By Minimalist Designs Homes Minimalist laundry room ideas can look great without going over the top. The goal isn’t to strip the room bare. Instead, think about using the space wisely—make it functional but nice to look at. Avoid clutter.
The goal is to simplify—have just what you need without too much extra stuff. This creates a clean and calming room for chores.
Before we get into design thoughts, let me quickly say what minimalism is really about. It’s not just about using less stuff. It’s about having only what you totally need and designing things practically and on purpose. When it’s done right, minimalism makes a space feel calm and tidy.
10 Minimalist Laundry Room Design Ideas
Want to give your laundry room a little makeover? We hear you. Who wants to hang out in a boring little closet doing chores all day? Make it cute so it doesn’t feel like punishment on laundry day!
Here’s a few simple ways to spice things up:
1. Stick to Neutral Colors
Boring colors like white, gray, or beige make the room feel clean and airy instead of messy. Add pops of color with towels or art. Keep walls, floors, and furniture neutral.
2. Add Storage that Disappears
To avoid clutter, have a spot for everything – even boring stuff. Built-in shelves and drawers allow you to tuck things away. Try cabinets with sliding doors to fully hide necessities. Out of sight, out of mind!
3. Choose Multipurpose Furniture
Furniture takes up valuable space in a small laundry room. Instead of a regular table, go for something with storage, like a cabinet with a fold-down surface. Or stackable washers and dryers to save floor space. Get double duty from pieces!
4. Display Pretty Laundry Essentials
Okay, we said to hide stuff. But some laundry-related items look nice on display, like pretty hampers made from woven seagrass or stacked mesh bags. A minimalist laundry room is about keeping only what you use and love—and not being afraid to show it off a little!
5. Add Greenery for Freshness
No laundry room is complete without at least one lively plant! Not only does greenery liven up a neutral color scheme, but some plants even improve air quality. A potted ivy or herb would feel right at home next to the washer and dryer. Remember to water it occasionally!
6. Use Space-Saving Drying Racks
Install foldable wall-mounted racks that can disappear when not hanging drippy clothing. Or opt for a ceiling-mounted pull-down drying rack to get your laundry totally out of the way. Air dry in style!
7. Brighten with Simple Lighting
Dim, dreary lighting helps no one trying to fight stains or match socks. The bright, white light should be the goal. Supplement overhead lights with under cabinet fixtures to illuminate specific tasks. If possible, make use of natural light from windows. Sunshine is the best disinfectant!
8. Fold-Down Drying Racks
Laundry rooms tend to get grimy thanks to dirt, soap, and the occasional spilled bottle of bleach (oops!). Choose floors that can stand up to spills without staining, like vinyl, tile, or sealed concrete. To soften the utilitarian vibe, add an easy-clean rug.
9. Keep Floors Simple and Functional
Mops, brooms, laundry baskets—these necessary items can make a room seem cluttered. Store cleaning tools in floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Built-in cubbies keep laundry baskets out of sight. Appliances can even disappear behind sliding barn doors when not in use. Out of sight, out of mind!
10. Conceal Everything You Can
A minimalist laundry room isn’t about deprivation. It’s about carefully curating belongings so you only see what you need and love. Edit out the ugly clutter so things feel clean, bright, and inviting. Focus on purposeful organization solutions and decor you actually enjoy.
Why a Minimalist Laundry Room is Best
Having a basic laundry room makes doing laundry easier and less stressful. By keeping things simple and organized, your laundry routine will go smoother.
The Good Stuff:
- Less Mess = Less Stress: Getting rid of stuff you don’t need helps you focus on what matters and things stay neat.
- Easy Cleaning: With less clutter everywhere, cleaning is quicker. You spend time enjoying your space, not dusting.
- Save Time: When everything has a home, laundry goes faster. No more hunting for lost detergent or baskets!
- Trendy and Classic: Simple designs stay in style for years. You won’t need to redecorate much.
- More Room: Keeping less stuff means more room to move around. Even a small laundry room will feel bigger.
Fixing Common Problems
While a simple laundry room is great, some issues can arise. But no worries—they’re easy to handle!
- Feels Cold and Bare
Sometimes, “less is more” makes a room feel sterile. It’s not cozy at all.
Add warm touches like wood counters, soft rugs, or little plants. It makes everything feel welcoming.
- Not Enough Storage
You need a spot for laundry necessities, even with limited stuff.
Use unseen storage like cabinets or bins that match the vibe. Wall hooks and open shelving work, too.
- Boring Decor
Going too basic can feel dull and characterless.
Bring in personal stuff like cute laundry baskets or family photos. Adds style and heart.
- Dark and Gloomy
Bright, airy spaces are key, but bad lighting ruins the vibe.
Install good overhead lights, under-cabinet lights, or natural light from windows. Bright white bulbs give the room a feeling of sunlight.
- Hard to Maintain
Sometimes, clutter sneaks back in, and simplicity slips away.
Do regular decluttering. Toss stuff you don’t use. Keeping things essential retains the minimal look and organization.
The Downsides of a Minimalist Laundry Room
Having a basic laundry room can be nice, but there are some problems you might run into.
1. It can feel boring.
With less stuff on the walls or shelves, the room might not feel like your own.
Try putting up a couple of photos or getting a fun light fixture to add some personality.
2. You might not have enough storage.
Minimalism focuses on reducing clutter. But you still need places to put laundry stuff.
Use smart storage ideas like hidden shelves and wall hooks to keep things tidy but easy to access.
3. It takes work to keep it simple.
Over time, more stuff piles up, and soon, it won’t look minimalist anymore.
Set aside time every few months to go through everything. Toss or donate stuff you don’t need.
4. It can feel cold and uninviting.
Too little stuff can make a room feel sterile. Incorporate wood, baskets, rugs, and other natural materials. This adds warmth to the simple look.
5. It might not work for big families.
Lots of laundry requires more appliances and storage, which is hard to balance with a minimalist vibe.
Try to keep it as streamlined as possible while still meeting your family’s laundry needs.
A minimalist laundry room can feel peaceful and calm. But you need to find the right balance between simple and practical. Address any issues upfront to create a space that works for you and still looks clean.