How often do you say, “Hey, want to hang out in the laundry room?” Probably never.
Laundry rooms are designed with functionality in mind, but their aesthetics are overlooked. However, with some inspiration and innovation, a laundry room remodel can transform it into a beautiful, stylish space you enjoy spending time in.
From savvy storage options to fashionable decor, here are ten fantastic laundry room remodel ideas for transforming a frequently ignored space into something you’ll treasure.
Laundry rooms aren’t usually warm, inviting spaces. They’re often dark and cramped, with empty walls homeowners ignore. With a little paint, you can change the entire tone of the room.
Brush up your laundry room with a fun, refreshing color, like beachside drive or a shade of green. These colors are guaranteed to make a stronger statement than your fading shades of white. You could even go for something bold, like a cornucopia. With some added patterns or some artwork, your laundry room will already begin feeling like a different space.
There’s something relaxing about watching the sun shine through a window. Natural light is known to improve your mood, bolster productivity, and gives your body some much-needed vitamin D. If your laundry room has a window, keep it undressed and take advantage of natural light. If you’re thinking about knocking out a wall or installing a window, make sure it faces the sun so your laundry room can drink it in.
Unfortunately, getting natural light isn’t possible for every laundry room remodel. If you can’t bring the sun in, consider getting energy-efficient LEDs to brighten the room or a vitamin D sunlamp to give the impression of natural light.
No one said a laundry room has to be dark and lifeless. Embrace biophilic design properties by including hanging plants or installing a shelving unit to house a variety of flowers or an herb garden.
If you’re not a plant person or have trouble keeping a rock alive, artwork of natural elements also promotes a sense of calm.
You can design the most stunning, intricately detailed laundry room there ever was… but if someone can’t use it, they won’t.
Universal design ensures that homes are compatible with all people, regardless of age, ability, or stature. Your washer and dryer should be easily accessible whether you use a wheelchair or walker. Shelving or countertops meant for storing detergents or folding laundry should be reachable, and the doorway should be at least 32 inches wide.
Houses incorporating universal design are more desirable because anyone can use them, which also likely increases your home’s market value.
Switch your current washer and dryer with an eco-friendly washer and dryer unit. Not only are they better for the environment, but they can save you a lot of money.
Energy Star says the average American family does about 300 loads of laundry each year. Energy Star-certified washers use about “20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers.” You can save around $360 in energy costs throughout your washer and dryer’s lifetime.
Eco-friendly washers and dryers can also create less noise pollution, have faster spin cycles, and are often gentler on fabrics.
Speaking of storage, add or replace clunky old cabinets with newer, brighter ones to store your laundry room essentials. Remove the doors or make them see-through to make your laundry room appear larger than it actually is, or paint them to brighten up your space.
No laundry room remodel should ever ignore flooring. Laundry rooms are prone to water damage, detergent spills, and piles of dirty clothes-all of which can wreak havoc on your floors, so you’ll want to install durable material like tile, concrete, or vinyl. For extra credit, experiment with fun features, like hexagon and mosaic tiles, or use recycled materials to reduce your carbon footprint.
Don’t shy away from creativity-especially if you’re working with a smaller laundry room. Repurpose furniture and everyday items and use them in new, unique ways. For example, you can hang a wooden ladder horizontally from the ceiling and hang clothes from it. Do you lack the space for a cabinet? Store your laundry room essentials in a vintage locker instead!
If you’re ever lacking in ideas, check out Pinterest boards for inspiration. You’re all but guaranteed to discover a treasure trove of creative laundry room remodel ideas.
Dry racks are simple yet effective. Consider installing a rod to hang clothes on to dry in your laundry room. Your delicates often need to be hung up quickly to avoid wrinkles, so why not hang them in the same room you’re often washing, folding, and ironing them?
There’s no shortage of dry rack ideas, ranging from closet rods to metal pipes or even the wooden ladder in the previous section.
Don’t let your laundry room remodel be an afterthought. With a little imagination and functional design know-how, you can transform your laundry room into a healthy, happy, inviting space you’ll want to spend time in.
At Pathway, we’re committed to improving every room with your health and wellness at the top of mind. We create homes that are more than just beautiful: they’re also designed to be functional, comfortable, and safe for the families who live in them.
Are you ready to give your laundry room an upgrade? Send us a message today.