Interior Designer’s Room-by-Room Planning Checklist : Laundry / Utility Area
Designed for efficiency, containment, nervous-system calm, and zero pile-ups
This is a high-impact systems room. When it’s designed well, the whole house runs smoother.
1. Room Purpose & Design Intent
Primary Function
Washing, drying, folding, and sorting laundry
Managing household utility tasks
Containing mess, noise, and visual clutter
Secondary Function
Storage for cleaning supplies
Linen rotation
Reset zone for towels, pet items, and utility fabrics
Design Philosophy
This laundry room is designed to:
Prevent backlog and overwhelm
Support quick resets
Reduce decision fatigue
Keep mess out of living spaces
Feel neutral, calm, and functional
This is not a catch-all dumping room.
2. ZONING & FLOW (FOUNDATIONAL)
☐ Washer Zone
☐ Dryer Zone
☐ Folding Zone
☐ Sorting / Pre-Treat Zone
☐ Storage Zone
☐ Hanging / Drying Zone
☐ Cleaning Supply Zone
Flow Rule:
Laundry moves in one direction only:
Dirty → Wash → Dry → Fold → Put Away.
No backtracking.
3. WASHER & DRYER ZONE
Appliances
Washer (quiet, high-efficiency)
Dryer (matched capacity)
Anti-vibration pads
Dryer vent kit (sealed, code-compliant)
Accessories
Laundry machine pedestals or drawers (optional)
Drip pan (if required)
Lint trap brush
Spare hoses (stored nearby)
4. SORTING & PRE-TREAT ZONE
Shopping List
Divided laundry hampers (labeled):
Lights
Darks
Towels
Delicates
Pull-out sorter OR rolling bins
Counter or surface for pre-treat
Stain-treat spray
Small soaking tub or bucket
Rubber gloves
Mesh laundry bags
This zone prevents piles everywhere else.
5. FOLDING ZONE (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Furniture & Surfaces
Large folding counter (waist height)
Sealed, easy-wipe surface
Optional pull-down folding shelf
Accessories
Folding board
Catch tray for socks
Small bin for “belongs elsewhere”
Step stool (if cabinets are high)
6. HANGING & DRYING ZONE
Shopping List
Wall-mounted drying rack (fold-away)
Hanging rod or rail
Slim hangers (uniform)
Hooks for air-dry items
Dehumidifier (if needed)
Wet items never migrate to other rooms.
7. STORAGE & CABINETRY (EXTENSIVE)
Closed Storage (Priority)
Upper cabinets with doors
Tall utility cabinet
Drawer units
Labeled Storage Bins
DETERGENT
FABRIC CARE
CLEANING SUPPLIES
LINENS
PET TOWELS
SPARES
Supplies to Store
Detergent (primary + backup)
Fabric softener or alternatives
Dryer sheets or balls
Iron / steamer
Ironing mat or board
Sewing kit
Safety pins
8. CLEANING SUPPLY ZONE
(Separate from laundry chemicals)
Shopping List
Closed cabinet or caddy
Spray bottles (labeled)
Microfiber cloths
Mop & bucket
Vacuum (or attachments)
Trash bags
Paper towels
Everything stays contained and labeled.
9. LINEN MANAGEMENT ZONE
Shopping List
Shelf or cabinet for:
Bath towels
Hand towels
Washcloths
Guest linens
Labels for shelves
Rotation baskets
Laundry basket for “ready to put away”
This prevents towel chaos.
10. LIGHTING (FUNCTIONAL + CALM)
Layered Lighting
Bright overhead ceiling light
Task lighting over folding counter
Fairy lights or pebble lights:
Under cabinets
Shelf glow
Optional wall sconce (soft)
Controls
Separate switches for bright vs ambient
Warm bulbs only (3000K max)
Spare bulbs stored nearby
Lighting should keep energy steady, not harsh.
11. SOUND, AIR & COMFORT
Shopping List
Quiet exhaust fan (if enclosed)
Door sweep (noise containment)
Anti-vibration mats
Absorbent rug or runner (washable)
Rug pad
This room should not feel loud or stressful.
12. JOY & VISUAL CALM
(Yes — this matters here too)
Shopping List
Neutral wall art or quote
Plant (real or faux)
Decorative baskets
Coordinated containers
Soft color palette
Joy here = order + ease, not decoration.
13. POWER, HARDWARE & FINISHING
Shopping List
GFCI outlets
Surge protector (washer/dryer rated)
Cord clips & concealment
Light plate covers
Plug-in plate covers
Wall anchors
Shelf brackets
Drawer liners
Touch-up paint (color noted)
14. CLEANING & LONG-TERM CARE
Stored in Room
Lint roller
Cleaning cloths
Floor cleaner
Extra trash liners
Laundry machine cleaner tablets
Cleaner Notes (If Applicable)
Wipe counters
Mop floor
Empty trash
Do not reorganize cabinets
FINAL DESIGNER APPROVAL CHECKLIST
☐ Laundry flows in one direction
☐ No piles form outside this room
☐ Supplies are labeled and obvious
☐ Folding is comfortable
☐ Lighting supports focus without stress
☐ Noise is contained
☐ Reset takes under 15 minutes
☐ Room feels calm and capable
What Comes Next
If you’re at the point where you no longer want to think about your home — and you’re ready for it to quietly support your life instead — you can learn more about working together here:
