Laundry room countertops
8 materials and layouts to inspire |
(Image credit: Rebecca Hay / Elizabeth Gill)
The right laundry room countertop ideas can offer a handy place to spot-treat stains, a surface for delicates to lay flat to dry, or a clean area to fold clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer (no more wrinkled heaps left in the laundry basket for days on end). In other words, having countertops in the laundry room makes the process of washing your clothes a lot smoother.
At the same time, counters can bolster your laundry room ideas from a style standpoint, bringing a finished look to the space and enhancing laundry room organization.
Feel like your laundry room could benefit from a countertop? Keep reading.
Laundry room countertop ideas
We've rounded up the best types of laundry room counters to use, layouts that will help you maximize your counter space and more, below. Should you match your laundry room countertops to your kitchen countertop ideas? If the rooms are adjacent, it's a definite yes, though you may choose a real stone for the kitchen and a less expensive lookalike for the laundry room, which will really only be seen by you and your family.
1. Add a butcher block countertop
(Image credit: Rebecca Hay)
A butcher block countertop can be part of a larger laundry room makeover if you're adding in new cabinetry, but it's also an easy standalone project that provides a major upgrade to your space. For the latter, have a sheet of butcher block cut to fit over the top of your washer/dryer, like in this space by Rebecca Hay Designs , then fasten it to the surrounding cabinetry or mount it to the wall.
'Counters provide a functional worktop to fold clothes before transporting them,' says interior designer Julie Khuu. 'A great place to carve out space for one is beside the washer/dryer with another section right above it if you have front loading appliances.'
2. Try a quartz laundry room countertop
(Image credit: Kate Lester Interiors / Lauren Pressey Photography)
If you're looking for a high-quality, long-lasting laundry room countertop be inspired by one of the best countertops for a kitchen: quartz.
The engineered stone offers all the beauty of natural stones like marble or granite, but it's a much more low-maintenance option because it's non-porous. This is especially important for laundry room countertops since there's a good chance they'll be splattered with detergents and cleaners on a regular basis.
Quartz is one of the most expensive laundry room counter ideas, not only because of the price of materials, but because it'll need to be cut by a stone fabricator and installed by a professional.
3. Tuck the dog bed under the laundry room counter
(Image credit: Elizabeth Gill Interiors)
If your laundry room doubles as your pet's room, try making space for Fido's bed underneath your laundry room counter. You'll love this laundry room storage idea because the bed will be out of the way, and your pet will love it because the semi-enclosed space creates a cozy, denlike feel.
The design above is by Elizabeth Gill Interiors .
4. Include a laundry room 'island'
(Image credit: Obelisk Home)
Whether your laundry room is wide open, like the one above, or it's a small laundry room idea you're after, placing a table or island in the center of the room is a versatile way to add utilitarian surface area.
'Under the spherical fixture is a round table with a stainless-steel top for folding laundry, doing craft projects with the grandchildren, wrapping gifts, or just stacking up laundry,' says Nathan Taylor, whose firm, Obelisk Home , designed the room above.
5. Install a counter above the washer and dryer
(Image credit: Rebecca Hay Designs)
One of the most convenient laundry room countertop ideas is to install it above your washer and dryer. This creates a useful surface for folding clothes when they come out of the laundry, and you can use it to stash laundry baskets or lay clothes flat to dry in the meantime.
6. Run a counter along an entire wall
(Image credit: Stephanie Brown Inc.)
If your laundry room cabinet ideas are long and narrow, take a cue from designer Stephanie Brown , and install a narrow countertop along the length of the room. Use it to queue up your laundry baskets, stack each family member's laundry pile, or if the surface is durable enough, a place to iron clothes.
7. Use counters to create laundry bin storage
(Image credit: Swan Architecture)
If you've got enough space for a standalone laundry room countertop, consider leaving the area beneath it empty, instead of adding a cabinet. The storage space you'll create underneath the counter will become the perfect place to park a pair of rolling laundry carts, like in this laundry room by Swan Architecture .
8. Create a luxe laundry room with marble countertops
(Image credit: The fox Group / Lindsay Salazar Photography)
If laundry closet ideas or appliances are taking up most of your potential countertop space, take a cue from this room and install the equivalent of a kitchen island. This room by The Fox Group is full of high-end details, including marble countertops, though note that your island countertop ideas needn't match the rest of your room's materials. The sleek stone is hard to beat from a tactile and aesthetic standpoint, but if you're looking for a lower-maintenance option, a marble-look quartz achieves a similar result.
What can I use for laundry counters?
There are lots of materials suitable for laundry room countertops. A few top choices include:
- Butcher block. Butcher block or wood countertops are durable, readily available, and easy to cut and install. Wood can warp in warm, high humidity areas, so it's important to seal butcher block counters. When properly treated, they offer longevity and durability.
- Solid surface. Solid surface countertops, like those made form acrylic, are smooth and non-porous, which means they won't absorb heat or moisture from your laundry room like a wood countertop can. Still, you should avoid ironing on the countertops as this can melt the surface.
- Quartz and engineered stone. Quartz countertops are a premium laundry room countertop choice. The material is one of the most expensive countertop options, and it will require custom fabrication to fit your space. However, quartz is also incredibly durable and will last a lifetime.
How do you support a countertop for a laundry room?
The configuration of your space will determine the best way to support a countertop for a laundry room.
The simplest method is to install a countertop over your washer-dryer, and secure it to the surrounding walls or cabinetry using L-brackets. If you're using a butcher block countertop, this is a straightforward job you can do yourself. If you're opting for a hard-surface counter, you'll want to leave this task to the pros.
Kaitlin Madden Armon is a writer and editor covering all things home. Her work has appeared in Real Homes, Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living, Refinery29, Modern Luxury Interiors, Wayfair, The Design Network, and lots more. She graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in journalism and currently lives in Connecticut with her husband, three kids, and black lab.
Laundry Room Countertop Options
One of the appeals of a fully built-out laundry room is countertop space.
If you have ever sorted and folded clothes on beds, tables, and other makeshift areas, you will know the convenience of a large, smooth surface dedicated to only one thing: clothing. But which countertop material is best for your laundry room?
| Laundry Operations | Durability | Cost | |
| Laminate | Smooth surface, good for folding | May chip | Low cost |
| Solid Surface | Smooth but not for ironing | Can melt | Mid-range cost |
| Tile | Not smooth; has seams | Heat-proof | Lowest cost |
| Quartz | Flat, smooth | Heat-proof | Highest cost |
| Wood | Smooth if finished; grainy if not finished | Can splinter, chip | Low cost |
Laminate Countertops
Clothing Operations
Smooth and mostly seamless, laminate countertops work well for sorting and folding clothing.
The only seams you will encounter with laminate countertops is where the counters make a 90-degree turn.
Durability
Laminate on countertops can chip, peel, and flake. Never cut directly on the laminate. Hot irons may singe the laminate.
Appearance
Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from solids to faux stone. Premium, designer-grade laminate has sharper graphics.
Pricing
For the budget-sensitive laundry room remodel, laminate countertops are a wise choice. Laminate can be one of the least expensive countertop material.
Longevity
Laminate countertops have a limited lifespan, especially with hard use. Colors may fade. Expect to change out your laminate counters at least once with moderate use.
Cons
Can chip, peel, and flake easily
Hot irons can singe the material
Limited lifespan
Solid Surface Countertops
Clothing Operations
With smooth surfaces and invisible, flat seams, solid surface countertops provide a reliable space for most clothing operations, except ironing.
Durability
Solid surface is made from polyester or acrylic. Acrylic countertops can be damaged by solvents such as glues, ketones, acetones, and thinners. Solid surface scratches relatively easily, but scratches can be sanded out with fine-grit sandpaper. Hot irons may melt solid surface materials.
Appearance
Solid surface comes in a wide range of solid colors or stone looks. While solid surface's faux stone does not have the depth of quartz countertops, still it is reasonably attractive and home buyers tend to covet solid surfaces.
Pricing
Solid surface is a moderately priced countertop material. Rarely is solid surface installed by the homeowner, so labor costs must be figured into the total price.
Longevity
Solid surface materials last long, and scratches can be sanded down numerous times, extending the lifespan of solid surface.
Cons
Can be easily damaged by glues, irons, scratches
Can be expensive with labor costs
Ceramic Tile Countertops
Clothing Operations
Some homeowners may find ceramic tile countertops' numerous seams and grouting annoying when dealing with clothing.
However, as long as you are doing nothing that requires a perfectly smooth surface, ceramic tile can provide an adequate surface.
Durability
Ceramic tile is durable, especially with hot irons. But ceramic tile also will easily crack or chip.
Appearance
While ceramic tile counters are utilitarian, they have limited aesthetic value for many homeowners.
Pricing
Ceramic tile is one of the cheapest laundry room countertop materials, particularly since do-it-yourselfers can install their own tile countertops.
Longevity
Well-maintained ceramic tile countertops can last for decades. Do not store heavy items like large containers of laundry detergent or irons in cabinets above tile countertops.
Pros
Durable with hot irons
One of the cheapest options
Can last for decades if well-maintained
Quartz/Engineered Stone Countertops
Clothing Operations
Quartz, or engineered, stone countertops are excellent for working with clothing.
This material is flat, smooth, and seam-free.
Durability
Quartz countertops are highly durable. Even though they are created from engineered stone, they behave much like natural stone—and with the durability of natural stone.
Appearance
Lush, sleek, and displaying unparalleled visual depth, quartz countertops are highly desired by new home buyers.
Pricing
All factors about quartz countertops make them perfect for laundry rooms except for one thing—price. Quartz is one of the highest-priced countertop materials, except for outliers like stainless steel and custom concrete.
Longevity
Expect your well-maintained laundry room quartz countertop to last for more than 25 years. Quartz countertops typically come with long limited warranties.
Pros
Highly durable and can last decades
Excellent flat surface for working with clothes
High aesthetic value
Wood Countertops
Clothing Operations
Wood countertops are flat and seam-free.
Raw, natural wood that is untreated is not smooth and makes folding operations difficult. For this reason and for moisture protection, always seal your wood countertops. If wood is left unsealed, it can become grainy. Heat and steam will adversely affect wood countertops.
Durability
Wood is durable, though it can burn if a hot iron is placed on it.
Appearance
Depending on the type of wood you choose, its looks can range from functional to stunning.
Pricing
Wood countertops are usually moderately priced. Since wood countertops can be installed by do-it-yourselfers, labor costs are eliminated if you go that route.
Longevity
As long as they are kept sealed and dry, wood countertops will last for decades.
Which Countertop Should You Buy?
For laundry room countertops, laminate and solid surface materials strike a perfect balance—looks, durability, availability, longevity, and especially, economical pricing.
Unless you own a premium home that demands the highest grade of all materials—namely, quartz countertops—laminate and solid surface will work for a majority of laundry room countertops.
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