Home » Misc » Designing a small laundry room

Designing a small laundry room


53 Small Laundry Room Ideas With Big Style

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.

19 compact designs to save space |

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(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:

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. 

Laundries - 55 best photo ideas for designing a laundry room in an apartment and house

LCD "Khoroshevsky"

BALCON

Design idea: modern style laundry room with a tumble dryer on a washing machine

Design association Unicum.Gorproekt

3

Entrance hall in light gray tones and exposed brickwork
Fresh design idea: loft-style laundry room - great photo of the interior

Wellhouse residential complex

Special-style

Fresh design idea: detached, contemporary style corner laundry room with sink sink, flat fronts, beige fronts, tumble dryer, brown floor and white worktop - great interior photo

Apartment in Khamovniki

YU Dsgn Yuliya Galkina and Yuliya Belyaeva

Inspiration for home comfort: modern-style separate laundry room with inset sink, flat fronts, beige fronts, beige backsplash, beige walls, tumble dryer on top of the washing machine and beige worktop

Photoshoot Apartment on the Angara

Badyaeva Maria

Thanks to the large area, the family that lives in this apartment managed to create a beautiful space in every corner.
Fresh design idea: contemporary style laundry room with tumble dryer on top of washer - great interior photo

Townhouse by the Bay

Maxim Maximov

Pictured: medium sized rustic single straight laundry with flat fronts, beige facades, acrylic stone top, beige walls, porcelain stoneware floors, with washer and dryer nearby, gray floor and black top

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

dogs dream

Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC

this dog wash is a great place to clean up your pets and give them the spa treatment they deserve. There is even an area to relax for your pet under the counter in the padded cabinet. nine0007

Omaha, Nebraska Residence- Interior Design for New Build

Haven Design and Construction

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry. nine0007

Greenlea

Visbeen Architects

A fresh design idea for a medium-sized country-style detached, parallel laundry room with recessed panel fronts, white fronts, quartz countertops, white walls, slate floors, washer and dryer next to it, blue floor and white countertop - great interior photo

Living Spaces

Clean Design

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Inspiration for home comfort: neoclassical (modern classic) straight pantry with white fronts, white walls, washer and dryer next to it and white worktop

Saguaro Grove

AFT Construction

Stylish design: large u-shaped universal room in the neoclassical (modern classic) style with a semi-recessed sink (with a front edge), fronts with decorative piping, gray fronts, countertops in quartz agglomerate, white backsplash, marble backsplash, white walls, marble floor, washer dryer, gray floor, white countertop, coffered ceiling and wallpaper on the walls - the latest trend

How to equip a small laundry room in a typical apartment - INMYROOM

Many housewives, complaining about the modest size of typical housing, often do not even consider the idea of ​​arranging a home laundry. And in vain! Having your own functional laundry has a lot of advantages. We share the main ones and tell you how to fit everything you need in a limited space.

Why you need a laundry: 3 good reasons to build one

1. Convenience. Whatever one may say, it is much more convenient to collect the entire clothing care complex in one place than to go out onto the balcony with a basin of wet laundry or to install a folding ironing board in the middle of the living room every time.

2. Aesthetics. No dryers placed in the room, no laundry hanging over the bathroom, no baskets with dirty laundry in the bathroom: a separate laundry room allows you to make the process of caring for your things as aesthetic as possible. nine0003

3. Space saving. Paradoxically, setting up a small home laundry room will save a lot of space in the rest of the apartment. You can refuse utility cabinets and chests of drawers.

How to set up a compact laundry room: 7 important points

1. Plan ahead. The smaller the area allocated for the arrangement of the utility room, the more carefully plan literally every centimeter of space. nine0003

Consider how the equipment will be located and where you will need sockets (for a washing machine, dryer, iron). Mark the plumbing points for connecting the units.

2. Responsibly approach the choice of equipment. Household helpers - something that you can not save on in any way when arranging a home laundry. Choose the model that suits you in terms of load volume and dimensions, efficiently consuming resources and having all the washing modes that your family needs. nine0003

3. Don't forget ventilation. Even if you decide to organize a mini-laundry without a clothes dryer, ventilation will do a good job - it will prevent the formation of mold and mildew and get rid of the damp smell. And if your laundry room has a place to dry things, you can’t do without a good ventilation system.

4. Consider making custom furniture. Even the smallest utility room is indispensable without organized storage. Bespoke cabinets and shelves put every inch of available space to good use. nine0003

5. Transform! Use pull-out and folding systems. The ability to “hide” an ironing board or dryer as unnecessary will help in organizing a functional laundry room in a modest area.

6. Use hidden reserves. Use the space above the door and on the door itself, organize storage vertically, up to the ceiling, do not forget about hooks, hangers and shelves. If the room has a window sill or mezzanine, do not leave them unattended. nine0003

7. Add comfort. Even if your laundry room is just a corner in the apartment or a small room without windows, this is no reason to leave the space uncomfortable and uninhabited. Add a few decorative details, put a beautiful planter with a potted flower.

A course in ergonomics: 3 more secret tricks

1. Place the washing machine on a pedestal. If your appliance is a top-loading appliance, place it on a pedestal or small nightstand. Firstly, it will become more convenient to load laundry. Secondly, there will be additional storage space. nine0003

2. Niches in the wall. When there is not enough space, recesses in the wall can be a real salvation: you can partially slide the washing machine into the recess or place shelves there, organizing storage.

3. Laundry in the closet. Opt for a compact version that puts everything you need in just one utility closet. Moreover, you can either “assemble” such a laundry room on your own, or purchase a ready-made, fully equipped version. nine0003

InMyRoom Tip: What to look for when choosing a washing machine?

The washing machine is at the center of the laundry room and choosing the right model makes the washing process quick and easy. We tell you what to pay attention to.

1. Large drum capacity. If you have a large family, you definitely won't enjoy running multiple washes in a row. Pay attention to washing machines with sufficient load capacity: for example, Samsung Addwash can hold 9and 12 kg of laundry, depending on the model.

Learn more