Few people enjoy doing laundry, but having a well-designed laundry room can make this routine activity feel less like a burdensome chore.
While most people focus on the layout and appliances in their laundry room, lighting is also an important consideration. Your laundry room should be lit in a way that is practical, efficient, and suits your personal preferences.
The right lighting not only makes chores easier but also adds personality and comfort to the space. From ceiling lights that provide everyday function to accent fixtures that bring style and warmth, a thoughtful plan ensures that your laundry room is well-lit in exactly the right spaces.
In this guide, I’ll cover the factors that drive your choices for laundry room illumination, including types of lighting, lighting fixtures, and aesthetics.
Why Laundry Room Lighting Matters
Laundry room lighting may not be the most mission-critical aspect in your remodel, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. We always consider laundry room lighting for a few reasons:
- Functionality: Proper lighting makes it easier for you to see what you’re doing when folding, sorting, ironing, or trying to spot stains on clothing.
- Energy efficiency: More and more homeowners are prioritizing energy efficiency and energy savings in their homes. Efficient appliances and lighting options in your laundry room can bring energy savings and reduce your house’s environmental footprint.
- Style: The right lighting can make your laundry room feel like more than just a space for doing mundane chores. While no one’s suggesting that you install neon lights, your choice of lighting can give your space warmth and style.
The takeaway here is that your laundry room lighting should be tailored to your space and your needs, making sure that you have the type and amount of light to do the wash as effectively and comfortably as possible.
Types of Lighting
Before we get into more details about laundry room lighting, it’s worth describing the general types of lighting that we think about when developing any interior design plan. Each type serves a different purpose.
- Ambient lighting provides overall illumination for the room. Common choices include ceiling lights or flush mounts, which spread light evenly and make the space easy to navigate. Natural light from windows is another example of ambient lighting.
- Task lighting offers focused illumination for specific areas, such as over the washer, dryer, or folding surface. Examples include strategically placed pendant lights or under-cabinet fixtures.
- Accent lighting adds style and warmth while highlighting design features. Wall sconces or decorative fixtures create visual interest and soften the look of functional spaces like laundry rooms.
As we discuss other considerations, keeping these types of lighting in mind can help you develop a cohesive lighting plan that meets your needs for both functionality and aesthetics.
Choosing the Right Laundry Room Lighting Fixtures
When you’re deciding on light fixtures, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of options. Some of the key things to think about when selecting fixtures include:
- How much space they take up: If you have a smaller laundry room, you may want more compact fixtures (or flush mounts for lower ceilings). If you’ve got lots of space to work with, you can consider bigger or more decorative types of light fixtures.
- Positioning in the room: Some types of fixtures work better for ambient lighting, while others serve as ideal task lighting. Think about where the fixture will go and what kind of lighting you need from that fixture.
- Aesthetics: Although the laundry room is primarily a functional space, you should choose fixtures that give the room the sense of style that you’re striving for. For example, modern light fixtures aren’t the right fit for a rustic home and vice versa.
- Special features: If you’re looking for particular features, such as dimmable lights or lights with adjustable angles, make sure to take those features into account when picking the fixtures.
- Durability and maintenance: As a general rule, we recommend looking for lighting fixtures that are durable and easy to maintain. Ideally, they also make it relatively easy to change out the bulb.
Ceiling Lighting Options
The right ceiling lights can make a laundry room feel brighter and easier to use.
A flush-mount ceiling light is one of the most practical choices. Mounted close to the ceiling, it delivers even illumination without taking up valuable headroom. This makes it especially well-suited for lower ceilings where hanging fixtures might feel bulky.
For homeowners seeking a modern look, sleek drum lights or minimalist LED panels can instantly brighten the space. Many of these ceiling light options are also energy-efficient, reducing long-term electricity costs.
Wall and Table Lighting
In addition to overhead fixtures, smaller lights are an excellent choice for making laundry tasks easier. As you map out your laundry room workflow, think about where you can get added convenience from smaller lights that complement the ceiling lights.
Wall sconces, table lamps, and under-cabinet lighting are examples of this kind smaller light that provides targeted brightness right where you need it, whether that’s over a folding station, next to the washer and dryer, or by a utility sink.
Color and Ambiance
The bulb color can set the right mood in your laundry room, making it more inviting. Warm white or daylight bulbs create a welcoming ambiance while still offering enough brightness for practical tasks.
Your goal should be to pair the color temperature of the bulbs with the look and feel of the fixtures and with the other design elements and decor in your laundry room.
Making Plans for Your Laundry Room Remodel
If you’re thinking about a laundry room makeover, integrating all of the different elements — floor plan, appliances, lighting, storage, and transitions to adjacent spaces — can be more complicated than it may seem at first. Developing the right design is essential to making sure that you’ll be happy with the final result, whether you’re just upgrading your laundry room or doing a full remodel of your main floor or basement.
At Hazley Builders, making your remodel special is our specialty. Our team and process are optimized for custom remodeling, and we have a certified architect on staff, allowing us to handle even the most complex projects. We have longstanding ties to the West Chester area, and we take pride in helping our neighbors envision and build their dream homes.
As you plan your next renovation, we invite you to check out our portfolio, review our kitchen remodel checklist, and schedule an appointment for a consultation to learn more about what we can accomplish together.
