Mudrooms are transitional spaces that connect the outdoors with the indoors. They provide a place to remove dirty or wet outdoor gear before entering the main living spaces. Laundry rooms are utilitarian spaces for washing and drying clothing. Combining these two rooms into one creates a functional and convenient mudroom laundry combo.
Benefits of Adding Laundry to the Mudroom
There are several advantages to incorporating laundry facilities into your home’s mudroom area:
Convenience
Having a laundry area in the mudroom is extremely convenient, especially for households with kids or pets. It provides an easily accessible spot to toss dirty clothes, towels, and linens when coming inside. You don’t have to carry them throughout the house.
Workflow
The mudroom laundry combo enables an efficient workflow. As you enter from the garage or backyard, you can immediately throw a load of laundry in the washer. Then when leaving the house, switch it to the dryer, fold it when returning.
Multi-Tasking
With laundry facilities in the high-traffic mudroom, you can wash clothes while simultaneously handling other tasks like unpacking groceries, signing kids out for school, feeding pets, and more.
Saves Space
Combining the laundry and mudroom spaces eliminates the need for two separate rooms. This allows you to optimize space in other areas of your home.
Layout Considerations
When planning a mudroom laundry combo, the layout, and spatial considerations are key to creating an organized and functional space.
Allow for Traffic Flow Around Appliances
Make sure there is adequate floor space around the washer and dryer for moving around. You don’t want bottlenecks or tight squeezes.
Incorporate Folding/Sorting Zone
Include a countertop, table, or set of cubbies for folding and sorting clothes. This helps keep the space neat and orderly.
Provide Adequate Storage
Incorporate sufficient cabinets, shelves, hooks, hampers, and bins for stowing laundry essentials like detergent, supplies, and sorted clothes.
Consider Noise and Vibration
Strategically place appliances to minimize noise and vibration transfer. Don’t position the washer and dryer directly against a wall that adjoins living spaces.
Allow for Venting Requirements
Make sure there is appropriate venting for the dryer to the outside. This is essential for proper function and safety.
60 Clever Mudroom Laundry Combo Ideas
Here are 60 ingenious ideas for incorporating laundry functionality into a mudroom, from built-in cabinetry to stand-alone appliances:
1. White Cabinetry with Black Accents
Contrasting colors and materials add visual interest.
2. Laundry Center Island
An island with washers and dryers provides a handy spot for folding.
3. Rustic Wood Cabinets
Warm wood cabinetry suits farmhouse, cottage, or lodge aesthetics.
4. Open Shelving
Open shelves above appliances allow the display of baskets and supplies.
5. Wraparound Countertop
A countertop wrapping around three walls offers abundant folding space.
6. Custom Cabinetry
Built-in cabinetry with laundry appliances streamlines the space.
7. Wire Pull-Out Drying Rack
Incorporate the above-counter retractable drying racks for air-drying delicate items.
8. Barn Door Cabinets
Barn door-style cabinets enable compact laundry appliance storage.
9. Built-In Ironing Board
Incorporate an ironing board that folds down from a cabinet.
10. Pet Wash Station
Include a pet bathing tub and grooming table for washing muddy dogs.
11. Utility Sink
A utility sink adds functionality for hand-washing delicate items.
12. L-Shaped Layout
An L-shaped layout defines separate zones for laundry and gear storage.
13. Hanging Drying Rack
Install wall-mounted retractable drying racks.
14. Laundry Chute Access
In multi-story homes, provide laundry chute access for dropping clothes from upper levels.
15. Doggie Shower Niche
Include a dedicated dog washing niche with sprayer and drain.
16. Built-In Hampers
Incorporate hampers into cabinetry for concealed storage.
17. Pull-Out Ironing Board
Install a pull-out ironing board in a drawer or cabinet.
18. Fold-Down Laundry Sorting Table
Make use of vertical space with a wall-mounted, fold-down table.
19. Custom Laundry Closet
Tuck appliances away in a closet with cabinets flanking each side.
20. Pull-out drying Racks
Mount pull-out retractable drying racks above appliances or countertops.
21. Wall-Mounted Sorting Bins
Use vertical wall space for mounting canvas sorting bins.
22. Base Cabinet with Pull-Out Shelves
Increase storage with base cabinets outfitted with pull-out shelves for supplies.
23. Pet Gear Storage Niche
Create designated areas for stowing pet leashes, bowls, towels, and toys.
24. Built-In Drop Zone
Construct a drop zone cubby bench for kicking off shoes and dropping gear.
25. Custom Laundry Cabinetry
Build an organized laundry zone with cabinets fitted for appliances.
26. Fold-Down Folding Table
Include a wall-mounted folding table for laundry folding and sorting.
27. Sliding Chalkboard Labels
Use sliding chalkboard labels to identify cubbies and baskets.
28. Wraparound Bench and Storage
A bench with storage underneath delivers seating and tucks away gear.
29. Base Cabinet with Laundry Bins
Incorporate pull-out laundry bins inside cabinetry.
30. Wall Panel Drying Rack
Mount a wall-mounted drying rack that folds flush when not in use.
31. Base Cabinet for Appliances
Elevate washers and dryers with a base cabinet for a more ergonomic height.
32. Pet Gear Drying Station
Add a pet gear drying station for air drying leashes, towels, and life jackets.
33. Built-In Drop Zone Cubbies
Construct drop zone cubbies for sorting dirty clothes when entering.
34. Sliding Barn Doors
Use sliding barn doors on laundry appliance cabinetry to conserve space.
35. Custom Cabinetry Wrapping Around Washer/Dryer
Build cabinetry around the sides and back of laundry appliances.
36. Wall-Mounted Drying Rack Near Pet Wash Station
Situate retractable drying racks adjacent to the pet washing area.
37. Base Cabinet with Pull-Out Ironing Board
Include a pull-out ironing board that stows in a base cabinet.
38. Floating Shelves
Incorporate floating shelves above appliances for laundry essentials.
39. Pull-Out Sorting Trays
Include pull-out trays in base cabinetry to simplify sorting clothes.
40. Wall Panel Drying Rack Near Utility Sink
Place wall-mounted drying racks near the utility sink for convenience.
41. Custom Tower Storage Unit
Construct a tall, narrow tower unit for hampers, shelves, and drying racks.
42. Wraparound Bench Seating with Storage Beneath
Include L-shaped bench seating with storage below for an ergonomic folding/sorting area.
43. Pull-Down Hanging Rod
Install a pull-down retractable hanging rod for air drying garments.
44. Base Cabinet with Pull-Out Laundry Sorting Trays
Use base cabinets outfitted with pull-out trays for easy sorting by type and color.
45. Built-In Drop Zone Cubbies with Adjustable Shelving
Include drop zone cubbies with adjustable shelves and rods to accommodate gear of all sizes.
46. Sliding Chalkboard Doors on Cabinetry
Use sliding chalkboard doors on laundry cabinets and closets to conceal contents.
47. Wall Panel Ironing Board
Mount a wall-mounted ironing board that folds flush to conserve space.
48. Custom Storage Tower with Hampers, Cabinets, and Pull-Out Drying Rods
Construct a storage tower complete with hampers, cabinets, shelves, and retractable drying rods.
49. Base Cabinet with Built-In Hampers
Include hampers inside cabinetry with ventilation slats on the doors.
50. L-Shaped Layout with Utility Sink, Pet Wash, and Storage
Design an L-shaped layout to define separate laundry, pet wash, utility sink, and storage zones.
51. Pull-Out Sorting Trays Beneath Countertop
Install pull-out trays under the countertop for simplified sorting.
52. Floating Shelves with Woven Baskets
Mount floating shelves above the appliances to display decorative baskets for storage.
53. Custom Storage Tower Adjacent to Appliances
Position a floor-to-ceiling storage tower next to the washer/dryer appliances.
54. Wall Panel Drying Rack Above Utility Sink
Situate retractable wall drying racks above the utility sink.
55. Base Cabinet with Pull-Out Folding Table
Use base cabinets with a pull-out tray that becomes a folding table.
56. Sliding Door Cabinets with Hampers
Include hampers inside cabinets with sliding doors to conceal laundry.
57. Pull-Down Retractable Clothes Line
Install a ceiling-mounted pull-down retractable clothesline for drying garments indoors.
58. Wraparound Countertop and Bench Seating
Include an L-shaped countertop and bench seating area for ergonomic laundry sorting.
59. Wall Panel Ironing Board and Storage Unit Combo
Combine wall-mounted ironing boards and custom storage units.
60. Pull-Out Drying Rod Below Wall Cabinets
Mount a retractable drying rod below wall-mounted cabinets.
Conclusion
Incorporating laundry functionality into a home’s mudroom creates a cleaner, more efficient, and better-organized space. With ample storage, durable surfaces, multi-purpose furniture, and the right layout, a mudroom laundry combo enables busy families to seamlessly transition from outdoor playtime to indoor living. There are many clever solutions for building customized cabinetry, utilizing vertical space, allowing accessibility to laundry appliances, and enabling ergonomic laundry sorting and folding areas. Any of these 60 mudroom laundry combo ideas can help transform chaotic spaces into highly functional home command centers.