Treating your laundry room as an afterthought is a missed opportunity that can inadvertently end up making the space feel cramped and uninviting. Smart design choices will make your laundry room feel larger—and more comfortable and enjoyable to use.
We asked a designer to name the one design mistake that makes laundry rooms feel smaller than they are, with advice on what to do instead.
Underutilizing Vertical Wall Space
Interior designer Laura Brophy says that underutilizing vertical space will visually shrink the look and feel of a laundry room.
“When storage, lighting, and design details are all concentrated at counter height, the eye stops there,” Brophy explains. “The room instantly feels smaller and more cramped.”
Redirecting focus on the wall above can transform the feel of your laundry room while making it more practical and functional to use, like the above space designed by Brophy that maximizes vertical space with storage, wall decor, and lighting.
“When your eye is drawn only to one plane, you lose the sense of height and openness,” Brophy says. “By ignoring the vertical dimension, you’re leaving valuable real estate unused—not just for storage, but for creating visual balance and a feeling of spaciousness.”
How to Maximize Vertical Space
“Think of your laundry room as a three-dimensional space, not just a floor plan,” Brophy says. “If your budget allows, take cabinetry all the way to the ceiling for maximum storage and a tailored, built-in feel.”
Pair cabinetry with strategic lighting such as under-cabinet lights to illuminate countertop workspace and install ceiling-mounted or wall-wash fixtures to keep the whole room feeling open and bright, she suggests.
If you’re working on a tighter budget, the designer suggests using tall freestanding shelving, wall-mounted drying racks, or vertical pegboards to optimize height. “If the layout works, stacking your washer and dryer can instantly free up valuable square footage,” Brophy adds.
Exceptions to This Rule
Maximizing vertical space is a strategy that works in many different layouts, with a few exceptions.
“In rare cases—such as a historic home with low ceilings or unique architectural details—you may need to keep the upper walls open to preserve the character of the space,” she notes. “But even then, thoughtful vertical elements like open shelving or art can help add height without feeling cluttered.”
How to Make a Laundry Room Feel Bigger
In addition to optimizing vertical wall space, Brophy offers additional tips on how to make your laundry room feel more spacious.
- Keep the palette light and cohesive—lighter tones reflect more light and open up the space.
- Use semi-gloss finishes to amplify brightness.
- Install layered lighting: a mix of overhead, task, and accent lights create depth and dimension.
- Maintain an organized and clutter-free space. “When everything has a designated place, the room feels calmer, more open, and far more enjoyable to use,” Brophy says.