13 Laundry Room Ideas That Blend Function and Style
Here’s how to make this practical space feel chic.
When most people daydream about home design projects, the laundry room probably isn’t at the top of the list. But these creative laundry room design ideas are definitely dream-worthy. A few designer-approved tricks can make any laundry room feel more functional and stylish. Whether you’re looking for practical upgrades or ways to add a little dopamine decor to the space, there are plenty of ideas below to explore.
As you consider different ideas, it’s worth exploring how your family uses the space. If you like to fold the laundry before carrying it upstairs, adding some counter space and seating can make it more comfortable. If you’re tired of tripping over laundry hampers, build hamper storage under the counter to make the space feel more functional. If you usually catch up with the kids about their school day while you’re moving laundry, add a small table where they can sit and do homework to simplify your afternoon.
Once you’ve determined how to make the space function optimally, it’s time to play with style. Wallpaper, peel-and-stick tiles, and bold paint colors can make the laundry room feel like a charming space.
Ahead, read up on our favorite laundry room design ideas to try at home.
Choose a Geometric Wall Tile
To streamline supplies, professional organizers at Organized by Design bring in wicker bins, woven hampers and gold curtain rods. For a pop of color, they add blue, gray and white patterned tiles behind the dryer to contrast the otherwise white walls.
Build a Countertop
If you plan to do most of your folding in the laundry room, install a countertop at a comfortable height over your front-loading washer and dryer. Here, Sarah & Sons Interiors places the machines in front of the windows, so homeowners can look outside as they sort and fold.
Hide Machinery Behind Barn Doors
Turn a hallway closet into a small laundry room, swapping regular doors for sliding barn doors to make the space feel less cramped. In this compact space, designer Nellie Howard Ossi uses vibrant wallpaper to make it stand out and adds a floating shelf for storage.
Hang a Clothes Rack Within Reach
As you pull damp clothes from the washer, quickly air-dry them on a convenient clothes rack. Blythe Interiors settles on a style that resembles an industrial pipe, pairing well with the dark gray machinery and matte black cabinet hardware.
Make it Multi-Purpose
One side is for sorting, washing, and folding laundry, and the other for art projects, painting, and crafting. With large windows and abundant natural light, it'd be criminal not to maximize this spacious room designed by Elizabeth Drake.
Create a Small Seating Area
Folding laundry can be tiring and time-consuming, so why not sit on a nearby stool as you work? In addition to plenty of cabinet space for laundry room essentials, designer Maggie Griffin reserves two built-in areas to tuck away small stools.
Add a Pet-Washing Tub
Don't forget about your furry friends! Make space to clean your pet, and tailor the tub's width and height to their size. Install a hanging rod on the wall and use it as a drip-dry area between washes.
Make Sorting a Breeze
Work laundry hampers into the room's layout, as designer Sarah Stacey did here. Place 'em on pull-out shelves to help you sort your whites, darks and delicates with ease.
Go Tone-on-Tone
Choose cabinets and machines in the same color family to create harmony. While you can always go with grays, blacks or whites, this laundry room is proof that an unexpected hue can also work wonders in a space.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
Here's a prime example of where fashion meets function. Install a wood countertop on top of your front-loading machines, then add floating shelves above for plenty of space to store laundry essentials.
Mount Drying Racks to the Wall
Instead of taking up precious floor space, mount a few drying racks straight to the wall. When your clothes are dry, you can fold 'em up so they don't get in the way of washing and folding.
Bring in Bold Colors
Liven up a windowless laundry room with bold hues. Let the patterned wallpaper be the focal point, then coordinate the flooring and cabinetry to match.
Use Your Machine's Exterior
Attach a bin to the side of your stackable machines, so you have exactly what you need within arm's reach. Choose something easy to remove and clean, like a flat-backed wire basket.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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