What’s the best way to design and decorate a vintage laundry room?
Laundry rooms are essential in any home, providing a dedicated space for washing, drying, and organizing clothing and linens. The design should be functional, optimizing the workflow from dirty laundry to clean and stored items. Some laundry rooms also double as mudrooms.
Whether you're in the process of a laundry room remodel or looking to makeover your existing one, these are the key elements to include in your design:
- Paint or Wallpaper: Select a color or pattern that sets the desired mood for the laundry room and complements the vintage style you want to achieve. We are partial to covering walls, ceilings, and trim in a uniform paint color to create a cohesive look. Shiplap walls tend to be common design elements in a laundry room for their durability and modern farmhouse style.
- Decorative Lighting: Combine task, ambient, and accent lighting for a layered lighting scheme. Consider the placement of lighting fixtures to eliminate shadows and evenly light the space. Dimmer switches can adjust the mood.
- Washing Machine and Dryer: The core components of any laundry room, these can be side-by-side or stacked to save space. Ensure there's enough clearance for doors to open fully.
- Utility Sink: A deep, wide sink is invaluable for hand-washing delicates, soaking stained items, or cleaning up after DIY or home projects.
- Storage Units: Cabinets or shelving above and beside the washer and dryer provide storage for detergents, fabric softeners, clothespins, and other laundry essentials. Consider a mix of closed cabinets for unsightly items and open shelving for easy access to frequently used supplies. If you have the space, a linen closet or laundry is a great addition to a utility room.
- Countertop: A counter for sorting, treating stains, and folding clean laundry is a must. If space allows, a long, uninterrupted counter surface is ideal. Different countertop materials, from butcher block wood countertops to natural stones like marble or granite or engineered surfaces like quartz, offer unique textures that can add depth and interest to your vintage laundry room design. Add a tile backsplash above the counter to tie it all together. Subway tile is a popular choice for laundry rooms.
- Drying Rack: For air-drying delicates and garments that cannot go into the dryer. A wall-mounted, fold-down rack can save space when not in use.
- Ironing Board: A built-in, fold-out ironing board saves space and is convenient for quick touch-ups. Alternatively, a freestanding ironing board that can be stowed away is also practical.
- Laundry Hamper: Built-in or freestanding hampers or laundry baskets for sorting laundry help keep the room organized, and are fun laundry room decor decisions. Consider separate bins for lights, darks, and delicates.
- Seating: A small bench, stool, or even an accent chair can be helpful for putting on shoes or resting as you fold clothes.
- Utility Cart: A rolling cart provides portable storage and can be used to transport laundry supplies or folded clothes.
- Curtains or Blinds: Window treatments not only help control the light and provide privacy but also serve to tie the room's design together. They offer an opportunity to inject color, texture, and pattern into the living space, making it more inviting and personalized. Whether flowing and sheer for a light, airy feel or rich and textured for a more luxurious look, curtains play a pivotal role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the laundry room. Don’t forget the curtain rod!
By integrating these elements into your laundry room's design, you can create a highly functional and efficient space that makes the task of laundry less of a chore. If you need an extra hand in your design process, check out our step-by-step guide on How To Design a Room.
How do you select a color palette for a laundry room?
Choosing the right color palette for your laundry room is an exciting (and fun!) process. Incorporating color (or the lack thereof) into a space will dramatically influence the mood and aesthetic. While it may be tempting to hit up your local hardware store to buy a gallon (or two or three) of paint, and go to town, the planning process is an important step. No one wants to repaint a room once the furniture is in. So, here’s the best way to think about incorporating color into your space:
First, set the mood: Before deciding on your color palette, think about the mood or atmosphere you want to create in your laundry room. Yearning for a calm and serene environment? Or perhaps a vibrant burst of energy? Different colors evoke different emotions, so choose hues that align with the desired mood or vibe of the room. Warm-toned colors (reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks) can make a space feel warm, inviting, and cozy. Cool-toned colors (greens, blues, purples, grays, and most whites) can make a room feel grounded, calming, and clean. But, using too many warm colors can make a room feel closed off, and too many cool tones in one room can make a space feel cold and unwelcoming. Neutral colors (blacks, whites, and browns) add a sense of sophistication and professionalism to a space.
Then, choose a color scheme: Now for the fun part! Once you’ve selected the mood, you can start to build your color palette. Take into account existing furniture and decor elements. Choose colors that complement or skillfully contrast your furnishings to create a cohesive look. A handy tip to a cohesive color story? Use the 60-30-10 rule as your guide. The dominant color (60%) sets the tone, the secondary color (30%) adds depth, and the accent color (10%) brings a pop of interest. Your dominant color in your color palette may be the color you choose to paint your walls or the color of a large area rug. Your secondary color may be used for upholstery or statement furniture. And for that final touch, the accent color brings a spark and is usually found in artworks, cushions, or decorative pieces. If you’re going for a monochromatic color scheme, consider the 60-30-10 rule in terms of shades of color.
Finally, find balance and contrast: Once you’re ready to start applying color in the laundry room design with paint or decorative touches, achieving the right balance between colors in your color palette is crucial. Consider the visual weight of each color and distribute them evenly throughout the space. Neutral colors are often paired with brighter accent colors to contrast a space. Pairing complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) or juxtaposing shades of light and dark can enrich your design with depth and complexity.
While some colors are more popular than others for certain rooms or design styles, pick a color palette that feels right to you. Interior design is all about self expression. You do you. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to express your unique style. Want more interior design color tips? Check out our free online interior design course on Color Theory.
How do you pick a design style for a laundry room makeover?
Picking an interior design style for your laundry room is a personal and immersive journey. It starts with introspection and an exploration of your aesthetic preferences, daily habits, and the overall ambiance you wish to create. We recommend the laundry room style match nicely with the rest of your house. Consider the architecture of your home, the flow of natural light, and how the space is used to ensure the design style not only looks appealing but also serves your needs effectively. The goal is to create a space that feels inviting, comfortable, and uniquely “you”.
There is no right or wrong way to define your style. Start by gathering ideas and inspiration. Identify what colors, moods, and materials you are drawn to. Are you drawn to the clean lines of modern design? The warmth of rustic charm? The rich textures of bohemian flair? Or the sleek functionality of minimalism? Your chosen style should resonate with your personality and make your space feel like a true extension of yourself.
There are dozens of design styles. One style may speak to you the most and you’ll be ready to go all in (do it!). If not, mixing elements from different styles can yield a unique, eclectic look that’s distinctly yours. Need some help defining your style? We created our own design style quiz to help you learn more about what you gravitate towards in design. The result is like the perfect blend of your personality and home. Take the quiz and your Spoak Sign be your inspiration.
Once you know the design style you want to achieve for your laundry room makeover, the fun begins! You can start planning out your color scheme and decor ideas.
What materials and home decor should I use to achieve a vintage laundry room design?
The vintage interior design style is a nostalgic nod to the rich history and diverse aesthetics of the 20th century, dwelling in the sweet spot between the new (made within the last 20 years) and the antique (100+ years old). This style is defined by its mix of furniture and decor drawing from various decades. Eclectic vintage interiors blend various elements—textures, time periods, styles, trends, and colors—all woven together to create an ambiance that is both familiar and endlessly intriguing.
To create a vintage aesthetic in your laundry room, choose softer, muted tones and gentle pastels for your base color palette and layer in patterns, textures, and colors of yesteryears. At its heart, vintage design is about the stories that objects tell, each piece a memento of a bygone era. So get out of the house and on the hunt (who doesn’t love a vintage thrift find?).