Luxe laundry - 10 decorating ideas

If you have to do chores, you may as well do them in style! That's our motto, anyway.

Your utility room might not seem like the most luxurious room in your home, but there's no reason the space you use for washing, cleaning and storage can't be just as stylish and fun as the other more glamorous rooms in your home.

Take a look at our 10 suggestions for taking the drab design out of your laundry room - they may even make you want to spend time in the room - stranger things have happened...

Laundry storage shelves
Don't hide your laundry away - customise a dresser by lining the shelves with striped fabric and showcase your fresh laundry in bundles tied with pretty ribbon.

RibbonVV Rouleaux

Dresser, linens
Brissi

1/10 Laundry storage shelves

Don't hide your laundry away - customise a dresser by lining the shelves with striped fabric and showcase your fresh laundry in bundles tied with pretty ribbon.

Ribbon

VV Rouleaux

Dresser, linens
Brissi Summerhill & Bishop

2/10 Powder pink utility room

Cheer up laundry-day blues with popping pink walls and a monochrome tiled floor like this vintage-style decorating idea.

Similar drying rack
Cast in Style

3/10 Modern laundry room with patterned washing machine

Who knew washing machines could be so exciting! Introducing funky florals into your laundry room is definitely one way to make wash day less of a washout.

Washing machine
Designers Guild
Linens
The Conran Shop
Basket
Summerill & Bishop

4/10 Rustic French-style utility room

This rustic-style decorating idea relies on wooden crates and glassware to create a homely look with a French accent.

Glass
The French House
Bowl
Divertimenti
Jug
Summerill & Bishop
Similar crates
Baileys Home & Garden

5/10 Wood-panelled utility room with cupboard storage

Muted greens and taupes create a serene scheme in this laundry room decorating idea. Add a dedicated cupboard to keep the ironing board tucked away for when the domestic goddess in you is taking a break...

Similar cupboard
Mark Maynard

6/10 Monochrome laundry room with ironing board

Laundry accessories needn't be dull. Here, an ironing board gets a sophisticated look with a monochrome cover with floral design, and a wirework basket makes an elegant laundry store.

Ironing board cover
Lisa Stickley
Basket
The Conran Shop

7/10 Pretty pink wash room

This pastel vintage-style decorating idea scores top marks in the pretty stakes. A butler sink and a washboard add to the authentic 1950s feel of scheme.

Table
Ikea
Washboard
Re

8/10 Modern laundry room with black washing machine

This super-sleek laundry room decorating idea uses bold accessories to create an edgy scheme.

Storage
The Holding Company
Laundry basket and clothes airer
Lakeland
Washing machine
LG Electronics
Canvas print
Oliver Bonas

9/10 Powder blue laundry room

The weekly washing is made easier with a well-organised space. Wicker boxes boxes, and soft canvas storage work well with this pastel blue room.

Storage boxes
Lombok
Wall mounted clothes dryer
Garden Trading

10/10 Utility room peg bag

If we must hang washing out to dry then accessorising with a pretty peg bag is a must. Go for the cheeriest fabric you can find and display it on a door handle for a country look.

Bag
Elenbach

Loved this? See more room ideas in our dedicated decorating channel or take a look at our shopping pages for inspiration. For more news and trends why not follow us on Facebook and Twitter.