Today I’m sharing our colorful small laundry room makeover. Bright coral paint and citrus prints make doing chores feel fresh and fun. Our laundry room in this house is a small space, but very sufficient. While I admire the designer laundry spaces on Pinterest and in magazines, I’ve never felt the need to dedicate a large area to or invest in custom cabinetry for our laundry room. For us, doing laundry is quick and easy, and this room is the perfect size for the task. The room originally had open shelving hung over the washer and dryer, which I removed and replaced with art. I get into all the design details below.
Makeover Inspiration
My original inspiration for our laundry room came from a closet design. I love the coral walls in the image below, and the photo became the starting point for my own small laundry room makeover. There are plenty of amazing laundry room ideas available online, and some of my favorite room designs result from using inspiration from a completely unrelated space. Whether you’re planning a DIY laundry room makeover, having your laundry space professionally remodeled, or just making a few small changes, having a clear vision leads to great results. A lot of work takes place in the laundry room, so it’s worth having a space that makes you smile.
Laundry Room Design Plan
For the design plan for our laundry room, I focused on functionality first. The washing machine and dryer area needed to work seamlessly. I don’t fold laundry in this room and use a hanging area in another part of the house, so I didn’t need to allocate any space to those tasks. I also don’t iron here, so my design plan was fairly simple and very focused on efficiency. As I mentioned earlier, I planned to remove the existing open shelves above the machines and replace them with art since we didn’t need the extra storage.
As you plan your own laundry space update, think carefully about how you’ll use the room each day. It’s important to consider your functional space and how your laundry area will work for your routine. Do you need a place to fold or a spot for hanging? You can maximize function by using all areas wisely, including the top of the washer for folding and good use of vertical space for hanging or storage.
From a décor perspective, I wanted fresh paint, art, lighting, and a few small storage pieces in my space. My goal was to keep the items in the room minimal while letting the design details create impact. This space was also nice to update because it was a true blank canvas. With no existing art or storage in mind to reuse, it was easy to design a laundry room that felt intentional and complete.
Laundry Room Makeover Walls
The walls of this space are painted Coral Essence by Benjamin Moore. A fresh coat of paint instantly transforms the room, adding a bright pop of color to a small space with no natural light. The room started with plain white walls, so it truly felt like a blank canvas ready for something cheerful. On the back wall behind the machines, the dryer vent and water hookups are semi-hidden, keeping the focus on the coral color that now defines the space.
Choosing Lighting
The lighting in this space is simple and intentional. Because this small room has no natural light, I chose a white fixture that blends seamlessly with the ceiling to keep the focus on the coral walls. In small rooms, lighting that feels integrated in the color scheme rather than bold helps the space appear larger and more cohesive. The white beaded fixture from Amazon adds subtle texture while keeping the overall look clean and bright.
Wall Decor
The wall art is my favorite detail in the room. The coral paint has the brightness of a grapefruit, so a series of citrus portraits was the perfect complement. The prints fill the wall space nicely and add to the cheerfulness of the space. I found a set of six prints on Etsy and chose the three that worked best together. The frames were originally white, refreshed with a quick coat of gold spray paint.
Laundry Room Makeover Storage
While I knew I didn’t want a wall of cabinets in this room, I did need a few practical storage solutions. The space had to hold laundry essentials like detergent, stain remover, and the wool dryer balls I use regularly. I also wanted room for dirty laundry baskets since the kids drop their dirty clothes directly into the laundry room (we keep a hamper in our primary closet). The basket on the washer that holds our laundry essentials is a Goodwill find, and the scalloped basket on the floor from HomeGoods fits the space perfectly. We have just the right amount of floor space for what we need without making the room feel crowded.
From a storage perspective, I wanted both flat and hanging space but didn’t need them to be in this room. I decided on a folding drying rack that I keep set up in our guest room for air-drying clothes. I don’t store my ironing board in this space either, but I recommend using an over-the-door ironing board rack. It’s a simple, space-saving option that I use in our primary closet.
Smart Laundry Room Updates
When planning a laundry room makeover, the location of your laundry space can help guide your design choices. Whether your setup is a laundry closet tucked into a hallway or a small area off the powder room, making the best use of available space is key. Look for ways to streamline, maximize storage, and maintain visual flow so the room feels connected to the rest of your home. Even compact areas can feel intentional when every inch is thoughtfully planned.
For smaller laundry rooms, creative solutions can make a big impact. A stackable washer and dryer instantly frees up floor space, while a wall-mounted drying rack provides flexibility without adding clutter. Consider adding a tall cabinet or upper cabinets for storing detergent, dryer sheets, and cleaning supplies. Combining storage and functionality keeps everything within reach while maintaining a clean, cohesive look.
A Finished Space That Works
This small laundry room makeover is world of difference from where it started with a few thoughtful updates. A fresh color palette and simple design choices turned an ordinary task into something more enjoyable. The entire room now feels bright and cheerful. It’s the perfect place to take care of everyday chores with a little extra charm.
Every home has areas that need to work hard, and the laundry room is one of them. Even a small room can become both functional and stylish with intentional planning. Focus on what makes the space practical for your routine, then layer in color, art, and texture to bring it to life. Simple updates, from lighting to paint, can transform how the space looks and feels, turning an everyday task into something you actually enjoy.
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