Laundry rooms come in all shapes and sizes, from small closet-like spaces to large dedicated rooms. While function is important, the color you choose for your laundry room can have a big impact on the overall feel of the space. When selecting a color, it’s important to think about the practical needs of a laundry room as well as your own personal style preferences.
Practical Considerations
When choosing a color for your laundry room, there are a few practical considerations to keep in mind:
- Lighting – Laundry rooms tend to have limited natural light, so light paint colors can help brighten the space. Darker colors may make the room feel smaller and darker.
- Cleanability – Laundry rooms can get messy from dirt, lint, and spills. Choosing a durable, washable paint in a semi-gloss or high-gloss sheen will make the walls easier to clean.
- Reflectivity – Light-colored paint will help reflect light around the room, making it feel brighter and more open.
- Mood – While laundry isn’t the most exciting chore, choosing an energizing, cheerful color may help inspire you to keep up with the laundry.
Keeping these practical considerations in mind will ensure you select a paint color that stands up to the high-traffic, messy nature of a laundry room.
Popular Laundry Room Color Schemes
When selecting a color scheme for your laundry room, you’ll want to strike a balance between practicality and your own personal taste. Here are some popular laundry room color schemes to consider:
- White – A white or off-white laundry room is a classic choice because it keeps things light and airy. Pair white walls with neutral tiles or flooring to create a clean, bright space.
- Gray – Shades of gray have been popular for laundry rooms because they provide a neutral backdrop that’s easy to decorate around. Go for a pale gray for an airier look or charcoal gray for drama.
- Blue – From pale sky blue to bold navy, blue is an energetic color that conjures images of water. It’s a popular choice for laundry rooms because of the connection with washing.
- Green – Earthy greens like sage and olive are versatile options for laundry rooms. Green has a calming effect and provides a nice neutral backdrop.
- Yellow – Cheery shades of yellow can infuse a laundry room with energizing brightness. Avoid going too dark or intense with yellows in a smaller space.
- Beige – Warm beige tones make for a subdued, soothing laundry room backdrop. The natural color also pairs well with both warm and cool accent colors.
You certainly don’t have to stick to just one color. Consider using one color on the walls and another on the cabinetry for contrast.
Factors to Consider in Your Color Choice
Beyond the popular color schemes, there are a few other factors to consider when selecting a laundry room color:
- Existing Features – Look at features like tile, flooring, countertops, and cabinetry and choose wall colors that complement them. You want a cohesive look.
- Type of Lighting – Rooms with natural daylight can handle deeper, bolder colors while rooms with only artificial lighting are best served by lighter colors that make the space feel bright and airy.
- Size of Space – Small laundry rooms will feel more open with light, bright colors. Larger laundry rooms can handle deeper, dramatic colors without feeling closed in.
- Personal Preference – While considering practical factors, choose colors that match your own personal style. The color should inspire you and make you happy.
Best Paint Finish for Laundry Rooms
In addition to color, pay attention to the type of paint and finish you use in your laundry room. The paint needs to stand up to moisture, stains, and frequent cleaning.
The best paint finishes for laundry rooms are:
- Semi-gloss – This finish has a nice sheen that reflects light. It’s easy to clean and touch up when needed.
- Gloss/High-gloss – The most durable and reflective finish. High-gloss enamel paint provides excellent stain resistance and scrubbability.
- Epoxy – Extremely durable industrial-grade finish resistant to moisture, chemicals, and scratches.
- Mold-inhibiting – Contains an additive that prevents mold and mildew growth, which is useful for humid laundry rooms.
Matte, flat, and eggshell paint finishes should generally be avoided since they stain easily and are hard to clean. Stick with higher gloss finishes for maximum durability.
Creative Color Ideas for Small Laundry Rooms
Small laundry rooms present some unique color challenges but don’t have to feel dark or cramped. Here are some creative color ideas for opening up a small laundry space:
- Paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls to create a sense of lift.
- Use lighter colors on cabinets and shelving to prevent them from feeling imposing or overwhelming.
- Paint the back wall a deeper shade to create faux depth and push the wall back visually.
- Choose colors with cool undertones like green, blue, or gray to make the room feel more open.
- Add mirrors or reflective surfaces to make the room feel larger and bounce light around.
- Repeating wall colors on cabinetry gives a cohesive unified look rather than a choppy mismatched feel.
Strategic use of color and reflective surfaces can work magic on a small laundry space. The key is keeping the palette light and bright.
Best Laundry Room Colors for Small Spaces
Here are some top color choices for making small laundry rooms look and feel more expansive:
| Color | Benefits |
|---|---|
| White | Brightens and enlarges space |
| Light gray | Feels crisp and clean |
| Sky blue | Airly, cheerful vibe |
| Pale yellow | Warm and welcoming |
| Soft green | Soothing earthy tone |
Lighter warm neutrals like white, beige, ivory, and soft yellow can make small rooms feel cozy. Cool tones like pale blue-gray, mint, and sage come off as more cleansing for a laundry space. Use color strategically to control the look and feel of your compact laundry room.
Choosing Paint and Finishes for Laundry Rooms
The specific paint and finish you choose for a laundry room should be based on the color scheme, the needs of the space, and your budget. Here are some great options to consider:
- Interior latex paint – Budget-friendly option that allows for easy soap and water cleanup of stains and splatters. Eggshell or satin finish latex paints work for most laundry rooms.
- Enamel paint – Provides a durable, glossy finish that is easy to wipe down. Ideal for laundry rooms. Alkyd enamel resists yellowing.
- Epoxy paint – Extremely durable industrial finish ideal for high-moisture laundry rooms. Resists stains, chemicals, abrasion, and mildew.
- Mold-inhibiting paint – Contains additives that prevent mold growth. Useful for humid, damp laundry rooms.
- Moisture-resistant drywall – Special drywall designed for laundry rooms resists warping and deterioration from moisture.
Consider finishes like tile backsplashes and wall panels as added protection against moisture damage. Proper prep and primer will also help any paint adhere smoothly and permanently.
Creative Color Pairings for Laundry Rooms
Color pairing is an art that can make a laundry room feel cohesive. Here are some creative color combinations to inspire you:
- Pale blue walls + white cabinetry: Timeless, clean combo
- Sage green walls + brick floor: Earthy with a pop of color
- Yellow walls + navy cabinets: Bold, contrasting colors
- Gray walls + patterned floor: Lets the fun floor shine
- Beige walls + cherry cabinets: Warm complementary tones
- White walls + green closet: Crisp look with an accent
Don’t be afraid to mix paint colors in a laundry space. Contrasting wall and cabinet colors can look cohesive yet bold. Combine paint with colorful flooring or tiles to show off your personal style.
Conclusion
Choosing a color for your laundry room should balance practical considerations like cleanability and lighting with your own personal tastes. Light, bright, reflective colors work best for small spaces while larger rooms can handle deeper, dramatic colors. Special laundry room paint finishes add durability. Creative pairings of complementary paint and tile colors provide cohesion. With the right color scheme, your laundry room can feel like a bright, cheerful space you actually enjoy spending time in rather than a dingy chore zone.