4 Laundry Room Design Mistakes Pros Always Notice

It's time to stop overlooking the laundry room! This should be a space that is equal parts functional and welcoming, interior designers say. Here, the pros share the four most common mistakes they come across when evaluating laundry rooms—and they also provide advice for what to do instead.

Squeezing A Sink Into A Small Space

If your laundry space is truly lacking square footage, you're better off skipping a sink. "A lot of times I see people go to stackable units and then put a sink on the side, but I find that the need for laying out clothes/ having space for baskets is more important," says Bridget Tiek, the founder of Tiek by Day in Baton Rouge. Louisiana.

If you truly cannot live without a sink nearby, Tiek recommends opting for an all-in-one front loading unit. "No more transferring wet laundry or forgetting it!"

Not Prioritizing Functionality

"When designing laundry rooms people forget that it needs to function like a kitchen for clothing; there needs to be some sense of a work triangle and flow for efficiency," says Chad Graci, the founder of Graci Interiors in New Orleans, Louisiana. This means mindfully positioning your appliances—and any other stations within the room—to maximize productivity. Additionally, be sure to not cram the space full. "Make sure you leave 36 to 38 inches in front of the washer machine to allow for swinging doors, a human, and a laundry basket," says Sara Hillery, the founder of Sara Hillery Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia.

Designing A Blah Space

Your laundry room doesn't have to be your favorite room of the home, but it should be an enjoyable place to be in and still reflect your style. "We love to add special details like antique doors, fun wallpaper, unique lighting, or colorful paint so when you are using the room, it makes you happy," says Zandy Gammons, the founder of Miretta Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina. Given that the laundry room is a small, closed off space, it can also be a great room in which to experiment with a bold pattern or new to you color.

Laura Fox, founder of Laura Fox Interior Design in Kensington, Maryland, agrees. "This is for sure a utilitarian space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun," she says. "Add a little color, fun tile, or wallpaper; something a little unexpected can be fun here. Maybe it’s a vibrant peek-a-boo down an otherwise quiet hallway."

Not Think About Cabinetry

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