There's a fun saying floating around the internet that feels especially apt when discussing a utility room: "The horrors persist, but so do I."
Well, laundry persists, and so must we. And there's no better way to push through the daily drudgery of washing and folding clothes than by romanticising every part of it, starting with the room itself.
And trust me, I've written extensively about all the ways you can make a room look more high-end, but utility rooms require a little extra thought. In such a hardworking room, the real path to luxury is through a space that not only looks luxurious but functions well, too.
Below, I'm sharing seven designer-approved upgrades that make laundry day all the more enjoyable.
Colourful built-in cabinetry
Here's a mindset shift for you: Treat your utility room like a powder room. Designers love to go a little wild when designing powder rooms, daring to use wallpapers and finishes they wouldn't use elsewhere in the house. You should take the same approach in your utility room, starting with your built-in cabinets.
Built-ins go a long way in organising your space, and while custom cabinetry is always a good idea, the reality is that it can be costly, and you may not have the budget for it. Look into less expensive prefabricated cabinetry from a DIY store to serve as your cabinetry base.
Finish them off with trim to give your cabinets a built-in feel on a DIY budget. Don’t forget to paint them a fun colour — I recommend something cheery like the sunny yellow pictured above.
Butcher-block countertops
If a full wall of built-in cabinetry doesn't work for your space, try a butcher-block countertop instead. This inexpensive, hardworking upgrade adds a handsome spin to any utility room.
Lay a slab across the top of your front-loading dryer and washer, as seen here in designer Christina Salway's farmhouse’s pass-through utility room, to give your entire space a custom feel. The fact that the work surface can handle accidental bleach spills is just a bonus.
Skirted surfaces
The fastest — and arguably chicest — way to instantly elevate your utility room is by adding a skirt. Skirt your sink or skirt your appliances — it doesn't really matter as long as the skirt is adequately ruffled.
Use performance fabrics for a no-worry, polished look or channel a more humble style with a repurposed vintage find, such as a grain sack or two.
Whimsical wallpaper
The key to making a space feel more luxurious lies in customisation, so ditch your plain white walls for something with personality.
Wallpaper is a lot more durable than you might think, so don't be afraid to use it in hardworking, high-traffic spaces like the utility room. Shop for designer-approved patterns 'under one roof' at Wallpaper Direct for renter-friendly peel-and-stick papers to heavy-duty, commercial-grade vinyl. Just be sure to pick a pattern that elicits joy.
Artful displays and open shelving
Now, I know a utility room overrun with "stuff" doesn't sound luxurious, but stick with me. Not only does open shelving keep must-haves like detergent and dryer balls within reach, but it also offers the perfect display spot for a few favourite antiques.
Make use of the shelves' pretty and practical nature by filling them with things that elevate your space, like oil paintings or vintage crocks. Or, stay on-theme with some vintage laundry accessories such as sprinkler bottles and powdered soap containers. Antique washboards hung on the wall can also go a long way in adding shapely interest.
Hardworking and stylish storage
Functional design is hugely important in an upgraded utility room — beautiful cabinetry and pretty walls are great, but they mean nothing if your room doesn't actually meet your needs. That's where smart storage and organising solutions come into play.
Vintage-style steel laundry hampers add utility without sacrificing beauty. Pull-out drying racks — like the ones seen in this laundry room by designer Marie Flanigan — are also helpful for those with delicate washing that can't always be dried.
If you're embracing open shelving, you're definitely going to need some chic baskets to corral all your non-beautiful necessities, such as detergents and stain removers. Go with simple woven baskets for a grandmillennial-approved touch or use metal wire baskets for a farmhouse feel.
Don't want to see the clutter? Line the metal baskets with a thick canvas—or even a pretty floral fabric—liner for a shabby chic twist.
A dark wood worktable
If you have to do the dreaded task of folding laundry, you at least deserve a chic surface to do it on. A beautiful wood worktable — like the pieces that have been trending in kitchens over the last year or so — is just what your utility room needs.
If you're short on space, opt for a gateleg table that folds down when not in use.
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Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
