Transforming your laundry room into a serene and efficient space starts with the perfect palette, and Benjamin Moore offers an extensive library of hues to inspire your design. This often-overlooked room deserves thoughtful color choices that promote calmness while masking the everyday wear and tear of laundry life.
Why Color Matters in the Laundry Room
The right color scheme can dramatically alter the perception of your laundry area, turning a functional chore zone into a visually calming retreat. Benjamin Moore's expert color consultants emphasize that lighter shades can make even the smallest laundry room feel airy and expansive, while deeper tones add sophistication and hide dust and detergent streaks. Selecting the proper hue also impacts mood; soft blues and greens are known to reduce stress, making the weekly laundry ritual a more pleasant experience.
Top Benjamin Moore Color Picks for Laundry Rooms
Benjamin Moore's vast collection includes specific shades that are exceptionally well-suited for laundry rooms due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. These colors are designed to withstand the ambient conditions of the room while providing a timeless backdrop.
Neutral Grounding Colors
For a classic and versatile backdrop, consider Benjamin Moore's range of greys and beiges. These neutrals act as the perfect canvas, allowing you to introduce pops of color through baskets, towels, and appliances without overwhelming the space.
- Repose Gray (OC-42): A warm, welcoming grey that pairs beautifully with white hardware and stainless steel appliances.
- Accessible Beige (OC-43): A versatile greige that brightens the space and hides dirt better than stark white.
Tranquil Blues and Greens
To infuse a sense of calm and cleanliness, look to Benjamin Moore's blues and greens. These colors evoke the feeling of fresh air and water, counterbalancing the mechanical nature of washers and dryers.
- Shaker Cloth Blue (5936-2A): A soft, timeless blue that adds a touch of vintage charm while remaining incredibly soothing.
- Surf Blue (1633): A brighter, more energetic blue that works well in larger laundry spaces or those with ample natural light.
- Mountain Moss (2063-30): A muted, earthy green that brings a touch of nature indoors and hides stains exceptionally well.
Maximizing Light and Space with Color
If your laundry room suffers from limited natural light, Benjamin Moore recommends sticking to high-reflectance value (LRV) colors. LRV measures the amount of light a color reflects; the higher the number, the lighter the color. Choosing colors in the 60-80 LRV range will bounce light around the room, making it feel twice its size and ensuring every corner is visible for cleaning.
| Color Family | Recommended For | LRV Range |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Whites & Creams | Maximizing brightness | 80-90 |
| Light Grays & Greiges | Modern, spacious feel | 60-75 |
| Medium Blues & Greens | Tranquil, stylish vibe | 40-55 |
Adding Depth with an Accent Wall
For those looking to add personality without going all-in, creating a feature wall is a popular strategy. Benjamin Moore suggests selecting a richer, deeper version of your main color or a complementary shade to create visual interest. Painting just one wall—typically the one behind the washer or dryer—adds depth and dimension without making the space feel closed in.
Finishing Touches and Coordination
Color selection isn't just about the walls; it extends to trim, doors, and cabinetry. A crisp white trim (like Benjamin Moore's "Chantilly Lace" OC-65) provides a sharp contrast against a colored wall, while matching the trim to the cabinetry creates a cohesive, built-in look. Ensure your chosen wall color harmonizes with the hardware on your appliances and cabinets to create a unified aesthetic that feels intentional and polished.
