I have spent a lot of time over the years looking at beautiful home designs, and one of the biggest trends I have seen is the transformation of the laundry room. This space is no longer just an afterthought, tucked away in a basement.
I am seeing builders and designers create stunning, multi-purpose laundry rooms that are just as thoughtfully designed as the kitchen. If you need help turning your utility space into a beautiful and functional room, today’s post will for sure inspire you.
1. Farmhouse Decor Inspirations
I’m sure you guys have been seeing this trend as well! Farmhouse style is still so popular, and it’s one of my favorite themes for a laundry room because it’s so warm and inviting. The key elements are just so good.
Think beautiful white shiplap walls that instantly brighten everything up, paired with rustic wood floating shelves for a touch of natural texture. And of course, you can bring in some personality with antique or blackboard signs and some charming wire baskets.
And can we talk about swapping out that plastic laundry basket? A wicker one is an instant upgrade that just feels right for this style. I also love the character that repurposed antique crates bring to a space.
You can use them to store detergent bottles and other supplies, and they look amazing on top of cabinets or on an open shelf. One change that can have a HUGE impact is replacing that standard sink.
An apron sink in white porcelain, rich copper, or even dark slate is a total game-changer for nailing that farmhouse vibe.
2. Functional and Stylish Mud Room
Let’s talk about a space that does double duty. The mudroom is that perfect little spot to keep muddy footprints from being tracked through the rest of the house, and it’s also a really popular place to locate the washer and dryer.
Even though it’s often a more open area, there are so many decor tricks you can use to make it look amazing. A super easy tip I love is to hang some pretty curtains in front of your machines to hide them when they’re not in use.
If you have the space, dedicating an entire wall to a giant laundry cabinet is an absolutely brilliant idea. You can design an open middle section just for the washer and dryer, then have dedicated cabinet space to store your ironing board, cleaning supplies, and everything else.
It’s also a great opportunity to relocate your linen closet! You can stack all your textiles behind those cabinet doors for a clean, organized look. And adding a mudroom sink is so convenient, not just for laundry prep but also for rinsing off those dirty boots.
3. Elevating Aesthetics With Tiles
Okay, I’m so excited to talk about this because it’s one of my favorite tips. Because laundry rooms are often smaller, it’s the perfect spot to indulge a little and go for some gorgeous, higher-end flooring!
Those special surfaces can become a real focal point, and what’s amazing is that these materials become surprisingly affordable when you’re just buying for a small space.
This is your chance to really look at those stunning, intricately hand-painted European tiles or that butter-smooth marble you’ve been dreaming of. Imagine laying one kind of tile on the floor and then a coordinating mosaic on the walls around the sink. So beautiful!
Penny tiles are another look I love for a retro statement, especially when they’re installed in a fun striped or floral medallion pattern. For a look that works with both farmhouse and modern decor, subway tile on the walls is a fantastic choice and can even make a narrow room feel wider.
And if you’re wanting that rustic decor vibe but need the durability of tile, there are some amazing products out there that mimic real hardwood floors.
On a side note, for those of you with a basement laundry room, this is really important: you need a waterproof floor. Tile is one of the best ideas here because it won’t warp in a damp environment like other materials can.
4. Adding Expressive Decor
In a traditional laundry room, you’ll often see antique signs used as a decor element, and I just love this idea. Today, there are countless sign options out there to add some personality or even a bit of humor to this work zone.
From clear laundry-themed statements to cool antique advertising signs, using signs as artwork is such a popular way to show off your personal style.
Chalkboard signs are another fantastic option for the laundry room. They can be so useful for assigning chores or even keeping a running grocery list. You could hang a framed chalkboard on the wall or just prop a chalkboard easel up on a countertop.
I’ve also seen people use chalkboard labels to hang on baskets and jars that hold laundry supplies, which is such a cute touch. You could also affix small antique signs or labels to your cabinet doors to help other family members find what’s inside.
5. Infusing Modern Style
Modern laundry design is all about embracing simplicity and minimalism. I think this is where you can have some real fun with dark, moody colors, which are so appropriate for a modern look.
Think about a dark olive green, a deep charcoal, or even a rich eggplant purple. These colors can work even if you have a small laundry room! Darker shades look so great next to a stainless-steel washer and dryer and create the perfect background for lighter-colored accessories to really pop.
The whole vibe of a modern laundry room is sleek and sophisticated, and it can often have a strong masculine feel. A black-and-white color scheme is an excellent modern idea.
You could use white paint on two walls and then paint the other two black. To finish the look, use a black-and-white swirled marble for your floors and countertops for some serious drama.
Hidden storage is absolutely essential in a modern laundry room, where the minimalist approach means zero clutter. Keep the cabinet designs simple, with inner bins that you can just roll behind closed doors when you’re not using them.
6. Artful Touches
Any of the creative wall decor ideas that you would use in other rooms of your house will also look fantastic in your laundry room. You could paint an accent wall a bright, fun color or hang some shiplap or beadboard panels to add texture.
I also love the idea of installing a decorative tile backsplash behind your washer, dryer, and sink. And if you really want to make an impact, extend it all the way to the ceiling!
Wallpaper is perfect for a tiny laundry room, especially if you plan on hanging it yourself. While papering a huge room can feel a little daunting, a small space is so much more manageable.
Since the laundry room is usually behind a closed door, it’s a great place to be brave and use a bright or bold print that you might not try in a larger room. I’m seeing a lot of large botanical prints, like palm fronds or flowers, on laundry room walls right now, and the look is just stunning.
7. Organizing Your Space
Getting creative with your laundry room accessories is such a great way to organize the space. For example, instead of buying a plain plastic hamper, you could invest in some rolling canvas ones.
They add a cool retro flair to your design and also make it so much easier to move dirty clothes and clean laundry around the house.
Mixing closed and exposed cabinetry is another helpful idea that keeps the room both functional and feeling open. And instead of using up valuable floor space with a pop-up drying rack, you can install a simple rod between two of your laundry room cabinets.
Just put damp clothes on hangers, and then hang them from the rod to dry. It’s such a smart solution! I’ve also seen a hidden clothes drying rack that actually folds up inside a cabinet when it’s not being used. So clever!
8. Creative DIY Laundry Room Decor Ideas
One of the easiest DIY ideas I’ve seen is to just buy a set of really attractive canvas baskets to store all your essentials. It’s amazing how even ordinary wire shelving can look so nice when it’s topped with decorative storage.
Repainting is another fairly easy project that packs a huge punch. You could pick your favorite color for one accent wall or just paint the whole room your chosen shade.
If you have a front-loading washer and dryer, building a simple countertop that goes across the width of both units is a fantastic idea. This gives you so much more storage and a dedicated space for folding clothes.
9. Smart Design Solutions for Cozy Spaces
If your home doesn’t have a huge laundry room, don’t worry! There is still so much you can do to improve the decor. Using white for the walls, cabinets, and appliances will make the room look clean and feel so much brighter.
You can break up all that white with some beautiful natural wood shelving, colorful storage baskets, and maybe a green plant or two.
Colorful textiles, like rugs and window treatments, are perfect for adding life and personality to a small laundry room makeover. Another great trick is to create a room-expanding accent wall by covering the biggest wall with wallpaper that has an oversized pattern.
And even if all you have is a small laundry closet, you can still add decor accents where you have space. For instance, swapping out a basic, builder-grade light fixture for a gorgeous pendant light can make a huge difference.
