27 Laundry Room Ideas to Maximize Your Space and Style
Let’s face it—nobody leaps out of bed shouting, “I can’t wait to do laundry!” But what if your laundry room was more than a glorified closet with a washing machine crammed into it? What if it could be a beautifully designed space that works hard and looks good doing it?
Today, we’re diving into 27 laundry room ideas that don’t just look good—they transform the whole laundry experience.
Whether you’re working with a spacious utility room or a closet-sized nook, I’ve got tricks up my sleeve that’ll stretch your square footage and dial up your home’s personality.
Let’s get into the good stuff.
1. Stack It Up with Vertical Appliances
In smaller homes or apartments, floor space is precious. Stacking your washer and dryer gives you vertical storage power, freeing up space for shelving or a folding table.
Quick tip: Front-loading machines are ideal for this setup. Add a slide-out drawer underneath for detergent and dryer sheets.
My cousin lives in a tiny New York apartment, and this setup gave her just enough room to install a narrow hanging rod beside it—a true laundry day game changer.
2. Install Floating Shelves for Easy Access
Bulky cabinets can crowd a compact laundry room. Floating shelves offer open, airy storage that’s both functional and stylish.
Use them for baskets, cleaning supplies, or even cute décor pieces like a jar of clothespins or a potted plant.
Here’s a fun stat: According to a Houzz survey, 34% of homeowners remodeling laundry rooms opted for open shelving over closed cabinetry.
3. Add a Fold-Down Drying Rack
A fold-down drying rack mounted to the wall is a lifesaver for delicate items. You can unfold it when needed, then tuck it away.
It’s like having a secret weapon in your laundry arsenal.
Bonus: Choose one in wood or metal to match your room’s style—it doesn’t have to scream “hardware store.”
4. Use Bold Tile or Wallpaper to Define the Space
Laundry rooms deserve design love too. Go wild with a geometric tile backsplash or floral wallpaper to create a space that feels fun and intentional.
One friend told me she used banana-leaf wallpaper behind her washer, and now her laundry feels like a vacation to the tropics every time. Style meets sanity.
5. Utilize Overhead Cabinets for Hidden Storage
If you’re the “out of sight, out of mind” type, then overhead cabinets are your best friends.
Store bulk detergent, extra linens, or seasonal items up high to free up prime real estate below.
Insider tip: Add under-cabinet lighting to brighten the work surface beneath. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
6. Install a Hanging Rod for Freshly Washed Clothes
There’s nothing worse than hauling damp clothes to another room just to hang them.
A simple rod between two cabinets or even under a shelf gives you a convenient spot for hang-drying shirts or steaming garments.
It’s like your laundry room is saying, “Hey, let me help you out.”
7. Add a Countertop Over the Washer and Dryer
Front-loading machines open up the opportunity to install a countertop right above them—ideal for folding clothes or setting baskets.
Opt for quartz or butcher block for style and durability.
I helped my neighbor build one using an old door from the flea market—we sanded it down, sealed it, and voilà: rustic charm meets utility.
8. Tuck It Behind Barn Doors
Got a laundry closet in your hallway or kitchen? Hide it with sliding barn doors that add farmhouse flair and function.
It’s a stylish way to keep things tidy without sacrificing accessibility.
Plus, you avoid the door-swing wars in tight spaces.
9. Go All-In on Cabinets with Pull-Out Hampers
Built-in hampers tucked inside cabinets let you sort laundry as you go.
Whites, darks, delicates—each gets its own bin. It’s like turning your laundry room into a self-organizing superhero.
Pull-out hampers also make laundry day less of a chore and more of a game. Can you beat last week’s folding time?
10. Incorporate a Utility Sink for Soaking and Scrubbing
If you’ve ever tried to rinse muddy boots in a bathroom sink, you know the struggle.
A deep utility sink makes pre-treating stains, hand-washing clothes, or cleaning up messes 10x easier.
Consider stainless steel for industrial vibes or farmhouse porcelain for a vintage twist.
11. Add a Rolling Laundry Cart
A three-tiered rolling cart fits between machines or under counters and makes moving essentials around a breeze.
Use it for detergent, dryer sheets, or folded towels.
And guess what? When guests come over, you can roll it right out of sight. Practicality meets stealth mode.
12. Bring in Natural Light with a Window or Skylight
Good lighting = better stain-spotting and fewer missed socks. If you’re building or remodeling, consider adding a window or skylight.
It makes the space feel open and fresh—and gives your room a spa-like glow.
Don’t have windows? Add full-spectrum daylight bulbs to mimic the sun’s warmth.
13. Paint It a Happy Color
Who said laundry rooms have to be boring beige? Go for mint green, sky blue, butter yellow, or blush pink—colors that uplift and energize.
Psychologists say certain hues can boost your mood, and hey, anything that makes laundry more fun is worth trying.
14. Add Baskets and Labels for Better Organization
A row of labeled baskets—for clean towels, unmatched socks, or lost-and-found items—saves you from clutter chaos.
It’s like giving every item its own assigned seat.
Plus, it’s satisfying to sort through them when you finally find that one missing glove from winter.
15. Maximize Corners with L-Shaped Counters
An L-shaped counter makes use of awkward corners, giving you more surface space for sorting, folding, or crafting.
Yep—some folks use their laundry room as a multipurpose workspace.
One client turned her corner laundry into a mini sewing studio on weekends. Genius.
16. Make It Pet-Friendly
Laundry rooms can double as pet stations. Install a pet bed, treat jar, and even a built-in dog shower if you’re feeling ambitious.
The washer and dryer noise tends to soothe dogs too, like a white noise machine with lint traps.
17. Add a Pegboard Wall for Hanging Tools
Mount a pegboard to hang scissors, lint rollers, scrub brushes, or even an ironing board.
You’ll never again have to dig through a drawer just to find the spray starch.
Customize it with a coat of paint that matches your room and some cute baskets. It’s like command central for clean living.
18. Invest in a Wall-Mounted Ironing Board
A fold-down ironing board saves space and gets rid of the wobbly contraption that always pinches your fingers. Mount it inside a cabinet or directly on the wall.
Bonus points if it has built-in storage for starch, water spray, and lint brushes.
19. Install a Glass Door to Keep Things Bright
If your laundry room is off a main hallway or kitchen, a frosted or clear glass door maintains brightness without sacrificing privacy.
It gives the space a modern upgrade while still letting in light.
20. Use Coordinated Dispensers for a Stylish Touch
Trade in that bright orange detergent bottle for amber glass dispensers with pump tops. Store dryer sheets in a vintage tin.
It’s a small shift, but it turns chaos into curated calm.
Instagram-worthy laundry room? Check.
21. Build a Laundry Chute
If you’ve got two floors, a laundry chute is one of life’s most underrated luxuries. It saves your arms, saves time, and honestly makes doing laundry more fun.
Kids especially love it. Just make sure they’re only tossing clothes down there—not action figures or peanut butter sandwiches.
22. Use Wallpaper on the Ceiling
Want a space that truly pops? Try wallpapering the ceiling with a bold pattern or soft floral.
It draws the eye upward and adds surprise personality to a utilitarian space.
My aunt did this with lemon-print wallpaper, and now she calls it her “citrus sanctuary.”
23. Combine with a Mudroom for Functionality
Pair your laundry room with a mudroom setup: hooks for jackets, cubbies for shoes, and a bench for removing boots.
You’ll cut down on tracked-in dirt and keep laundry close at hand.
It’s like catching dirt at the door before it even thinks about settling in.
24. Install Under-Cabinet Lighting
LED strip lighting under cabinets or shelves not only looks sleek but also helps when folding clothes late at night.
You won’t miss that mysterious sock stain again.
It’s a small investment with a big payoff in function and style.
25. Add Personal Touches
Art prints, quirky signage (“Alexa, do the laundry”), or even a small gallery wall can turn a dull chore room into a personal retreat.
Because yes, even the space that handles your sweaty gym socks deserves a little personality.
26. Go Monochrome for a Clean Look
Try an all-white laundry room or go dramatic with shades of navy or charcoal.
A monochrome palette makes the space look cohesive and polished—even when it’s filled with mismatched socks.
Plus, it’s easier to style and accessorize.
27. Add Soundproofing for Quieter Living
Modern machines can still rumble.
Use acoustic panels, insulation, or soundproof drywall to dampen the noise—especially if your laundry room is near bedrooms or your home office.
Peace and quiet never felt so clean.
The truth is, laundry will never stop. But your laundry room can become a space you enjoy stepping into rather than one you avoid.
Whether you go all in with bold design or simply make it more functional with smart storage and layout tweaks, the reward is a smoother, more stylish home routine.
