Shaker doors with a simple Craftsman trim hide the stacked washer and dryer.
Design ideas for a small arts and crafts single-wall laundry cupboard in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a stacked washer and dryer, red floor, grey benchtop and decorative wall panelling.

Whole House Renovation

12/12 Architects & Planners

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional galley utility room in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, subway tile splashback, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, brown floor, brown benchtop, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Eastover House

John Patrick Cunningham / Architect

The laundry room features tons of storage, folding space, and room for hanging.
Large contemporary galley dedicated laundry room in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, white benchtop and decorative wall panelling.

Historic Craftsman Addition & Remodel

Brad Cox, Architect, Inc.

Shaker doors with a simple Craftsman trim hide the washer and dryer.
Photo of a small arts and crafts single-wall laundry cupboard in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a stacked washer and dryer, red floor, grey benchtop and decorative wall panelling.

Awkward to Amazing main floor renovation

12/12 Architects & Planners

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, brown floor, white benchtop, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Whole House Renovation

12/12 Architects & Planners

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional galley utility room in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, brown splashback, subway tile splashback, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, brown floor, brown benchtop, vaulted and decorative wall panelling.

Awkward to Amazing main floor renovation

12/12 Architects & Planners

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, a side-by-side washer and dryer, white benchtop, white splashback, marble splashback, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and decorative wall panelling.

Laundry Room Design Ideas with Medium Hardwood Floors and Decorative Wall Panelling

Laundry designs seldom receive the attention they deserve, especially considering how often they’re used. A well-planned laundry, complete with built-in cabinets, a laundry sink, washing machine and clothes dryer, can serve many needs. It can help simplify your household chores; store drying clothes and cleaning products; and can even provide a spot for you to groom pets. Because of its hardworking, multipurpose potential, a laundry renovation is a worthwhile investment. Smart laundry designs have layouts that save you time and effort. For example, a washing machine and clothes dryer should be positioned next to one another or stacked, and laundry baskets and hampers should be within easy reach; while an ironing board should be stowed by a power point. Ample storage, bench space for laundry baskets and practical lighting are also essential. Browse the photos on Houzz for efficient laundry ideas, from layouts and storage to appliances, and strike up a conversation with the designers of your favourite laundry renovations. For more laundry ideas, browse the Stories section on Houzz.

How do I add storage to my laundry?

A combination of storage solutions is key to running an efficient laundry. Include shelves above or beside the washing machine to store washing detergent, softener and other cleaning products; and laundry bins for dirty clothes. Consider a custom-built cupboard for an ironing board, so it can easily fold out when you need it, or mount the ironing board directly to the wall or on the back of a door. A retractable clothesline is a handy addition to dry delicate clothes, while a clothes hanger mounted to the wall is ideal for hanging freshly pressed shirts.

What else can I use my laundry for?

Multipurpose laundry rooms or utility rooms can help save valuable space in your home. The laundry sink can be used to bathe your furry friends; your laundry cupboard can store sports equipment, gardening tools and umbrellas; and a spare nook can be filled with a desk and chair to create an office space while you wait for your load to finish. If your laundry is at the front of the house, consider using it as a drop station for mail, mobile phones and keys. Include a bench seat or stool, wall-mounted hooks for bags and a coat stand and it can even be used as a place to get the kids organised before you walk out the front door.

How can I decorate my laundry?

Laundries are usually filled to the brim with appliances and storage, so take advantage of your walls when decorating and use cheery paint colours or wallpaper to make doing the chores more pleasant! Fun signs, posters, murals and wall decals will also add character to the space. Think of your storage as decor, too – look for bins and baskets with decorative touches, and use brightly-coloured or patterned hangers.