10 Laundry Room Upgrade Ideas

By
Ashley Knierim
Photo of Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 09/30/22
large clean laundry room

onurdongel / Getty Images

The laundry room probably isn't your favorite part of your house, but if you have a family you likely find yourself spending time in it more often than you'd like. So why not make it a room you enjoy visiting, to the point where - gasp - you might even look forward to your next load of laundry? These totally cool, totally beautiful ideas span from super easy to some-renovation-required, but they're all gorgeous enough to make your friends jealous. Just prepare for guests to bring their dirty laundry over each time they visit.

  • 01 of 10

    Farmhouse Sink

    farmhouse sink in laundry room

    brepurposed / Instagram

    The first step to any practical laundry room is a sink; this simple addition will pay off time and time again. The farmhouse sink is both trendy and practical, lending a vintage vibe in any room. The deep basin is perfect for your laundry room, especially if you have a lot of delicates, and if white isn't your style you can find a farmhouse sink in many different materials to fit your look. Add in the subway tile and the gorgeous gold fixtures, and this laundry room steals the show.

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  • 02 of 10

    Add a Barn Door

    laundry room

    scoutandnimble / Instagram

    If you don't have a totally separate space to do laundry, never fear. Just because your washer and dryer are in a closet doesn't mean you have to settle for a boring wood door. This easy-to-install barn door is a stunner, and adds a stylish-yet-rustic look without a lot of effort. This is a great idea if your laundry area is in a main room, such as a bedroom or a living space.

    11 Ways to Decorate With Barn Doors
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  • 03 of 10

    Simple and Chic

    Laundry room organized
    Cherished Bliss

    Here's another idea for those of us who don't have 500 square-foot rooms to dedicate to cleaning our clothes. This cute idea takes little to no work - simply install a reclaimed wood shelf, add some matching baskets to stay organized, and your little laundry nook instantly becomes a little brighter. Even if you can't afford to upgrade your appliances, a simple makeover can make the area feel less outdated. Adding a few cute accessories (such as this lamp) if you can spare the space is a great way to add some warmth.

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  • 04 of 10

    Go Big

    laundry room
    Enchanted Home

    This one is for the dreamers out there. This large, natural light-filled space is only for those of us who have the room to spare, but it sure is stunning. This is a great idea to combine with a mudroom – we love the nooks for coats, shoes, and firewood. Making your laundry room a multitasking space will help it feel less isolating, and if you've got that natural light it's a great way to open up the space.

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  • 05 of 10

    Go Rustic

    rustic laundry room

    rusticfarmhome / Instagram

    Rustic is in, and we adore this quaint little laundry room look. Adding old cabinets from a recent renovation or a flea market is a great way to stay organized in your laundry room. Keeping a clutter-free space in this room is key, since no one wants to do chores in a room begging for a deep clean. We love the Americana country feel of this room.

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  • 06 of 10

    Go On Trend

    bright laundry room
    Vintage Revivals

    Subway tile, unfinished wood and Turkish prints are all big right now, but if you tend to shy away from trends, a laundry room is a great way to get your feet wet. The wood machine cover adds instant utility that's both pretty and useful and the graphic rug adds a bit of personality to the space. Don't forget to add a few fun laundry gadgets to make the task even easier.

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  • 07 of 10

    Dog Friendly

    dog in laundry room
    The Creativity Exchange via Pinterest

    We absolutely love this dog-lovers laundry room trend. If you're totally renovating your space and your house has more canines than humans, adding a dog wash is a wonderful idea that will make life so much easier. Imagine the days of convincing Fido to get into your bathtub without getting water everywhere are over. This dog wash also doubles as a foot or shoe wash for muddy days.

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  • 08 of 10

    Get Organized

    organized laundry room
    Decora Cabinets

    The best way to enjoy using your laundry room is to ensure it stays tidy and organized. We have some tips to help you get there, but designing your space with organization in mind is a great way to ensure you stay on top of it. Adding shelves and matching containers to hold laundry detergent and dryer sheets will go a long way.

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  • 09 of 10

    Chalk It Up

    blackboard in laundry room

    decor_for_kids / Instagram

    Getting kids to participate in chores without constant reminders can be tough, but adding a chalkboard to your laundry room can help send some gentle reminders. It's also a great way to remind yourself of which clothes can't be dried (who hasn't ruined a fancy dress or two?), or simply of tasks that should be done this week. You can even DIY this one. We also love the laundry basket shelf in this room; it's a great way to keep every member of the house's belongings in order.

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  • 10 of 10

    Mid-Century Clean

    outdoor laundry room
    M Pression

    Mid-century design is a very stylish way to make a space feel open and trendy. We love these bamboo, retro-inspired laundry room doors. If barn doors aren't your thing, these add privacy while giving off a cool Palm Springs vibe. This is a wonderful idea for a laundry room you can't fit in a basement or a closet. Bonus points if you can do laundry outside all year long like this lucky homeowner.

    19 Clever DIY Laundry Room Ideas