AD - 30 Small Laundry Room Ideas for the Tiniest of Apartments

It’s time to stop letting your laundry area become an afterthought and start giving it love—and taking a look at these creative small laundry room ideas will certainly have you feeling inspired to revamp your space. As designer Kristine Renee says, “Laundry rooms don’t need to look sterile and simply utilitarian anymore.” The Sacramento, California–based cofounder of Design Alchemy adds, “Significant time is spent in the laundry room so it’s important to make the space comfortable and inviting.”

Whether you’re a small-space dweller, have a laundry room that doubles as a mudroom, are looking for a simple DIY hack, or are about to complete a remodel or makeover, the small laundry room ideas below, which come from 30 different interior design pros, are sure to inspire you. You’re well on your way to designing the best laundry room on the block.

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‍How do I design a small laundry room?

To design a small laundry room, you will want to take the same approach you would in any other small space and maximize storage solutions. As you will see based on the small laundry room ideas shared below, built-in or open shelving solutions are a practical choice in many instances. Sometimes a small laundry room will double as a mudroom and therefore contain other forms of cabinetry.

How to remodel a small laundry room?

When remodeling a small or narrow laundry room, Janelle Blakely, the founder of Blakely Interior Design in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, suggests opting for a stacking washing machine and dryer to make the most of your square footage. Be sure to install a base cabinet with a countertop too, she says, noting that this will come in handy when it’s time to fold clothes. “Utilize every inch with a built-in vertical drying rack and foldaway ironing board,” the designer adds. Don’t be afraid to add special touches, either. “A great way to add design elements and elevate a small space is to focus on the floor and the ceiling,” says Nadia Watts, the founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design in Denver. “When you have limited square feet you can splurge on finishes such as tile, flooring and wall coverings.”

How to pick a layout for a small laundry room?

Many people will opt for a stackable washer/dryer to make use of the vertical space offered in a small laundry room, as per many of the laundry room ideas pictured below. You will also want room for clothes to hang dry; this may mean adding a laundry closet or a rod with hangers above the washing machine. Plenty of countertop space for folding clothes is also key.

What are some essentials for a small laundry room?

A small laundry room should contain storage space or shelving to house essentials such as laundry detergents and dryer sheets. Many people also like their small laundry room to contain a cabinet or closet for linens and have room to tuck away laundry baskets, drying racks, ironing boards, and the like.

What shouldn’t go in a laundry room?

Make note that you will want to steer clear of certain types of wall coverings as you map out your laundry room design. “Fragile wallpaper like silk or grasscloth is not suitable for areas where damp clothing might hang to dry, as it can easily be damaged by moisture,” Blakely says. Be mindful to not crowd your laundry area with too many extras—there is such a thing as too much laundry room decor. “Avoid placing too many decorative items or non-essential objects that can make the space feel cramped and disorganized,” says Kimberly Harrison, the founder of Kimberley Harrison Interiors in Lafayette, California. Additionally, she says, do not store holiday decorations, sports equipment, or other collections in the laundry room. Harrison adds that if you plan to house cleaning supplies in the laundry room, you will want to ensure that they are kept away from heat sources and appliances.

How to turn a room into a laundry room?

You’ll need plumbing, venting, and electrical, but from there, you can certainly turn a small closet or other unused space into a laundry area. “If you are starting from scratch, consider building storage and counters that coincide with your washer and dryer placement,” Watts suggests. “If you are using an existing room see if you can repurpose closets, storage and layouts that already are in place.” When space allows, Molten is partial to a side by side washer dryer arrangement and adds that windows, if possible, are always ideal.

How do you make a laundry room look luxurious?

To make your laundry area look as luxurious as possible, pay attention to small details, says Kishani Perera, who operates an eponymous firm in Los Angeles. She states, “Why not create a mini destination with a vibe that diminishes the dreaded chore of doing laundry?” Look for interesting tiles, wallpapers, cabinet colors, and the like, she says. Keep in mind that the right lighting will also work wonders. Susan Yeley, the founder of Susan Yeley Homes in Bloomington, Indiana, recommends a mix of sconces, pendant lights, and lamps as needed. Don’t forget about custom elements, either. “Custom design features like built-in step stools and concealed drying racks can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality, exuding a sense of understated luxury,” Blakely says.

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Now, onto the ideas.

Add a clothing rod

In a beautiful robin’s-egg-blue laundry room, Alexandra Kaehler, the founder of Alexandra Kaehler Design in Winnetka, Illinois, installed a hanging rod above the washer and dryer. “The space above the units was a wasted space, because of the depth,” she explains. “It was a natural spot to utilize hanging space by adding a rod.”

Create a multiuse space

Design a laundry room so that it doubles as a workstation. This one contains a small desk and monitor that’s positioned across from the washer and dryer, making it easy to crank out emails while completing an essential household chore. Designer Megan Evans opted for a skirted desk for extra practicality. “This design element not only adds a touch of elegance, but it conceals a space for storage baskets as well as the computer hard drive beneath the skirt,” says the founder of Megan Evans Interiors in south Louisiana.

Add color with a bold wallpaper

Just because your laundry room is small in size doesn’t mean you can’t go bold. Gray Walker, the founder of Gray Walker Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina, installed eye-catching patterned Pierre Frey wallpaper from floor to ceiling. “I have always believed in a laundry room loaded with personality,” the designer says. “It is a working space that I like to have fun with—you should enjoy every inch of your home, especially a room where you are doing mundane activities like laundry.”

Plan around storage

Amanda Reynal kept storage solutions top of mind when designing this laundry room, opting for hidden storage behind cabinet doors and cabinetry that extends up to the ceiling. “[This] gives the residents a lot storage without having the room feel messy or cluttered,” the founder of Amanda Reynal Interiors in Des Moines explains.

Don’t forget the art

“Laundry rooms often are pretty, soothing, and utilitarian, but they are not often sexy,” says Kristen Peña, the founder of K Interiors in the San Francisco Bay Area. “The homeowner wanted to be excited about going into her laundry room.” To spice things up, Peña installed Gucci wallpaper and hung an oversized art piece, both of which add major visual interest.

Take advantage of vertical storage

Make use of vertical space by installing open shelving like Emilie Munroe did in this laundry room—you can even go the DIY route if you wish. To ensure the room appears clutter free, the founder of Studio Munroe in San Francisco also selected aesthetically pleasing woven baskets to keep items corralled—baskets of this size are excellent for housing essentials such as dryer balls, detergent pods, and more.

Put every flat surface to use

Incorporating a wooden butcher block on top of the washer and dryer, as Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors in San Carlos, California, did, turns the tops of the machines into a functional, flat space. A surface like this comes in handy when folding clothes but can also be used to display a small decorative vignette.

Incorporate hampers for easy organization

Sorting laundry once it’s dry is way more simple when you can easily toss items of clothing into each family member’s designated hamper. Shelby Van Daley of Daley Home in Cedar Park, Texas, included space for hampers to sit under this laundry room countertop—and the hampers’ rolling feature makes them even more functional.

Put a drying rack on the wall

Why let your drying rack occupy precious closet space when you can install it so that it hangs from the wall instead (without sacrificing aesthetics, of course)? Kathryn Murphy, the founder of Kathryn Murphy Interiors in Oak Park, Illinois, did just that in this rich blue laundry room, all while maintaining a cohesive color palette throughout.

It’s okay to cover windows

Take a cue from Murphy and install shelving in an L-shape to allow for maximal storage opportunities in a small laundry room. While this shelving does cover a window, the lack of backing and height of the shelving makes it possible to open and close the shade as needed without disrupting anything on display.

Keep laundry materials out of sight

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This laundry room, designed by Hannah Fulton, the founder of J. Banks Design in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is another instance in which a utilitarian room for chores doubles as a spot to tackle work. As seen in other small laundry rooms, the cabinets in this space extend all the way up to the ceiling. There is even a small cabinet positioned right above the washing machine, which keeps laundry detergent accessible while camouflaging the plastic bottle.

Create a dual mudroom

Many laundry rooms, including this one by Nadia Watts, the founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design in Denver, serve as mudrooms as well. Here, a bench can serve many useful purposes, functioning as a place to sit down and lace up shoes as well as a spot in which to place folded piles of laundry before carrying them upstairs. As she says, “Why can’t the laundry room be a beautiful and functional space?” When it came to the laundry room flooring, the designer decided that brick, which easily hides dirt, was the perfect choice for this laundry room and mudroom combo. “The brick adds warmth and texture to the small space,” she reflects.

Built-in furniture is not the only path to success

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If you’re unable to install a built-in, make like Heidi Woodman, the founder of Heidi Woodman Interiors in Indianapolis, and purchase a standalone bench, which can still function nicely in a small laundry room. This wooden one plays to the space’s moody, vintage-inspired style.

Implore pattern

Don’t underestimate the power of pattern in creating a jewel box like effect in a small laundry room. Pleated fabric—Scrolling Acanthus by Soane in Cobalt, to be specific—adds a touch of elegance to this space by David Frazier. The founder of the eponymous New York firm also backed the fabric to the wall, giving the appearance of a paper covering.

Go for a fun wallpaper

If you crave a playful element in the laundry room, opt for wallpaper that has a fun flair, like this pineapple print used by Megan Molten, who operates an eponymous firm in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Install a unique light fixture

Swap out your laundry room’s builder grade lighting with a showstopping fixture that will bring a smile to your face every time you see it. Rachel Cannon, the founder of Rachel Cannon Limited in Baton Rouge, hung a beaded chandelier in this laundry room, and the fixture adds plenty of whimsy, particularly when paired with vibrant wallpaper.

Place cabinets on top of your washer/dryer

If you’re looking to amplify laundry room storage without taking on a remodel—or even drilling into the walls—purchase a couple of standalone cabinets and place them on top of your washer/dryer for a space-saving solution, as seen in this space by Rob Stuart, the founder of Rob Stuart Interiors in New York. This renter friendly hack is simple yet impactful makeover. You can of course swap in your own hardware if the piece’s existing door pulls don’t reflect your aesthetic.

Add texture with cabinet fronts

Consider using cabinetry with a mesh front in lieu of standard glass to immediately add extra detail to a room and invoke a bit of English-inspired flair. It’s what Kriste Michelini, the founder of Kriste Michelini Interiors in Danville, California, did in this space.

Hide away your washer and dryer

If you prefer to not stare at your washer and dryer, consider placing the machines behind closed cabinet doors, as seen in this space by Lisa Laliberte-Alle of Laliberte Interiors in Hawthorne, New Jersey. Don’t be shy about introducing a dose of color, either. The plum colored built-ins add lots of personality to the small space.

Camouflage appliances

Alternatively, if you leave your stacked washer and dryer exposed, painting the area around the machines in a bold color can still result in a camouflage-like effect, drawing less attention to the appliances. Here, Craig O’Connell, the founder of Craig O’Connell Architecture in San Francisco, also incorporated a geometric backsplash into the mix.

Play around with drying racks

If you don’t like the look of a traditional wooden drying rack, consider a setup like this one by Shannon Adamson. The founder of Shannon Adamson Interior Design in Seattle, the designer installed sliding racks that fit perfectly in the empty space between the washer/dryer and nearby countertops.

Lean into neutrals

There’s nothing wrong with keeping your small laundry room nice and simple if you crave a serene vibe. Just take a cue from Nicole Yee of NY Interiors in the San Francisco Bay Area and go all in with neutrals. For a slight vintage touch, opt for penny tile flooring.

Add a countertop to a galley laundry room

This galley laundry room by Meghan Dorrian of Young America Creativein Oakland and Santa Cruz, California, is compact but majorly functional thanks to the expansive wooden countertop, which makes it easy to fold clothes or set down cleaning supplies.

Choose a vibrant color scheme

Bring on the brightness and pair patterned wallpaper with a neon green trim. Emily June Spanos, the founder of Emily June Designs in Houston, opted to turn this small laundry room into a colorful oasis that is full of pep.

Play with geometry

An artful pendant light adds a dose of charm to this laundry room by Sara Hillery, the founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia. The space has been painted a serene blue hue yet features whimsical geometric designs on both the floor and ceiling.

Opt for moody elegance

This gray-and-black laundry room by Denise Morrison of Morrison Interiors in Costa Mesa, California, is moody and modern. The addition of three wall-mounted sconces above the window ensures that the space will still be plenty bright for completing key chores.

Wallpaper the ceiling

Molten is all about saying yes to the unexpected when it comes to laundry room design. “Go bold with your color choices when you remodel a laundry room,” she says. “Lately, we’ve been applying wallpaper to the ceiling and adding color to the cabinetry.” She explains that the ceiling is the prime position for wallpaper given that cabinetry will demand most of the available wall space.

Implement a wow factor

When designing this laundry room, Amanda Leigh looked to the kitchen for inspiration. “We strived to replicate the kitchen’s wow factor and bring in the dark cabinetry and statement marble to establish a sense of elegance and sophistication in the space,” explains the managing partner at House of Rolison, based in Los Angeles. Leigh is all about making a statement in even the most utilitarian of rooms. “Do not be scared to go bold,” she says. “We aimed for all elements to marry and introduce a sense of drama and depth while ensuring functionality.”

Look to nature for inspiration

Harrison wanted to make the most of a small laundry room’s footprint while celebrating elegant, playful design. “We carefully selected each material to bring a harmonious blend of nature-inspired elegance, texture, and sophistication to the room,” says the designer. The wallpaper by Sarah Von Dreele is meant to resemble storm clouds over the ocean, while the string light fixture from Bone Simple Design boasts “a striking horizon line effect.”

Plan a number of uses for the space

This room is more than just a laundry space, it’s also a gift-wrapping station, a spot to sew, and a place to wash the family dog. “She wanted it to be a happy room,” Suzanne Hall says of her client. As such, she opted for a Zak and Fox wall covering featuring monkeys, selecting a mustard colorway that “gave such a vintage energy back to the space.” The senior designer at Alice Lane Interior Design in Draper, Utah, adds, “We wanted the space to be functional and one of a kind.” Don’t stop with just a washer dryer if a multipurpose area is calling your name.

Create a powder room hybrid

Blakely designed this laundry room so that it also functions as a powder room. The cane doors in the space are both functional and fun, allowing for proper air flow while adding texture and privacy. There’s nothing wrong with going colorful in this type of space. “The energetic coral cabinet color and palm wallpaper honor the vibrancy and playfulness of this beach house; both colors interweave throughout the home,” Blakely says.

Layer texture

“This laundry room design is a fan favorite for being unexpected, layered with texture, whimsy, and color, and at the same time grounded in simplicity and practicality,” Yeley says. She sourced the tile backsplash from Good Press Ceramics and adorned the neutral cabinetry with hardware from Sietto.

Match the home’s architecture

“In this laundry room, we were trying to create a mood that felt consistent with the architecture of this classic Spanish home,” Perera says. Compact in size and lacking in natural light, this laundry room design boasts custom carved door panels, tiles, and a wall that draws the eyes up. “We wanted to create brightness, interest, and impact through the details,” Perera says.

Maximize space

This space that Molten designed is a laundry room and mudroom combo, a setup that is common in historic houses within her home city of Charleston. “Maximizing the use of this space in these rooms is essential,” Molten says, explaining that she therefore placed the laundry machines on one side of the room and installed cubbies and cabinetry offering storage solutions aplenty on the other. She covered them in the soothing paint color Benjamin Moore Van Courtland Blue. “We added the lucite hardware and Visual Comfort lights to bring in a touch of modernity,” the designer notes.

Include favorite colors

Given that her client’s favorite color is red, Rachel Cannon, the founder of Rachel Cannon Limited in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, wanted to incorporate the bold hue into the homeowner’s laundry area in some way—and she was able to do so by using a pepper Schumacher wallpaper. “Wallpaper will always make a laundry room feel luxurious,” she says.

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