4 laundry room design mistakes that professionals always notice

It’s time to stop overlooking the laundry room! Interior designers say this space should be functional and inviting in equal measure. Here, the pros reveal the four most common mistakes they make when evaluating laundry rooms—and also offer advice on what to do instead.

Squeezing a sink into a small space

If your laundry room is really too small, you may want to skip the sink. “I often see people use stackable cabinets and then put a sink next to them, but I think it’s more important to have space for laundry or baskets,” says Bridget Tiek, founder of Tiek by Day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

If you really can’t live without a sink nearby, Tiek recommends an all-in-one front-loading unit. “No more transferring or forgetting wet laundry!”

Do not prioritize functionality

“When designing laundry rooms, people forget that they need to function like a kitchen for clothes; there needs to be some sense of a work triangle and work flow to increase efficiency,” says Chad Graci, founder of Graci Interiors in New Orleans, Louisiana. That means positioning your appliances — and any other stations in the room — thoughtfully to maximize productivity. Also, be careful not to crowd the space. “Make sure you leave 36 to 38 inches of space in front of the washer to accommodate swinging doors, a human, and a hamper,” says Sara Hillery, founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia.

Designing a boring room

Your laundry room doesn’t have to be your favorite room in the house, but it should be a fun place to hang out while still reflecting your style. “We like to add special touches like antique doors, fun wallpaper, unique lighting or colorful paint to make you feel comfortable using the space,” says Zandy Gammons, the founder of Miretta Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina. Because the laundry room is a small, enclosed space, it can also be a great space to experiment with a bold pattern or a color that’s new to you.

Laura Fox, founder of Laura Fox Interior Design in Kensington, Maryland, agrees. “This is definitely a utilitarian space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun,” she says. “Add a bit of color, fun tiles or wallpaper; something unexpected can be fun here. Maybe it’s a lively focal point in an otherwise quiet hallway.”

Don’t think about cupboards

When in doubt, opt for custom cabinets for the laundry room, advises Rachel Cannon, founder of Rachel Cannon Limited in Baton Rouge. Some factors to consider when designing closets include how often you do laundry, what else needs to be stored in the room and your daily routines, Cannon says.