What is one room in your home that we don’t talk enough about? Laundry Rooms! Your entire household uses the laundry room, and there are many creative ways to make it functional, impactful, and luxurious for the whole family. Laundry rooms are often dull, not-so-functional, and small, but we believe laundry rooms have a unique power to make you fall in love with your home even more. A well-designed laundry room has functional storage and a place for washing, drying, and sorting. It also has space to house supplies and other essentials. As interior designers, we know that little details like enhanced lighting features, pet areas, and decorative elements make your laundry room stand out. Let’s explore ways how to create your dream laundry room organization.

What to know about Laundry Rooms

Washing and drying clothes and household items has always been a laborious chore. Before the invention of electric washing machines and dryers, older homes did not have a dedicated space for the never-ending task. When electric washers and dryers became a staple in homes, they were often placed in dark and dingy basements, back porches, or small, cramped spaces. Today, laundry rooms have come a long way, evolving into multifunctional spaces designed for efficiency, convenience, and style.

Laundry rooms are on any level of a home. In recent years, 2nd-floor laundry rooms have become popular for families who want to keep their laundry near their rooms where the clothes and linens live. Having a productive laundry space is everyone’s ultimate goal. Effective laundry room design revolves around addressing its core functions. Not every laundry space is created equal, and depending on the age or size of your home, you might have only a closet or multiple laundry rooms throughout your home. This makes understanding the most efficient organization key to a happy home.

Primary Functions of a Laundry Room

The main functions of a modern laundry room are as diverse as the needs of its users. Here are some of the primary roles it plays in today’s homes:

• Provide Storage Solutions – Storage in a laundry room is a must! There are many oddly shaped items you may want to avoid in sight. With cabinetry and open shelving with bins, you can create a home for things that need to be stored away and give them an interior design flair.
• Sorting System: Whether you are a “throw it all in one load” type, or if you prefer to separate different kinds of laundry—whites, colors, delicates, and so on, you should plan to have a place to sort your laundry. Your laundry room can include labeled bins or baskets to simplify your sorting, keeping the process streamlined and ready for you to put in the next load.
• Soaking/Washing/Drying/Folding: A counter or pull-out shelf is a great place for pre-treating and folding clothes, and incorporating a pull-down rack or sliding drying rack is always a good idea to keep laundered clothes all in one place.
• Ironing and Hanging: Innovative solutions like a heated towel rack or a wall-mounted ironing board offer convenient ironing, saving you space and added comfort.
• A Place For Pets:  A laundry room is perfect for an integrated pet station. A built-in dog bed, a discreet litterbox cabinet, or a total bathing station with water and drainage to contain outside messes of your furry friends is becoming more popular! It’s an innovative built-in solution that keeps your furry friend’s needs in mind while seamlessly integrating them into your daily routines. Read more about how a pet station is a functional addition to your home in our June blog, What is a pet station: Innovative built-in for furry friends.

Laundry Room Style Tips

By themselves, laundry rooms are not the most glamorous rooms. Your family spends much time in that space, so it is worth the investment and an opportunity to bring it to life and show off your personality. Not to mention that adding a touch of flair can make laundry chores feel less mundane and more enjoyable. The space will feel just as curated as the other rooms in the home.

Here are some style tips to consider:

• Add a Fun Wallpaper: Vibrant and fun wallpaper sets the stage for the design. Whimsical patterns, bold colors, or even nature-inspired designs can liven up the space instantly. Wallpaper adds visual interest and transforms the room not only on walls but on the ceiling or inside built-ins.
• Patterned and Bold Tile: Elevate the floor or backsplash with patterned or interesting tiles. Geometric patterns, mosaic designs, or colorful tiles can bring a sense of vibrancy and character to the room. These tiles serve as functional elements and act as stylish accents.
• Decorative Pieces: A designer laundry room involves adding in botanicals, decorative accessories, rugs, and artwork. These elements come together to make your laundry room feel luxurious and give it a warm and inviting feel. 
• Color Palette: Selecting a cohesive color palette can tie the entire laundry room together. Soft pastels like mint green, powder blue, or blush pink can create a calming atmosphere. Alternatively, bold and contrasting colors like navy blue and white or deep gray with pops of yellow can infuse energy into the space. A well-thought-out color scheme can make the laundry room feel like an extension of your home’s design. Take a look at this second-floor laundry space, where the bright Sherwin Williams Revel Blue SW6530 painted doors add a pop of color to the hallway.

Laundry Room Lighting Solutions

Lighting in any room makes or breaks the space. With the proper lighting, your laundry room will be a bright and welcoming space to tackle your daily tasks efficiently. Depending on the size of the laundry room, you will need at minimum ambient and task lighting. Task lighting is great over utility sinks and folding stations, while ambient lighting will provide the light for the entire room.

In the design below, we used a one-light wall sconce over the shelving to add accent lighting and over the dry rack for task lighting. The room has an overhead light for the ambient lighting. What to learn more about lighting? Check out our blog with tips for choosing the best lighting fixtures.

Laundry Room Organization for Charlotte Homeowners

When it comes to laundry, you want a practical and functional space that maximizes storage and allows you to enjoy your room. An organized and well-designed space makes doing laundry less mundane and ensures you have everything you need in one area. If you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, be mindful of your laundry room. There are so many great features to make the space functional. Drying racks, baskets, and laundry organizers to hang and separate clothes and linens are great features to include in your laundry room layout.

We understand the importance of thoughtful laundry room design at Gracious Home Interiors. We love having fun with color, patterns, and texture and creating custom laundry solutions for every home we design. With wallpaper, intricate tile patterns, and a thoughtfully chosen color palette, your laundry room becomes a design statement in its own right. No spaces are alike; we find elements that fit your home and your needs.

Are you in Charlotte, NC, or surrounding areas like Waxhaw, NC, Fort Mill, SC, or Weddington, NC, and looking for interior design help and expertise? Reach out to us to get started building the home of your dreams.