10 Ways to Bring Color Into Your Laundry Room
Make it more fun to fold and sort by brightening up the laundry area
We see a lot of showhouse-worthy laundry rooms on Houzz, but reality for most of us is starkly different. Our laundry areas are often tiny, unfinished spaces — no flair, no style, just purely utilitarian. But we can make the tiniest of laundry closets boost our mood while we’re tackling this chore. The answer is to create a more finished look with color.
Appliances. I’m a big believer in using an appliance until it’s unrepairable. But if you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer, consider color— there’s much more than standard white and stainless steel on the market these days.
Wall paint. This is an inexpensive way to ease the drudgery of laundry — all it takes is a can of paint and a little sweat equity. Whether you want your favorite blue to calm you, a bright yellow to perk you up or an Andy Warhol Brillo-box-inspired red, white and blue palette, adding it via wall paint can be done in less than a day.
Rugs. Here’s a scenario many of us are familiar with: the basement laundry area. Even if your basement is unfinished, an area rug can sweeten it up. Flat weaves, indoor-outdoor materials and carpet tiles are good options for this kind of space.
Wall decals. Decals come in all shapes, colors and sizes and are an easy, inexpensive and impermanent way to bring playful design and color to a laundry room.
Flooring. The good news about having a small laundry room is that you won’t need to buy much tile if you decide to go that route. You might even have some left over from a previous project or be able to find enough at a ReStore or on clearance. Marmoleum and linoleum are other good laundry room options.
Artwork. If you’re running out of wall space for your favorite paintings, photos and prints in the rest of the house, consider the laundry room. Even if your eyes can barely see over a basket overflowing with clothes, looking at art you love will give you a lift whenever you enter.
Wallpaper. If you want to get more elaborate, approach your laundry room with that “jewel box” mentality designers have toward powder rooms — you can make a big design departure from the rest of the house because this space is usually hidden behind a door. Here, a bold pattern, bright cabinetry and jewel-like cabinet hardware make this one enticing little room. And, just as with tile, you won’t have to purchase much wallpaper to cover a compact laundry room.
See how wallpaper adds a fresh touch to 12 laundry rooms
See how wallpaper adds a fresh touch to 12 laundry rooms
Skirts. Skirting the machines, a storage area or the sink lets you bring in pattern and color through fabric. If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your laundry area, a curtain or shade can make a big impact.
Countertops. If you have front-loading machines, installing a counter over them will be an investment you’ll be forever happy you made. Aside from the practicality, look at it as an opportunity to bring in a color you’ve always loved but may not have anywhere else in your house. The laundry room is a good place to go for something bold and different.
Tiled backsplash. Again, a little will go a long way in a laundry room. This tiny mosaic tile jazzes up a room dominated by appliances and white cabinets.
Tell us: Have you added any colorful touches to your laundry area? Please share with us in the Comments.
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Tell us: Have you added any colorful touches to your laundry area? Please share with us in the Comments.
More
The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do
7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Laundry Room