The laundry room is one of the most-used, least-loved spaces in a lot of homes. It’s often an afterthought, a cramped closet or a leftover corner of the basement that was never actually designed, just assigned. A laundry room remodel changes that. With the right layout, storage, and a few smart upgrades, laundry day stops being a chore you dread and becomes just another functional part of a well-designed home.
This guide covers what a laundry room remodel typically costs, the ideas worth considering, and what to expect if you’re ready to start the project.
How Much Does a Laundry Room Remodel Cost?
Laundry room remodel costs vary widely depending on the scope of the project, and a few key factors drive most of that variation:
- Size of the space. A small laundry closet costs far less to remodel than a full-sized dedicated laundry room, simply because there’s less square footage to finish.
- Plumbing and electrical changes. If you’re relocating the washer and dryer hookups, adding a laundry sink, or upgrading electrical to support new appliances, that work adds to the cost. Keeping fixtures in their existing locations keeps costs down.
- Storage and cabinetry. Custom cabinetry, built-in shelving, and a folding counter add functionality but also add to the budget compared to a laundry room with no built-ins.
- Flooring and finishes. Water-resistant flooring like tile or luxury vinyl is a common laundry room choice, and the finish level you choose, from budget-friendly to high-end, will move the number accordingly.
- New appliances. If your remodel includes new washer and dryer units, that’s a separate line item from the renovation itself, but it’s worth budgeting for together if both are on the table.
- Layout changes. Expanding a laundry room into an adjacent closet or space, or converting a mudroom into a combined laundry and mudroom, involves more construction than a remodel that keeps the existing footprint.
Because these factors vary so much from home to home, laundry room remodel costs can range from a modest refresh to a significant investment for a larger, full-featured space. The most accurate way to know what your project will cost is a contractor quote based on your specific space, layout goals, and finish preferences.
Laundry Room Remodel Ideas
Whether you’re working with a small laundry closet or a dedicated room, these ideas cover the upgrades homeowners ask for most.
Storage That Actually Works
Open shelving, upper cabinets, and a designated spot for detergent, dryer sheets, and cleaning supplies make a real difference in day-to-day use. A laundry room without enough storage tends to become a catch-all for clutter, so building in storage from the start is one of the highest-impact changes you can make.
A Folding Counter or Station
A counter above the washer and dryer, or a dedicated folding table if the room allows, turns laundry from a floor-sorting task into something far more organized. It’s a small addition with a big payoff for anyone doing laundry regularly.
A Laundry Sink
A utility sink is useful for hand-washing delicates, soaking stained items, or rinsing off muddy boots and gear. It’s one of the most requested laundry room additions because of how often it gets used once it’s there.
Durable, Water-Resistant Flooring
Tile and luxury vinyl are popular laundry room flooring choices because they hold up to moisture, spills, and heavy foot traffic far better than carpet or standard hardwood.
Hidden Laundry Solutions
For homes without space for a dedicated room, a laundry closet with bifold or pocket doors keeps the washer and dryer out of sight without sacrificing function. This is a popular option for smaller homes or open floor plans where a fully separate laundry room isn’t practical.
A Combined Laundry and Mudroom
Pairing the laundry room with a mudroom, complete with hooks, a bench, and a spot for shoes, creates one highly functional space near an entryway instead of splitting those tasks across two smaller, less useful areas.
Small Laundry Room Ideas
If your laundry space is tight, stacking the washer and dryer instead of placing them side by side frees up valuable floor space for storage or a folding surface. Wall-mounted drying racks, over-the-door organizers, and slim rolling carts also make a small laundry room feel far more workable without requiring any structural changes.
Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Laundry Room
- The space feels cramped, cluttered, or impossible to keep organized no matter what you do.
- Your washer and dryer are outdated or don’t fit the space well.
- There’s no storage, so supplies end up stacked on top of the machines or on the floor.
- The flooring or walls show water damage or wear from years of moisture exposure.
- You’re doing a broader home renovation and want the laundry room to match the rest of the house.
What to Expect During a Laundry Room Renovation
A laundry room remodel typically moves through design and layout planning, material and appliance selection, any necessary plumbing or electrical work, then construction and finishing. Because laundry rooms are often smaller spaces, timelines can be shorter than a full kitchen or bathroom remodel, though projects involving relocated plumbing or an expanded footprint will take longer than a simple cosmetic refresh.
Working with a design build team keeps design decisions and construction planning connected from the start, which helps avoid surprises once the project is underway, particularly with plumbing and electrical work that isn’t visible until walls are opened up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Room Remodels
Is a laundry room remodel worth it? For most homeowners, yes. A well-designed laundry room improves daily function, adds usable storage, and is a feature future buyers notice, especially in homes where laundry space has historically been an afterthought.
Can I remodel a small laundry closet, or do I need a full room? You don’t need a dedicated room to see real improvement. Stacking the washer and dryer, adding shelving, and improving the door and flooring can dramatically upgrade even a small laundry closet.
Do I need to move plumbing to remodel my laundry room? Not necessarily. Keeping your washer and dryer hookups in their current location keeps costs and construction time down. Moving plumbing is only needed if you’re relocating the laundry area or adding a sink where one doesn’t already exist.
Start Your Laundry Room Remodel
If your laundry room has become the space you avoid instead of the space that works for you, it might be time for a change. The team at Volpe Design Build helps homeowners throughout Chester and Montgomery County, PA plan and build laundry rooms that are functional, organized, and built to handle everyday life. Talk to us today about your laundry room remodel.
