32 Modern Laundry Room Ideas to Make Chores Way More Fun (2024)

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Install Open Shelves

Hang open shelves in the laundry room to allow for easy access to frequently used items and to add a decorative surface that breaks up a wall of closed cabinetry. Choose pretty storage vessels such as wicker baskets and glass canisters to store and display laundry essentials in an aesthetically pleasing way.

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Add a Pop of Color

If you have a window in your laundry room, use it as an opportunity to add a pop of color and pattern in the form of window treatments. A Roman shade provides privacy, isn't as bulky as curtains can be, easy to operate, and is a great place to give the space some personality.

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Roll in an Island

Add extra storage and a folding surface with a rolling island. If you don't have the space or budget for a permanent built-in island, this is an excellent alternative that's more affordable and offers more flexibility.

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Eliminate Bulky Packaging

Eliminate bulky packaging that clutters the room and doesn't match its color scheme. Instead, empty laundry products into safely sealed containers that help maximize space and look nice at the same time.

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Go Natural

Warm up your laundry room with natural wood accents, whether it's through floating wood shelves or butcher block countertops. Opt for light woods for a modern space and choose darker and reclaimed woods for a more rustic appearance.

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Get Creative

Turn laundry storage into a decorative element by using containers that have visual appeal. Corral items such as dryer balls in lidded glass canisters, use woven baskets for miscellaneous socks, and add a small bowl for loose change found in pockets.

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Say Yes to Classic Colors

A blue and white color scheme is a timeless choice for a laundry room. It's fresh and clean, looks great with a variety of hardware, from aged brass to polished chrome, and works with multiple styles. Regardless if your laundry room leans toward traditional or modern farmhouse style, everything will blend seamlessly.

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Extend Cabinets Up

Maximize storage space and eliminate dust that collects on the top of cabinets by extending them to the ceiling. Not only does this allow for extra shelves inside the cabinets, but it visually extends the ceiling and makes the room appear larger.

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Cut Costs

If you're contemplating installing wallpaper in your laundry room but are put off by the cost, save money by using it on the top half or third of the walls. Instead, supplement it with beadboard or another type of decorative wall treatment.

Pull a color from the wallpaper to use on the beadboard to coordinate the two elements and you'll gain contrast while maintaining a cohesive design and sticking to your budget.

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Make a Statement

A stunning light fixture has the power to completely transform a room. Dress up your laundry room with a statement pendant light above the island to create a beautiful focal point and to add a bright source of light.

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Mix Open and Closed Storage

Combine open and closed storage for both practical and visual reasons. Utilize upper and lower cabinets to hide clutter, keep certain laundry items out of kids' and pets' reach, and hold extra stock.

Place frequently used things on open shelves and add a decorative component to them by intertwining functional items with laundry-themed artwork or potted plants.

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Bring in Rolling Hampers

If space permits, reserve a portion of under-cabinet space for rolling hampers. Hiding them under a countertop will help keep the room neat and clutter-free while still allowing for quick and easy access on laundry day.

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Tile Your Walls

A laundry room isn't just a purely utilitarian space; give it personality and create visual interest with a fun wall tile. Extend tile from the countertop to the ceiling for a more immersive experience and a wallpaper-like quality. Pair a busy wall tile pattern with simpler flooring and streamlined cabinetry to maintain visual balance.

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Choose an Unexpected Color

Add a dash of surprise to your laundry room with an unexpected paint color on the walls or cabinets. Here, a dusty pink adorns cabinets and wall paneling, softening the hardworking room and infusing it with plenty of charm.

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Opt for Neutrals

For a timeless laundry room, opt for a neutral wallpaper that suits a number of color palettes and design styles. A neutral base offers longevity and flexibility and doesn't limit you if you choose to repaint your cabinets or switch out wall decor.

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Hang a Drying Rail

Maximize function and bring in an industrial design element with a pipe-style drying rail. It provides space for garments to air dry or to be steamed and utilizes vertical space that often goes unused. Create an interesting backdrop behind the rail with a fun wall treatment such as shiplap, wallpaper, or tile.

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Utilize Doors

In a small laundry room, every square inch matters. You can still add plenty of style with a beautiful wallpaper or statement wall sconce, and to allow those features to shine, organization is key. Whether it's a tiny laundry room or closet, utilize the doors for extra storage with over-the-door racks and self-adhesive hooks.

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Install Butcher Block Countertops

Countertops provide a functional surface for storage and various tasks, but given their relatively large surface, they also have the power to make a great impact visually. Instead of a standard stone countertop, go with a butcher block that adds warmth and charm and is neutral enough to pair well with a toned-down or bright color palette.

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Add Decorative Molding

Small details such as crown molding on the ceiling or decorative molding on cabinetry instantly elevate the space and give it a custom design feel. Dress up builder-grade cabinets by adding decorative molding and opt for a dark paint color to accentuate the details.

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Consider Herringbone Pattern

When it comes to tile, a herringbone pattern is a classic design that produces a timeless space. Highlight the pattern with contrasting grout or let the grout blend with the tile color for a more subtle effect.

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Opt for a Dark Color

Instead of a light and bright aesthetic, opt for a dark cabinet color that packs a design punch. Pair it with dark countertops and hardware for continuity and create contrast with a lighter backsplash or flooring. Install wall sconces or decorative pendant lights for an additional source of light that provides a soft glow to create a cozy space you won't mind spending time in.

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Create a Multi-Purpose Space

A laundry room often plays double-duty and also serves as a mudroom or pantry. Create a neutral design that fits each of the functions the room serves, so that neither the laundry appliances nor shoe cubbies feel out of place. This can be done through continuous wall treatments, the same cabinets throughout the space, or repeated pops of color and pattern.

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Display Artwork

Treat the laundry room like any other space in your home and use artwork to add a decorative touch to the walls. Hang art directly on the walls, lean it on floating shelves, or rest a whimsical laundry-themed sign on the countertop to give the room a playful feel.

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Merge Style and Function

Create openness with floating shelves for a less cluttered feel, use decorative storage containers that are as pretty as they are practical, and continue the same design and color theme that you've used in the rest of your home.

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Bring Whimsy

Add a little whimsy to your laundry room with a fun wallpaper. Whether it features bright colors or a playful pattern, it's the perfect vehicle to carry style and personality, whether your laundry room is a large space or a tiny hallway closet.

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Choose a Warm Color Palette

If you want to switch things up and stay away from crisp white walls and cabinets that are often used in laundry rooms, a warm color palette of soft beiges, tans, and creams is a lovely option. The warm tones pair well with brass hardware, natural wood shelves and flooring, and wicker storage baskets for a timeless space that exudes elegance.

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Try Jewel Tones

Jewel tones have been a trending color theme and they're a fun way to infuse a laundry room with rich color and elevated style. Here, deep teal cabinets and brass hardware add a decorative, jewel-like feature that gives the room a dressier appearance.

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Set a Pattern

Don't overlook flooring when it comes to designing a timeless laundry room. Practicality is key since floors need to be as moisture-resistant as possible and easy to clean. However, there are plenty of ways to add style through floor tile arrangement, pattern, and colors.

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Choose a Moody Palette

Infuse the laundry room with drama by opting for a moody color scheme. Choose a deep cabinet color, pair it with matte black hardware, and echo the dark colors through the backsplash for visual continuity.

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Mount a Farmhouse-Style Sconce

Mount a galvanized metal sconce on the wall to add a touch of farmhouse-style to your laundry room. Use black pulls and knobs on cabinets to tie in the sconce and opt for a different metal for sink hardware for a layered look.

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Take a Minimalist Approach

Take a minimalist design approach to keep the space clean and clutter-free using flat-front cabinets, unobtrusive hardware, and subtle wallpaper.

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Make It Bold

A laundry room is a great place to experiment with bold wallpaper, since it's a private space that can easily be shut and is typically smaller in size. Have fun with bright colors and graphic patterns that make a statement and balance them out with simple cabinets and flooring.