7 Laundry Room Details Designers Never Skip

Laundry day isn't exactly known for being the highlight of the week. But the room where it happens? That’s another story.

But, laundry rooms still do deserve a pretty transformation. Think hardworking storage, clever little upgrades, beautiful finishes, and just enough personality to make folding towels feel slightly less like a chore.

Because if we're going to spend time doing laundry, the room might as well be good-looking. Here are seven details designers never skip.

1. Storage That Knows What It's Doing

Laundry rooms have a way of collecting stuff. Detergent. Dryer sheets. Cleaning supplies. Random batteries. The owner's manual you swore you'd throw away five years ago.

Good storage keeps the chaos in check.

Closed cabinets are great for hiding the less-than-photogenic necessities, while open shelves can keep everyday essentials within reach. Pull-out hampers, drawers, and tall cabinets can also help turn even a small laundry room into a seriously hardworking space.

The goal? Less clutter, fewer mystery piles.

Designed by Casa Blanca Studio

2. Somewhere to Fold

This one seems obvious, until you've spent years folding laundry on the bed.

A countertop over front-loading machines instantly creates a folding station, while a built-in counter or island can give you even more room to sort, stack, and pretend you're going to put everything away immediately.

Bonus points if there's enough space to set down a laundry basket and a cup of coffee.

3. A Spot for the “Do Not Tumble Dry” Crowd

Not everything can survive a trip through the dryer. A hanging rod, wall-mounted drying rack, or retractable clothesline gives delicate pieces somewhere to go besides the back of a dining chair. And when it's positioned close to the washer? Even better.

It's one of those small details that makes you wonder how you ever lived without it.

4. Materials That Can Handle Real Life

A beautiful laundry room is great. A beautiful laundry room that can survive detergent spills, wet towels, and the occasional mystery stain? Even better. Durable countertops, easy-to-clean flooring, and finishes that don't require constant babysitting are always a smart move. Fortunately, practical doesn't have to mean boring. Your designer can help you discover patterned tile, interesting stone, colorful cabinetry that can handle it all.

Designed by Trade Mark Interiors

5. Lighting That Makes Laundry Slightly Less Offensive

We're not saying a good light fixture will make you want to do laundry.

But it certainly can't hurt.

A combination of overhead, task, and accent lighting can make the room more functional, especially around folding and sorting areas.

Designed by Megan Long Design

6. A Layout That Actually Makes Sense

The best laundry rooms think beyond where the washer and dryer will go.

Where do dirty clothes land? Where are they sorted? Where do you hang the things that can't go in the dryer? And perhaps most importantly: can you open the dryer door without performing a complicated sideways shuffle?

The prettiest finishes in the world can't fix a frustrating layout. Sometimes, good design is simply making everyday life easier.

Designed by ML Interiors Group

7. One Thing That's Just for Fun

This is where the laundry room gets interesting.

Because it's often tucked away from the main living spaces, the laundry room is the perfect place to take a design risk. Try the wallpaper you couldn't quite commit to in the living room. Paint the cabinets an unexpected color. Add a vintage light fixture. Go all in on the checkerboard floor.

Why not? You have to be in there anyway.

 

A great laundry room won't make the laundry disappear. But, thoughtful storage, a functional layout, hardworking materials, and a little personality can make one of the home's most-used spaces feel infinitely better. And honestly, if we're going to spend this much time separating and folding clothes, we might as well enjoy the view.

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