How do you make a laundry room work better and look nicer? Plan the room around the laundry workflow: dirty clothes in, wash and dry, fold, hang and put away. Add a countertop above front-loading machines (or beside top loaders) as a folding station, install upper cabinets or open shelves to use the vertical space, and include a hanging rod and a wall-mounted drying rack for delicates. Keep supplies organized in bins or containers, give each family member a hamper, and leave at least 36 to 42 in of clear space in front of the washer and dryer. Then make it pleasant to be in with good lighting, a durable water-resistant floor, a fresh paint color or bold wallpaper, and a few decorative touches like art, a plant or a runner rug.
Below are laundry room ideas for storage, organization, layout and decor, small laundry room ideas (including closets and top-load machines), and laundry room makeover tips that don't require a full remodel.
Laundry Room Layout and Design Basics
| Element | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Clearance in front of machines | At least 36 in; 42 in or more if two people use the room or doors swing open |
| Washer and dryer width | Most full-size side-by-side pairs need about 54 to 60 in of width; stacked units need about 27 to 30 in |
| Folding countertop | About 36 in high is comfortable; a counter over front loaders is usually about 38 to 40 in |
| Upper cabinets | Reachable shelves above the machines, with space to open top-loading lids if needed |
| Hanging rod | High enough for shirts and dresses to hang without touching the counter |
Is 4 ft wide enough for a laundry room? A 4 ft wide closet can fit a stacked washer and dryer with a little shelving, but a side-by-side pair usually needs at least 5 ft of width. Always check your machines' dimensions and leave a few inches behind them for hoses and venting.
The ideal layout depends on space: a single wall with machines, a counter and cabinets is the most common; a galley adds a counter and storage on the opposite wall; an L-shape wraps a counter or sink around a corner. If you have room, a freestanding island adds folding space; see our laundry room island ideas.
Laundry Room Storage Ideas
1. Install upper cabinets
Cabinets above the washer and dryer hide detergents, cleaning supplies and spare towels. Closed storage keeps a small laundry room from feeling cluttered.
2. Add open or floating shelves
Floating shelves are a simple DIY option for vertical storage. Use them for everyday supplies in matching containers or baskets.
3. Build in a countertop
A countertop over front-loading machines turns dead space into a folding station. With top loaders, put the counter beside the machines or on hinged supports.
4. Use a tall cabinet for cleaning supplies
A tall cabinet or pantry-style unit stores brooms, the vacuum, the ironing board and bulk supplies in one place.
A tall cabinet with flat white doors, like the Pantry Cabinet with Rolling Storage Cart (92.5 in tall, 47.2 in wide), is designed for a kitchen but works in a laundry room or mudroom too: doors hide bulky supplies, and its included rolling cart can slide out for detergents and cleaning products. Anchor tall cabinets to the wall; see how to anchor furniture to a wall.
5. Roll a slim cart into a gap
A narrow rolling cart fits the gap between the washer and the wall and holds detergent, dryer sheets and stain remover.
6. Hang a pegboard or hooks
Wall-mounted hooks or a pegboard keep cleaning tools, a lint roller and reusable bags within reach.
7. Stack the machines
Stacking a front-loading washer and dryer frees floor space for a cabinet, a sink or a drying area.
Laundry Room Organization Ideas
- Hampers for each family member, or a three-bin sorter for lights, darks and delicates, make sorting easy.
- Clear containers and labeled bins for detergent pods, dryer balls and stain treatments.
- Decant liquids into dispensers or glass jars for a tidy look (label them, and keep them out of reach of children).
- A drying rack mounted on the wall or a pull-down rack saves floor space.
- A hanging rod above the machines or across a corner for shirts straight from the dryer.
- A lost-socks basket and a small trash can for lint.
- A sliding rack between the appliances and the counter for spray bottles.
What not to store in the laundry room? Avoid keeping anything sensitive to heat and humidity (paper documents, electronics, candles that can melt) and keep chemicals separated and out of reach of kids and pets.
Laundry Room Decor and Design Ideas
8. Paint cabinets and walls the same color
Painting cabinets and walls in one color makes a small room feel bigger and more custom. Color drenching in a soft green, blue or warm white looks especially fresh.
9. Try bold wallpaper
A laundry room is a small, low-risk place for a bold pattern. Choose a washable or vinyl wallpaper; see how to choose wallpaper.
10. Make a statement with tile
Patterned floor tile, a mosaic backsplash or zellige tile behind a sink adds personality and handles water well.
11. Choose durable, water-resistant flooring
Porcelain tile, luxury vinyl or sealed concrete stands up to leaks and humidity. Add a washable runner for comfort.
12. Upgrade the lighting
Layered lighting improves visibility for spotting stains and makes the room nicer to be in: a ceiling fixture plus under-cabinet lights. A pretty pendant or a small chandelier adds character.
13. Swap the hardware
Brass hardware, black pulls or ceramic knobs on cabinets make the room feel finished.
14. Add curtains
A curtain on a rod can hide the washer and dryer or open shelving, and soften a utilitarian room.
15. Hang art and add a plant
A framed print, a vintage sign or a small plant makes laundry chores feel less like a chore.
Small Laundry Room Ideas
- Laundry closet: stack the machines, add a shelf or two above, and hide everything with bifold or sliding doors or a curtain.
- Use every flat surface, including the top of the dryer and the back of the door.
- Install high shelving above door height for rarely used items.
- Use a wall-mounted drying rack that folds flat.
- Choose light colors to make the space feel larger and brighter.
- Use a sliding or pocket door where a swinging door would block the machines.
- Top-load washer? Put shelves high enough for the lid to open, and use a removable counter or a cart beside it for folding.
Multi-Use Laundry Rooms
- Laundry and mudroom combo: add hooks, a bench and cubbies by the back door; see our mudroom ideas.
- Laundry and bathroom combo: hide machines behind cabinet doors and add a hamper and shelves.
- Craft or gift-wrap station: use the folding counter for projects.
- Pet station: a dog-washing sink or feeding area.
Laundry Room Makeover on a Budget
- Paint the walls, and cabinets if you have them.
- Add floating shelves and matching baskets.
- Install a hanging rod and a wall-mounted drying rack.
- Swap the light fixture.
- Add peel-and-stick wallpaper or tile.
- Lay a washable runner and hang a piece of art.
Laundry Room Ideas FAQ
How do you decorate a laundry room?
Start with paint or wallpaper, add good lighting, organize supplies in matching containers, and finish with art, a plant, a runner rug and new hardware.
What is the ideal layout for a laundry room?
A workflow from hampers to machines to a folding counter and hanging space, with at least 36 in of clearance in front of the machines and storage above them.
How do you make more storage in a laundry room?
Use vertical space with upper cabinets and shelves, stack the machines, add a tall cabinet, use a rolling cart in narrow gaps and hang hooks or a pegboard.
How can I organize a small laundry room?
Stack the machines if possible, add shelves above, use bins and labeled containers, mount a drying rack on the wall and keep only daily supplies within reach.
How do I make a small laundry room look nice?
Paint it a light or soft color, add wallpaper or tile for personality, hide clutter behind doors or curtains, upgrade the light fixture and hang art.
What are the current trends in laundry room design?
Color-drenched cabinets, patterned tile and wallpaper, brass hardware, wood counters, hidden appliances and multi-use rooms that combine laundry with a mudroom or craft space.
The best laundry room ideas make chores easier first, with smart storage, a folding station and good lighting, and then make the room a space you don't mind spending time in. Plan around your workflow, use every inch of vertical space and add a little personality.
Related: see our basement ideas.