The laundry room in our first house was a creepy cobwebby basement where a mouse once frightened me so thoroughly I leapt on the washer and instructed my preschooler to “protect” the critter by placing a basket over it. (Because he is a genius, he successfully captured it.) I had problems. Fine. I have problems when I spy a mouse. Good gracious, I need to feel more thankful that I can now do laundry without phobic reactions. Laundry rooms are frequently overlooked design-wise, and it is understandable. I mean, while our laundry room is pleasant and functions well, I still exit it as quickly as possible! The best ones seem to be flex spaces with other uses. Let’s peek at Pretty Laundry Rooms.
Pretty Laundry Rooms & Design Features to Note
Prepare for plenty of fantasy! Hahahaha. Pinworthy images that feature infinite budget designs from celebrities and billionaires are not meant to compel you to put your house on the market. 🙂 But you’re a creative lot! You always figure out how to riff on a high end design even if it is simply using the same paint color combo.
Laundry areas and mud rooms deliver so much convenience, why not take a little time to spruce them up?
Bespoke cabinetry and storage that soars to the ceiling along with a handy ladder may not be practical, but could your sink use a pretty little skirt? Check out April Tomlin’s timelessly beautiful project with even more inspiration:
Don’t Forget to Use All That Vertical Space
Utility rooms are often quite small, but one of the reasons I love so much European inspired design is because they are such masters of using every inch of their square footage. For storage, if you can add cabinets to the ceiling, that’s awesome. But shelves are also a possibility.
It may not be practical to place everyday essential types of things high, but seasonal stuff?
Okay, everybody go out and hire someone to build and install a Dutch door (or is it a stable door in the UK?) for your mud room. *insert sarcasm inflection* But isn’t it swell?
Here’s a little laundry DIY makeover to inspire (with no tutorial for a Dutch door):
But What If Laundry Rooms Were Orangeries?
I think I’m on to something, don’t you? Why shouldn’t every home have a conservatory-like laundry space flooded with light for growing plants and flowers? I just need builders to understand we all want a Versailles moment or two to make sorting lights and darks feel royally special.
Drying Rod Over the Sink
Know how it is often the small things? Here’s a pretty moment where function and beauty feel harmonious.
Isn’t the paint color pretty and serene on the cabinetry?
It is reminiscent of a versatile neutral paint I used in two guest baths here at the Georgian: No Filter:
Here’s another drip dry situation in a handsome laundry space with two tone cabinetry.
Is your utility area or mud room away from the living spaces? If so, the silver lining may be that you have the opportunity to depart from the style of the rest of the home. Maybe it is a chance to experiment with a paint color calling your name.
Or could you spruce it up with some bold wallpaper that you wouldn’t dare install anywhere else? The possibilities are endless.
Washer & Dryer Wonderland
If you’re a lover of toile, I can only imagine the butterflies in your stomach when you glimpse this:
Love a pretty chandelier in a hardworking space to keep the space well lit? Me too.
Sophisticated & Timeless Transformation
I love me some Jennifer Lincoln-Cutler French-inspired design magic. Just look what she did with a storage room:
Smart design cues to glean from French Nest-y wisdom:
- Go ahead & hide the washer and dryer behind custom cabinets.
- Skip the requisite big box store countertop & spring for a beautiful wood work table.
- Take your own sweet time to create a timeless environment that will remain relevant for decades.
- Even ceilings can improve!
Add Organic Luxe to a Laundry Room
Brooke Giannetti is always inspiring us with wonderful ways to calm the senses with beauty.
One of the things I love about the work of the Giannettis is that even when their own design choices are high end fantasy-level finds, there are always less bougie alternatives within reach for us. If this antique herbarium collection is not in budget, there are oodles of inexpensive botanical prints that would be beautiful!
We Need to Talk About Signage
In a world of laundry rooms sporting signs that say “But First Coffee” or “laundry” or “bless this mess,” just don’t. Children’s art, pretty thrifted china plates, framed photography…it’s all going to trump kitschy signage that makes design snobs weep.
Luxuriously Doubling Your Washer & Dryer’s Capacity
Must we have more than three children to indulge in washer/dryer twins? I’m not going to judge. But I am going to confess that I insisted my kids wear their jeans multiple times before tossing them into the dirty laundry. I called it Tommy Lee Style (not sure anyone will understand this Motley Crue reference), but truth be told, I just wanted less laundry.
What’s your preference, Madame? Side by side for laundromatic chic or parted?
The symmetry we see in both options is something to behold!
Have a laundry room/mudroom board on Pinterest? Find helpful inspo and please do repin pins from mine HERE!
Pantry & Prep Kitchen Flex Spaces
If your laundry room is adjacent to the kitchen, it may be sensible to incorporate pantry storage and/or kitchen prep space.
What a design victory when your laundry scullery is also a breezway getaway!
Oh that clever architecture!
Personality Plus With Paint
Very often, the shell of a utilitarian space lacks character, architecture, and personality. Paint may help.
Love a gorgeous smoky green?
Home Office Slash Laundry
What’s swell about this space below is how the counter multitasks for folding laundry, studying space, and even a work desk.
Second floor laundry rooms are often closet-sized, but if you can carve out a larger space, it can function as a craft room or home office. Home builders are always designing second floors with open loft space but skimp on the laundry area. Why aren’t they putting more thought into that bonus space over the garage?
If you’re building…take time to consider where washer and dryer hookups could go!
And the Oscar for Best Creative Use of Attic Space Goes To…
If you’re not fortunate enough to have original architectural interest in the laundry…
maybe add a little. I love how this lattice-covered mirror over the sink feels like a vintage window!
Even in the small space below, you can see how a mix of textures, colors, and materials combine for the win. So much more thoughtful than a sterile white box.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Resources to Pretty Up Utility Spaces
Here’s a sink I have been crushing on for too many years to count. I think I first saw it in Annie Brahler’s (Eurotrash) unforgettable Illinois country kitchen:
These French inspired baskets are a bestseller on this blog, and they would be right at home in any number of rooms for a wide range of storage options:
Another country style farm sink that would be beautiful in a laundry room even if the rest of your interiors are not Old World or country inspired:
I love it when something simple looks smashing:
Don’t you love a beadboard drying rack?
I hope these ideas set you up for design success, friends!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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