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Laundry room layout ideas


55 Laundry Room Ideas That'll Make Doing Laundry a Joy

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.

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Updated on 03/07/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Laundry is an unavoidable household task that many people find boring, but your laundry room certainly doesn't have to be. Interior designers and home decorators never miss a decorating opportunity, knowing that the key to a stylish interior is maximizing every last square inch of space in your home. Elevating a laundry room from a purely utilitarian room to a functional and beautiful room of its own will make your daily chores a little more tolerable, no matter how large or small a space. And because a laundry room is a relatively discrete space in the home, you can treat it either as an extension of your existing decor or as a chance to splash out and take some risks with color, wallpaper, or design that you might otherwise hesitate to incorporate in the main areas of the home.

Whether you are designing a laundry room for a new home, remodeling your current space, or just looking for ideas to refresh your current laundry room, check out these 55 stylish laundry rooms in a number of sizes and styles to inspire your utility room makeover or refresh.

22 laundry room decor and design ideas |

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(Image credit: Alex James / Sarah Shields / Kristen Nix)

Laundry room ideas was once a fairly limited design category. You stored the washer and dryer in a hall closet, in the basement, or if you were lucky, in a dedicated utility room off the kitchen somewhere. But these days, high-style, high-function laundry rooms are a must-have, and the design options have expanded to meet demand. Not only do today's laundry rooms provide a dedicated space for efficient laundering, but they also provide a unique set of design requirements that offer plenty of opportunity for creativity.

In this space, practicalities still take precedence, so when it comes to designing a laundry room, thinking like the most organized version of yourself is always a great place to start. A combination of space-enhancing storage solutions and carefully considering how you will move within the space (particularly when it’s full of laundry, as opposed to when everything is neatly folded and tidied into cupboards) are key to creating a space that’s efficient and ergonomic. 

Once you’ve made choices based on the functionality of a space, you can start to think about aesthetics, and work out how organizing your laundry room can make the space not just pleasing to look at but to use too.

Laundry room ideas

Whether you’re overhauling an existing laundry room and looking at laundry room makeovers for inspiration, are gaining a laundry area by planning a home addition, or want to move the laundry upstairs where it's more convenient, our laundry room decor ideas and designs are sure to provide plenty of inspiration.

1. Incorporate on-trend tones into your laundry room ideas 

(Image credit: Alex James)

If there are kitchen trends that you love, but are not prepared to commit to in such a large space, consider your laundry room the perfect test-canvas. After all, given its inevitably smaller dimensions, you will find yourself spending significantly less money making changes as trends come and go.

Here, London design duo Stephenson Wright finished cabinetry in Farrow & Ball ’s French Gray to create country charm.

2.  Add wallpaper to put the fun in function

(Image credit: Aimee Mazzenga)

Let's face it: laundry is a chore, which is even more of a reason to make your utility room ideas as beautiful as possible.

Chicago-based designer Kristin Challacombe brought in a bold floral wallpaper to add sophisticated style to a workhorse space. 'With four young kids living in this home, there’s always laundry to do, so I wanted to make the space beautiful," Challacombe says. "The wallpaper is Clarke & Clarke , and we pulled out the rich, blue color of the palm trees for the custom cabinetry.'

A black-and-white mosaic tile on the floor adds contrast, creating a room that's as stylish as it is sensible. 

3. Add an island for easy folding

(Image credit: Whittney Parkinson / Sarah Shields)

If you have the space for it, consider adding a small kitchen island or kitchen cart to your laundry room like designer Whittney Parkinson did, above. It creates a smart spot for folding towels or rolling towels, to help fold fitted sheets and clothes.

Having an island, or at least ample counter space, also gives you a place to pretreat clothes or to lay delicates flat to dry, as well as proving convenient for tasks such as washing stuffed animals or cleaning bath toys. For a bonus, choose an island with storage underneath to house laundry baskets or cleaning supplies. 

4. Let your laundry room double up as a mudroom

(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)

If you don’t have space to justify a room dedicated solely to laundry, consider other ways of ensuring your space is functional, and think about combining your laundry with mudroom ideas.

Here, a handy mudroom storage solution allows this stylish country laundry room to double up as a space for stashing outdoor shoes. 

Louise Wicksteed, design director at Sims Hilditch advises: 'In terms of decor, we recommend a stone flooring that will be easily cleaned should any spillages or leaks occur.’

5. Choose an all-white scheme to make a small space look and feel bigger 

(Image credit: Marloe Interiors)

A white laundry room scheme is a lovely option for a space that feels fresh, clean and organized. Plus, if you are looking for small laundry room ideas, a bright white will make your space feel larger and lighter with minimal effort.  Complement a white scheme with good lighting and checking laundry symbols on your items will never be difficult to do.

Mandy Oestreich from Marloe Interiors offers the following advice: ‘For our Cotswold country home clients, we opted for a balanced mix of old and new to redesign their laundry room. 

'Black bronze knobs contrast beautifully against the white painted shaker style cabinets, whilst the light-colored quartz worktop completes the look – creating a classic and timeless space.’

6. Double your efficiency with tandem washer-dryers

(Image credit: Scott Davis)

Utah-based designers The Fox Group realized every large family's dream with this laundry room idea: double washer-dryers. The stacking configuration means that the extra capacity doesn't take up extra floor space, so you can borrow this idea even if you don't have an oversized laundry room.

Think about the capacity of washing machines and dryers if you’re buying new models. If you’re undertaking tasks such as washing a down comforter, tumble drying a duvet, or washing a weighted blanket, this is crucial and without a machine of sufficient size, you won’t be able to do these jobs in a home appliance.

Other design ideas we love about this space include the checkerboard floor, the oversized farmhouse utility sink, and enclosed cabinetry, and the built-in laundry room shelving idea that makes cleaning up easier. 

7. Flood your laundry room with light 

(Image credit: Lifestyle Floors)

If you’re incorporating a laundry room into your home as part of an addition or extension, consider designing a space that backs straight onto your outside space.

Not only is this beautiful space flooded with natural light, making it a spot even those who loathe laundry might enjoy spending time, it is also extremely practical. Rather than relying on a tumble dryer, it provides easy access to the garden where you can allow laundry to air dry.

Achieve a similar finish with flooring from Lifestyle Floors . Pictured above is their Dawn Herringbone finish.

8. Choose complementary shades for connecting spaces 

(Image credit: Berry Alloc)

If you are designing a laundry room that connects directly to a kitchen, or dining area, consider opting for shades that complement your kitchen color scheme to achieve a cohesive finish.

Here, a laundry room with a cream finish works perfectly in conjunction with an on-trend, deep, dark and atmospheric kitchen scheme. These complementary shades ensure cohesion within the space, without looking too matchy.

Berry Alloc has a similar wood floor finish.

9. Invest in a traditional drying rack

(Image credit: Martin Moore/Darren Chung)

Drying racks, also called airers, are super-practical when the tumble dryer temperature guide forbids even use of the delicate setting on a dryer. But they are wonderful for adding a touch of rustic charm to your laundry room ideas, too. 

Use them for towels and bedlinens as well as to dry a comforter – and hang decorative items too, for laundry room decor ideas that will make the scheme feel more lived in.

This super stylish laundry room scheme was designed by Martin Moore .

10.  Choose custom carpentry for a high-end finish 

(Image credit: Carpetright )

Working with a carpenter is key to achieving a bespoke finish that not only suits your specific requirements, but also allows you to incorporate customized laundry room storage ideas, to make the most of the space you have available.

Look to fit tall laundry closet ideas to hang items such as clothes that are airing or to store an ironing board; and smaller laundry room cabinet ideas for keeping washing powders and cleaning kit out of sight. This clever corner seat adds a cozy cottage feel to this laundry room while allowing it to double up as a functional mudroom. Plus, each of the deep benches can be used for lift-up storage.

11. Maximize the vertical space available  

(Image credit: Alex James)

Another of our favorite design tips when it comes to small laundry room ideas is to maximize vertical space, like designers Stephenson Wright did in their client's home, above. 

Here, wall to ceiling cabinets ensure plenty of storage potential for detergents and ready for using bleach in laundry, as well as a convenient spot for stashing laundry baskets.

The soothing shade of gray gives this functional spot a relaxing feel. 

12. Consider a dark shade for a stylish laundry room  

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball )

This stunning laundry room proves that the moody interiors trend works just as well in small spaces as it does in large, lust-worthy black and white kitchens.

Opting for a dark feature wall that comprises paintwork, cabinetry and paneling adds plenty of character while ensuring the small space does not feel overwhelmed.

You can recreate the look with the shade Railings from Farrow & Ball .

13. Put your laundry on a pedestal

(Image credit: Sarah Shields)

A pedestal washer and dryer is a convenience you won't want to live without once you try it. It essentially eliminates the need to bend over when you're changing the laundry or cleaning a washing machine, making the whole process easier.

While most top washer-dryer brands sell pedestals for their machines, the look isn't necessarily elevated. Instead, try a custom-built pedestal that matches your laundry room cabinets, like designer Whittney Parkinson created for a lucky client. 

14. Consider adding a fun feature to your laundry room

(Image credit: Kristen Nix Interiors)

If you are tempted by patterned kitchen flooring or a bold paint palette but cannot commit to something a little more out there in any other room of the house, consider giving it a go in your laundry room ideas.

Kristen Nix, director of Kristen Nix Interiors , provides the following insight: ‘Designing a laundry room is an opportunity to play with color and have fun with tiles. 

'We wanted this laundry room to be fun – so we ran the tile on the diagonal and pulled in the blue in the cabinet paint. We papered the ceiling and walls, which helped make the space feel finished and special.’

15. Keep it simple with a stylish gray scheme

(Image credit: Neptune)

If bold shades, prints, and patterns are not for you, a trusty shade of gray is always a safe bet. Plus, this classic tone is guaranteed to stand the test of time.

Here, gray paint adds a modern and sophisticated feel to the space, while white shaker style cabinetry and wicker storage baskets ensure this laundry room still has plenty of storage potential.

16. Make your space work for you

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

Ultimately, what is most important when designing a laundry room is ensuring that the space works for you.  

Whether that means retractable washing lines, built-in ironing boards, drawers for appliance instructions and a guide to laundry symbols, or cozy corners designed for dogs, as above, the options are endless.

 17. Zone your space to maximize efficiency 

(Image credit: DeVol Kitchens)

If you are lucky enough to be blessed with a laundry room that can be zoned, consider it an option that maximizes efficiency.

Zoning is the perfect way to layout a laundry room. We are picturing one area equipped with appliances which is designed for washing and drying laundry, and another set up for folding and ironing clothes to perfection.

18. Make a feature of your laundry room cabinetry

(Image credit: Future / Darren Chung)

Laundry room shelving and cabinetry doesn’t have to be all about practicality. In fact, it’s an ideal way to bring in decorative touches that help make the space charming as well as useful. Stick to displaying a selection of smaller objects and pictures to give the room a more airy feel.

The space behind the sink is ideal – particularly if vases are part of the mix so they’re near the faucet. In this location, bespoke build-in shelving is a sensible option to keep the contents securely in place above the sink. The lovely marble laundry room countertop idea adds a sense of sophistication to the playful cabinetry.

19. Consider the layout of your laundry room

(Image credit: Jon Day)

When trying to make the most of limited space in which you’re undertaking tasks such as washing bed sheets and washing woollen blankets take time to consider the natural flow through rooms, recommends Victoria Wormsley of French-Brooks Interiors . 

‘Think about how people are going to pass through the space and ask if you really need each and every door (but be aware that some will need to be retained for fire regulations, particularly when it comes to kitchens and utility areas). Where possible, remove doors and architraves to improve the flow.’

20.

Opt for a deep sink

(Image credit: Future)

A deep butler sink is practical for tasks such as washing whites that can’t go into the machine and other handwashing tasks; if possible, place it beneath a window so you can enjoy your garden while standing at it. 

Keep the sink close to the washing machine, too, as it will make plumbing – and transferring laundry – easier. And install a run of countertops on either side if you have the space. A pretty blind will add a touch of color and softness as a finishing touch.

21. Pay attention to flooring

(Image credit: Mel Yates)

A low-maintenance, durable floor is a key feature in a laundry room. Natural stone retains heat in the winter and is cool in summer. Wood-effect ceramic floors give the beauty of timber but are more practical and hard-wearing. As to whether you continue the bathroom floor into the utility, this is dependent on whether you are looking to unify the space or create a statement room in its own right. Patterned floors can delineate the space and provide wow factor when glimpsed through a glass or open door.

22. Be bold with color

(Image credit: Martin Moore Design / Darren Chung)

Laundry and utility rooms are really receptive to bold decorating styles. Strong colors and patterns can work well in a smaller space – perhaps matching the accent color used within the main kitchen. Also consider echoing the kitchen cabinet design but in a different finish to achieve good continuity and flow between spaces, particularly if there is open or glazed access between the two. Speaking of glazing, the best laundry rooms are naturally lit – it improves the ambience when spending time within the room and is valuable when performing tasks such as ironing. Always aim to include a window or skylight if you’re planning a laundry room in a new extension.

What are the best laundry room cabinet ideas?

Cabinets are a natural part of a thoughtful laundry room design. They allow for all-important laundry room storage, while also closing the door on visible clutter.

Laundry room cabinet ideas range from simple to complex, and affordable to high end. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, here are a few ideas we love, from easy to more involved.

Consider laundry room shelving
Laundry room shelving provides an easy alternative to cabinetry, since it's quick to install and readily available. While shelves don't hide away clutter the same way cabinets do, you can still create an orderly space with items like matching storage baskets, pretty glass jars, and a label maker. 

Add a kitchen cabinet above a washer dryer
If you need laundry room cabinetry but aren't planning a full renovation any time soon, a simple off-the-shelf kitchen wall cabinet is a more than adequate stand in. Most big box home improvement stores offer unfinished wood cabinets, so you can give yours a custom look with a few coats of paint and fun hardware. Have the cabinet mounted above the washer dryer.

Go custom
If you're investing in a complete laundry room overhaul, custom cabinetry is the way to go. With custom, you'll get cabinets that are built to your needs and the size and function of your room. Plus, you'll be able to order them in virtually any color you choose, so you can tie in to a fun wallpaper, your kitchen cabinets, or another room in your home. Find a cabinet maker that specializes in laundry room design, or work with an interior designer to ensure you maximize the function of the cabinets. Extras like drying racks, laundry basket storage, and pedestal stands can make a world of difference in how well your laundry room serves you and your family. 

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.  

With contributions from

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

Photo session Apartment on the Angara

Badyaeva Maria

For the family that lives in this apartment, thanks to the large area, it was possible to create a beautiful space in every corner.
Fresh design idea: modern style laundry room with tumble dryer - great interior photo

Wellhouse apartment complex

Special-style

facades, beige facades, with a tumble dryer on a washing machine, brown floors and white countertops - great interior photo

Design association Unicum.Gorproekt

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

Apartment in Khamovniki

Yuliya and Belyakina09

Inspiration for home comfort: Modern style separate laundry room with sink sink, flat cabinets, beige cabinets, beige splashback, beige walls, tumble dryer and beige worktop

Townhouse by the Bay

Maxim Maximov

Pictured is a medium sized rustic detached direct laundry with flat fronts, beige fronts, acrylic stone countertops, beige walls, porcelain stoneware flooring, with washer and dryer next to it, gray floor and black countertop

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

Khoroshevsky residential complex

BALCON

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

North Lincoln mudroom / laundry room

Plain & Posh

neoclassical style (modern classic) with sink sink, flat fronts, blue fronts, quartz agglomerate countertops, white walls, porcelain stoneware floors, with washer and dryer side by side, gray floor and black countertop

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

Greenlea

Visbeen Architects

A fresh design idea: a freestanding, parallel country-style medium sized laundry room with recessed panel fronts, white fronts, countertops made of quartz agglomerate, white walls, slate floor, with washer and dryer nearby, blue floor and white countertop - excellent interior photo

In Keeping With Tradition

Meadowlark Design+Build

This "perfect-sized" laundry room is just off the mudroom and can be closed off from the rest of the house. The large window makes the space feel large and open. A custom designed wall of shelving and specialty cabinets accommodates everything necessary for day-to-day laundry needs. This custom home was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photography by Joshua Caldwell.

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.

10 amazing home laundry photos

Most of us find washing our clothes to be a daunting task, but a beautifully designed laundry room can help elevate the routine and make staying in the laundry room more inviting.

We bring to the attention of the visitors of the Interior Rooms portal a selection of interesting photos of real laundry rooms, in which we managed to organize an ergonomic, rational and outwardly attractive arrangement of household appliances and furniture for utility rooms.

Smart use of space, interesting storage layouts and more in the most popular laundry designs.

1. Linear arrangement of built-in furniture and appliances. Installing a washing machine on a dryer, you save usable space.

The location of the entire working area along one wall will be ideal for households with small laundries, this way of placing furniture and appliances will fit into both city apartments and country houses.

2. Kitchen set in the laundry room. These two-tier kitchen cabinets are a great way to organize work surfaces and storage within a laundry room.

The choice of color for the wardrobes was quite a bold decision, a shade of purple brought variety to the warm palette of the room.

The sandy gray color of the worktops is the finishing touch to this distinctive space.

3. Bright interior color scheme. Small spaces like laundries are a great place to show off your brilliance and creativity.

By designing the space of open shelves and racks in rich colorful colors, you can change the character of the interior, give it a positive and festive mood.

4. Violet color combination with marble. This design project has become a hit in the laundry area.

The luxurious combination of deep purple on the walls and marble surfaces of the flooring and countertops makes us forget that we are in the back room.

Routine tasks such as sorting, washing and drying clothes become a holiday in such an elegant space.

5. Smart storage systems. The rational use of a small space to accommodate various types of storage systems has made this laundry room incredibly popular with readers.

Homeowners embraced the idea of ​​a compact layout, combinatorics of open shelving and wire drawers, combining painted wood with the natural color of the natural material.

6. Original inscriptions. Frosted glass doors with inscriptions help streamline the washing process and speed up finding certain attributes for a convenient workflow.

Also worth noting are the attractive stainless steel worktops. On such a surface it is very convenient to fold dry clothes.

7. Stained-glass window in the utility room. A very small laundry room, in which only appliances and a sink with modest storage systems fit, was very decorated with a stained-glass window.

It is rare to see such a home decor, and even in a utilitarian space.

8. Colorful walls and floors in the laundry room. A narrow washer and dryer gets brighter and more inviting with printed walls and checkerboard marble flooring.

In addition to the attractive design of the room, readers of the Room Interiors website also liked the skillful approach to organizing storage systems and work surfaces.

9. Warm brick floors. Original herringbone brick flooring is the highlight of this versatile laundry room, which also has room for entryway equipment.

Of course, many visitors also noted the external attractiveness of the glossy ceiling of a light azure hue.

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