Traditional laundry room ideas and inspo.

What’s the best way to design and decorate a traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.

What materials and home decor should I use to achieve a traditional laundry room design?

Don’t let anyone tell you traditional interior design is synonymous with boring. A traditional design style exudes elegance and comfort, drawing inspiration from the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and America. It's characterized by classic details, sumptuous furnishings, and a sense of orderly decor. Rich wood tones, decorative moldings, and an emphasis on symmetry contribute to the style’s formal and refined aesthetic. The traditional style creates a timeless and inviting atmosphere, where every piece tells a story of heritage and sophistication.

To achieve a traditional aesthetic in your laundry room, start with a neutral color palette for the walls and layer in rich textures. If you are set on a darker color, consider richer earth tones like chocolate, maroon, or navy, or a mix of colors in a patterned wallpaper for a more luxurious feel. Chenille, silk, brocade, and velvet are great fabric choices for upholstered furniture and window treatments. Bring in decorative elements that are more ornate like gold picture frames, chandelier light fixtures, oil paintings, and vintage rugs and textiles.