I'd start with functionality. Do you have space for everything? It looks like storage is limited. Your cabinets are relatively small. I'd be looking at replacing them with something that holds more. What's under the counter? I'd think under the counter would be a good place for a pull-out laundry basket. It looks like too much space for a washer and dryer.

I'd replace the venetian blinds with a pretty, patterned Roman shade. The room could do with some more color.

I would surprise your wife with the gift of anew room that she can design with the help of a professional. Fix up a lovely card and let her make the decisions for a space that she uses all the time

Even if it is a remote consultation with one of the great professionals here on Houzz

We will need some measurements but I see no space for a sink and honestly I have never had a laundry sink in 62 yrs and never missed it The new machines have so many opyions for saoking etc that I would not bother with thta. A pullout from the wall for some hanging space . I assume the couter covers the dryer ??? Pretty tiny space and what does she need for storage . A fun wallpaper on that wall could work but I need to see the whole space please . Post the new pics here in a comment DO NOT start another post I have less cabinets than that in my laundry room I only store stuff needed for laundry and ironing sowe need to know aht she needs . BTW I hang up and put away all the laundry since I do laundry every day . It grosses me out to have dirty laundry laying around .

The 4 houses we have owned have all had sinks in the laundry room. I made sure to add one when we built. Wouldn't want a laundry room without one.

Draw a floor plan of the space with all dimensions. You have potential for lots of storage space by adding cabinets to the ceiling. I think you have room to fit what you want.

Search for "small laundry room" in Houzz Photos for more ideas.

2015 Acadiana St. Jude Dream Home · More Info

Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink · More Info

I think, I would ask your wife to help you plan it, rather than surprise her. What you and others come up with for a plan, may be something, that she doesnt even want. She is the one that uses that room, and it should be designed for her.

P.C. Consulting above repeatedly has disparaged the usefulness for a sink in a laundry room. I would dearly love to have one, so many potential uses. Cleaning shoes vs. wrestling with a garden hose on them in the heat of summer or cold of winter, or a shallow lavatory sink. Washing the cat box vs. wrestling with a garden hose on it in the cold of winter. Washing the filter from the window unit in the dog patio room instead of wrestling with a garden hose on it. Washing the stick-vac filter and housing vs. wresting with a garden hose on it or a shallow bathroom sink.

It’s ok to value a deep sink in a laundry room even though not all share that value. Whether there is space for a sink in your room is a separate question. Share dimensions and priorities and a sympathetic designer will assist in attaining your goals.

I would include your wife in the room redesign especially if she's the primary user. Perhaps she'll want a stackable washer/dryer to make room for more counter, sink and hanging/storage. There's a new washer/dryer on the market that does both wash and dry in the same unit! I'm enticed by the concept.

I agree with Dadoes. I also use my laundry room sink for so many things that I don't want to do in the kitchen or bathroom sinks. My dogs are small and that's their bath tub. 😄 I rinse out paintbrushes, use it to soak things for cleaning in various chemicals that again, I really don't want near food prep, etc..

While it's obviously not a life or death matter....neither is a laundry room at all. So if you're lucky enough to have one, having a sink in it seems a no brainer to me. I just can't tell if you actually have room for one.

"jackowskib: There's a new washer/dryer on the market that does both wash and dry in the same unit! I'm enticed by the concept"

That isn't a new concept. Combination washer/dryer units were on the U.S. market in the 1950s into the 1970s. Most of the major brands had them. Kenmore (sourced from Whirlpool) and GE were the last before they were discontinued during that era.

Kudos for the thoughtful gift idea! Post a floor plan for best feedback. Consider surprising your spouse with a note about the gift of a renovation as suggested. She can view the ideas on this thread and make her design decisions.

I don’t know how your house is decorated or what construction is possible, but have a couple of inspiration pics of rooms a similar size to yours.

Have you considered hiring a local pro?

I’d LOVE a sink in my laundry room!

I should mention I have had a utility sink but never where I do laundry and putting paint and chemicals down a drain are always a bad idea.. We have had a utility sink under out stairs in this last house and I admit came in handy . I like laundry rooms to be a designated space ,no food storage no chemicals stored just laundry and laundry stuff . I have never had or want to have a huge waste of space laundry room to have to add to my cleaning every week so the one posted is a great size but we need all the measurments and better pics. We also need some clue as to the style of the home , your wifes fave colors . Surprises need to be done with planning.

The sink decision might be based on plumbing and space/storage prioritizations. Perhaps have a pro provide options/costs and based on feedback, can draw up layout(s). If you lose window for example, you’ll gain valuable space.

Surprise your wife with the layouts (which she may want to tweek), along with inspiration pictures of room with similar layouts (and even tile and flooring samples) to make it feel real, as this is when the design decisions begin.

As noted above - stackables might be your best bet!

Agree with the guidance to involve your wife in the planning. Strongly.