Backsplash ideas for laundry room

This neutral-toned laundry room designed by Gil Schafer exudes English-country timelessness, from the exposed hinges and farmhouse sink to the traditional flush mounts. Though it isn't visible from the kitchen, the cabinetry mimics that of the kitchen for a consistent look in the home.

In a pint-sized laundry room, Dee Murphy tucked unsightly laundry essentials behind a fluted-glass cabinet door. This material obscures eyesores but also takes up less visual real-estate than painted-wood cabinet doors.

If you have a large home—or family—consider doubling your machine count so you can buy back some of your time. In this perfectly preppy laundry room designed by Mark D. Sikes, the many shades of blue provide a pleasant distraction from the extra appliances.

Designers Andrew and Yvonne Pojanni tucked a washer and dryer behind closed doors in their bathroom; the cabinets are painted the same color as the walls to help the storage blend in. If your appliances are front-load style, this is a great way to hide them in plain sight in exposed spaces and open floor plans. Guests will never guess this is where you spend your time on laundry day.

You can still look at something pretty if your sorting and folding workstation is lacking in the window department—that is, it doesn't enjoy a nice view, or even one at all. Here, Joy Cho lined laundry room walls with a whimsical tile backsplash, which makes doing mind-numbing tasks much more pleasurable than when you're staring at a blank wall.

Convert an underused powder room into a laundry room if you don't have spare space to build one. Designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas, the delicate cafe curtains, farmhouse-style sink, and traditional lighting fixtures and mirror make the room feel much more elevated than your average laundry area.

Pocket doors can help break up a laundry room into spaces with distinct uses, so you can shift gears mentally while in each area. In the case of this sunny little workstation designed by Barry Dixon, extra square footage was repurposed as a flower-arranging room.

"To save steps, I put my laundry room on the second floor, near the linen closet and bedrooms," says interior design Betty Lou Philips. "It makes sense for it to be there, but it had to look nice since it's not exactly hidden away. The mangle—or rotary iron— is great for pressing everything from bed and table linens to jeans and t-shirts."

Here's another corner of Gil Schafer's English-inspired laundry room. The rotary iron is tucked between the wall and work table for easy access without blocking foot traffic. Adding a small folding table is a great way to repurpose old furniture or stash additional furnishings when company isn't around—think of it as a portable kitchen island.

Establish a designated place to hang all of your cleaning supplies: Not only will wall hooks put them within easy reach, they'll also keep them out of the way. This discreet hanging rack has been painted the same color as the wall so it blends in seamlessly.

Prevent trips to the laundry room (or the laundromat or dry cleaners) by keeping smart-investment tech like this LG steamer conveniently tucked away in your bedroom closet. But keeping one in the laundry room to de-wrinkle items right out of the dryer isn't a bad idea, either.

"You can see our laundry room from our family room, so I wanted it to feel decorated without being overdone," says interior designer Philip Gorrivan. "I covered the walls with Philip Jeffries aqua grasscloth and the floor with Chilewich wall-to-wall matting for color and texture." There's also a little stool and counter so you can catch up on emails and get work done between loads.

This isn't actually a laundry room, but it definitely aids in laundry-room organization. Between all the online orders and foot traffic, a secure spot for deliveries and accessories (like umbrellas) is more essential than ever. A delivery closet on the porch of our Whole Home Concept House even had a garment rack for dry-cleaning deliveries.

Custom cabinetry helps a mudroom seamlessly transition into a laundry room in a cohesive shared space designed by Eric Olsen. Custom hardware extending from the built-in bench to the sink area and chic black-and-white accessories complete the look.

Turn your laundry room into something fantastic by tenting it with vibrant swags of fabric—or at least faking a tent by commissioning an artist to paint one, as Melissa Barbieri did here.

A modestly-sized two-in-one machine can be a smart addition to a small bathroom. The tiny wet room in a home from Fantastic Frank's portfolio of properties is a great example of a strategically designed tiny bathroom ideal for apartment living.

No space in your actual house for a laundry room? If you don't mind the extra trek, considering bringing your dirty clothes outside instead, into a pool house or unused shed. The elegant exterior and farmhouse-style interior of this backyard structure designed by Hadas Dembo sets a high bar.

Choose a durable and easy-to-clean surface material for the counters. Anything high-gloss, whether it's a lacquer paint over wood or laminate material, will do the trick. In this modern and minimalist laundry room by Arent & Pyke, the reflective counter makes the room feel bigger while also being easy to wipe down.

Save a corner by the window for flower arranging, as Reath Design did here. The combination of task and natural light is ideal for hand-washing and spotting small stains, too.

If you've already got a flat surface for folding laundry, consider placing your machines in an elevated built-in platform to give your back a break from unnecessary bending. Annie Selke incorporated plenty of cozy nooks for her pets to relax in this laundry room, too.

Tile floors will be easy to clean (which will definitely make life easier in a laundry room) but they also have the ability to introduce style and personality. Heidi Caillier laid an angular chocolate brown and white pattern that speaks to the beautiful marble veining in the countertops.

Designer David Kaihoi used some seriously smart storage solutions to make his New York City apartment feel like home—including creating this compact laundry "room" in his closet. That way, when he's not doing laundry, he can close the door on these eyesore appliances.

This laundry room, designed by Urban Grace Interiors, features a front-loading washer and dryer, which lets the homeowners make the most of their limited counter space. We also like that there's a sink separating the two machines for a more unique layout. Since the overhead cabinets cast a shadow, the designer added extra task lighting.

This small laundry room designed by Gail Davis is bursting with personality, from the colorful wallpaper, to the framed artwork, blue trim, and striped penny tile floors. And you don't need to build custom cabinets and shelves to have extra surfaces for folding. Just slide in a lucite side chair! They take up virtually zero visual real estate.

Instead of taking up floor space with a standing drying rack, designer Dina Bandman installed a custom Lucite rod between two upper cabinets in this San Francisco laundry room for damp garments. Yes, even a drying rod can be pretty! Also, note the hamper tucked under a cabinet but exposed, so it can be grabbed quickly when it's needed.

Stone tiles are a smart laundry room floor option, thanks to their durability and casual look. But what really sets this laundry room by Heidi Caillier apart is the fun marigold paint and warm brass flush mount light. If you're lucky enough to have a laundry room, why not have fun with it and experiment with a new paint color? It's a great way to test run new shades before committing in a larger, more guest-prone space.

Alternating between exposed and closed cabinetry, this light-filled laundry room by Studio McGee holds all the essentials. "We added an open shelf above the counter to help keep space feeling open and visually interesting," says designer Shea McGee.

Interior designer Danielle Colding transformed this basement laundry room into a lively space that we'd never mind coming down to for chore duty. In fact, the pops of orange contrasted with soothing cool grays and fun blowfish-print wallpaper might even make it one of the best rooms in the house.

A trio of retro hampers in this laundry room, designed by Emily Henderson, aren't just charming—the wheels also make them easy to move around the house. Assign one to each family member to help them keep track of their own laundry.

Wallpaper is perfect for tiny rooms, like a closet converted into a laundry space. This one designed by Cameron Ruppert Interiors only has room for stacked machines and a hamper, so she gave it some life with colorful wallpaper and a cheerful pendant light. "When you can't build out, build up," she says.

Repurpose crates to keep your essentials organized. Here, they're stacked on top of the cabinets, really making use of all possible space. Then, secure a single rod to your wall for a makeshift drying rack in a small laundry room.

Most laundry rooms are small, which leaves limited space for exciting design moments. So get creative with every surface possible! Here, Anna Spiro painted the ceiling a light blue color and used a mossy green gingham skirt to hide appliances.

If you can't install your laundry machines under built-in countertops or behind a closed door, just add an extended shelf on top of them. In this laundry room designed by Toledo Geller, the shelf obscures the machines while also providing some surface area to work on.

Even a teensy, tiny laundry room can feel like a jewel box with the right paint. In this one designed by deVol Kitchens, the blush pink cocoon is both bold and simple. Since all the surfaces but the counters are one color, it feels much bigger than it is.

In a small laundry room, you'll want to keep at surface space free, which means using your walls and ceilings, too. Designed by deVol Kitchens, the hanging drying racks keep things out of the way. A butcher-block slab in the laundry room can also become a workspace. Plus, pretty painted cabinets and a decorated mantle can draw attention away from less-than-appealing machines.

Before falling in love with a specific layout, think about how you'll use the space. For example, this laundry room designed by Sherry Hart and Jennifer Jones Condon also functions as a mudroom. To clear up some space for a doggy shower, the designers stacked the washer and dryer vertically.

A guaranteed ticket to a fun laundry room experience? Speakers. Danielle Colding installed a sound system in this energizing blue room to make even the most mundane tasks a little more inspiring.

Have you ever seen a more sophisticated laundry room? Designed by Arent & Pyke, this space makes doing chores so much more inspiring. The machines are tucked behind a sleek khaki green closet door so our eyes can focus on the pretty marble backsplash instead.

When your laundry room is actually just smack dab in the middle of a hallway, you'll want to make sure it looks as pretty as possible. This exposed laundry space by Amber Interiors blends right in with the rest of the walls in the hall, but it's brightened up by fresh florals and a colorful area rug.

In this minimalist laundry room designed by Robson Rak, even the essential items are stylish. The black hangers accentuate the modern black ladder, which is both decorative wall art and a functional tool.

Barn doors painted a bold orange make a statement in this laundry area, designed by Mona Ross Berman. "We felt the doors shouldn’t be an afterthought," says Berman. "Painting them orange made them very visible and special. They read as art." Guests will be too impressed by your bold doors to worry about what's behind them.

Keep your laundry supplies organized by keeping them in one place, like on a tray on the counter. Here, Emily Henderson also transferred them to glass canisters and opted for a lint roller in the same hue of the painted cabinets for a more elevated aesthetic.

You can use a tiny laundry room for multiple purposes (like as the bar during a party), if you hang curtains in front of your washer and dryer like Heather Bullard did here.

Additional wall hooks will come in handy for hanging any knick knacks, like shoe bags, or items that need to be sent to the dry cleaner. Paint them the same color as the wall to make them blend in like deVol Kitchens did here.

If your laundry room doubles as your mud room, make it pet-friendly with built-in feeding bowls that can be easily tucked away when not in use. Jenn Feldman Design took the theme to the next level with dog-print wallpaper.

This laundry room designed by Studio Life/Style feels dressier than most, thanks to the rich navy cabinets, elegant marble backsplash and floors, and wood grain ceilings. The farmhouse sink and sconce make it more approachable and also offer a more casual and useable workspace.

Not only does a wall-mounted organizer save valuable floor space, but it can also fit inside a closet if you don't have a dedicated laundry room.

Emily Beach works in the commercial construction industry in Maryland. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. She received a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland.

Embrace Awkward Rooms

This long, skinny laundry room proves that even awkwardly shaped spaces can become truly stunning in the right hands. The combination of grey hex tiles, bright white walls, and dark, moody cabinets lend a luxe (and very grown-up) feel to this space, while a well-placed blanket ladder (repurposed as a chic drying rack) makes it as functional as it is fashionable.

Kirkland'sBlack Metal Wall Hanger$50

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Roll With It

We've seen these handy butcher paper rolls pop up in playrooms for budding artists, and in the kitchen for grocery listsbut putting one in the laundry room just makes so much sense. Keep track of your to-dos (and remember to buy more whites detergent) in one fell swoop with this endless scroll of space for scribbling.

George & WillyWall Mounted Paper Roller$

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Add Artwork

A gallery wall next to the washer? We think it's a great idea. Give yourself something inspiring to gaze at as you fold towels, and bring a posh element to your home's most hardworking room with a diptych of abstract art. (Who knows—you might even start seeing Jackson Pollocks in those ketchup stains.)

Pick Your Hue

Is it just us, or does this space feel more like a cathedral to cleanliness than a regular old "laundry room"? This breathtaking room uses multiple types of tile and gorgeous indigo-blue wallpaper (reminiscent of your favorite laundry-day jeans, perhaps?) to transform the everyday into something extraordinary. The final touch: a tricked-out pet shower makes it easier than ever to get Fido squeaky clean.

Add Texture

If this picture had a smell, we're pretty sure it would be something like crisp linen and lavender. This bright white washroom just *feels* clean, from floor to ceilingbut textural elements, like leather drawer pulls and just a touch of polished brass, give it a unique personality and keep things interesting.

Bring in Your Favorite Color

Small space, big style: this nook is just big enough for a modest laundry sink, but what it lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in "pin-worthy" looks. The on-trend sage green cabinet brings a breath of fresh air to the space, while charming accessories show how essential it is to style out even the smallest corners of your home.

Go Streamlined

The old adage is true—especially when it comes to a narrow laundry area. This galley-style space uses its footprint wisely, keeping things neutral to lend a feeling of openness. But while the vibe is open, the storage—crucially— is closed, making it easy to stash away anything that could cause the space to look cluttered. We love how this functional, floor-to-ceiling closet-filled space doesn't skimp on the accents, however. Unique brass knobs, delicately veined dove grey countertops, and a deluxe laundry sink bring an air of refinement to the room.

SchoolhouseMid-Century Knobs in Natural Brass$22

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Remember to Accessorize

This washroom has a decidedly bohemian air—and we can't get enough of it. Dark subway tile with a distinct natural character anchors the space, while grey-green cabinets bring juuuust the right touch of traditional style. But everything from the waist up is pure laid-back boho: air plants, Turkish towels, blown glass vases, and even a few snaps of beachy destinations—the perfect distraction when you're running your third load of hots of the weekend. A chic rattan laundry basket completes the look.

IKEASNIDAD Rattan Basket$25

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Find Laidback Vibes

Where do we even begin? The longer we look at this space, the more inspo we find. From the genius transom-style storage high overhead, finished with gleaming copper handles, to the unique light fixture, to the eclectic mix of tile that just feels so Cali-cool, we're taking notes on every element. But perhaps our favorite detail is the row of wire basket-style drawers, giving linens plenty of airflow to keep them fresh for the next set of guests who decide to drop by. We think these would be an equally genius addition in a pantry, for storing onions and the like.

CabinetParts.comHeavy-Gauge Pull-Out Wire Basket$63

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Add Some Moodiness

Dudes: do your laundry! This sleek and masculine laundry room looks like it belongs in the world's most stylish bachelor pad apartment. The streamlined wooden cabinets (hardware-free, of course, for a more modern look) provide plenty of storage space, while the dark floors dial up the drama in the best way.

Bring Out Your Wild Side

What's navy and white and squeaky-clean all over? The coolest zebra-print laundry room ever. If you look closely, you'll see that most of the elements in this sophisticated space are relatively traditional—the classic cabinets and oversized clothespins feel charmingly retro—but the bold zebra print wallpaper packs such a punch, the entire room is elevated to obsession-worthy status, instantly. If you've been waiting for a sign to bust out the bold wallpaper and give it a shot in your own home, consider this your call of the wild.

Willow Lane TextilesZebra Print Wallpaper$72

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Add a Gorgeous Backsplash

It's no secret that bold floor tile can totally transform a space. But it's also true of backsplashes—and why should kitchens and bathrooms have all the fun? Bring your favorite unexpected tile into your next laundry room remodel to add some serious pizzazz to this unassuming spot. It'll bring a smile to your face every laundry day, and make your home's style feel more cohesive throughout.

Design From The Floor Up

We've said it before: wallpaper on the ceiling might be our favorite new unexpected trend. And when you put it somewhere even *more* unexpected, it only gets better. We love how this feminine paisley-esque pattern is juxtaposed with a more masculine marble slab backsplash, creating a very cool contrast that we'd be excited to see anywhere in the home. But in the laundry room, it's a full-on game-changer.

Society SocialLetty Pencil Rattan Stool$

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Be The Gold Standard

Do a double-take. If you thought this stunning space, complete with brass statement lighting and an ultra-wide prep table might be a dining room at first glance, we understand—as laundry rooms go, it's downright palatial. But the things we love best about it can be easily replicated in any (read: much smaller) space—the visual interest and texture of bold lighting always elevates a room, no matter how small. And the eye-catching striped backsplash design is actually crafted out of penny tiles. See? Sometimes you've got to think small to make a big impact.