Decorative Laundry Room Accessories: What Helps and What Makes It Worse

You want to decorate your laundry room. Maybe the space is dull and you want to make it more enjoyable to work in. Decorative accessories can make the laundry room more functional and attractive, but the wrong ones can create clutter or get in the way. Here’s what helps and what makes it worse with decorative laundry room accessories.

Decorative laundry room accessories are items that add both function and style to a laundry room. They include storage jars, signs, rugs, bins, wall art, and organizers. Good accessories make the space more efficient and enjoyable, while bad accessories create clutter and waste space.

To choose decorative laundry room accessories, prioritize function over decoration, choose items that serve a purpose, keep the space uncluttered, use vertical space, and choose moisture-resistant materials. Don’t buy items that only look pretty, don’t block work areas, and don’t use items that trap moisture.

What Helps

Choose Functional Accessories

Detergent jars: Glass jars for detergent pods, powder, and baking soda. They look good and keep products dry.

Sorting bins: Three-bin sorter for whites, colors, and darks. Saves time on sorting.

Drying rack: Wall-mounted or folding rack for air-drying. Saves energy and is gentler on clothes.

Folding table: Countertop or folding table for folding clothes. Makes laundry easier.

Ironing board: Wall-mounted or over-door ironing board. Saves space.

Lint trash can: Small trash can near the dryer for lint. Keeps the space clean.

Hanging rod: Wall-mounted rod for hanging shirts. Prevents wrinkles.

Shelf organizers: Bins and baskets for shelves. Keeps supplies organized.

Choose Moisture-Resistant Materials

Laundry rooms are humid. Choose accessories made of glass, metal, plastic, or treated wood. Avoid untreated wood and fabric that can mold.

Use Vertical Space

Install shelves, hooks, and racks on walls to save counter space.

Keep the Space Uncluttered

Don’t overcrowd the space. Leave room to work.

Use the Right Products

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Odor absorber: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Add a Rug

A washable rug adds color and comfort. Choose a machine-washable rug that can be cleaned easily.

Add Wall Art

Laundry-themed signs and prints add personality. Choose moisture-resistant frames.

Add Good Lighting

Good lighting makes the space more functional and enjoyable. Use LED lights.

What Makes It Worse

Buying Items That Only Look Pretty

Accessories that serve no purpose waste space and money. Choose items that are both functional and decorative.

Blocking Work Areas

Don’t place accessories where they block the washer, dryer, sink, or folding area.

Using Items That Trap Moisture

Untreated wood, fabric bins, and paper decorations can mold in a humid laundry room. Choose moisture-resistant materials.

Overcrowding the Space

Too many accessories create clutter and make the space harder to use. Keep it minimal.

Using Non-Washable Rugs

A non-washable rug in a laundry room will get dirty and stained. Choose machine-washable rugs.

Forgetting Function

The laundry room is a workspace first. Don’t sacrifice function for decoration.

Comparison: Functional vs Decorative Accessories

Accessory	Functional	Decorative	Both
Detergent jars	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sorting bins	Yes	No	Yes
Drying rack	Yes	No	Yes
Folding table	Yes	No	Yes
Wall art	No	Yes	No
Rug	No	Yes	No
Shelf organizers	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hanging rod	Yes	No	Yes

FAQ

What are the best decorative laundry room accessories? Detergent jars, sorting bins, drying racks, folding tables, shelf organizers, hanging rods, washable rugs, and moisture-resistant wall art.

How do you decorate a laundry room? Choose functional accessories that also look good, use vertical space, choose moisture-resistant materials, add a washable rug and wall art, and keep the space uncluttered.

What should you avoid in a laundry room? Don’t buy items that only look pretty, don’t block work areas, don’t use items that trap moisture, don’t overcrowd the space, and don’t use non-washable rugs.

What materials are best for laundry room accessories? Glass, metal, plastic, and treated wood. Avoid untreated wood and fabric that can mold in humid conditions.

How do you organize a small laundry room? Use vertical space, wall-mounted accessories, shelf organizers, a folding drying rack, and a wall-mounted ironing board. Keep the floor clear.

References

1. The Spruce. “Laundry Room Accessories Guide.” thespruce.com.
2. Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Room Ideas.” goodhousekeeping.com.
3. Better Homes and Gardens. “Laundry Room Decor.” bhg.com.
4. Container Store. “Laundry Organization Guide.” containerstore.com.