Basement Laundry Room Ideas for a Bright, Functional Space

Wallpapered Laundry Room

Laundry room wallpaper — Annie Schlechter

Luxe decor can brighten up the dullest of tasks, as proven by this colorful chinoiserie-style wallpaper. Adding a splash of pattern or color can instantly brighten up any basement room, even if you don't have windows in the space. And, given that most laundry rooms have small square footage, wallpapering won’t be as expensive as it would be in a larger room.

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Vintage Laundry Room Decor

Vintage style laundry room — Laurie Black

Style your laundry room to your taste, as you would any other room in your house. Here, vintage accessories and storage solutions surround the existing utility sink and cabinets in this basement laundry room for a look that feels cozy and timeless. Look for functional accessories that suit your needs and match your house’s overall scheme.

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All-White Basement Laundry Room

An all-white laundry room is a classic look, and a crisp coat of white paint will do much to brighten up a basement space. Simple shaker cabinets and subway tiles are also timeless choices, meaning you won’t need to remodel this space any time soon.

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Add Personality

Make a basement laundry room feel less like a dark basement by giving it presence and personality. Consider lighting and furniture, just like you would in any other space in the home. Here, a vintage chandelier and shelf combine with classic wallpaper to give this laundry room a presence of its own.

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Tiled Laundry Room Walls

Tile is waterproof, wipeable, and stylish, making it a smart choice for a basement laundry room. The colorful ceramic style used here adds cheer and bounces light around an otherwise dim room.

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Install a Drying Rod

If you find yourself hanging clothes from utility pipes to dry, consider installing a rod to hang-dry items that can’t go in the dryer. Given the extra weight of wet clothes, forgo a tension rod for one that screws into the wall for extra support.

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Beadboard Walls

Shiplap or beadboard is a smart finishing option for your basement laundry room, as either material can be installed over studs or concrete. Once installed, it can be sealed or painted for an easily wipeable surface that adds warmth to any space. Here, the beadboard is painted to match the cabinets above, which add functional laundry room storage.

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Adding an Ironing Board

Laundry room with slide-out ironing board — Werner Straube

Increase utility in a small basement laundry room with a slide-out ironing board, which can slide away when not in use. Kits for these ironing boards are easily available online and can be installed at the same time as the rest of your cabinetry.

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Natural Wood Laundry Room Counter

Adding a counter space above your washer and dryer makes for easy organizing and folding. For a basement laundry room, consider a natural wood counter which adds a lot of warmth and may help save money on materials and installation.

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Fresh Laundry Room Paint

Choose a paint color for your laundry room that’s cheerful and also suits the lighting in the space. Warm colors or warm shades (like this blue with yellow undertones) in a satin or gloss finish will reflect light, making them wise choices for rooms with little natural light.

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Traditional Style Laundry Room

This cheerful space is proof that you can make a basement laundry room both chic and functional. Beadboard and brick floors are practical choices for the basement that also add style. A coat of paint and true-to-you accessories are all that’s needed to polish the room.

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Tiled Laundry Room Floors

Laundry room with tiled floor — Nathan Schroder

Tile floors add character and charm to a basement laundry room, and they’re super functional. Tile is waterproof and can be installed over a range of surfaces. If your existing floors are cement, make sure the floors are clean and level and that any cracks are repaired before installing tile.

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Simple Laundry Room Upgrades

Paint or add colorful shelf paper to your laundry room shelves as a simple, done-in-a-day way to add personality to the space. From there, consider adding or updating accessories, such as your laundry baskets, with more functional items that suit your style.

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Organize the Laundry Room

Laundry room cabinet storage — Laura Moss

Keep shelves or closed cabinets organized and accessible with labeled bins. Indicating stain solutions, different types of detergent, and other tools will help everyone in your household use the laundry room independently.

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Choose Affordable Materials

If you’re splurging on appliances, save on decor with classic, inexpensive finishes, such as subway tile and slate floor. Stained natural wood counters and shelves finish the timeless look in this laundry room, which could easily be transformed with accessories.

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