A laundry room is one of the most hardworking rooms in a home, yet it’s also one of the most overlooked. Whether your laundry room is in the basem*nt or consists of a small closet without natural light, there’s no reason you can’t add a splash of color and personality. In fact, because it tends to be a smaller room, it’s a great place to experiment and have some fun with colors you might not use in a larger, more public space, such as your living or dining room.
“Laundry rooms can be more playful when it comes to color since they are spaces that we like to keep organized and fresh, but don’t spend a ton of time in," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "I’ve seen paint colors range from classic neutrals to navy and red, to spa-like blues and greens.”
We’re sharing ten of our favorite laundry room paint colors, from bright and cheery to clean and fresh neutrals.
1. Babouche by Farrow & Ball
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to go bold, fill your laundry room with Farrow & Ball’s Babouche—a cheerful yellow that will instantly brighten and warm up a room. Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s international ambassador, recommends the paint brand’s cheeriest color. “Even though the laundry room doesn’t inspire much joy through its own utilitarian nature, there is no reason why this space can’t be fun, inviting, or even charming," says O'Donnell. "A splash of bright sunshine yellow is always cheering—so Babouche would be your 'go-to' shade here, bringing optimistic warmth to any environment."
For a fully immersive experience, he suggests painting the cabinetry, walls, and ceiling all one color in the brand’s modern eggshell finish. “There is definitely an opportunity to really go for it here as you aren’t spending masses of time in this room, so be as bold as you dare," says O'Donnell.
2. Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams
For a warm, cozy feel, you can’t go wrong with Sherwin-Williams’ Redend Point. It’s an inviting color for both walls and cabinetry and pairs beautifully with warm white, natural wood tones, and black for contrast. “I love our 2023 color of the year, Redend Point SW 9081, in a laundry room. This blush-beige hue strikes the balance of being a warm and nurturing neutral while also providing color to any room," says Wadden.
Every 2024 Color of the Year We Know So Far
3. Simply White by Benjamin Moore
A crisp white paint color will always be a beautiful, timeless choice for a laundry room, and Simply White is a classic. “If you prefer a bright, crisp look, you can go with Simply White OC-117 and then add in Million Dollar Red 2003-10 as a bright floor to really stand out as a focal point,” says Arianna Cesa, color marketing and development specialist at Benjamin Moore. Use brass or black hardware and lighting to create contrast with the crisp neutral color and wood countertops to add warmth.
4. Light Blue by Farrow & Ball
For soothing paint colors that are sophisticated yet surprisingly warm, interior designer Whittney Parkinson recommends Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue. “One of my favorite laundry room cabinetry paint colors is Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue. It’s a unique blue in that it tends to lean warm, which is really hard to find! It pairs beautifully with light or dark countertops," she says. “I love my laundry room spaces to be engulfed in a color that feels clean and fresh and Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue is that perfect color!”
5. Wing It by Clare
Give your laundry room walls the softest hint of pink with one of Clare paint’s most popular colors, Wing It. It adds just enough grown-up pink to create an elegant, modern laundry room. Go with bright white cabinetry and countertops, add a touch of warmth with brass hardware and lighting, and bring in some contrast with a dark floor, such as a slate-gray tile. Sorting your lights and darks will be less of a chore when surrounded by this lovely laundry room paint color.
6. Cedar Green by Benjamin Moore
Energize your laundry room and make a fresh statement with a saturated green paint color. “For a pop of color, Cedar Green 2034-40 offers the vibrancy of saturated colors paired with soothing qualities of blues and greens,” says Cesa. If you’ve been wanting to try a bold color in your home, Cesa says your laundry room is the perfect space to go for it. “Laundry rooms are a great place to experiment with color since they are often smaller areas in the home that are tucked away. So, adding color can bring energy to an often-overlooked space.”
7. Cargo Pants by Sherwin-Williams
Create a bright and airy space using a calming neutral paint color that's warm yet fresh, classic yet modern. It’s a particularly good choice if your laundry room is in the basem*nt or lacks windows. “Often, our laundry rooms can be some of the smallest spaces in our homes that lack natural light. Warm neutrals like Malted Milk SW 6057 and Cargo Pants SW 7738 are perfect for those who want their space to feel light and organized," says Wadden. "When paired with Tricorn Black SW 6258 on the trim or ceiling, you’ll create a unique color contrast that will help your eye bounce around the room and make the space feel bigger and brighter.”
8. Calluna No. 270 by Farrow & Ball
A calming lilac paint color such as Farrow & Ball’s Calluna No. 270 is a great way to dress up your laundry room. Pair it with dark countertops, black hardware, and a charcoal gray floor to create a moody, sophisticated space that’s contemporary yet timeless.
9. Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams
Turn your laundry room into a soothing retreat by using this sophisticated green-gray color on walls, cabinets, or open shelves. Wadden recommends a muted green such as Evergreen Fog SW 9130. “Spa-like hues can also lighten up a space and make it feel like a getaway. Painting the cabinetry or open shelving in your laundry room with these colors can create a big impact without having to repaint the entire space," she says.
10. Beachside Drive by Behr
Use one of Behr’s most popular blues, Beachside Drive M460-2, to add bright, refreshing color to your laundry room. Create a relaxed, beachy vibe by painting open shelves and cabinets in this striking blue and pairing it with crisp white walls for a clean look. Incorporate plenty of warmth and texture into the space by adding wicker storage baskets, a seagrass runner, and woven wood shades (if your laundry room has windows!) to complete the soothing coastal aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint should I use in a laundry room?
Beyond picking a color (or colors) that goes well with your style and purpose of the laundry room, you should also choose the right paint finish. Satin or semi-gloss finishes are recommended for laundry rooms as it’s easier to clean, as well as more resistant to everyday wear. Make sure the finish you’re using for walls surrounds the washer and dryer. For accent walls, farther from your appliances, you may get away with an eggshell finish.
What’s the best paint for laundry room ceilings?
Ceilings are often overlooked when it comes to the laundry room. As flat, eggshell-finish painting tends to stain, peel, or crack because of the high humidity from the appliances and room temperature in general, you may be better off using acrylic and satin options—even latex or actual ceiling textured paint—which are more durable in small, humid spaces. If you don't know how to paint a ceiling surface, a small laundry room is a good place to start.
Can wallpaper be used in a laundry room?
Sure! Wallpapers add warmth and character to small spaces, even laundry rooms. However, keep in mind you’d have to prep the walls properly (especially if you haven’t updated your laundry room in a while, or ever!) and go for wallpapers resistant enough for high-humidity areas. Better yet, peel-and-stick wall tiles or wallpaper with a satin finish or some sort of texture would work better for the walls surrounding the appliances.