Combined laundry and butler's pantry
Photo of a traditional utility room in Sydney with shaker cabinets, shiplap splashback and marble floors.

Santa Monica Garden House

SoCal Contractor

This bright, sunny and open laundry room is clean and modern with wood planking backsplash, solid surface clean white countertops, maple cabinets with contrasting handles and coastal accent baskets and rugs.

Once was a bathroom. Now a laundry room.

Michelle McKoy Designs

This laundry room used to be a bathroom in this lake cottage. The double vanity was reduced to a single oversized sink with a gooseneck faucet complete with sprayer. The other side where there was a second sink was converted into a folding area with storage underneath for rolling laundry bins. Shiplap was installed from floor to ceiling along with crown molding. The shower was converted into an area for a stacked washer and dryer with storage to the right. The water closet was converted into a closet for additional storage. Marble flooring was used. Extra can lights were added and a gooseneck light was hung above the sink.

Pymble House

Danielle Victoria Design Studio P/L

Laundry room in Sydney with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, white splashback, shiplap splashback, marble floors and a stacked washer and dryer.

Pymble House

Danielle Victoria Design Studio P/L

Combined laundry and butler's pantry
Inspiration for a traditional utility room in Sydney with shaker cabinets, shiplap splashback, marble floors and blue benchtop.

Pymble House

Danielle Victoria Design Studio P/L

Combined laundry and butler's pantry
Traditional utility room in Sydney with shaker cabinets, shiplap splashback, marble floors and blue benchtop.

Laundry Room Design Ideas with Shiplap Splashback and Marble Floors

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.