When it comes to renovations, your laundry room is perhaps one of the most neglected rooms in your home. However, it's a room that's used once or twice a week, or sometimes daily if you have kids. You don't have to do a complete renovation to increase the functionality of this room and update the decor. We're going to offer you some budget-friendly ideas on how you can update and renovate your laundry room and make it a more beautiful place to do your laundry chores.

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1. Stacked to Flat

Do you need extra storage in your laundry room? Or a place to fold laundry? Who couldn't use some additional cabinets to store laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and more?

If you currently have your washer and dryer stacked one on top of the other and you've got enough space in your laundry room, consider installing them side by side. This provides two benefits.

First, you can install a countertop across the appliances, which allows room to fold laundry and store some items on top of the counter. Secondly, it opens up the wall space above the appliances for the installation of upper cabinets for storage.

This is an easy and quick renovation that can improve the functionality of your laundry room. New upper cabinets can be made to suit, or you can even check out Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji and pick up some inexpensive upper cabinets that others are selling when they are renovating their kitchen. We have frequently been able to offer kitchen cabinets we've been removing from our renovations to our other clients who are doing laundry room or basement renovations and want to use the cabinets in their home. Anything that doesn't have to go to a landfill is a win for everyone!

2. A Splash of Colour

Sometimes all you really need is a fresh coat of paint. Be bold and daring, and pick a colour that's whimsical, uplifting, and makes you feel good. You'd be surprised at the difference a fresh, new paint colour in the laundry room can make!

Look around the room and decide if you have a feature wall within your laundry room that you'd like to accent. This is often the wall that has the washer and dryer on it. Consider painting it a contrasting colour or even installing gorgeous wallpaper on this wall. For example, if you selected Mexicali Turquoise from Benjamin Moore for the main colour, you could select Galapagos Turquoise for the accent wall.

3. Add a Shelf

No matter whether your washer and dryer are stacked or whether you already have upper cabinets installed in your laundry room, adding a simple shelf anywhere in the laundry room can create a fabulous spot to store detergents and supplies or even just a pretty spot to display a potted plant, some photos, or knickknacks to brighten up the space. Shelves are simple to install and can be purchased at your local big-box hardware store. This makes it an easy and inexpensive DIY project.

4. Storage Cubbies

You know those cabinets I suggested you pick up on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace? Well, if the door fronts aren’t in great shape or you just don't like the look of the doors, then don't install the doors! The cabinets can be installed on the walls to create a great cubby where you can display items or use baskets inside to store linens, towels, etc. This can be a pretty and chic way to create additional storage or decor in your laundry room without bulky or outdated cabinets.

Here's a bonus idea to pretty up those used cabinet shells: Wallpaper. Pick up a colourful wallpaper that catches your eye and install it on the back of the cabinets.

5. Flooring

Changing the flooring in your laundry room can make a big difference in the appearance and feel of the room, just like a fresh coat of paint can. You don't have to spend a lot on the flooring, either. Sheet vinyl comes in so many chic and contemporary designs, and it's relatively inexpensive. Check out the photo above of the gorgeous sheet vinyl flooring in our North Oshawa client's laundry room!

If you're not a fan of sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank flooring is also a great option and is so simple to install that it can even be a DIY project. Tile is also a great option, but it requires a definite skill set to be done properly. If you've never tiled before, this isn't a DIY task. If not done correctly, a tiled floor can crack over time, the grout can disintegrate, or worse!

6. Tile a Backsplash

Got some tile left over from a kitchen or bathroom project? Consider using it to create a backsplash behind your washer and dryer or even tile the entire wall if you've got enough tile.

Don't have any leftover tile? Go to your local tile store and ask if they have any tile that's discontinued or on sale. Our favourite tile store, Ritson Tile, often purchases large skids of tiles from their suppliers. When they only have a small quantity left, they reduce the price dramatically to sell off what's left. This will often be enough to do your entire accent wall!

7. Shiplap

Shiplap has become increasingly popular in the past five years. It's a simple addition to any room and easy enough to install that it can be a DIY weekend project if you've got a little bit of carpentry experience.

Shiplap usually makes a room look larger when the boards are arranged horizontally, especially if you're using a light-coloured shiplap, like white shiplap boards. This is because the long lines of the shiplap pattern help draw the eye across the room, giving the illusion of more space.

Shiplap is also a timeless material, so it plays well with classic design elements like black and white, brass, and marble. It can create a beautiful farmhouse appeal, achieve a light rustic look, or bring a bit of coastal, seaside charm to your laundry room.

8. Lights

A simple upgrade to your laundry room should always include new light fixtures to replace the old ones or some additional lighting if the space is lacking in light. Often, laundry rooms don't have any natural light (windows) and usually only have one contractor-grade light fixture in the middle of the room.

First, take a good look at the room the next time you're doing laundry. Do you feel you have enough lighting to do the tasks you do there? Would you do more in your laundry room, such as fold the laundry, if you had better lighting? If more lighting is needed, consider LED pot lights, as they can really brighten up a room for minimal cost.

If you're ok with the lighting you have and the light fixtures are ceiling-mounted lights, consider replacing them if they don't add to the decor of the room. This is a great time to consider a semi-flush-mount light or even a hanging light to really jazz up the place.

One of my clients had us repaint her laundry room and install some new upper cabinets for storage. The room was a huge improvement, but it still lacked that special something. I showed her a photo of a small, blingy chandelier that would look great in the room. A simple light fixture made all the difference in creating a welcoming and happy space to do laundry.

In summary...

Even if you don't want to spend a lot on a laundry room upgrade, don't neglect one of the most used rooms in your home. If doing a full laundry room renovation is not in your budget, pick even just one of the suggestions above to transform the look of the room. The whole idea is to turn your laundry room into a space where you might actually 'want' to do laundry!