Amazing Paint Colors for Utility Rooms to WOW

Once upon a time, I designed a dreamy mud room for a French country home we built for our young family. Favorite design elements within it? Its location within our floorplan and the south-facing window with all that sunlight. Laundry chores when nature and light are penetrating the atmosphere are transformed. I designed the space to have room for an antique table for folding clothing which I also used to paint my abstracts. Building or revamping your current space? Curious about paint colors for utility rooms? These inspiring laundry and mud room examples may help. Also find autumn quotes (save them to a board like mine HERE!).

Timeless light filled laundry room in Milieu Showhouse 2020 with design by Jennifer Hamelet (Mirador Builders) and Shannon Bowers. #checkeredfloor
MILIEU; Photo: Leslee Mitchell; Design: Jennifer Hamelet and Shannon Bowers (Keep reading for ideas for mushroom tones for cabinets)

Amazing Paint Colors for Utility Rooms

Neutral Paint Colors for Utility Rooms, Laundry & Mud Rooms

Elegant traditional interior design by Cathy Kincaid. #traditionalstyle #elegantdecor #timelessdesign
Cathy Kincaid Interiors – I would try Farrow & Ball Wimborne White for a similar effect

The color in the beautiful space above reminds me of Wimborne White, and we know the designer typically reaches for Farrow & Ball:

This space provides a peek at the subtle contrast when creamy walls are paired with a brighter white trim:

Mud room with built-ins in beautiful French country home with interior design by Jenny Martin Design. #frenchcountryhome #mudroom #interiordesign
Jenny Martin Design – Amazing paint colors for utility rooms, laundry, and mud rooms

We’re seeing so many more lacquered finishes these days in high end projects. Don’t they make sense for utility spaces?

Farrow & Ball, Pigeon No. 25 is used in a highly reflective glossy finish here:

Farrow & Ball Pigeon in a lovely mud room area by Brown Interiors (Emily Hart photo). #farrowandballpigeon #mudroomgoals
Farrow & Ball PigeonBrown Interiors – Amazing paint colors for utility rooms to inspire

A much cooler gray option is Benjamin Moore Boothbay Gray. If your space has no natural light, it will appear more grey. With lots of natural light, I find that it looks like a beautiful, but not cloying, blue.

Boothbay Gray paint color - Barrow Building Group.
BM Boothbay GrayBarrow Building Group – Inspiration and Paint Colors for Laundry and Mud Rooms

Reember not to become too immediately sold on a color based on how you perceive paint color swatches on your screen. The swatch below appears dark if you compare it to the painted cabinets above:

Boothbay Gray is what we painted the exterior trim on a tiny house we own, and in natural light, it’s a soft beautiful cool blue-grey. (And remember that as we age, we see more yellow, so what I am calling blue may look grey to your eyes if those eyes are younger! Sample first so you know!)

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Blue Laundry and Mud Rooms or Utility Spaces

It is perfectly okay to be a bit daring in your space with a pastel that feels clean, atmospheric, and Versailles-like.

While I don’t know the exact blue-periwinkle hue of this mud room below, it is in the same spirit as Lavender Secret:

#caitlinwilsondesign - A periwinkle blue painted mudroom.
@caitlinwilsondesign – try BM Lavender Secret for a similar effect

If you have been considering wallpaper for a room in your home, maybe the laundry is a place to experiment. Sometimes a favorite pattern is perfect to make you smile everyday and enliven a space that works hard. Hornbeam in this blue colorway is a gorgeous option:

Miss this laundry room post with beautiful examples of pretty laundry rooms?

Farrow & Ball suggests pairing it with their Stiffkey Blue paint color:

Pretty Blue Laundry Room Ideas

Here’s another gorgeous laundry space celebrating blue with a toile wallpaper and French blue base cabinets:

Windy Blue 6240 from Sherwin-Williams is a little muddier than the bright blue above, but it may give you that sophisticated happy French blue look you’re after.

Here’s another example of a laundry area with blue cabinets where a blue similar to SW Windy Blue was continued on the crown molding:

Enchanting may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think laundry room, but Tim Barber's space in a Tennessee farmhouse defies that! Come enjoy Traditional Laundry Room and Mud Room Design Ideas, Resources, and Humor Quotes!
Design: Tim Barber

Talk about adding architectural interest, light, texture, and character in one small space!

Funny quote about modern life on Hello Lovely. #funnyquotes #phonehumor #callerID

Could your laundry room or mud room feature your favorite shade of blue even if the rest of your home is dressed in neutrals? Why not! Maybe something that reminds you of blue skies?

Pastel blue turquoise laundry room cabinets with marble subway backsplash, farm sink, and whimsical tile floor - KaraMillerInteriors. #laundryroom #turquoise #pasteldecor
@karamillerinteriors – when the drawers providing storage in your mudroom are as beautiful as those in the rest of the home, a utility space is truly elevated.

Blue paint colors can be tricky to get right so be sure to sample several. When you browse Samplize to get samples, you’ll notice suggestions for similar colors. This is a helpful feature since you’ll want to order a few to arrive at the best one for your unique lighting and needs.

For example, if you are sold on Blue Porcelain, you might also sample Smoke, Krypton, Beacon Gray, and Gray Cloud. Don’t get sold on the color name or how they appear on swatches!

Laundry room with Swedish blue cabinets, whimsical patterned tile floor, and country sink with modern faucet - Birmingham Home & Garden. #laundryrooms #mudrooms #interiordesign
@birminghamhomeandgarden (photo: @jallsopp) – isn’t the design of the storage, tiles and color story lovely in this mudroom area?

While I’m not sure of the exact blue paint used above (possibly a custom shade matched to the tile), here’s a sophisticated blue-grey which may be lovely rain or shine:

Funny quote about dishwashers on Hello Lovely. #dishwashers #funnyquotes #funnytweets

Sophisticated Deep Dark Blues

Who says a space that collects dirty laundry can’t be as chic as the rest of your interiors?

Beautiful black and white laundry room with black cabinets, Zellige tile backsplash pendant over farm sink, and white counters - @_rafterhouse_ #laundryrooms #blackcabinets
@_rafterhouse – the interior design of this room includes plenty of extra storage

I have experience using F&B Railings (which appears to be the paint on cabinets above). It can live like a neutral should you require a bold yet soft black deeply dark blue color.

Railings will vary with your lighting situation. I have noticed that in some rooms it can appear navy while in others it feels like a true black. You may also notice brown undertones (almost a dark bronze look).

Railings paint color (Farrow & Ball) on paneled walls with built-in seating and mirror. #farrowandballrailings
Farrow & Ball Railings

Admire dark charcoal colors? There’s a fair chance Railings will float your boat.

Railings by Farrow & Ball paint color on a bespoke kitchen cook's pantry- Humphrey Munson. #paintcolors #railings #farrowandball #pantry #kitchenpantry
Farrow & Ball RAILINGS – Humphrey Munson

Who knows? Maybe it will even inspire a new kitchen cabinet color. That’s the beauty of trying a new to you color in a space that isn’t a living space.

Athena Calderone Brooklyn kitchen with Farrow & Ball Railings blue black cabinets, marble, and floating desk in front of window. #blackkitchens #blackandwhite #inteiordesign
Farrow & Ball Railings – Design: Athena Calderone (Eyeswoon)
Oscar Wilde quote about fall on Hello Lovely. #oscarwilde #fallquotes

Mushroom & Putty for Utility Room Cabinets

For classic, timeless, ageless neutral colors that won’t feel trendy a decade from now, consider these options.

The gorgeous putty color above reminds me of Balboa Mist (read THIS for a thorough overview of the color).

Similar to Balboa Mist yet a bit darker is this neutral:

BM Collingwood on kitchen cabinets in a beautiful white kitchen with Chantilly Lace walls - design by AKBDesign. #collingwood #bmcollingwood #chantillylace
AKB Design – Collingwood painted cabinets with Chantilly Lace on walls

Isn’t Collingwood glorious with antiqued brass?

Here are inspiring utility rooms with mushroom-toned cabinets:

Beautiful mud room design by Humphrey Munson with Dutch door, wall of cabinets, grey cabinets and farm sink. #mudroom #interiordesign
@humphreymunson – aren’t the built-ins and sink fabulous?

Ever considered this neutral for tile rather than the expected white?

Charming French farmhouse laundry room by Vivi et Margot with farm sink, French laundry basket, tiled wall, and breezy European country style. Come enjoy Traditional Laundry Room and Mud Room Design Ideas, Resources, and Humor Quotes!
Vivi et Margot…when your washer and dryer look this cozy comfy, and your laundry basket is this pretty, cleanup may be less unpleasant.

Mushroom could also be pulled into the scheme with fabric:

Minimal, serene laundry room with vintage farm sink with skirt, laundry cart, and black and white tiled classic flooring - design by April Tomlin Interiors. #laundryroomgoals #traditionalstyle
@apriltomlininteriors – today’s mudrooms can still recall the past and feel timeless.

My own laundry space is Sherwin-Williams Eider White, and I continued the color on cabinets. This neutral has magenta undertones, and I love the softness they impart.

Funny post-midlife humor quote from Michele of Hello Lovely Studio. #postmidlifehumor #aginghumor #menopausehumor

Green Laundry & Utility Spaces

Here’s an earthy dark green to consider if you’re after a green with brown undertones:

It helps so much to see a color like this up close and personal:

See Sherwin-Williams Dried Thyme painted laundry room

Similar to Dried Thyme, here’s a green that has soared in popularity thanks to Instagram:

Green Smoke 47 has a very luxe yet natural look that seems especially popular for English country style kitchens and mud rooms.

The hue can grace walls too for a decidedly moody, atmospheric look:

Farrow & Ball Green Smoke on walls and built-ins of a mud room by Park and Oak. #greensmoke #farrowandballgreensmoke #greenpaintcolors
Park and Oak – Green Smoke (Farrow & Ball)

Greens are magic with reddish tones such as terracotta here:

French farmhouse kitchen in France with green cabinets (Farrow & Ball Green Smoke), butcher block counters, and basket of pink hydrangea - Vivi et Margot. #vivietmargot #frenchfarmhouse #greenkitchens
Vivi et Margot – Farrow & Ball Green Smoke

Warm brass hardware is stunning with Green Smoke:

Soft Sage Green Paint Colors

When you’re after a gentler sort of velvety sage green…

maybe a paint color such as Sage Tint 458 from Benjamin Moore will work.

Discover even more sage green options to sample in THIS. To get the effect of the utility room below:

Beautiful mud room with custom built ins, farmhouse bench, and cozy design - Country Living, photo by Kimberly Gavin. Come enjoy Traditional Laundry Room and Mud Room Design Ideas, Resources, and Humor Quotes!
Country Living Magazine, Photo by Kimberly Gavin – wicker baskets, storage bins, benches, hooks, and spots for a wet umbrella are elements of smart mudroom design.

sample this soft grey green. Its unusual name is “named after West Country evening skies when there is a mix of both mist and drizzle.”

You shouldn’t skip the step of sampling first. Samples will appear quite different across varied lighting situations. Here is Mizzle on exterior shutters:

Mizzle (Farrow & Ball) painted shutters on a beautiful white house exterior - @1894home. #farrowandballmizzle
@1894home – Mizzle on shutters

And in natural light on a darling Dutch door:

Farrow & Ball Mizzle painted door on a garden shed - @this1870house. #mizzle #farrowandballmizzle
Farrow & Ball Mizzle – @this1870house

Wouldn’t Mizzle be gorgeous on walls or cabinets in a laundry room or mud room with coppery toned flooring and this bench/basket moment happening?

Rustic French farmhouse style in an entry with a weathered bench, boots, bucket, and basket! Kelli Boyd Photography. Come enjoy Traditional Laundry Room and Mud Room Design Ideas, Resources, and Humor Quotes!
Photo: Kelli Boyd Photography…certainly an inspiring spot for entry space, guests, muddy boots and the essential daily overflow for a large family.
Autumn quote by George Eliot on Hello Lovely #fallquotes #autumnquote

We Pause to Pin These Quotes

Funny quote about adulting and saving stupid stuff on Hello Lovely Studio. #adultingquotes #lifequotes
Parenting and funny tweet and fall humor quote on Hello Lovely Studio from the hilarious @simoncholland! #funnytweet #humorquotes #funnyquotes
Funny post-midlife humor quote from Michele of Hello Lovely Studio. #postmidlifehumor #aginghumor #menopausehumor
Humorous funny quote on Hello Lovely Studio - come enjoy a smile and soak up the lovely photos of interior design inspiration while you're at it!
Funny humor quote about crazy on Hello Lovely Studio, #funnyquotes #whimsicalquotes
Humorous funny quote on Hello Lovely Studio - come enjoy a smile and soak up the lovely photos of interior design inspiration while you're at it!
Funny quote about waffles on Hello Lovely. #humorquotes #wafflequotes #funnyquote #foodhumor
Funny plant quote on Hello Lovely. #humorquotes #funnyquotes #houseplants

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Does your utility space need a touch of organic charm?

Laundry Room & Mud Room Resources

Funny quote about raw cookie dough and courage on Hello Lovely. #funnyquotes #humorquotes #foodhumor #cookiedough

What the heck – a few more color options to sample:

Humorous funny quote on Hello Lovely Studio - come enjoy a smile and soak up the lovely photos of interior design inspiration while you're at it!

Laundry Room & Mud Room Finds

Get Ready to Be Wowed by the McGee Laundry Room

For more ideas for mudrooms to pin to your boards, GO HERE.

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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8 Comments

  1. Sarah Strawn
    September 23, 2024 / 9:15 am

    Hi Michelle,
    I really love that brick floor from Home Depot in that one video. Do you have any idea what that is? What is the pattern of how they laid the brick called?
    Thank you, Michelle.
    Sarah

    • Michele
      Author
      September 24, 2024 / 5:31 am

      Hi Sarah. I’m guessing the video showed up as an ad during this post so I’m not sure which one it was featuring. However, I do know it was likely a brick/tile where the brick has been sliced in half to lay as flooring. Also not sure of the pattern you saw, but fortunately, things have become much easier for herringbone patterns for these products. Instead of laying each individual brick/tile, they will come in mosaics. You can see what I mean from the selection here: https://rstyle.me/+pYs8_A1d3IltkvgmGMA_9A

  2. Sarah
    September 24, 2024 / 9:47 am

    Thank you,Michelle. It was the video of the dream laundry room tour, it was a green laundry room. She spoke of the floor. She said it was from Home Depot and that it was $3 a square foot at the time she used it to save on the budget, to splurge elsewhere, like the cabinets. Well, I fell in love with the floor, honestly. It looked incredible. I think I found it at the Home Depot and now it is $6 a square foot. But, it looks incredible. I never thought of brick for a floor and the pattern looked like herringbone. The link you provided is great. I am glad they come in mosaics.

    • Michele
      Author
      September 24, 2024 / 2:50 pm

      I’m so happy you found it – a beautiful idea for a laundry room floor 🙂

      • Sarah
        September 24, 2024 / 8:27 pm

        I plan to use it for my kitchen, when that happens.

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing