Laundry Room Inspiration
A laundry room isn’t just a place to wash clothes—it’s a task zone. And like any working space, smart design can significantly improve how the room functions and of course I want it to look great too. . Let’s break down the core elements I consider when planning a laundry room that functions well long-term.
Give Everything a Place to Live
If things don’t have a home, they’ll end up in a pile. So we plan storage as if it’s part of the architecture:
Smart ideas:
Hidden bins for lights vs. darks
Roll-out hampers
Cabinets dedicated to cleaning tools
Pull-out shelves for detergents + supplies
Utilize ALL your space - for instance, the laundry room below backed up to a staircase so we were able to create tons of hidden storage space and a drying rack. Look for those unexpected places to add storage.
Designer tip: Add at least one tall storage cabinet with an electrical outlet.. Brooms, mops, Swiffers, cordless vacuums, etc can live in that cabinet.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make It Pretty
Laundry is repetitive. Your eyes deserve something fun to look at while you’re on rinse cycle #14.
Consider:
a great wallpaper moment
playful cabinet colors
patterned tile that hides dirt (trust us, it works)
a pretty rug that’s indoor/outdoor and easy to hose down
a great light fixture and hardware
a beautiful sink skirt
I absolutely love a dramatic or unexpected design detail in a laundry room and wallpaper is your best friend. Easy to wipe down, brings lots of color and pattern and creates a tons of interest even in a small space.
Create Zones
A designated landing spot for clean clothes means you have a spot to fold clean clothes and won’t be tempted to throw them back into a laundry basket unfolded.
This can be:
a long countertop or if you don’t have room for one, purchase a countertop to put over your washer and dryer (front loaders only). Amazon sells a countertop for above your machines for under $150 - just search “washer dryer countertop”.
a wall-mounted drop-down shelf if you have space issues and can’t have the shelf in your space all the time.
A designated sorting area means darks are easily sorted from lights and items you don’t want to throw in with everyday laundry, like your sons stinky football uniform or your dogs blanket, can be sorted our for a later wash.
Use rolling carts with sections
Have shelving put in that fit laundry baskets so you can sort into those
Raise your washer dryer and make room under them for varies storage or sorting needs.
A designated drying area for your clothes that need air drying means clothing lasts longer, won’t shrink and you aren’t hanging wet clothes all over the house. This can be a rod like these two rooms below or you can purchase a wall mounted fold out rack - again look at Amazon or Container Store and search for “expandable wall mounted drying rack”. Lots of space saving options!
Think Beyond Laundry (Mudroom Combo, Pet Station, Craft Space)
Laundry rooms can multitask like a champ. When space allows, consider:
mudroom hooks + cubbies for backpacks and bags - this picture is actually a laundry room, the washer and dryer are on the opposite side. Note the long cabinet at the end of the benches - this is where their vacuum cleaner, mops and brooms live.
a built-in dog wash with handheld sprayer
a craft drawer (glue, batteries, scissors and other stuff that is always looking for a home)
extra pantry shelving for your Costco shopping - having room for your 20 pack of paper towels and toilet paper - is amazing. For this room, it is the cabinets above the hooks that gave our client that extra storage she was craving.
✨ Final Thought: Treat It Like a Real Room
A laundry room deserves the same love as the living room. Give it color, personality, storage that supports your habits, and good lighting—and suddenly, it becomes a space you don’t dread stepping into.
Laundry might never be fun…but your laundry room can be beautiful.
Wallpaper, cabinet colors, tile patterns—they’re the personality layer. They should complement the workflow, not replace thoughtful planning. Beautiful design is only successful when the room makes life easier for the person using it.
If you start with zones, smart materials, accurate lighting, and proper storage, the style finishes the job—not the other way around.
