7 Laundry Room Color Palettes to Make Washday More Relaxing

Mix white with subtle colors or a dash of black to create a fresh, clean backdrop for doing laundry

Karen MillsAug 14, 2017

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A soothing, pretty laundry room can help turn the tasks of washing clothes and folding laundry into a more pleasant chore — perhaps even a meditative one. Since most of us don’t have large laundry rooms, I suggest choosing colors that make a small space look larger. As a bonus, in a well-lit space, white and softer colors bounce the light around, helping us see stains better.

Read on for seven calming palettes to inspire your own laundry room refresh. The best part about these options? All you need is a can or two of paint to copy the look.

Rabaut Design Associates, Inc.

Strategy A: White + Light Color

1. Pale aqua and white. One formula for a soothing laundry space is to start with white and then add a light color to your cabinets or walls. What could be more relaxing than a watery blue that evokes the beach? The cool blue wall color here recedes, making the room appear larger. The wainscoting adds texture, and its white color does a great job of reflecting light around the room. Blue flowers and the jars of white detergent maintain the color scheme.

Browse sinks on Houzz

Brooks and Falotico Associates, Inc.

2. Green and white. In this laundry space, the mint green backsplash tile covering the walls creates a serene, spa-like feel for a utilitarian space. White cabinetry adds to the airy look, and the woven baskets and plant add warmth and texture.

Agnieszka Jakubowicz PHOTOGRAPHY

3. Beige and white. Warm colors — yellow, orange, red, brown, and beige — advance toward us, but lighter shades of these colors can still reflect light effectively, helping a room visually expand. In this photo, the vibrant backsplash provides color inspiration for the space, picking up the beige wall and multicolor floor tile.

Designstorms LLC

Strategy B: The Right Gray

4. Gray and white. Even though this former closet has an industrial look, which can feel cold, the new laundry room has a cozy vibe thanks to the towels, wood shelves, and light wall color. Pale gray is a great option for making a small laundry feel soothing and larger. It lightens up the heavy brick wall in this windowless space and complements the dark trim of the shelves. Meanwhile, white trim adds a crisp, clean contrast against the penny floor tile, which brings all the colors together. Wood shelves add an organic element to the room.

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Artistic Renovations of Ohio LLC

5. Gray and white plus yellow. Who doesn’t love the cheery note of yellow juxtaposed against the cool of gray and white? As a bonus, the neutral backdrop provides numerous options for different accent colors in the future; accessories solidify whatever palette you choose. The pear art and yellow on the dog bed (in the open cabinet) repeat the yellow of the rug. The dog bed fabric picks up the gray and white of the cabinetry, backsplash and flooring.

Oliver Custom Homes

6. Blue, gray and white. Even though this laundry room has a large industrial element — the metal slide, which can give off a colder feel — light blue walls and white tile help create a soothing, homey vibe. Dark gray floors ground the space, reinforcing the cabinetry and the accent color in the rug. The clock, woven basket and countertop accessory add texture and interest, while the orange rug adds a jolt of unexpected color.

Tip: If having a bold color in the laundry is a must for you, try introducing it in smaller doses with a rug, artwork or accessories to keep the room feeling lighter and larger overall.

Denton Developments

Strategy C: Classic Contrast

7. Black and white. Though most of my palette suggestions involve light neutral or soothing colors, you also can’t go wrong with the timeless combination of black and white. Here, black cabinetry and gold hardware add a touch of drama and sophistication to this predominantly white room. A gray-and-white backsplash and coordinating patterned floor create a more relaxed look, toning down the high-contrast drama of a black-and-white scheme. The Roman shades reinforce the simple palette, while the plant adds a pop of color.

More
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Comments (54)

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celestina89

@vmbluelemur I think you bring up an interesting point. What looks exciting and comfortable to one person may be depressing to another. I, for one do not do well in small environments. Perhaps that's why I like the outdoors, open lands, yet feel very warm and cozy being in the woods. Yet, in a house, if a room is too large or does too many things, I feel lost.

I don't feel comfortable in a mostly white or grey or dark room, either, but I do like elements of those as long as they are in the background.

To me, a good interior designer or architect for that matter has to take all that in consideration when designing for an individual or even a group.

September 5, 2017