Ideas

30 Small Laundry Ideas You Need to Know About

Do you struggle with limited space in your laundry room? Well, you're not alone! But don't let a small laundry room hold you back from having a functional and stylish washing area. With a touch of creativity and smart planning, you can transform even the tiniest of spaces into a fully equipped laundry room. That's why we've gathered 30 of the best small laundry ideas to help you upgrade your laundry game. So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's dive into the world of small laundry room design!

Image Credit: @smout_property | Villa Styling

1. Retro Laundry

Bring a touch of the 1950s straight to your laundry. Mix bright pastel greens, blues or pinks, and some vintage wooden cabinets for those retro vibes. Add some black and white photos, empty jars, and a vintage vase to complete your retro 50's laundry room decor. Utilise front-load washers and dryers to add space above them for shelving.

2. Bright, Sun-Filled Laundry

Take advantage of all the sunlight we get in Australia with large, undressed windows. Your laundry will be filled with sunlight, making it feel larger. Match it with a light and breezy colour palette, some wood panelling, and natural-looking floor tiles, to create a bright and spacious room.

When dealing with a small space, you need to make the most of the space available. At the same time, you want to make the room feel as spacious as possible. Utilise open cabinets to provide accessible storage while adding to the spacious feel of the room.

3. Country Laundry

Fresh out of the country comes warm wood-panelled shelves, soft neutral greys, and some country-themed décor. If you love country style, you will love filling your laundry with tin storage boxes, homely pots, metal laundry baskets, and hardy wooden accents. For some space-efficient additions, try using wall-mounted exposed metal racks for hanging shirts.

Explore our entire laundry product library featuring something for every style.

Image Credit: @mulberry_manor | Villa Styling

4. Laundry Pocket Turned Accent Wall

If your laundry is tucked away in a nook in your hallway, you can take advantage of its position to create a stunning accent wall. While some are happy for their laundry to be exposed, if you prefer tucking it away behind a door it is time to get creative. You can do some incredibly unique things with the door itself, using something out of the ordinary like a barn door to make your space unlike any other. Paint it in your accent colour to create a sliding accent wall in your hall.

5. French Provincial Laundry

French provincial style brings the classical French aesthetic to our modern homes. The key to French provincial style is the use of small “old-world” luxury motifs. Mix gold fittings with black painted wood for that luxury feel. You can then add French-patterned floor tilling, wicker baskets, and black and white photography for a gorgeous vintage French look.

6. Bright White Laundry

A bright white laundry room is the perfect way to create a fresh and clean space. This look is easy to achieve with white cabinets, a white countertop, and a white tile backsplash. Add some interest to the room by incorporating some fun, patterned accents like a colourful rug or printed curtains.

If you feel that bright white is too plain, but love using white, consider adding some shading through some darker greys. Alternatively, you can add contrast by using black as an accent.

Mood board credit by Jas and Jac, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

Mood board credit by Gemmaschlink, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

7. Straight from the Space-Age

If you're looking for something a tad more back to the future, consider a space-age-inspired laundry room. Think glittery metallic finishes, sleek lines, and futuristic light fixtures. Use stainless steel appliances, a silver backsplash, and mirrors to create a modern and minimalistic look.

Consider using a shimmery metallic wall tile that matches the chrome elements on the washer and dryer for that spacey feel. If you want to bring it a little bit more down to earth, add some natural elements like wood cabinets or bunch tops to add contrast to the ultra-sleek materials.

8. Warm Greys and Whites

For a cosy and inviting laundry room, opt for a warm grey and white colour palette. Soft grey walls paired with white cabinetry and countertops create a serene and peaceful space. Add some texture with a plush rug and some greenery to bring life to the room.

Soft, homely décor is key to bringing this laundry to life. Don’t be afraid to use patterned baskets, or pots to add some interest to the room. Bringing a small plant into your laundry is also great for adding that touch of nature.

9. Wood Panelling

Wood panelling is a classic design element that can add warmth and depth to any space, including your laundry room. Choose a light-toned wood, such as pine or oak, to keep the space bright and open. Add some white cabinetry and countertops to balance out the dark wood panelling.

Wood panelling can be used creatively in a variety of styles. Choose rough wood and light colours for a rustic style, or dark stained wood for a traditional style. Balance the wood with some stone tiles or painted walls.

10. Clothes plus Pet Cleaning

If you're a pet owner, you know that cleaning up after your furry friends is a never-ending job. So why not make it a bit easier by incorporating a pet washing station into your laundry room? You can make the ultimate pet-friendly laundry by adding a few fun features. Start by choosing a durable tile or stone countertop. Consider installing a built-in pet wash basin next to the laundry basin for a spot to give your fur baby a bath.

Another feature you may consider adding is a sleeping nook beneath the bench. This gives your pet a place to sleep in your laundry while maximising the space you have available.

11. Early Settler Rustic

For a more rustic, old-world feel, consider an early settler-inspired laundry room. Use natural wood cabinetry, stone countertops, and exposed brick or stone walls. Incorporate some vintage accents, like an old-fashioned drying rack or a wooden washboard, to complete the look.

The key to this look is simplicity. Place a simple piece of lumber over the top of your washer and dryer to act as a bench. Then use simple wood shelves with wooden brackets to truly give that early settler vibe.

12. Old-Fashioned meets a Modern Twist

If you love the look of traditional laundry rooms but want to bring in a modern touch, consider a mix of old-fashioned and contemporary elements. Use classic cabinetry and countertops but incorporate modern fixtures and lighting. Choose a classic tile backsplash but opt for a contemporary colour palette.

You can also get creative with fabrics. If you have glass front cabinets, consider adding ruffled, old-fashioned fabric behind them to add a unique point of interest.

Image Credit: @jessi.eve | Villa Styling

13. Super Simple Wood and Tile Makeover

For a simple laundry room refresh, consider a simple wood and tile makeover. Small changes like adding a tile backsplash and a wooden countertop can transform the room. Alternatively, you can try painting your existing cabinetry a fresh white colour and replace the countertops with modern tiles for a similar effect. Take it a step further by adding some character with a patterned tile backsplash or a fun wallpaper accent wall.

14. Beach-Front Laundry

Bring the beach into your laundry with a beach-front cottage-inspired theme. Use light-toned cabinetry and countertops and choose a light and airy colour palette. Incorporate some natural elements, like woven baskets or seashell accents, to bring a touch of the beach into the space. Save some space with foldable racks and driftwood shelving.

15. Elegant Monochrome

For a sophisticated and stylish laundry room, opt for an elegant monochrome look. Use black cabinetry and countertops, paired with white walls and accents. Add some shine with metallic fixtures and hardware and choose a sleek and modern light fixture to complete the look.

You can take the monochrome style further by including some shading and depth with soft greys. Add soft grey accents through patterned rugs, décor, or through painted accents on your cabinets and walls. This is a great way to add interest to a monochrome room.

Mood board credit by Bree Gardiner Interiors, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

Mood board credit by Northern Rivers Bathroom Renovations, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

16. An Accent Colour that Pops

Use a bold accent colour to add some personality to your small laundry room. Choose a hue that you love and use it on the walls or cabinetry for a statement piece. Consider painting one wall in a bright shade of yellow, green, or pink to bring life to your space.

If you have already been consistently using an accent colour across other rooms in your home, don’t be afraid to bring it into your laundry too. It will help connect the space with the rest of your home.

17. Bring the Outside in

Create a nature-inspired laundry room by bringing elements of the outdoors inside. Hang plants from the ceiling, use grasscloth wallpaper, or add natural wood accents to the space. This will give your laundry room a peaceful and calming atmosphere.

Incorporating elements such as terracotta tiles as your flooring blurs the lines between inside and outside. Other elements like potted plants, a small herb garden, or a feature wall made of natural materials like stone or wood make great features for an outdoorsy laundry.

18. Dark and Dramatic

Make a statement with a dark and dramatic laundry room design. Use black or navy cabinetry and walls, and add metallic accents, such as brushed nickel hardware and a silver light fixture, to complete the look. Mix it up with a dark varnished wood benchtop, dramatic lighting, and patterned tile to make a gorgeous statement in your laundry room.

19. Aqua Laundry

Give your laundry room a fresh and modern vibe with a pastel aqua colour scheme. Use a light shade of blue-green on the walls and pair it with white cabinetry and shelving. Add some white and aqua accents, such as a patterned rug or a vase of flowers, to complete the look. Experiment with different pieces of aqua décor, like plastic buckets, or metal containers. Match it with some wicker baskets, clear jars for laundry powder and clothes pegs for some contrast.

20. Coastal Grandmother Style

Embrace a classic, yet coastal aesthetic in your laundry with a coastal grandmother style. Use pastel colours, such as powder blue and delicate greens, and add vintage accents, such as wicker baskets. Complete the look with fresh coastal elements like white cabinetry and natural benchtops.

21. Contemporary Cabin

Give your laundry room a modern cabin feel by using natural elements, such as wood panelling and stone accents. Use neutral colours, like beige and brown for a rustic cabin vibe. Add metallic accents, such as copper lighting fixtures and hardware, to bring it all together. Alternatively, you can add some painted weatherboard to the walls to bring old-fashioned washhouse vibes.

Image Credit: BuildHer8 Team from BuildHer Collective | Dylan James Photography

22. Black White and Pink

Add a touch of femininity to your laundry room with a black, white, and pink colour scheme. Paint the walls white, choose black cabinetry and shelving, and add pink accents. Use accents such as a patterned rug, a vase of flowers, or hand-painted cement tiles as a statement piece.

23. A Multi-Purpose Island

Make the most of your small laundry room by adding a multi-purpose island. Use it as a folding station, storage area, or even a space to iron your clothes. Add some wheels to the bottom so it can move around the room whenever it is needed. A multi-purpose island will help maximize your space and make your laundry room more functional.

24. Plant Lovers’ Laundry

If you’re a plant lover, create a lush, green laundry room by adding plenty of plants. Use a variety of sizes and types of plants to create a lush, tropical atmosphere in your space. For a small laundry space, you need to think vertically. Stack shelves of plants on top of each other to create a gorgeous green wall.

Mood board credit by La casa woodlea, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

Mood board credit by Mood Collective Australia, on Style Sourcebook, view mood board here.

25. Pottery Galore

Add a touch of rustic charm to your laundry room by using pottery elements. Use a large, statement vase filled with dried flowers, or display a collection of pottery vessels on your shelves. Pottery will add warmth and texture to your space. If you have more pottery than bench space (who doesn’t love a bit of pottery?) consider getting a tall cabinet with glass doors. This allows you to create a gorgeous display of your unused pottery while maximising space efficiency.

26. Space Saving Drying Racks

Make the most of your small laundry room by using space-saving drying racks. Choose wall-mounted or foldable options to keep your space looking tidy and organized. Stack these on top of each other to add more drying space when space is at a premium. Just ensure you leave enough space for shirts, or pants that you wish to hang on these racks.

27. Ditch Your Lower Cabinets

To create an open and airy feel in your small laundry room, consider ditching your lower cabinets. Opt for open shelving instead, which will give the illusion of more space and keep your laundry essentials within easy reach. This option is also great for pets. You can use the space beneath the bench as a nook for them to sleep in. It can be filled with a comfy bed and some of their favourite toys for a space-efficient sleeping area.

28. No Windows? No Problem

If your laundry room lacks natural light don’t worry, there are many simple solutions. If it’s the view while folding laundry that you miss, supplement it with gorgeous tile backsplashes in your favourite colours and patterns. If you want to brighten up the room, consider using light-coloured paint and lighting to brighten the space. For creative ways to add natural light look at adding a skylight or installing a light tunnel to bring in more light.

29. Waves of Navy

Add a creative statement piece to your laundry room with the classic waves wallpaper. Playing around with colours and shapes gives you the opportunity to create a laundry that is truly unique and interesting. Pair it with open cabinetry and shelving to really show off the wallpaper.

30. Add a Little Whimsy with Boho Style

Give your laundry room a touch of bohemian. Use colourful textiles, such as a patterned rug or a tapestry, and add natural elements, such as a wicker basket and hanging plants, to create the perfect boho laundry. Add a touch of whimsy with quirky accents, such as a macramé wall hanging or a collection of vintage vases. For modern boho, include modern elements, such as high-tech appliances, metal fixtures, and foldable storage solutions.

Feeling inspired? Design your dream small laundry with our mood board tool.