Lindye Galloway Studio
Fold-away cabinets were used in this small laundry room Lindye Galloway Studio to conceal the appliances when not in use.
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Big Personality
Design by Kim Armstrong Interior Design / Photo by Michael Hunter
Assertive green paint on the cabinets and a graphic wallpaper pattern on the wall accented with a gold trophy head gives this small laundry room from Kim Armstrong Interior Design a big dose of personality.
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Modern Farmhouse
Design by Kate Marker Interiors
This modern farmhouse laundry room from Kate Marker Interiors uses wood accents to add warmth to the black-and-white palette and includes storage that runs to the ceiling to maximize vertical space.
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Mudroom Combo
Design by Whittney Parkinson Design
This combination mudroom laundry room from Whittney Parkinson Design has rosy paint on the cabinetry, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring, and a wooden drying rack hung from the ceiling.
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Slanted Stripes
Design by Kim Armstrong Interior Design / Photo by Michael Hunter
This small laundry room from Kim Armstrong Interior Design contrasts navy and white cabinetry and appliances with a shocking yellow backsplash of off-kilter slanted stripes that wakes up the design and puts a smile on your face.
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Lit
Design by Interior Impressions
This small laundry room from Interior Impressions uses under-counter LED lighting to make the windowless room more functional while spotlighting the patterned tile backsplash.
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Cool Neutrals
Design by Brophy Interiors / Photo by Ryan Garvin
This black, white, and gray Huntington Beach, CA laundry room from Brophy Interiors uses a cool contemporary palette and includes plenty of counter space and storage, with a tile backsplash that runs from countertop to ceiling on both walls that makes the narrow space feel airier.
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Rustic
Rockport Building Partners / Photo by Sarah Szwajkos
This rustic small laundry room from Rockport Building Partners has rich stained wood cabinetry and a gray stone farmhouse sink that provides a contrast with the pastel tones of the adjacent kitchen.
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Under the Stairs
Design by Issy & H Creative / Photo by Tealily
Sydney, Australia-based interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy & H Creative utilized the space under the stairs to create a custom-built stealth laundry room that disappears when not in use.
Behind one door is a laundry sink, built-in shelving, and a pretty tile backsplash. -
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Close Up
Design by Issy & H Creative / Photo by Tealily
The stacked washer dryers are hidden behind another door in
this clever under-stairs laundry room from Sydney, Australia-based
interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy & H Creative.
19 compact designs to save space |
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(Image credit: Lori Paranjape/ Gigi + Gray /Norsu Home /)
Small laundry room ideas need to make the very most of every inch so everything you require from the room can be included despite its limited dimensions.
Whether you are reworking an existing small room, have gained space following an addition, or simply dream of one day having an area dedicated solely to washing and drying, clever laundry room ideas will ensure it delivers on all the items on your wishlist.
Here, we’ve put together plenty of small laundry room ideas along with expert advice on designing and organizing a laundry room to inspire you.
Small laundry room ideas
From built-in cabinetry to shelving with plenty of rustic appeal, these small laundry room ideas offer stylish solutions that are equally functional.
1. Work a laundry room into an awkward space
Gunter & Co Interiors
(Image credit: Gunter & Co Interiors)
If you are working with a historic home that offers plenty of quirk, character, and awkward angles, consider how this might be of benefit to your laundry room design. Here, a space with a sloping ceiling has been transformed into a stylish, compact laundry area.
Irene Gunter from Gunter & Co. Interiors provides the following insight: ‘Often laundry rooms are tight on space, so when designing one, storage and organization are key.
'We relish the challenge, and work with our clients to think about their day-to-day requirements to optimize the room and make it function as efficiently as possible; what equipment do they use regularly, what needs to be accessible quickly and what can be stored away.
’ When it comes to storage, think about a place to keep appliance manuals and a guide to laundry symbols as well as laundry detergents and so on.
2. Rely on storage solutions to make the most of small laundry room ideas
(Image credit: Garden Trading )
If you are keen to kit out a small laundry room to its full potential, clever laundry room storage ideas are essential.
Here, a wall drying rack – which can be neatly folded back – provides extra space for air drying without being a permanent feature when the tumble dryer temperature guide rules out machine drying. Plan to leave space on a countertop below or adjacent to a wall rack for folding towels and rolling towels, as well as for tasks such as folding fitted sheets.
3. Choose one shade for a cohesive finish
Little Nest Cottage
(Image credit: Little Nest Cottage)
If you are renovating an existing laundry room on a budget, consider painted kitchen cabinets for a quick and effective update.
Opting for a single shade that can be used on walls, cabinetry, paneling and more will achieve a high-end, cohesive finish for little to no money. Here, a deep shade of blue is effective in framing the space and provides the perfect backdrop for accessories in neutral tones.
4. Opt for open shelving in a small laundry room
(Image credit: Nordic House)
A great alternative to traditional laundry room cabinet ideas, open shelving is a clever option for those seeking to maximize storage without creating a boxy feel within a small laundry space. Just make sure you’re displaying your most delightful crockery.
Concerned your laundry room shelving will become a dumping ground for clutter? Consider investing in some well-placed rattan baskets.
5. Invest in custom carpentry for a high-end finish
Higham Furniture
(Image credit: Higham Furniture)
Even a tiny laundry room can achieve a high-end finish with the help of an expert.
Not only will bespoke carpentry ensure you maximize your space, making the most of every awkward angle, but working with an experienced designer is also an effective way of building a functional scheme that will help to organize a laundry room.
6. Combine storage solutions for a modern rustic finish
(Image credit: Studio Laloc / Farrow & Ball )
And if the uniform look isn’t for you, go the opposite way by combining a variety of textures and storage solutions for a homey, unfitted finish.
Here, a shallow shelf beneath fitted cabinets provides the perfect spot for trinkets, which inject character into what might otherwise be a purely functional space. Consider concealing appliances behind a counter curtain to ensure that they are hidden away, but still easily accessible for tasks such as cleaning clothes, washing sheets and for washing pillows and washing weighted blankets, too.
Recreate the look with the shade Dead Salmon, by Farrow & Ball.
7. Incorporate a laundry room into an existing space
(Image credit: Norsu Home)
If you cannot dedicate an entire space to the laundry room, why not consider working utility room ideas into an existing niche, perhaps by incorporating a laundry area into your bathroom ideas.
Here, a reasonably sized bathroom doubles up as a laundry room, with the sink serving a dual function and clever storage solutions ensuring the space is maximized.
Installing a hanging rack is a useful option for shirts, that may save you at least a little time ironing.
Whether you’re creating a dual purpose space or have a separate laundry room, bear in mind that if you’re using bleach in laundry this, along with detergents, needs to be stored so young kids can’t access it.
8. Inject texture into small laundry room ideas – and a neutral color palette
(Image credit: Gigi + Gray)
If neutral tones and natural materials appeal, consider how texture might be used to divide your space and create interest.
Here, rattan is used to finish one of the floor-to-ceiling laundry room closet ideas, and the result is a space packed with plenty of character.
9. Choose the best storage to ensure your space stays neat and tidy
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
The goal of laundry room makeovers is to create spaces that are neat and organized, so you’ll need to prioritize quality storage.
Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hilditch provides the following advice: ‘We recommend bespoke storage to help maximize space, particularly in small laundry rooms.
'You might like to recess shelving into the walls and stow wicker storage baskets inside, as a neat and aesthetically pleasing vessel in which to store bits and bobs.’
When planning the storage, think about the detergents you’ll need from time to time, such as those for washing a silk pillowcase or washing a woollen blanket, as well as everyday detergents and fabric conditioners to ensure you don’t run out of space.
10. Plan an L-shaped laundry room
(Image credit: Lori Paranjape)
If you are looking for narrow utility room ideas, opting for an L-shaped laundry room layout may be the best option to help you truly maximize every inch of space.
Here, gorgeous blue-green cabinetry is teamed with white paintwork to achieve a stylish finish. Choosing to maximize storage potential on one wall, while leaving the other bare, prevents the space from feeling overwhelmed. A traditional sash window at the end of the room floods the space with light.
11. Tuck your laundry room behind a partition
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
If you’re keen to work a laundry room into an open plan kitchen or living space, this smart set-up, complete with folding doors, is certainly an option worth considering.
Complete with laundry room essentials including a sink, washing machine, and plenty of storage, it is easily accessible on laundry day but can be concealed quickly if you have spontaneous guests.
Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hilditch, says: ‘Don’t forget that your laundry room is an extension of your home, so it should follow the same themes that occur throughout the rest of your kitchen ideas, including color scheme and materials used.’
12. Choose shiplap paneling to make your space appear larger
(Image credit: Garden Trading)
Horizontal paneling is effective in making a space appear larger, longer and wider, which is why it is a popular option for small spaces – including utility and laundry rooms.
Aside from this, shiplap paneling is a trendy solution that promises to add plenty of rustic appeal to any small laundry room ideas.
13. Invest in a ceiling airer to maximize space
(Image credit: Future / Alicia Taylor)
A pulley drying rack is a clever way to make space for clothes – including those that aren’t suitable for drying even on the delicate setting on a tumble dryer – but it’s ideal if you’re washing a mattress cover and the weather precludes its being dried in the yard, or for airing larger items such as bedlinen and towels.
To maximize its practicality, hang it over a sink so that really wet items can be lined up to drip dry; if it is near a window that opens, too, all the better.
14. Install heated towel rails for a one-wall laundry room
(Image credit: Future / Carolyn Barber)
Small laundry room ideas have to be clever to really work, and this is one of our favorites: a series of wall-hung heated towel rails that can dry items without taking up any floor space at all.
Another way to create an efficient drying area is to line your walls with hanging racks and install underfloor heating instead of heated rails.
15. Use a freestanding cabinet to house laundry room essentials
(Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens)
In a tiny laundry room, storage is everything. If your space is lacking ample storage, try designating a laundry cabinet in a spot in your home that's close to your laundry room. A freestanding wardrobe or large cabinet can house washing-day essentials neatly behind closed doors.
16. Add wall hooks to a tiny laundry room
(Image credit: Northland Build)
There's no space to waste in a small laundry room. That means utilizing your vertical square footage, too. One of the best ways to do this is by adding wall hooks. They aren't as deep as shelving, so won't crowd a tight space, and they're useful for holding everything from laundry bags, to air-dry items, to clothes hangers.
17. Hide your washer and dryer in plain sight
(Image credit: Camden Grace Interiors / Lam Photography )
If you don't have space for a dedicated laundry room, hide your washer and dryer behind custom cabinetry.
When closed, the cabinet doors make this laundry area by Camden Grace Interiors look like simple built ins. When the doors are open, the spot turns into a full-on laundry station thanks to the countertop, which acts as a handy place for tasks such as spot cleaning when you can’t wash memory foam pillows, as well as sorting, and folding clothes.
18. Add multi-purpose shelving
(Image credit: Rejuvenation)
Storage shelves and a hanging bar are must haves for an efficient laundry room. If you can't carve out a dedicated zone for each, try a shelf with a built-in hanging bar at the bottom, like this version from Rejuvenation .
You can store your laundry soap, the dryer balls necessary for tumble drying a duvet or tumble drying a comforter, or scrub brushes on the shelf, and stash hangers on the rack so you can hang up clothes straight from the dryer.
19. Add a functional laundry pedestal
(Image credit: Home Sort)
Laundry pedestals are handy for front-loading washer-dryers because they eliminate the need to bend over every time you flip the laundry or clean a washing machine. A laundry pedestal with built in drawers, on the other can, can save your back and create valuable storage space in your laundry room.
How do you maximize space in a small laundry room?
Well-organized storage is key to maximizing space in a small laundry room.
As well as wall and base cabinets and pull-out drawers for stashing smaller items (batteries, bin bags, paper towels, etc), don't forget a tall cabinet for keeping an iron, ironing board, mop and bucket and vacuum cleaner.
Often, a very big or deep sink such as a robust Belfast style is top of a utility wish list for washing whites and colors than need to be cleaned by hand, rinsing off muddy wellies and football boots, washing stuffed animals and cleaning bath toys, and even washing the dog if you are combining your laundry room with practical mudroom ideas. A faucet with a pull-out or extendible spray valve is perfect for general cleaning, as well as filling buckets and washing down bulky items.
Make sure there is a decent amount of work surface around the sink and elsewhere in the kitchen for sorting through laundry and stacking baskets – or tuck them out of the way in a nearby niche.
Where do you put your laundry in a small house?
If you live in a small house, you may not have any laundry room at all. But, if you still need a spot to fit a washer and dryer, here are a few spots to consider:
- In a closet. A stacking washer/dryer can fit in a small hall closet. Use bi-fold doors to maximize traffic flow when you're doing laundry. A walk-in closet (even a small one) in an upstairs bedroom is also an ideal spot for laundry.
- In a bathroom. Your bathroom can be a convenient spot to install laundry because you'll already have the plumbing sited. If your existing bathroom layout doesn't all space for your laundry, consider converting a bathtub to a shower stall to make room for a stacking washer/dryer.
- Rethink existing space. If you have a room in your home that doesn't get a ton of use, like a powder room or sunroom, consider transforming it into (or taking a piece of it for) a laundry room.
- In the basement. Of course, there's always the basement. While it may not be the most luxurious spot in your home (unless you're lucky enough to have a finished basement), it's a practical spot for your laundry.
You can spruce things up a bit with bright lighting, an indoor/outdoor rug, and some paint on the walls (yes, even if they're concrete).
Emily first (temporarily) joined the Real Homes team while interning on her summer break from university. After graduating, she worked on several publications before joining Real Homes as Staff Writer full time in mid-2018. She left the brand in 2020 to join the police force but continues to write for Homes & Gardens about interiors.
Small Laundries - 55 Best Laundry Room Design Ideas in an Apartment and House Photographer: Polina Poludkina
Original design example of a small contemporary closet with medium parquet floors, medium wood cabinets, brown floors and washer dryer
Industrial Chic
Amy Storm & Company
We basically squeezed this into a closet, but wow does it deliver! The roll out shelf can expand for folding and ironing and push back in when it's not needed.
The wood shelves offer great linen storage and the exposed brick is a great reminder of all the hard work that has been done in this home! Joe Kwon
Laundry Renovations Perth Projects
Small Bathroom Renovations Perth
Room
Decorlift Design Co
Original design example: Neoclassic (modern classic) small detached straight laundry with sink sink, shaker fronts, white fronts, agglomerated quartz countertops, white splashback, hog tile splashback, multicolored
Glenelg
Urban Habitats
Colindale Design / CR3 Studio
A fresh design idea: a small detached, nautical-style corner laundry room with an overhead sink, white fronts, wood countertops, white walls, ceramic tile floors, with a washer and
Boulder Remodel Home: Approachable Elegance
Factor Design Build
The laundry area features a fun ceramic tile design with open shelving and storage above the machine space.
Photo of a small detached, country-style corner laundry with a sink sink, flat cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, gray walls, slate flooring, with washer and dryer next to it, gray floor and white top with
CARLES DRIVE
Aspen Interiors
Glen Doone Photography
Pictured is a small contemporary style freestanding parallel laundry room with a semi-recessed sink (front mounted), white cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls, side by side washer and dryer, beige floors, ceramic tile floors and shaker cabinets.
Closet Laundry
Lowe's Home Improvement
Make a closet laundry space work harder and look better by surrounding the washer and dryer with smart solutions.
Fresh design idea: a small neoclassical (modern classic) straight pantry with wooden countertops, light parquet floors, washer and dryer nearby, beige countertops and green walls - great interior photo
Atherton, CA Contemporary Elegance
K. G.Bell Construction
No space for a full laundry room? No problem! Hidden by closet doors, this fully functional laundry area is sleek and modern.
Home-style inspiration: modern style small straight pantry with washer-dryer, sink sink, flat cabinets, beige cabinets and beige walls
ASID Showcase House Laundry
Crystal Kitchen + Bath
Original to the home was a beautiful stained glass window. The homeowner's wanted to reuse it and since the laundry room had no exterior window, it was perfect. Natural light from the skylight above the back stairway filters through it and illuminates the laundry room. What was an otherwise mundane space now showcases a beautiful art piece. The room also features one of Cambria's newest counter top colors, Parys. The rich blue and gray tones are seen again in the blue wall paint and the stainless steel sink and faucet finish. Twin Cities Closet Company provided for this small space making the most of every square inch.
Laundry Room Remodel - Bellevue, Washington
Ellen Weiss Design
Small and compact laundry room remodel in Bellevue, Washington.
Original design example of a small neoclassical (modern classic) detached laundry room with utility sink, flat cabinets, gray cabinets, beige splashback, ceramic tile splashback, white walls, stoneware flooring, tumble dryer on top of washer and black flooring
Mud Room/Laundry Room Entry
Oland Living
Inspiration for home comfort: Classic style small direct laundry room with recessed panel fronts, white fronts, beige walls, porcelain stoneware flooring, side by side washer and dryer, brown floor and beige worktop
Sorensen Millcreek Remodel
Shearer Designs
Small farmhouse laundry room with LG Front load washer/dryer. Decorative tile backsplash to add a bit of color.
Pental Quartz countertop concrete. Ikea grimslov kitchen cabinets for storage and undercounter lighting. Hanging rack for clothing and laundry storage basket.
Estate Lane
Golden Builders Group, LLC
Stylish design: small detached, neoclassical (modern classic) direct laundry room with flat fronts, white fronts, laminate worktops, gray walls, laminate flooring, with washer and dryer beside it, brown floor and white countertop - latest trend
Myers Park Residence
Guthmann Construction
The built-ins hide the washer and dryer below and laundry supplies and hanging bar above. The upper cabinets have glass doors to showcase the owners' blue and white pieces. A new pocket door separates the Laundry Room from the smaller, lower level bathroom. The opposite wall also has matching cabinets and marble top for additional storage and work space. Jon Courville Photography
Bellevue Farmhouse
RW Anderson Homes
In the prestigious Enatai neighborhood in Bellevue, this mid 90’s home was in need of updating.
Bringing this home from a bleak spec project to the feeling of a luxurious custom home took partnering with an amazing interior designer and our specialists in every field. Everything about this home now fits the life and style of the homeowner and is a balance of the finer things with quaint farmhouse styling. RW Anderson Homes is the premier home builder and remodeler in the Seattle and Bellevue area. Distinguished by their excellent team, and attention to detail, RW Anderson delivers a custom tailored experience for every customer. Their service to clients has earned them a great reputation in the industry for taking care of their customers. Working with RW Anderson Homes is very easy. Their office and design team work tirelessly to maximize your goals and dreams in order to create finished spaces that aren’t only beautiful, but highly functional for every customer. In an industry known for false promises and the unexpected, the team at RW Anderson is professional and works to present a clear and concise strategy for every project.
They take pride in their references and the amount of direct referrals they receive from past clients. RW Anderson Homes would love the opportunity to talk with you about your home or remodel project today. Estimates and consultations are always free. Call us now at 206-383-8084 or email [email protected].
LG Washer & Dryer
Baron's Major Brands
6 Motions, 1 Amazing Wash Performance. The wash performance of the machine is greatly improved, giving you perfect results every time.
Fresh design idea: a small freestanding modernist straight laundry room with a semi-recessed sink (with front edge), gray cabinets, soapstone worktops, gray walls, ceramic tile floors, washer and dryer side by side, beige floors and cabinets with decorative piping - excellent interior photo
Traditional Utility Room
lewisalderson.com
Design ideas for a small straight utility room in classic style with granite countertops, gray walls, limestone flooring, washer and dryer beside it, black countertops, piping and gray fronts.
facades
Boulder Remodel Home: Approachable Elegance
Factor Design Build
The laundry area features a fun ceramic tile design with open shelving and storage above the machine space. Around the corner, you'll find a mudroom that carries the cabinet finishes into a built-in coat hanging and shoe storage space.
Modern style small laundries - 55 best photo ideas for designing a laundry room in an apartment and house Photographer: Polina Poludkina
Original design example of a small contemporary storage room with medium parquet floors, medium wood cabinets, brown floors and washer dryer
CARLES DRIVE
Aspen Interiors
Glen Doone Photography
Pictured is a small modern style freestanding, parallel laundry room with a semi-recessed sink (front-mounted), white cabinetry, granite countertops, beige walls, side by side washer and dryer, beige floors, ceramic tile floors and Shaker Fronts
Atherton, CA Contemporary Elegance
K.
G.Bell Construction
No space for a full laundry room? No problem! Hidden by closet doors, this fully functional laundry area is sleek and modern.
Inspiration for home comfort: contemporary style small straight pantry with washer dryer, sink sink, flat fronts, beige fronts and beige walls modern style pantry with flat fronts, brown fronts, tumble dryer on washing machine, black floor and white worktop - latest trend
4th St E
Danmar Developments Ltd
Design ideas for a modern style small straight laundry with flat fronts, white fronts, acrylic stone worktops, white walls, side washer and dryer and white floor
Hamptons kitchen with combined butlers pantry and laundry
Makings of Fine Kitchens & Bathrooms
Combined butlers pantry and laundry opening to kitchen
Photo of a small corner versatile room in a modern style with shaker-style facades, quartz countertops, gray splashback, marble, medium parquet floors, brown flooring, white countertops, single sink, white fronts, white walls and 9 tumble dryer0007
A Townhouse in Hoboken!
Olu Walker
Special considerations were taken to elevate the washer and dryer on custom made platforms in consideration of flooding.
The laundry room was designed strategically for the Hoboken easy, simple lifestyle. The built-in laundry units were carefully chosen because of their compact size and innovative functionalities traditional. With the many dimensions, this wonderful laundry room has ample storage and a folding station for the client and her newborn triplets.
City Condo in the Sky
HSH Interiors
Inspiration for home comfort: a modern small straight storage closet with white fronts, white walls, a tumble dryer on a washer, beige floors, white countertops, flat fronts and light parquet flooring
Lyneham House
Light House Architecture & Science
Ben Wrigley
Photo of a small, modern, parallel laundry room with a single sink, raised-panel fronts, white fronts, laminate worktops, white walls, concrete floor, with tumble dryer on washer, gray floor and blue worktop with
Citylife Penthouse Apartment Laundry
Nicola Manning Design
Photography - Mark Scowen
Photo of a small, modern style, freestanding, direct laundry with single sink, flat fronts, white fronts, laminate worktops, white walls, laminate flooring , with washer and dryer beside it and brown floor
Kristen's Laundry Room
Grassroots Design
JVL Photography
Pictured is a small freestanding, direct laundry room in a modern style with flat fronts, white fronts, wood countertops, gray walls, light parquet floor, with washer and dryer next to it and beige worktop
Cocina Serie 45 Blanco Fenix de Dica
Inaki Caperochipi Photography
Inaki Caperochipi Photography
An example of the original design of a modern style small straight laundry with flat fronts, white fronts, white walls and a tumble dryer on a washer dryer
3
3 Hidden Laundry Room
Moehl Millwork, Inc.
