Organize Your Laundry Room In Style

Well, folks–it’s finally happening…I’m getting a washer and dryer! After moving to a new place filled with laundry room obstacles (including a large built-in cabinet that prevented any appliances from actually being installed), we’ve cleared the way for a washing machine and dryer. Our laundry room is currently serving as storage for a variety of items, including supplies for our kitty. It’s time to whip this space into shape and make it the organized room it was meant to be!

In that spirit, today’s post is a dedicated tidy laundry room design. How do you go about organizing this space? Whether you have a large budget that leaves room for custom shelving or you’re stretching your dollar to work with what you have, take inspiration from the images and tips that follow. It’s time to turn this functional room from an afterthought to a creatively designed space you can get excited about…

Laundry Room Style

I have to admit that when it comes to organizing practical spaces, I sometimes need a little incentive… Before delving into the details of shelving, storage and a place to put the detergent, you may want to make some decisions about the overall look of your space. Not only will this creative thinking help generate enthusiasm for the overall project, it will guide you in your product purchasing decisions. Below we see a modern laundry room that includes clean-lined fixtures, Corian countertops, and porcelain tile with a natural finish. [from Anthony Wilder]

Imagine the laundry room equivalent of a bistro kitchen, and it would likely resemble the crisp, fresh space below. Subway tile, marble surfaces and bright white accents give this room a cheerful look. [from Morrow & Morrow Corporation]

I came across this next laundry room makeover last month at A Beautiful Mess, and it was the kick in the pants I needed to start giving my own laundry room a little TLC. The creativity involved in designing this whimsical, colorful room is evident at first glance, from the peach accent color to the thoughtful arrangement of artwork. More on this space later in the post…

On a similar note, this next vibrant laundry room combines a bright accent color with black and white details, plus a splash of color in the form of decorative touches. [from Melissa Lenox Design]

What do you get when you mix maple cabinetry, stone wall tile and careful organization? The rustic-meets-modern laundry room below! I’m guessing a design enthusiast lives here… [from Shenandoah Cabinetry]

Laundry Room Storage

Let’s talk about storage and organization. Because no matter how pretty your laundry room is, it’s got to be a functional space. How will you organize your laundry supplies? With cabinets? Pull-out baskets? Open shelving? Is your laundry room solely used for laundry purposes, or will it be storing other items? It’s important to ask these questions as you finalize the design of your space. [from Stonewood, LLC]

A major advantage of cabinets? Supplies stay hidden, neatly stashed behind closed doors… [Photo by Danny Piassick from Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC via Houzz]

Cabinet storage in a laundry room with a tile floor

Remember that fabulous laundry room makeover from A Beautiful Mess (pictured in the section above)? Here’s a closer look at the open shelving. Note the use of wire baskets to keep cleaning supplies, paper towels and other practical items neatly stored…

Your laundry room may involve a bit of cabinet storage and a bit of open shelving. Using woven baskets to store and hide small items can keep shelves from looking cluttered. Of course, if certain products must remain on display, choosing beautifully packaged supplies will only enhance the design of your space… [from Visbeen Architects]

Keeping baskets and other storage containers uniform will help create a cohesive space with a clean look. Below we see the laundry room of the 2013 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home At St. Simons Island. [from Georgia Coast Design & Construction]

Of course, if you’re able to design a custom laundry room, you can select shelving and cabinetry that will precisely fit the dimensions of your space. Below we see a custom laundry room from TransFORM, a space that features deep cabinetry, a floating unit with flip-up doors and shelving, and chrome slide-out baskets.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these special storage features…like a fold-out ironing board that’s neatly concealed in a drawer when not in use. [from TransFORM]

And let’s not underestimate the benefit of a chrome valet rod for hanging items that need to drip dry! [from TransFORM]

Mixed-Use Laundry Room

We end today’s post with a little reminder to be honest with yourself about the purpose of your laundry room space. Seriously. We all wish we had an entire room to devote to laundry. But if your laundry room will also double as a home office or serve as an extra storage option, acknowledge its dual-purpose function and organize the space accordingly. The gorgeous laundry room below also serves as a gift-wrapping center and a gardening center! [from Normandy Remodeling]

The next featured laundry room is also a home office. A built-in desk by the window is the perfect place to take care of daily tasks while enjoying the view. [photography by Barry Rustin, from Not So Big Showhouse]

In a third shot of the laundry room makeover from A Beautiful Mess (featured in the sections above), we see how this laundry space also holds an array of basic cleaning supplies. And why shouldn’t the laundry room be the cleaning hub of the house?! A pegboard keeps items tidy and visible, giving residents easy access.

Our final featured laundry room also provides basic mudroom functions, serving as a place to hang coats, stash shoes, and store items that can be grabbed on the go… [from Great! Kitchens & Baths]