Laundry Room Makeover: 14 Budget DIYs That Make a Boring Laundry Space Look Custom
A laundry room makeover is one of the smartest small projects you can tackle before the holidays. Think about it. Guests come, bedding piles up, winter coats need washing, and suddenly you are spending a lot more time in that little room. Why not make it a place you actually like? People clearly agree, because one budget laundry room organization video has been watched more than 1.7 million times. The 14 ideas below use cheap boards, peel and stick paper, dollar store baskets, and a little paint. None of them need a contractor, and most of them work for renters too. Ready to turn your boring laundry space into something that looks custom..
Laundry Room Makeover Starts With a Folding Counter
If you have front loading machines, this is the single best upgrade you can make. Lay a wood board or a piece of butcher block across the top of the washer and dryer, and suddenly you have a real folding counter. No more folding towels on the bed or the kitchen table! Measure the width wall to wall, then have the hardware store cut the board for you. Stain it a warm wood tone, and seal it so damp clothes will not damage it. Screw small wood strips, called cleats, to the walls on each side so the board rests on them and not on the machines. It looks built in, it adds space, and it costs far less than new cabinets..
You will need: A pine board or butcher block, wood stain, sealer, two wood cleats, and screws.
How to make it: 1. Measure wall to wall and have the board cut. 2. Stain and seal it, then let it dry. 3. Screw cleats to the side walls and rest the board on top.
Peel and Stick Beadboard Walls
Want the look of custom millwork without hiring a carpenter? Peel and stick beadboard or wallpaper is the answer. It goes up like a giant sticker, and it comes off later without hurting the wall, which makes it great for renters. Beadboard on the bottom half of the wall gives a classic cottage look, especially when you paint it a soft color like sage or navy. A fun patterned wallpaper on the top half or on one accent wall adds personality. Laundry rooms are small, so one or two rolls is often all you need. Start in a corner, smooth out bubbles as you go, and use a sharp blade to trim around outlets.
You will need: Peel and stick beadboard or wallpaper, a smoothing tool, a level, and a sharp utility knife.
How to make it: 1. Clean the wall and draw a level line. 2. Peel a little backing at a time and smooth as you go. 3. Trim the edges and around outlets with a sharp blade.
Laundry Room Makeover With Open Wood Shelves
Open shelves make a small laundry room feel bigger and more organized at the same time. All you need are two pine boards and a few sturdy brackets. Stain the boards to match your counter, then mount them above the machines, screwing the brackets into the wall studs. The top shelf is perfect for things you do not use every day, like extra paper towels or cleaning supplies. The lower shelf holds the pretty things you reach for often, like jars and baskets. Black or brass brackets look modern and clean. This laundry room makeover idea costs about $40, and it frees up so much counter space. Keep the heaviest items on the lowest shelf.
You will need: Two pine boards, four to six shelf brackets, wood stain, a stud finder, a level, and screws.
How to make it: 1. Stain the boards and let them dry. 2. Find the studs and mount the brackets level. 3. Set the boards on top and screw them in from below.
Glass Jar Detergent Station
Big plastic detergent tubs are not exactly pretty. Move your laundry supplies into glass jars and the whole room looks calmer and more expensive. Use a large jar with a lid for pods, another for wool dryer balls, and a smaller one for clothespins or stain sticks. Set them together on a wooden tray so they look like a planned display. Keep a little scoop inside if you use powder. Please note one safety tip: pods look like candy, so if you have small children, keep the pod jar on a high shelf or choose one with a locking lid. The rest can sit right on the counter. It is a tiny change that makes a big difference.
You will need: Glass jars with lids, a small scoop, and a wooden tray.
How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the jars fully. 2. Fill each one with a different supply. 3. Group them on a tray and store pods out of reach of kids.
Dollar Store Laundry Room Makeover Baskets
Matching baskets are the fastest way to make any shelf look custom. Grab a set from the dollar store, all the same size and color, and line them up in a neat row. Give each family member their own basket for clean clothes so everyone can grab their stuff and put it away. Tie a kraft paper tag to the front of each one with twine and write a name on it. Kids actually like having their own basket, and it saves you from sorting piles. You can also use extra baskets for rags, hand washing, or socks. This laundry room makeover trick costs about ten dollars and keeps everything in its place.
You will need: Matching dollar store baskets, kraft paper tags, twine, and a marker.
How to make it: 1. Line the baskets up on a shelf or the floor. 2. Write a name on each tag. 3. Tie the tags to the basket fronts with twine.
Wall Mounted Drying Rack
Sweaters, delicate tops, and workout gear often cannot go in the dryer. A wall mounted drying rack gives them a place to hang without taking over your chairs. Accordion style wooden racks fold flat against the wall when you do not need them and pull out when you do. Another fun option is an old wood ladder hung sideways on the wall with hooks. It looks rustic and charming, and you can hang several items at once. Mount the rack over the sink or above the washer so drips land somewhere safe. Winter is the perfect time to add this, because it is when cozy sweaters come out of the closet.
You will need: A wooden accordion drying rack or an old ladder, wall anchors, hooks, and screws.
How to make it: 1. Pick a spot above the sink or washer. 2. Mount the rack into studs or strong anchors. 3. Test it with a light load first.
Tension Rod Hanging Bar
Want fewer wrinkles? Hang shirts the moment they come out of the dryer. A simple tension rod placed between two walls or two cabinets gives you an instant hanging bar, and there is no drilling at all. Choose a sturdy rod in black, brass, or white to match your hardware. Add a handful of matching wooden or velvet hangers so it looks neat. This little spot quickly becomes the place where clean shirts wait to be put away. It is also handy for drying items that should not go in the machine. For a few dollars, you get a feature that most custom laundry rooms charge a lot for. It is a laundry room makeover win that renters will love.
You will need: A heavy duty tension rod and matching wooden or velvet hangers.
How to make it: 1. Measure the space between walls or cabinets. 2. Twist the rod until it fits snug. 3. Hang matching hangers and test it with a few shirts.
Hide the Clutter With a Curtain
Every laundry room has something ugly in it. Maybe it is the water heater, maybe it is a shelf full of mismatched bottles. A simple curtain fixes that in about ten minutes. Hang a tension rod or a regular curtain rod in front of the messy area and add a soft linen panel. Pull it closed and the whole room looks clean and calm. Choose a light color to keep the space bright, or a pretty stripe or check for some charm. You can even use a curtain in place of doors under a sink. Is it a little bit of a cheat? Sure, but it works. Any laundry room makeover gets easier when the mess is out of sight.
You will need: A tension rod or curtain rod, curtain rings, and a linen curtain panel.
How to make it: 1. Hang the rod above the area you want to hide. 2. Clip the curtain to the rings. 3. Pull it closed to hide clutter and open it to reach supplies.
Lost Sock and Pocket Finds Corner
Where do all the lonely socks go? In this laundry room, they go on a cute little board. Take a small wooden plaque or a scrap of painted wood, glue on a row of mini clothespins, and hang it on the wall. Clip single socks there until their partners show up. Next to it, set a small glass jar for the coins, hair ties, and tiny toys you find in pockets. Families love this idea because it ends the endless sock hunt. It is also a sweet, playful touch in a room that is usually all business. Make it in an afternoon with leftover craft supplies. Every laundry room makeover needs one little fun detail like this.
You will need: A small wood board, paint, mini clothespins, wood glue, a sawtooth hanger, and a small jar.
How to make it: 1. Paint the board and let it dry. 2. Glue mini clothespins in a row. 3. Add a hanger, hang it up, and set a jar below.
Rolling Cart Between the Machines
That skinny gap beside the washer is wasted space, and things always fall into it. A slim rolling cart fixes both problems. These carts are only a few inches wide and slide right into the gap. Pull it out to grab stain spray, dryer sheets, or a lint roller, then roll it back. Add small bins on each shelf so things do not tip over. You can find these carts online or at big box stores for around $20, and they come in white, black, or wood tones. It is one of the easiest ways to add storage when you have no room for anything else. A laundry room makeover is all about using every inch.
You will need: A slim rolling storage cart and a few small bins.
How to make it: 1. Measure the gap beside your washer or dryer. 2. Pick a cart that fits with a little room to spare. 3. Fill the shelves and slide it in.
Laundry Room Makeover With Painted Cabinets
Old cabinets can make the whole room feel dated, but replacing them costs a fortune. Paint them instead! Remove the doors, clean them well, and give them a light sanding. Then use a good cabinet paint in a bold color like navy, deep green, or warm greige. Two coats usually do the trick. Swap the old knobs for new brass or black hardware and the cabinets look brand new. This laundry room makeover step has the biggest wow factor for the money. Take your time with painter’s tape and let each coat dry fully. Your future self will thank you every time you open those doors. Pick a color you truly love.
You will need: Cabinet paint, a small roller and brush, sandpaper, painter’s tape, degreaser, and new knobs.
How to make it: 1. Remove doors and hardware, then clean and sand. 2. Paint two thin coats and let them cure. 3. Add the new knobs and rehang the doors.
Washable Runner Rug
Laundry room floors are often cold, hard tile or plain vinyl. A washable runner rug warms things up right away and adds a pop of pattern. Stripes and small checks are classic choices and hide dirt well. Look for rugs labeled washable so you can toss them in the machine you are standing in front of. How handy is that? Add a rug gripper underneath so it does not slide when you are carrying a heavy basket. A rug also makes the room feel more like a part of your home and less like a utility closet. It is a quick, low cost way to finish the space. Think of it as the throw pillow of your laundry room makeover.
You will need: A washable runner rug and a rug gripper pad.
How to make it: 1. Measure the floor in front of the machines. 2. Lay the gripper pad down first. 3. Place the runner on top and smooth it flat.
Over the Door Ironing Station
Ironing boards are awkward to store. They fall over, they lean in corners, and they never seem to fit anywhere. An over the door holder solves it. Hang it on the back of the laundry room door and your board stays flat against it, out of the way. Many holders include a little basket for the iron and spray bottle. Add a small hook rack nearby for hanging freshly pressed shirts. It is cheap, it needs no tools, and it keeps everything together in one spot. Please let the iron cool fully before you put it back in the holder. Small fixes like this make a laundry room makeover feel complete.
You will need: An over the door ironing board holder and a small over the door hook rack.
How to make it: 1. Hook the holder over the top of the door. 2. Hang the ironing board and set the cool iron in the basket. 3. Add a hook rack for pressed shirts.
Laundry Room Makeover Finish: Thrifted Art and a Plant
The final touch is what makes a laundry room feel finished. Hang a piece of thrifted art, like a vintage botanical print or a simple landscape, in a frame from the thrift store. Paint the frame if it needs a refresh. Then add a small plant. Pothos, snake plants, and ZZ plants handle low light and humidity well, or use a good faux plant if your room has no window. These two little things turn a utility space into a room with personality. Who says the laundry room cannot be pretty? After all the work you have done, it deserves a happy ending, and you deserve to enjoy it. Enjoy the view.
You will need: A thrifted frame, an art print, paint if needed, a small potted plant, and a picture hook.
How to make it: 1. Refresh the frame with paint if needed. 2. Hang the art at eye level. 3. Set a low light plant on a shelf or the counter.
