Smart Outdoor Laundry Area Ideas That Actually Work
Laundry doesn’t need to be the chore of putting a washing machine in a dark closet and setting it, only to forget about it until the machine beeps. More people are placing their wash stations outside, or, at least touching the edge of the indoor/outdoor world, and it’s only natural. Ventilation reduces the musty smell. Less neglect of stains means less frustration.
A thoughtfully-designed outdoor laundry station can serve as a mudroom, a plant area, or a place to slip off muddy boots before they ever get on your floor. If you have a large courtyard or a small side yard just big enough for a washer, there is a layout that will fit!
Small Space Outdoor Laundry Station Layout Ideas
When it comes to small outdoor laundry area ideas, one of the most common gripes is that of limited space, but it is not usually the issue. The actual issue is most commonly a poor layout. When you stack a washer and dryer on top of each other, rather than side by side, you can make a couple of feet of floor space available in a flash, making room for a folding counter or rolling hamper cart.
Closed cabinets do not work as well above the machines here as open shelving does, because it does not make the area feel “boxed in. Most people don’t need to use a lot of things every day, a single floating shelf for detergent, a hook rail for clothespins, and a thin rod for air drying delicates fills the need.
If the station is located on the outside of the wall, a corrugated metal or polycarbonate awning will provide protection from rain while allowing adequate ventilation. A partial roof with open sides allows the space to “breathe”, and will still work on a light drizzle.
Modern Farmhouse Laundry Porch With Slate Roof
It’s a combination of rustic materials and clean, straight lines, but an outdoor laundry room with a roof such as this slate-topped porch is perfect. Contrast without straining, with dark gray slate and white or cream board and batten siding. Simple wooden or concrete counters beneath which are open cubbies for baskets.
The trim work adds to the intentionality of this layout over a random one. A black metal railing around the edge of the porch and one pendant light or two make a utilitarian space a walk-through space you’ll enjoy. A wall mounted drying rack folds flat when not in use and you have a laundry station built into the house without appearing like an addition.
Boho Style Covered Laundry Corner Plant Décor
If you’re thinking of adding a bit of style to your outdoor laundry room, lean into plants. A Boho style of covered corner is effective because it doesn’t look like the machines are the central attraction, but only an add-on. The overhanging pathos or string-of-pearls on the overhead beams add a touch of softness to the hard lines of the washer and dryer, while a woven jute rug beneath the floor adds softness to the whole area.
Clothing bins of rattan are more aesthetically pleasing than plastic bins, and they work well outdoors, when kept under cover. The look is completed by a macramé wall hanging, a couple of mismatching but coordinated colors and a few terracotta pots that line the edge. This is particularly suitable for warmer climates where the plants can be successfully grown throughout the year without being moved indoors during the winter months.
Coastal Blue Outdoor Laundry Station Beach House
Outdoor laundry near the entryway makes design and practical sense as beach houses tend to accumulate sand, salt and even sunscreen residue. When nestled under an overhang, soft coastal blue cabinetry and whitewashed wood counters help maintain an airy and light feel.
Here, you should plan for a hose bib nearby since rinsing off wetsuits and beach towels before they get put into the machine will save many pipe sessions. No theme park here as woven rope details, a driftwood-toned shelf and simple glass jars for detergent complete the scene.
Farmhouse Mudroom Laundry Nook Glass Door View
It’s a design for an outside laundry nook that falls somewhere between being outdoors and indoor, and that’s the perfect combination for many climates. You’ve got the protection from the weather and the connected, sunny vibe. Frosted or reeded glass doors will give privacy but not obstruct the light, and will make sure that the machines are not the first thing that guests notice when entering.
This area has open hooks for jackets and dog leashes, a farmhouse sink for hand washing delicates, and keeps the laundry! A bench with under-seat storage by the door is the answer to the age-old question: Where do muddy shoes go? This is a great layout for families with children or pets that are constantly moving things in and out.
Industrial Mudroom Laundry Space Black Metal Accents
Black metal accents on exposed brick or concrete add some industrial flair to a laundry mudroom. The fixtures are tied together by a matte black faucet and hardware, and steel-framed shelving units are filled with baskets and supplies. Concrete floors work well here because they do not require a lot of maintenance when it comes to dirt and moisture.
Exposed bulb pendant lights bring a warehouse look but don’t make the room feel cold. A single reclaimed wood shelf or bench gives a break to all that metal and stone if you want some warmth without the softening effect.
Outdoor Villa Laundry Nook Teak Wood Accents
Then, in many Villa-style homes, particularly in the warmer climates, there is a dedicated outdoor service area that can be enhanced by teak wood, as it elevates the space above its utilitarian purpose. The teak slats on the counter and lower cabinetry have a great resistance to moisture and a nice silvery patina will develop over time if not treated, or they will remain warm and remain a honey colour after regular oiling.
A pergola that is covered with climbing vines will offer shade, but still allow for a sense of openness. The wood hues complement terracotta tile flooring, and a built-in sink provides a place to rinse off the machine. Ideally, this arrangement will be set up in an outdoor kitchen or entertaining space that is already in place.
Lakeside Villa Laundry Corner Teal Wood Details
For a lakefront home, the color palette should be a bit different, with a more subtle reference to the water. The teal stained wood cabinetry with white walls or stucco to the side is a good way to achieve that look. Store in a neutral stone/concrete block (to prevent teal competing with itself).
When the laundry corner is open to the water, with large windows or an open design, it becomes a treat rather than a task, which, again, sounds extreme until you’re folding towels with a view of the lake rather than a blank wall! Woven baskets in natural tones, a couple of potted ferns and simple brass hardware complete the coastal theme without overdoing it.
Boho Villa Laundry Nook Rust Orange Accents
Rust orange is a color that is underused in utilitarian rooms but is an effective accent color for white walls and natural wood hues. In a villa laundry nook, one accent wall in burnt terracotta color and woven fabrics and mismatched ceramic tile backsplash add a unique character to the space instead of the typical beige-on-beige finish.
The Boho thread continues with open shelving made of wood, layered rugs and a few large plants. Rust colors can easily enhance by brass or copper fixtures. This palette is more effective for warmer climate regions where the warm hues are useful as a compliment to the natural light outside and not as a battle against the gray day.
Backyard Laundry Shed Tiny House Style Ideas
If you don’t have a space to add a laundry room to your house, you may want to consider a laundry shed in the back yard, such as this one, to help overcome the challenge and add a fun touch to your yard. Minute house style, such as a small gable roof, board-and-batten siding, and a Dutch door, transforms an utilitarian structure into a structure that looks deliberate from the yard.
There’s room for as much care as you can give, inside. You can store a stacked washer-dryer unit, a fold-down counter when not in use, and a single window for ventilation ensure it has a minimal footprint. If the shed is located away from the electrical panel, solar-powered lighting helps to reduce wiring expenses. It is suitable for people who need to have a room for the washing machine but do not want to have a separate building.
The key is that the outdoor laundry space is perfect for use, not aesthetics, regardless of the type of plan you choose. If the plumbing, ventilation and weather protection are in place, then the style comes next.
