How to Make Your Laundry Closet Feel Like A Laundry Room

When we moved into our new home, redoing the laundry area wasn’t even on my radar. I mean… it’s a laundry closet in the basement. Who really cares, right?

But then we discovered the washer and dryer that came with the house leaked—requiring us to manually turn off the water between every load. Fun, right? That little problem fast-tracked a new laundry set to the top of the list.

And once the old set was out, staring at that empty closet felt like an invitation. Why not give this space a little love? If we were ever going to paint or rework anything, now was the time.

So I decided to turn our laundry closet into something that felt less like a forgotten corner and more like a real laundry room. And spoiler: it worked. With a few thoughtful upgrades, you can transform even the tiniest nook into a space that’s efficient, tidy, and dare I say, kind of cute.

Here’s exactly how I did it—plus some helpful tips and products to help you pull it off too.

How to Make Your Laundry Closet Feel Like a Laundry Room

Let’s be honest—having a big, beautiful laundry room like the ones we drool over on Pinterest would be amazing. But for most of us, that’s just not the setup we’re working with.

In nearly every house we toured, the laundry space was more of a closet than a room—often tucked into a hallway and, more often than not, a bit of an eyesore.

But here’s the good news: with a few smart updates, even a tiny laundry closet can feel like a functional, stylish space you actually enjoy using. It doesn’t take a full renovation—just a little creativity and intention.

1. Paint It Like It Matters

The fastest way to elevate your laundry closet? Treat it like any other room in your house.

Most laundry closets are builder-grade white, and that just reinforces the “forgotten utility space” vibe. Instead, choose a color that feels intentional—something you’d love in a spacious laundry room.

I went with Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed on the walls (a soft, airy blue-green) and Extra White on the trim and cabinets. The fresh paint alone made it feel instantly brighter, cleaner, and more like a room.

Here’s the before and after of my laundry closet paint job.

2. Maximize Storage (Even if You’re Working with Inches)

Small space? No problem. There are so many clever ways to squeeze in smart storage and make your laundry closet work harder:

• Floating shelves above the washer/dryer are great for storing detergent, dryer sheets, and other essentials.

• Add shallow wall-mounted cabinets if you want to hide the clutter.

• Install a tension rod or a shower rod like this between the walls or under the cabinets to hang freshly ironed or delicate clothes.

• Try a retractable drying rack or space-saving hanger rack to skip the guest room drying situation.

Try These Laundry Closet MVPs:

• Wall-Mounted Drying Rack

• Slim Rolling Cart (perfect for between washer & wall)

• Over-the-Door Ironing Board Holder

• Matching Canisters for Laundry Detergent & Pods

Our laundry closet has bars on each side of the cabinets and a small slot to stash the ironing board between the washer and wall. It’s simple, but it works like a charm.

3. Add Some Personality

Yes, it’s a laundry closet. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be cute.

Try adding:

• Fun laundry-themed art prints like “Loads of Fun” or “Wash, Dry, Fold, Repeat” (Etsy has tons of printable options!)

• A small rug to cozy things up underfoot (look for machine-washable ones!)

• Decorative storage bins or fabric baskets that match your color scheme

Even if you still dread doing laundry (relatable), at least the space will feel calm and tidy while you’re in it.

4. Think Vertical

Don’t forget the walls and door—especially in a closet space where every inch counts.

Some ideas:

• Use wall hooks or a pegboard for small items like lost socks, bags for delicates, or cleaning tools.

• Hang a laundry schedule printable to help keep track of the chaos (especially if you’ve got a big family).

• Install a small fold-down ironing board if you’ve got the space.

5. Hide the Ugly Stuff

Detergent bottles and cleaning supplies don’t need to be the first thing you see.

• Transfer detergent into clear or labeled glass containers to create a clean, uniform look.

• Store dryer sheets and pods in cute baskets or canisters.

• Use a cord organizer to keep things tidy around the machines.

This labeled laundry set looks amazing on open shelves and makes the space feel so put together.

Bonus: Add a Little Luxury

If you want to really level it up, consider adding a few “extra” touches:

• Plug in a small diffuser with a fresh laundry scent.

• Install under-cabinet lights for better visibility and ambiance.

• Add a Bluetooth speaker or a little waterproof radio to make folding less boring.

Let’s be real: Most of us don’t have a Pinterest-worthy laundry room with cabinets for days and a farmhouse sink. But with a few tweaks, your laundry closet can feel like a space you actually don’t hate.

Start with fresh paint, add storage that makes sense, personalize it with cute touches, and hide the clutter—and you’ll be surprised how much it changes your laundry experience.

Ready to refresh your own laundry closet? Browse my Amazon laundry favorites here or check out these 18 Practical Laundry Room Design Ideas to get inspired.