Galley or Corridor Laundry Room Layout

It is the most simple, basic, and economical style of laundry room layout since it fits into even the smallest of areas. Typically called a galley or quarter-style laundry room, this layout fits in long, narrow areas found off the side of kitchens or in mudrooms. Because the space is slim, often as narrow as five feet, there is room only on one side for appliances and other large items such as the washer and dryer, utility sink, countertops, and large cabinets.

The other side of the laundry room might be a wall only. At most, the other wall may have hooks or narrow shelving. Keep these to a minimum, though, since they will interfere with the operations of the washer and dryer.

L-Shaped Laundry Room Layout

An L-shaped laundry room layout is similar to a galley-style layout in that a majority of the services are clustered on one long wall: the layout’s long leg. The short leg of the L-shaped layout might have a washer and dryer, a short run of countertops and cabinets, or a laundry room sink. On this short leg is usually space only for one service, not multiple services.

Much of this layout is dependent on the location of the water supply and drainage, as well as the electrical receptacle or gas for the dryer. If these are located on the short leg of the layout, it makes smart design sense to place the washer and dryer here as this gives you a maximum amount of room to open and close the washer and dryer doors.

U-Shaped Laundry Room Layout

If you were to take an L-shaped laundry room, then extend it so that you have two long legs, you would have a U-shaped layout. Much of the heavy lifting of the U-shaped laundry room’s functions is already carried by the other two legs of this layout. This second long leg represents a type of bonus area for additional storage, organizers, shelves, hooks, and clothes racks. This laundry room layout should be at least 90 inches wide, to accommodate countertops on both long walls and a 42-inch wide aisle.

Open Plan Laundry Room Layout

An open-plan laundry room layout is the most design-flexible layout of all. To begin with, you will need a large space. Appliances and storage are located at any point around the perimeter of the room, dependent on the location of doors, windows, water, drainage, and electrical services. As with open plan kitchens that have an island in the center, open plan laundry rooms are usually large enough that they can have a folding table located in the center of the room.

Hidden or Invisible Laundry Room Layouts

When you have no dedicated space available for a laundry room but you still want to do your own laundry, one option is to tuck away the laundry room in an existing room of your house.

Because laundry rooms and kitchens share so many of the same characteristics and needs, laundry rooms are often found hidden away here. Bathrooms have water supply and drainage, so they are sometimes used, as well. One issue with using a bathroom as a laundry room is that they usually lack the 240V increased-power electrical receptacle needed for dryers.

A side-by-side washer and dryer are placed under the kitchen countertop, sometimes with a sliding door or curtain to mask them when not in use. In other layouts, a stacking washer and dryer are placed in the kitchen pantry and closed off behind a door. Storage for laundry items is extremely limited and sometimes is shared with kitchen items. If you have any type of extra space for a laundry room, creating a hidden laundry room within your kitchen should not be your first choice.

Swap Pillows and Blankets

The easiest way to welcome fall into your home is by replacing pillow covers. Think warm colours like burnt orange, emerald green, or dark brown. All say autumn without going overboard – but don’t worry, a few themed pillows can be incorporated too!

Here’s a super cute pumpkin plush DIY that will instantly give your living space all the fall vibes. Make them in whichever colours match your existing decor!

Nothing screams fall like tons of blankets everywhere. They’re also an easy way to bring in more colour if you think your home needs it. Pick ones with warmer tones or with fun patterns like pumpkins and leaves. Drape them over accent chair, or the arm of the couch as a décor element.

Display Seasonal Fruits

Pumpkins will forever be all the rage, but what about clementines, apples, and pears? Along with your preferred gourds, add in the above-mentioned fruit to a decorative bowl to really bring in the cooler season. It’s affordable and you might even be inspired to bake up a pie or tart!

Make Your Own Potpourri

Your home’s transformation into fall will be incomplete unless it smells like the season. What better way to bring the outside in than with homemade potpourri? You’ll even be able to customize the fragrance to your liking.

All you need to do is gather up some dried materials like flowers and fruit. Then add in some essential oils for extra scent. Just make sure the combination of ingredients won’t overwhelm yourself or anyone in your household.

Get the Fireplace Prepped

After cleaning your fireplace (safety first!), it’s time to dress it up for the season. Hang a leafy garland over the mantle or place pumpkins on either side of the floor. For example, over at The Home I Create, they created a simple yet stunning fireplace. (p.s. check out our awesome ideas for an unused fireplace!)

Don’t have an operating fireplace? You can create the same effect with pillar candles of various lengths and sizes. There are even flameless candles that replicate the movement of fire without any hazards.

Declutter

When the leaves change colour, it’s a reminder for us all to follow suit—to evolve, to welcome change, big or small. One way to embrace this theme is by decluttering the house.

Gather up everything you think you don’t want. Then, look for things you haven’t touched in over a year. Ask yourself, do you need it? Do you want it? If you keep it, will you bring/wear/use it ever again?

Divide your items into three categories: keep, donate, throw away. You want to avoid donating anything with visible holes, stains, cracks, or if it’s just defunct altogether—that’s what the throw away pile is for!

Light Candles

This is almost a no-brainer. Bring fall into your home easily with candles. Not only do they smell amazing, with scents like pumpkin spice or fall harvest, but they can double as décor elements.

Worried about lighting an actual fire in your home? Trending are wickless candles. Yup, you read right—candles without wicks. All you do is put them on a jar warmer and they melt! You get all the scent without worrying about kids or pets getting too close.

Make Custom Art

One fun way to make custom fall art is to gather leaves from outside. The more intact they are, the better.

Gently dip them in paint or brush it on to prevent the leaf from breaking. Once there’s enough paint (just enough to coat), press it firmly onto canvas or a piece of paper. And voila! You can also press it against canvas or fabric multiple times as a stamp.

This is also a great way to get the whole family involved!

Add Burlap

Over at Prudent Penny Pincher is a beautiful example of burlap’s versatility. They used it to make a beautiful and easy wreath DIY!

Other things you can do with a bulk roll of burlap is virtually endless. Use it as a table runner, as place mats or as a banner! It adds texture and contrasts easily against richer colours.

Bring the Outdoors In

Dried flowers, twigs, and pinecones are a definite must-have for fall décor. Without them, your tables and entertainment areas might end up looking a little bare. They’re great for filling empty spaces, especially in an Autumn tablescape.

When decorating with outdoor elements such as stems or twigs, utilize their height. Place them in a minimalistic vase at either ends of a table. Or — take things to the next level and create a dried flower wall with all the flowers left in your garden.

Add a Pop of Color

“Paint is extremely inexpensive and makes a big difference,” says Keysha Jillian, lead interior designer and owner of K. Jillian Designs, based in Tampa, Florida. “Whether you need to tone down a color or add a bold color to liven up your space, color is great for changing the overall feel of a room.” A nice wash of color might only cost around $31.99 for a gallon.

Pick Towels You’re Actually Excited to Use

It’s time to get rid of those dingy old bath towels—discolored whites and bleach-stained colors make your space look dirty and cheap. See what else you need to toss, too.

“Proudly display crisp white, fluffy towels like the kind you would find in a fancy hotel or spa,” says Drew Henry, founder of design firm Design Dudes. “This will immediately trigger a feeling for your guests, and they will have a more luxurious feeling towards the space.”

Swap Out Your Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are an easy way to accessorize and brighten a room, whether you buy them or make your own. Jillian says homeowners should throw out their older throw pillows and replace them with bright, fuller pillows—or just buy crisp new pillow covers. “Mix and match colors and textures, and blend different groupings,” she says. But more is not better. “There can be too many pillows, so make sure you don’t go overboard.”

Accent with Accessories

Magazines are a great source of home decorating ideas and inspiration for how to accessorize a room. However, homeowners should expect to shop around for a budget-friendly version of anything they see in a design magazine. “Accessories vary significantly in cost, but if you’re looking for a great deal there are plenty of discount home stores that offer stupendous finds, says Jillian. “My ‘go-to’ store for a lot of home design items (especially for clients on a budget) is HomeGoods.”

Update Old Fixtures

A quick and easy way to decorate on a dime is to update old fixtures, especially in the kitchen. Knobs, handles, drawer pulls, and light switch plates are small, inexpensive details that give your home a high-end sheen.

Add Voluminous Accessories

Expensive items tend to have weight and volume to them (that’s why heavier gold bangles appear more luxurious than lighter ones that feel like—and possibly are—made of plastic). Avoid flimsiness at all costs: add an extra panel of curtains to your curtain rod, and search for quality carpets and throw blankets that great to the touch. Additionally, accessorize with weighty accent pieces; vases, picture frames, and ornaments should all feel like they’ve got something to them.

Create Your Own Statement Artwork

If your room lacks a preexisting focal point, create one using artwork. One option is to create a multi-panel piece (one picture blown up and printed onto three panels hung next to each other) or a gallery-type display of frames.

Keep Your Home Clean

Follow the rule of threes (objects look best when organized in odd numbers, especially threes) and leave a generous amount of white space on your walls and surfaces. When it comes to looking luxe, less is always more. File paperwork out of sight, find a home for everything and clear the clutter.

Pick Basic Bedding

You might think deep-hued satins would be key to an expensive-looking bedding set, but keeping it simple will make the room seem bigger since the bed takes up so much space. “Keep the duvet covers white and you’ll instantly feel the lightness of the room,” says Isobel McKenzie, editor of interior design site NONAGON.style. Bonus: Whites can handle hotter temperatures, so that deep clean will make sheets look extra-crisp, she says

Up the Fluff Factor

An inexpensive throw pillow will seem so much more luxurious when you replace the original insides with a feather insert. “They just look and feel so much better than foam,” says Cummings. 

Pick Basic Dishes

Shelling out on fine china isn’t the only way to create a stunning table setting. “White dishes … have a low price tag with a high impact,” says Henry. Pair them with gold flatware for a trendy, high-brow look. 

Show Off Wood Floors

Replace carpeting with hardwood floors to make your space feel bigger, suggests Hairston. “Carpet tends to trap in dust and particulates and absorbs moisture which can leave an odor,” she says. “Hard surface flooring is easier to clean, is allergy-friendly, and can provide a more updated and modern look to your home.” Layered area rugs will add more visual interest than floor-to-floor carpeting.

Try Luxe Paint Treatments

Instead of sticking to interior eggshell paints, opt for a special paint treatment in a few key spots in your home. With finishes like metallic stripes, sandstone, random rectangles, textured sand and brushed suede, to name a few, you’ll create a purposeful and elegant look that will draw the eye exactly where you want it to go. 

Stick With the Classics

Have you ever noticed how most high-end homes are flooded with neutrals? This is because neutrals feel calm and classic. Bring high style to rooms by choosing neutral hues for anything that’s expensive to update, such as floors, fixtures, and upholstery, and using accessories to introduce bold colors and textures; a neutral base lets hotter hues take center stage.

Mother Nature

Let a local nature feature that you love, especially one that you already encourage outside your home, like birds, bunnies, herbs or flowers, inspire your entryway design. Use this feature to guide all your entryway décor decisions. Buy wall decor, frames and other compatible entryway items to create a unified space. This helps link your entryway to nature and gives you focus. 

Choose a Stylish Rug

Don’t skimp on the entryway rug. Instead, seek out a charming antique rug that complements your flooring. Or, you may prefer a simpler design or a single, bold color. The key is to avoid a boring “welcome” mat or a rug that screams, “I’m the rug you should wipe your feet on because I was cheap and I’m not very attractive.” Save that for outside, and make a welcoming statement when guests walk inside. If you’d like people to remove their shoes indoors but don’t want to be rude, set up a basket of miscellaneous slippers and keep a few pairs of shoes near it and most guests will get the message.

Small Room Ideas: Choose a Light Color Scheme

Dark colors are a no-no in small rooms. As suggested, lighter color palettes cast the illusion of a larger area. Dark color schemes, although trendy and design-friendly, are best used in larger areas. When dark color schemes are used in smaller rooms, it can create a suffocating feeling as though the walls are closing in on what is already a space-challenged room.

Switch Out a Bulb

Try a lower-wattage bulb to change a room’s mood. You can go from bright to romantic in moments. Another fun idea is to swap out an old bulb with a new Edison bulb to give your decor a retro spin. Does your favorite lamp need some work? 

Hanging Wall Bookcase: Suspended Bookshelves

The steel cable and shaft collars add style and strength to this bookshelf. Build this simple set of book or display shelves in a single weekend. They’re strong and stylish. By changing materials or finishes you can easily customize them to fit the décor of any room. 

Natural Brick

Exposed brick has long been a coveted accent wall material in old buildings and lofts. The great news is, brick veneer has come a long way and is available in almost any style from modern to antique for a fraction of the price of the real thing.