How much does it cost to remodel a laundry room?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Having a dedicated laundry room keeps you organized and provides more space to sort and fold clothing. Laundry rooms can be located in many parts of the home and come in several shapes and sizes. The most common size for a laundry room in the U.S. is around 35 sq.ft. and includes cabinetry, a countertop and sink, and a washer and dryer.

Costs range significantly for this project, depending on the materials used and the design layout. The national average cost to remodel a laundry room is between $4,000 and $12,000, with most people paying around $7,000 for a 35 sq.ft. laundry room with mid-range upper and lower cabinets, a laminate countertop, and front-loading appliances. The low cost for this project is $2,000 for a 35 sq.ft. laundry room with stock upper cabinets, no counter, and side-by-side appliances. The high cost is $15,000 for a 50 sq.ft. laundry room with custom cabinets, quartz countertops, wood flooring, and stackable front-loading appliances.

Laundry Room Remodel Cost

Cost to Remodel a Laundry Room per Square Foot

The cost to remodel a laundry room has a wide range of costs per square foot. While the space is small, there is a lot of room for customization. Appliances and the plumbing and electrical systems are the biggest part of the remodel. In addition, most laundry rooms also have storage, such as cabinets or shelving and countertops, and many need new flooring, paint, and lighting. All these areas have a range of options with varying costs. For this reason, the total cost to remodel a laundry room averages $115 to $250 a square foot, with most people paying around $200 for a mid-range remodel.

Small Laundry Renovation

Most laundry rooms are small, with an average size of around 35 sq.ft. or 5’ x 7’ in size. However, it is possible to create a fully functional laundry room with just 20 sq.ft. These cost closer to $2,300 to $5,000 for a full remodel.

It is also possible to create a laundry room closet, a dedicated laundry space that contains the washer, dryer, and shelves. It is considerably smaller and can often be remodeled or created for $1,200 to $2,400, including new appliances.

Average Cost of a Laundry Room Remodel by Location

Laundry rooms can be added nearly anywhere in your home where you have the space. They need access to plumbing and a 240-volt dedicated outlet for the dryer. Beyond that, there are no restrictions on where you can add one. Basements and mudrooms are common places to add laundry rooms, while garage remodels can sometimes have a laundry room included. If you do not already have the space, it is also possible to create a small addition to add a laundry room to any area of your home.

Basement Laundry Room Remodel

The average cost to remodel a basement laundry room is $4,025 to $8,750, assuming an average laundry room of 35 sq.ft. If your basement laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs may vary. These costs also assume that this is a remodel. When adding a laundry room to an unfinished basement, your costs will be higher because the area must be plumbed and waterproofed. Basements are one of the most common places to have a laundry room and often make the most sense for homes with limited space.

Mudroom Laundry Room Remodel

The cost to remodel a laundry room in a mudroom averages $4,025 to $8,750 for 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs could be different. Mudrooms are another common location for laundry rooms. Since mudrooms are often used for storage and changing out of dirty clothes, having the laundry room nearby makes sense. This keeps the space organized for busy households.

Laundry Room in a Garage Makeover

The average cost of a laundry room in a garage ranges from $7,000 to $10,000 for a 35 sq.ft. laundry room. If your space is larger or smaller, your costs could vary. Laundry rooms are not typically added to garages that are used for car storage. However, when remodeling the garage, a laundry room can make a great addition to the space. Costs are higher for this project than other remodels because the garage is not usually finished or plumbed for the project. In addition, you will need to add a 240-volt outlet to the room for the dryer.

Laundry Room Addition

The cost of a laundry room addition is $7,000 to $10,000 for a 35 sq.ft. bump-out addition. If you choose a full-scale addition or opt for a larger or smaller addition, your costs could be different. Laundry room additions are among the most frequent and common addition types because the project does not require a lot of space and can be done as a bump out. Bump outs often cost considerably less than other additions because they require less framing. Costs vary depending on how close your existing plumbing is and how far it must be extended.

Cost to Remodel a Laundry Room by Project

Not every laundry room remodel will tackle every area in the space. You may remodel the room simply by replacing the flooring and painting the walls. Or you may gut the space, install all new cabinetry and appliances, put down new flooring, and paint the entire area. When creating a new laundry room or moving the site of your washer and dryer, you will also have plumbing costs that some smaller projects may not have. The following project cost breakdown shows the average costs for the various remodel parts.

Storage for a Laundry Room

Many laundry rooms contain storage, including cabinets, shelves, closets, or cubbies. They can be for holding cleaning supplies, off-season clothing, or towels and linens. With so many different storage types, there is a wide range of project costs.

Shelving for a Laundry Room

The cost of laundry room shelving is $18 to $26 per linear foot installed. Shelving is a great option for laundry rooms. It allows you to store linens and cleaning supplies and keeps you organized. With shelving, everything is out in the open and accessible, making the space feel larger, and this works well in small laundry rooms. Shelves can be installed nearly anywhere, including above washers and dryers and in alcoves and closets.

Laundry Room Drying Rack

The cost of a laundry room drying rack averages $20 to $150. Drying racks are a great addition if you sometimes need to air dry your clothes. They come in two types. Floor models unfold as you need them. Simply set them up, hang your clothes, and fold and put them away when you are finished. There are also wall-mounted models, which are screwed to the wall and offer a permanent location for air drying your clothes. This is a good option if you do not have much floor space in your laundry room.

Stock Cabinets for a Laundry Room

The cost of stock cabinets for your laundry room ranges from $100 to $300 a linear foot. Stock cabinets are already constructed and are readily available. They come in many different sizes, materials, and configurations. In a laundry room, you can opt for just upper wall-hung cabinets. If you have the space for a countertop and sink, you can also install base cabinets. Most laundry rooms only use a few linear feet of cabinets because of size constraints.

Closet for a Laundry Room

The cost of adding a closet to a laundry room is $135 to $300 a linear foot for the closet space added. Closets provide a convenient area to organize and store things like linens and cleaning supplies. They can be small linen closets that use just 2 to 3 linear feet or full walk-in family-style closets, taking up over 100 linear feet. Laundry room closets are usually customized for the space with any organization type added.

Wall Organizer for a Laundry Room

The cost of a wall organizer for a laundry room averages $150 to $1,500. There are many different types of wall organizers for laundry rooms. Some are simple shelves with partitions for various items. Others are complex organizers with cubbies, shelves, and cabinets that hold everything you need. They range from a few feet to filling an entire wall. Larger organizers often require professional installation, while smaller models can frequently be DIY.

Laundry Cabinet with a Sink

The cost of a laundry cabinet with a sink ranges from $300 to $500. A few different options can be used for this purpose. You can use a simple sink base cabinet with an integral sink and countertop. You can also choose to use a utility sink, a large freestanding furniture piece with an integral shelf, countertop, and sink. The sink is very large and deep, so you can easily soak clothing overnight to remove stains. These cabinets are generally easy to install and only require a plumbing hookup.

Laundry Room Cubby Storage

The average cost of laundry room cubby storage is $300 to $500 per cubby fully installed. Laundry room cubby storage comes in several forms. The most common is similar to mudroom cubby storage, a large dedicated cubby with shelves and doors. They keep you organized and are large enough to hold linens, clothes, cleaning supplies, and tools. They can be installed singly or in groups, depending on your needs.

Custom Cabinets for a Laundry Room

The cost of custom cabinets for a laundry room costs between $500 and $1,500 a linear foot on average. Custom cabinets are designed and built just for your space, meaning you can alter the cabinet width, height, and depth to fit the room better. You can also choose the exact color, material, and style of the cabinets. Custom cabinets take up to 16 weeks to arrive from the time of order, so this option needs to be planned well ahead of time. It is possible to mix custom cabinets with shelving or cubbies for a truly customized design.

Laundry Room Countertop Cost

Not every laundry room has base cabinets or a countertop, but for those with the space, this adds a lot of function to the room. Countertops give you room to fold and treat stains. They can also give you additional surface area for storage. Countertops can be mounted over cabinets, some are wall-mounted, and others extend over a washer or dryer. You can technically use any material for a laundry room countertop, but not all do well in this space. Bleach, stain removers, and detergent can etch or stain some countertops. Therefore, not all materials are recommended for use in this space.

Laminate Countertop for a Laundry Room

The cost of laminate countertops is $20 to $60 a square foot. Laminate makes an ideal choice for laundry rooms where the focus is on function. A laminate countertop is low cost and can be installed with or without a sink. They are readily available and can be wall-hung without issue. There are several types of laminate available. For use in the laundry room, opt for one with added protection from moisture to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Butcher Block Countertop for a Laundry Room

The cost of a butcher block countertop ranges from $30 to $280 a square foot installed. Butcher block countertops are made of wood. They come in a very wide range of different species, configurations, construction styles, and appearances. Some butcher block countertops do well in a laundry room, particularly those that are made of naturally moisture-resistant wood or have been treated to resist moisture. Some countertops may stain in this area, so consider the placement, use, and material when selecting the wood.

Laundry Room Quartz Countertop

The cost of quartz countertops averages $40 to $100 a square foot installed. Quartz makes a great material for laundry rooms. This man-made material resists moisture, scratches, and stains. It also resists heat, meaning you could use it as an ironing surface. Quartz countertops are made to order, meaning they are templated and created just for your space. They come in many different colors and styles and can be created to hold a sink.

Laundry Room Granite Countertops

The cost of a granite countertop is between $70 and $230 a square foot installed. Granite makes a good choice for some laundry rooms, particularly those visible from a kitchen or nearby area. In these cases, having the same granite in both spaces ties the two areas together visually. Some lighter granites may stain or etch on contact with certain chemicals, so keep detergents and other chemicals off the countertop. Granite resists heat, meaning it can be used as an ironing surface. Granite countertops are also made to order, and it is recommended that you visit the stone yard to choose the exact slab you want.

Laundry Room Lighting Installation Cost

Good lighting is crucial to the laundry room setup. Ideally, your laundry room should have at least two types of light - ambient and task. Ambient lighting illuminates the entire room evenly and is usually installed overhead. Task lighting highlights a specific area, such as the countertop where you fold or above a sink where you treat stains.

You can use many different lighting types in this room, depending on the room style, layout, and function.

Under Cabinet Lighting in a Laundry Room

The cost to install under cabinet lighting in a laundry room is $30 to $300 on average. Under cabinet lighting is a great option for task lighting, particularly in small and dark rooms. It will illuminate the countertop or area below the cabinet, making tasks easier. Under cabinet lighting costs roughly $30 per cabinet to install. Depending on the laundry room size and configuration, it may be possible to have up to 10 cabinets. The more cabinets you have, the more lights needed, and the higher the total cost.

Farmhouse Laundry Room Lighting

The cost of installing farmhouse-style lighting in a laundry room averages $50 to $150 per fixture. Farmhouses can use many different lighting types. However, the one light that is often synonymous with the farmhouse is the sconce light. Sconce lights are wall lights typically installed above a sink, beside a mirror, or next to a door. They are often used as accent lighting but can be used for task lighting in some areas.

Laundry Room Pendant Light

The cost to install a pendant light in a laundry room ranges from $100 to $250. Pendant lights can be installed in a few areas in the laundry room. If you have side-by-side or washer/dryer combos, you can install the lights above them. If you have high ceilings, you can use pendants as the ambient light in the room. It may also be possible to use pendant lights above a laundry room sink. Pendant lights are most commonly used as accent lighting but can be used for task or ambient lights.

Laundry Room Chandelier

The cost of installing a chandelier in the laundry room is between $100 and $400. Chandeliers are used to provide ambient light. They are large fixtures that are also decorative. To use them in a laundry room, you ideally need high ceilings to allow them to hang and provide adequate light. Chandeliers come in many shapes and sizes. For a laundry room, you want a smaller fixture so that you do not overwhelm the room’s design.

Fluorescent Light Fixtures for a Laundry Room

The cost of fluorescent light fixtures for the laundry room ranges from $100 to $500. Many standard lights can use fluorescent light bulbs, and most of those use a compact fluorescent light or CFL. True fluorescent light fixtures, which use a type of tube lighting, are generally used in commercial spaces. Fluorescent lights contain mercury, a poisonous substance that requires you to properly recycle or dispose of the lights in a disposal area that handles mercury.

Recessed Lighting in a Laundry Room

The average cost of installing recessed lighting in a laundry room is $275 to $500. Recessed lighting is a flush-mount lighting system. The actual light fixture is recessed into the ceiling, and the rim of the can and the bottom of the light sit flush. For a laundry room, you only need one to two cans for the average-sized space. A larger space may require more cans. You can combine recessed lighting with other types of lighting, such as under cabinet or pendant for illumination.

Laundry Room Floor Installation Cost

Because laundry rooms deal with water, your flooring should ideally be water-resistant. This way, if a flood occurs, the flooring would be more likely to survive. Vinyl or vinyl composite flooring (VCT) flooring is a good choice, as is porcelain flooring, which is very easy to clean and non-slip. Hardwoods and carpet are not recommended for the laundry room because they can be affected by moisture. However, steps can be taken to ensure they function in the space if you want to use them.

Seal a Concrete Floor Laundry Room

The cost to seal a concrete laundry room floor averages $35 to $140, assuming a laundry room of 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs may vary. If your laundry room is located in a basement or garage, it may have an existing concrete floor. This can be left as concrete but should be sealed to prevent moisture damage. Sealing the concrete is easy and can give it a polished appearance or no change at all.

Vinyl Flooring for a Laundry Room

The cost to add vinyl flooring to a laundry room is $70 to $490. This assumes a laundry room of 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs could differ. Vinyl makes a great choice for many laundry rooms. It comes in a wide range of different types and styles. It is not impacted by moisture and is easy to install. Glue-down vinyl becomes stronger with age, meaning an older vinyl floor can be extremely difficult and expensive to remove.

Wood Floor in a Laundry Room

The cost of a wood floor in the laundry room ranges from $210 to $420. This assumes a laundry room of 35 sq.ft. If your space is larger or smaller, your costs may vary. Wood is not always the best choice for laundry rooms. If a flood happens, it could cause the wood to warp. For that reason, the only wood floor that can be used in this space is engineered wood, which is designed to prevent warping upon contact with moisture. There could still be issues with the finish, but if you take care to keep the floor relatively dry, an engineered wood floor can last for decades in this space.

Laundry Room Carpet

The cost of carpet for a laundry room floor averages $245 to $420, assuming a laundry room of 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs could be different. Carpet is not always a good choice for this space. Laundry rooms are wet areas, and a flood could destroy the carpet. To minimize problems, consider using a carpet that is treated against moisture. Some carpets rated for indoor/outdoor use can also withstand heavier amounts of moisture without issue. Choosing a low-pile carpet also helps ensure it will not hold onto excess moisture over time.

Laundry Room Tile Floor

The cost of a tile floor for a laundry room is between $315 and $1,400. These costs assume 35 sq.ft. If your space is larger or smaller, your costs may vary. Many tiles can be used in the laundry room. The best for the space is porcelain tile, which is naturally water-resistant. If you choose a ceramic tile, ensure it is rated for floor use, and consider one rated for commercial space for better durability. Avoid using natural stone tiles in this space because they can stain due to moisture.

Epoxy Floor Laundry Room

The cost of epoxy for a laundry room floor ranges from $350 to $525, assuming a room of 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs may differ. Epoxy is a great overlay for concrete floors. It creates a watertight barrier over the concrete that protects it from moisture or other types of wear. Epoxy comes in a wide range of colors and some styles, allowing you to transform a laundry room with a concrete floor into a brighter and more stylish space.

Plumbing for a Laundry Room

Plumbing is an important and integral part of any laundry room. At a bare minimum, you need plumbing and drain lines run to your washing machine. If you include a sink in your laundry room, you need a drain and separate line for the faucet, leading to a wide range of costs for the plumbing.

Cost to Paint a Laundry Room

The most common areas to paint in a laundry room are the walls. Since this is a relatively small space, painting can be done fairly quickly. The walls are not the only spaces that can be painted, however. It is also possible to paint the ceiling, some types of flooring, and the cabinets. Painting projects in the laundry room range from $70 to $1,440 on average.

Laundry Room Ceiling Painting

The cost to paint the laundry room ceiling is $70 to $210. This assumes a laundry room of roughly 35 sq.ft., and the ceiling height is 10’ or under. If you have a larger or smaller laundry room or the ceilings are much higher, your costs may vary. Most laundry rooms have a simple white ceiling. It is possible to paint it a color or in a pattern, however. If your laundry room does not have windows, you may want to keep the ceiling white because it can make the space seem brighter than a darker ceiling.

Laundry Room Floor Paint

The average cost to paint a laundry room floor ranges from $100 to $400. This assumes a room of 35 sq.ft. If your laundry room is larger or smaller, your costs could be different. Many flooring types can be painted, including wood flooring, concrete, and man-made tiles. Use a paint designed for floor use, which may be a urethane-based paint or a thin epoxy-based paint. Floor paint is designed to resist damage from foot traffic and moisture, which is important in a laundry room.

Painting Laundry Room Cabinets

The average cost to paint laundry room cabinets is between $120 and $180 per cabinet. Painting existing cabinets is a great way to transform the look of a room. It is also an effective way of bringing old cabinets back to life. When painting, it is normal to remove the doors and drawers from the cabinets. Spray paint is the most common method to ensure an even coating. If you choose to update your cabinet hardware, this is a good time to do so because you need to remove the hardware before painting.

Laundry Room Wall Painting

The cost to paint the laundry room walls averages $480 to $1,440, assuming a laundry room of 35 sq.ft. and a wall height of 10’ or less. If you have a larger laundry room or higher ceilings, your costs could be higher. Paint is a great way to give a space a fresh new look. Most paint designated for use in kitchens and bathrooms can also be used in the laundry room.

Washer and Dryer Installation Cost

The washer and dryer are two of the most important parts of the laundry room. Without them, your laundry room would simply be a closet or mudroom, depending on its storage and layout.

There are essentially four ways to configure your washer and dryer for the laundry room. Which you choose depends on things like size, layout, usage, and overall costs.

The side-by-side is the most common setup. It allows you to put shelves, cabinets, or a countertop over the appliances, giving you extra storage. However, you need enough wall space to position them.

If you are short on space, opt for either a stackable or stacked (tower) setup. This has the washing machine below the dryer, freeing up space on the wall beside the appliances.

If you are very short on space, the washer/dryer combo is a great choice. This single unit washes and dries your clothes in one machine. You can fit it into the smallest of laundry rooms and still have room to install shelving, cabinets, or a countertop above it.

Cost to Install a Sink in a Laundry Room

Many laundry rooms feature a washer/dryer, storage, and also have a sink. This can be a stand-alone utility sink for those who do not have a countertop or need a very deep, wide sink for soaking. Or, it can be a much smaller sink like you find in a kitchen or bathroom. In some cases, the sink can be installed by itself. In others, you need a countertop made to hold the sink first, and then the sink may be installed later.

Laundry Room Drop-In Sink

The cost of a drop-in sink averages $350 to $500 installed. Drop-in sinks are the least expensive method of adding a sink to a room. They hang from their rim into a countertop and are most commonly installed with laminate and butcher block. They make a good choice for laundry rooms because you are not necessarily pushing crumbs into the sink as you would in a kitchen, so the rim does not matter or get in the way. Drop-in sinks can be made of many materials, including stainless steel and cast iron. They come in all sizes and configurations.

Corner Sink Laundry Room

The cost of a corner sink ranges from $450 to $700. Corner sinks are usually installed in a countertop but can be wall-hung, dropped in, or undermounted. The sink shape is determined by how it is installed. You can use a standard rectangular or D-bowl sink and drop it into a countertop so that there is space behind it in the corner. Or you can get a sink shaped to fit the corner.

Wall-Mounted Laundry Room Sink

The cost of a wall-mounted sink for a laundry room is $450 to $800 installed. Wall-mounted sinks make a good choice if you do not have cabinets or a countertop to install the sink inside of. Wall-mounted sinks come in many different shapes, sizes, and configurations. They are mounted to a stud in the wall to hold their weight, and some larger sinks may need additional reinforcement. Wall-mounted sinks may be made of several materials, including stainless steel and porcelain, and come in several depths, lengths, and heights.

Laundry Room Undermount Sink

The cost of an undermount sink averages $450 to $2,500 installed. Undermount sinks are designed for use with solid countertops, such as granite and quartz. They are installed beneath the countertop and are concealed in a cabinet. Therefore, they need to be used with these other materials. The sink must be chosen and on hand when you select the countertop so that the correctly sized hole can be cut into the countertop material. The countertop is installed first, and then the sink. The sink can be connected to the plumbing roughly 24 hours after installation.

Stand-Alone Utility Sink

The cost of a stand-alone utility sink is between $600 and $2,000 installed. Stand-alone utility sinks are very common in laundry rooms. These are large stainless steel sinks that are part of a stand or cabinet. They may be open with a shelf on the bottom or have drawers and a door. They often have an integral stainless countertop or drainboard to one side and usually come with a faucet. These are very deep sinks that hold a lot of water, so they can be used to soak laundry or bathe small animals like dogs and cats.

Farmhouse Sink for a Laundry Room

The cost of a farmhouse sink installation is $650 to $3,000 on average. Farmhouse sinks are also referred to as apron front sinks. The front of the sink is fully visible. These sinks require a special sink base cabinet, which is modified specifically for the sink you choose. The sink is chosen first and then the cabinet. The countertops may be installed first, but in some cases, the sink needs to be installed first and then the countertops. Each is unique, which is why you need to select the sink and have it on hand before any further work can be done to ensure the correct installation.

Labor Costs to Remodel a Laundry Room

There are many different levels of laundry room remodeling. You may keep everything where it is and just update the surfaces. Or, you could completely gut the room down to the studs and start from scratch, meaning you may need many different professionals or only one or two. In addition, many different things could be done to each area, meaning a wide range of costs per professional. For example, if you need plumbing lines run, your plumbing labor costs will be higher than if you only need a new faucet installed. Below are the average cost ranges for labor in a laundry room remodel.

Add-On Laundry Room

Depending on the laundry room size and the way you use the space, you can add many different accessories or additions. None of these are required for a functioning laundry room. However, they make the space easier to use, more functional, and better looking. You can add one or all to the room to create the ideal space for your needs.

Baskets for a Laundry Room

The cost of a laundry room basket averages $10 to $50. Baskets are incredibly useful in laundry rooms. They can be used for carrying and sorting laundry. They can also be used for storage and organization. Depending on their size and shape, the baskets may be paired with shelves or cubbies for a more decorative organizational solution. Baskets come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials, so it is possible to complement any room design.

Ironing Board Laundry Room

The cost of an ironing board is between $25 and $100. Ironing boards are integral parts of most laundry rooms. They come in several different sizes and configurations. You can find small ironing boards that you can prop up on a counter or table. You can also find larger boards that can be folded up and tucked into a closet when not in use. It is also possible to have one mounted inside a closet or cabinet on the wall. When the door to this compartment is open, the ironing board extends. When you are finished, you can fold it back up without taking up extra space in the room.

Curtains for a Laundry Room

The cost of curtains for a laundry room ranges from $30 to $100. Not all laundry rooms have windows, but curtains keep the area cooler at times of direct sunlight. Curtains can also be used on the interior to create partitions between areas within the room. There are no special considerations for laundry room curtains. You can use any curtain fabric, material, or style in this space.

Washer and Dryer Pedestal

The cost of a washer or dryer pedestal averages $30 to $250. A washer or dryer pedestal is a small platform that elevates your appliance. While most washers and dryers are designed to sit on the floor, new front-loading appliances can make them harder to use. A pedestal raises the appliance so that you do not need to bend as far to access the interior of the machines. Pedestals can be simple or decorative in design, and some contain drawers for extra storage. They do not require installation or assembly. You only need to have someone available to lift the appliances into place.

Laundry Room Folding Table

The cost of a folding table for a laundry room is $100 to $300. Laundry room folding tables are surfaces for folding clothes. Some are simple tables that are tall enough to use comfortably. Others have folding or lifting wings that make folding easier. For example, if you lay a shirt on the table, lifting the wing may fold it in half. Folding tables make the room more functional and easier to use. They can also act as additional surface space and storage as needed.

Toilet in a Laundry Room

The cost of adding a toilet to a laundry room is between $500 and $900. Toilets are not common in laundry rooms because the space is usually too small to support them. Toilets need a minimum of 30 inches of space to sit in to meet code, so the laundry room would need to be spacious enough to support this with the other elements in the room. Things like door swing and the layout of the room also need to be considered. Adding a toilet means adding a waste pipe, a vent stack line, and a water line to the room. Adding a toilet and sink turn the laundry room into an extra bathroom, which may raise the value of the house.

Island for a Laundry Room

The average cost of an island for a laundry room is $500 to $3,000. Most laundry rooms are not large enough to support a permanent island. Islands require at least 48 inches of space between them and walls or other surfaces. To be considered universally accessible, they need 60 inches. For this reason, consider a rolling island, which can be wheeled into position as needed. If you have the space for a permanent island, adding one can give you more storage and provide another work surface or table area.

Dog Shower in a Laundry Room

The average cost of adding a dog shower to a laundry room ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. Dog showers are contained spaces designed for washing your dog. They consist of an elevated platform or tub, along with a hand shower and drain. Depending on how large the dog is, some are meant to hold the dog securely, while others have a ramp for the dog to walk up. A few may be placed at ground level, although these can be harder for the owner to operate. These costs include the materials and installation for most in-home dog showers.

Laundry Dumbwaiter

The cost of adding a dumbwaiter to your home that reaches the laundry room is $8,500 to $11,000. Dumbwaiters make moving things between floors simple. If your laundry room is on the ground floor or in the basement, a dumbwaiter gets clothes and linens from upper levels to the laundry and back up again more easily. Place the items inside the small elevator, and use a pulley or electronic lift to raise and lower the platform. Depending on the age and layout of your home, these can sometimes be concealed in old closets or interior walls. At other times, they require you to build out the walls to make space for them, which can be costly.

Laundry Room Conversion Cost

If you do not currently have a laundry room in your home, it may be possible to convert an existing space into one. Some areas like bathrooms already have plumbing, making them ideal for the job. Other areas like closets or unused bedrooms may have the right amount of space. The cost of converting to a laundry room depends on its location, what it currently is, and what type of plumbing and electricity it already has.

Convert a Bathroom to a Laundry Room

The cost to convert a bathroom into a laundry room averages $5,000 to $15,000. Bathrooms can be ideal spaces to turn into laundry rooms because they are already plumbed and are generally waterproof. However, they need different drains and water supplies than bathrooms. They also require 240-volt outlets for the dryer and different layouts. If you plan on keeping the bathroom as a bathroom and just adding a washer and dryer to the space, your costs may be considerably lower than if you do a full conversion. Making a dedicated laundry space typically has higher costs than simply adding laundry to an existing unchanged space.

Convert a Closet to a Laundry Room

The average cost to convert a closet to a laundry room ranges from $5,000 to $15,000. This includes opening up the space to accommodate the washer and dryer as well as storage. At a minimum, this project will include plumbing for water, a drain, and a 240-volt outlet. You will also usually need to widen the space and reframe it. You will also need to include new flooring in the plan. The more you open up the space, the more room you will have for storage and other elements, but the total cost increases.

Converting a Bedroom into a Laundry Room

The cost to convert a bedroom to a laundry room is between $6,000 and $17,000. Bedrooms are usually much larger than the typical laundry room. This means that converting it can give you a very spacious laundry area with room for cabinets, storage, organizers, and the washer and dryer. You will need to bring plumbing to the room as well as a 240-volt outlet. Ideally, the room will also need to be waterproofed, which can add to the total costs. The larger the bedroom you are converting, the higher the project costs.

Convert a Garage to a Laundry Room

The cost to convert a garage to a laundry room averages $7,000 to $20,000. Garages are usually unfinished spaces, meaning if you plan to use them for something other than storage, they are a blank slate with little tear out. However, you need to run plumbing and drains to the area for the washer and dryer. You will also need to install a 240-volt outlet for the dryer and completely waterproof and finish the space. It is unlikely you will use the entire garage for a laundry room because garages are much larger than the typical laundry space. In this case, consider walling off the laundry room from the rest of the area.

Laundry Room Design Ideas

Laundry rooms come in a wide range of various styles and designs. In most cases, you want the style of the room to match the aesthetics of the rest of your home and the layout to meet your needs of how you will use the space. There are several basic designs and configurations that people use, adjusting for size and style:

Minimalist Laundry Room

This laundry room uses just a few cabinets and shelves but does not have a sink or counter area. It is good for small spaces and tight budgets and provides some storage.

Galley Laundry Room

If you need a lot of storage and workspace, the galley layout is a good choice. It provides a lot of storage and cabinetry, counter space for folding and stain treating, and a sink. With two long walls, this layout can have a lot of storage space.

Space-Saving Laundry Room

If you have a stacked washer and dryer, you can save space, extending the countertop and cabinetry to provide more storage, a sink, and sorting and folding areas.​

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Open Shelving Laundry Room

Open shelves and wire shelves are a great alternative to upper cabinets. They cost less but still offer storage. Adding baskets to the shelves to function as moveable cubbies extends their usefulness even more.

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Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Backsplash for a Laundry Room

Backsplashes make attractive and protective coverings for walls. You can install them in the laundry room behind a sink, above a countertop, or covering an entire wall behind the washer and dryer. Backsplashes cost between $12 and $65 a sq.ft. to install, depending on the material and layout.

Laundry Room Outlets Installation

Your laundry room needs at a minimum a 240-volt outlet for the dryer and at least one GFCI protected outlet. You can add more if you intend to use the space for other things like ironing. The cost for each outlet ranges from $120 to $200.

Laundry Room Exhaust Fan

Most laundry rooms have a lot of moisture in the air, making an exhaust fan a good addition. These pull the moisture from the air and vent it outdoors. You can install a bathroom exhaust fan for $250 to $500.

Soundproof a Laundry Room

Laundry rooms can sometimes be loud, particularly when the spin cycle is going or the dryer is running. If these sounds are bothersome, add soundproofing material to the room. Expect to pay between $10 to $30 a sq.ft. for soundproofing material.

Waterproof a Laundry Room Floor

Laundry room floors stand a good chance of getting wet, which is why wood and carpet are not recommended. Your best choice is to use a water-resistant flooring like porcelain tile. If you have a concrete floor, you can waterproof it by sealing it for between $1 and $4 a sq.ft.

Laundry Room Wall Decor

Laundry rooms are functional spaces, but that does not mean they need to be boring. You can add many things to your walls to improve the aesthetics, including decorative shelving, photographs, wall art, and plants. The moisture levels in the laundry room are high, so avoid putting things on the walls that could be damaged by moisture.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Contingency plan. Always have a contingency plan in mind in case you need to move your connectors due to leaky pipes or faulty exhaust.
• Energy-efficient appliances. There may be tax credits available for energy-efficient appliances. Check with your contractor for more information.
• Room layout. Pay attention to the layout of the laundry room to make it functional. Organize it so that things flow easily, with dirty laundry going straight to the washer, dryer, and then the folding area.
• Permit. You will be required to obtain a permit to install new outlets or plumbing for the room. Check with your contractor for more information.
• Building code. Building codes dictate the placement of exhaust fans, GFCI outlets, the lighting type, and the placement of fixtures like toilets. Check with your contractor to make sure you meet the required codes.
• Resale value. Laundry rooms can enhance the resale value of your home. However, they do not if you convert a bathroom, bedroom, or other functional space into a laundry room. Losing those spaces hurts the resale more than the laundry room will help.
• Moisture and humidity. Laundry rooms are high in moisture and humidity. You will need an exhaust fan, and it is a good idea to use a water-resistant flooring material. Avoid carpet and wood floors whenever possible to avoid damage.