Laundry Room Design Ideas: Creating a Functional & Beautiful Space
The laundry room is often overlooked when planning a home renovation, but it's one of the hardest-working areas in the house. A well-designed laundry space can streamline daily routines, reduce clutter, and add value to your home.
At Optimize Interiors, we believe that practical spaces deserve just as much attention to detail as your kitchen or bathroom. Here are our top laundry room design ideas to help you create a functional and beautiful space.
Start with Smart Layout Planning
Think about how you use your laundry room. Do you sort, fold, or iron clothes in there?
Do you need space for pet care, storage, or a secondary fridge?
Layout is key, whether your space is a compact closet or a full-size room.
The classic "work triangle" concept used in kitchens also applies here: keep your washer, dryer, and folding station within reach of one another to reduce steps and improve flow.
Raise the Machines for Comfort
Ergonomics matter, especially in a room where you frequently bend and lift. Raising the washer and dryer to waist height can make a big difference in day-to-day comfort.
This thoughtful design detail minimizes strain on your back and creates a more user-friendly workspace.
Underneath the elevated machines, built-in drawers or storage can provide additional functionality while maintaining a streamlined appearance.
Maximize Storage with Custom Cabinetry
Cabinetry can transform a cluttered laundry room into an organized, efficient space. Tall cabinets are perfect for storing cleaning supplies and brooms, while upper cabinets above the machines use vertical space.
For a seamless look, consider custom cabinetry that matches your kitchen or bathroom finishes, especially if your laundry area is visible from other parts of the home.
Pro tip: Include a pull-out hamper or laundry basket system to keep dirty clothes tucked away until wash day.
Pull-Out Tray for Laundry Baskets
Another smart feature is a pull-out tray just beneath the machine.
This acts as a shelf or landing zone for a laundry basket, making transferring wet or dry clothes easier without juggling a heavy load.
As shown in the image, it's a small upgrade with a big payoff, especially in busy households where efficiency counts.
This tray can also double as a temporary folding or sorting surface when you're mid-cycle and need a quick resting spot for laundry.
Include a Countertop for Folding
A countertop over front-loading machines or a freestanding surface provides a designated area for folding, sorting, or even treating stains.
Durable surfaces like quartz or laminate are ideal for withstanding daily use while keeping maintenance easy. If space allows, extend the countertop into a built-in sink area—handy for delicates or quick clean-ups.
Incorporate a Built-In Drying Rack or Rod
Not all clothes go in the dryer. Adding a built-in drying rod or wall-mounted rack helps manage hang-dry items efficiently.
These additions take up minimal space but can greatly impact workflow, especially in smaller rooms.
Lighting Matters
Good lighting is essential in a laundry space. If you're working at a countertop, opt for bright overhead lighting paired with task lighting under cabinets. If you're lucky enough to have a window in your laundry room, maximize natural light with a minimal window treatment that still offers privacy.
Use Stylish Yet Practical Finishes
Just because it's a utility room doesn't mean it can't look great. Choose materials that are water-resistant, easy to clean, and timeless in appearance. Tile backsplashes, waterproof flooring, and matte or satin-finish cabinets all balance utility and design.
Add personality with hardware, bold paint or wallpaper, or open shelving for decorative jars and baskets.
Consider a Multi-Functional Space
The laundry room doubles as a mudroom, storage area, or pet wash station in smaller homes.
Built-in benches with hooks above and shoe storage below can turn your laundry into a transitional space.
If you're short on square footage, vertical storage and thoughtful cabinet inserts can help you stay organized.
What people often ask about laundry rooms
If planning a renovation or building a new space, you may have wondered about these key laundry room considerations. Here are some common questions—and expert answers—to help guide your decisions.
What is the ideal size for a laundry room?
The ideal laundry room size depends on how you use the space and what appliances or storage you need.
A compact laundry area can work well in as little as 5 to 6 feet wide by 7 feet long, especially when using a stacked washer and dryer.
However, for a full-function space with side-by-side machines, cabinetry, a sink, and countertop space, a room at least 9 feet by 10 feet is more comfortable.
If you plan to fold, sort, or even hang dry clothes in the room, a larger layout (or clever built-ins) can make daily tasks easier and more efficient.
At Optimize Interiors, we work with rooms of all sizes and help clients make the most of every inch, even in tight layouts.
Can a laundry room be part of a mudroom?
Yes—and it's often a great solution. Combining a laundry room with a mudroom helps centralize utility functions and saves space, especially in smaller homes or townhouses.
It is common to locate this combined space near a garage or back entry for easy access to outdoor gear and laundry appliances.
The key to making it work is smart design:
Closed cabinetry to hide laundry items
Durable finishes that can handle wet coats or muddy boots
A defined workflow that separates clean and dirty zones
With the right layout, your mudroom can double as a laundry zone while still looking tidy and modern.
Is it worth adding custom cabinetry to a laundry space?
In most cases, yes. Custom cabinetry transforms your laundry room from a purely utilitarian space into an organized, efficient, and attractive part of your home. Whether you want tall storage for cleaning supplies, deep drawers for linens, or a countertop that runs over your washer and dryer, custom solutions make the room easier to use.
Custom cabinetry also allows you to:
Match the rest of your home's style
Maximize awkward corners or ceiling height
Integrate built-in features like pull-out hampers or fold-out drying racks
Plus, if you're already investing in renovations, well-designed cabinetry adds long-term value. At Optimize Interiors, we help clients achieve cabinetry that balances performance and aesthetics — even in laundry rooms.
Design a laundry room that works beautifully
Whether working with a compact nook or a spacious mudroom-laundry combo, thoughtful design can make everyday chores easier and more enjoyable. From elevated appliances and integrated storage to custom cabinetry that matches your style, the right layout makes a real difference.
At Optimize Interiors, we specialize in creating laundry rooms that are both practical and beautifully designed, perfectly tailored to your space. If you're in the Ottawa area, visit our showroom or reach out to start planning your custom laundry room.
