16 Laundry Room Paint Ideas That Will Make You Actually Want to Do Chores
Let’s be honest—the laundry room is often the most neglected space in the house. We toss our dirty clothes in there, close the door, and try to forget about the mountain of sorting waiting for us. But I believe this functional space deserves just as much design love as your living room.
A fresh coat of paint transforms a drudgery-filled utility closet into a bright, welcoming retreat.
In this list, I’ll walk you through 16 laundry room paint ideas, backed by expert advice and the latest color trends, to help you create a space you actually enjoy spending time in.
1. Choose a Satin or Semi-Gloss Finish
I always tell homeowners to prioritize durability in wet zones. The laundry room generates heat and humidity, which can wreck havoc on standard flat paint.
According to home improvement experts at The Spruce, eggshell and satin paints resist water well, but semi-gloss finishes do an even better job of shedding moisture. This sheen makes your walls easier to wipe down when detergent splashes or lint piles up.
2. Fight Mold with the Right Primer
Before you even touch a color swatch, I recommend you look at your primer. If your laundry room lacks windows or good ventilation, moisture can get trapped and lead to mildew.
Using a mold-resistant primer prevents these issues before they start. Manufacturers formulate these primers with mildewcides that kill spores and keep your walls looking fresh for the long haul.
3. Embrace the “Grounded” Trend
If you want a modern look for 2025, try a versatile brown. Sherwin-Williams included a rich shade called “Grounded” (SW 6089) in their 2025 Color Capsule of the Year.
This color imparts stability and richness to a room. It turns a sterile utility space into a warm, inviting area that feels more like a cozy den than a work room.
4. Maximize Light with High LRV Colors
Laundry rooms are often small and windowless. To combat the gloom, I look at the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of a paint color. This number measures how much light a color reflects.
Designers at Welsh Design Studio suggest that colors with an LRV above 70 help make a room look larger. By bouncing light around, these shades create the illusion of more space.
5. Add Energy with Vibrant Chartreuse
Doing laundry is boring, so why should your walls be? I love the idea of using a high-energy color like “Chartreuse” (SW 0073) to wake up the space.
This historic yellow-green brings a tropical brightness that can make the chore feel less like work. It’s a bold choice, but it works perfectly in smaller doses or on accent walls.
6. Create Calm with Stormy Blues
If you prefer a relaxing vibe while you fold, look for deep gray-blues. A color like “Rain Cloud” (SW 9639) offers a moody, sophisticated atmosphere.
This shade sits in the “Rustic + Refined” palette and mimics the feeling of a quiet storm. It pairs beautifully with white appliances and chrome fixtures.
7. Paint Cabinets with High-Gloss
Don’t stop at the walls. Painting your cabinetry adds a massive pop of personality. For cabinets, I suggest using a high-gloss finish.
The Spruce notes that gloss paint has the toughest sheen, making it best for washing and scrubbing. It stands up to the daily wear and tear of opening and closing doors better than softer finishes.
8. Warm Things Up with Sandy Beige
Stark white can sometimes feel too clinical in a laundry room. A sandy beige like “Malabar” (SW 9110) creates a soft, inviting haven without overwhelming the senses.
This neutral tone works well with natural wood accents and woven baskets, giving your laundry room a spa-like organic feel.
9. Try a “Sunbleached” Neutral
For a color that sits perfectly between warm and cool, I recommend a shade like “Sunbleached” (SW 9585). It is adaptable and airy.
This type of light neutral serves as a perfect backdrop. It allows you to change your decor accessories seasonally without clashing with the walls.
10. Protect the “Fifth Wall”
I never ignore the ceiling, especially in humid rooms. Steam from your dryer or iron rises, which can create water spots or mildew on a flat white ceiling.
I advise painting your laundry room ceiling with a semi-gloss paint. It prevents mold growth and protects the drywall from rising moisture better than standard ceiling flats.
11. Go Dark for Drama
You might think small rooms need light colors, but I love breaking that rule. Dark colors with an LRV between 0 and 10 absorb light and create an intimate mood.
Using a deep charcoal or navy can blur the corners of the room, making the space feel infinite rather than cramped. It adds an instant “designer” touch to the home.
12. Use Botanical Mauve
Purple doesn’t have to be childish. A subdued hue like “Mauve Finery” (SW 6282) brings a dreamy, botanical beauty to the laundry room.
This sophisticated shade adds color without shouting. It feels fresh and modern, moving away from the standard grays and whites we see everywhere.
13. Incorporate Luxe Organic Tones
Golden hues are making a comeback. A color like “Bosc Pear” (SW 6390) embodies the shift toward luxe organic tones we are seeing in 2025.
This warmth pairs incredibly well with brass hardware and marble countertops. It elevates the laundry room from a service area to a luxury space.
14. Brighten with Pure White
Sometimes, you just want clean and crisp. A pure white like “White Snow” (SW 9541) has a brilliant LRV of 90.
This is a favorite among professionals for good reason. It makes the final result feel light and spacious, ensuring you can see every stain you need to treat on your clothes.
15. Ground the Space with Deep Brown
For a striking contrast against white machines, try a deep brown like “Clove” (SW 9605). It has a depth of tone that is nearly black.
This creates a warm, welcoming palette that feels grounded. It’s a great alternative to black if you want something slightly softer but still dramatic.
16. Test Your Colors First
My final tip is the most important: always test before you paint. Lighting in a laundry room is often artificial and can drastically change how a color looks.
Welsh Design Studio emphasizes that you should get paint samples and place them on your walls. Evaluate them at different times of the day to ensure you love the color before you commit.
Conclusion
If you want to take the stress out of choosing the perfect palette, I can help. Book a consultation with our design team today, and let’s create a laundry room you’ll love showing off.
