Should Laundry Room Cabinets Match The Kitchen?

When renovating your home, it’s common to focus on the larger, more visible spaces like the kitchen or living area. However, the laundry room plays an equally important role in the daily function of your home, and its design deserves just as much attention.

One common question during a renovation is whether the cabinets in the laundry room should match those in the kitchen. While some homeowners may prefer a uniform look throughout their home, matching cabinets aren’t usually necessary.

In this guide, we’ll look at the key differences between kitchen and laundry room cabinetry, offer practical design tips, and discuss when matching cabinets may or may not be the best choice for your home.

Let’s get straight to the point.

Laundry room cabinets don’t need to match kitchen cabinets since both spaces serve different functions and are usually in separate areas. While matching cabinets can create a cohesive look, it’s unnecessary unless the rooms are adjacent.

Focus on practicality, storage, and design that suits the laundry room’s needs. Key considerations include cabinet size, storage safety, and design flexibility.

Incorporating efficient and functional storage solutions is more important than achieving aesthetic uniformity between the two spaces.

Should The Laundry Room Match The Kitchen?

Matching kitchen and laundry room cabinets is optional. These spaces serve different purposes, and their cabinets should be chosen based on functionality rather than aesthetics. Here’s why:

1. Distinct Spaces

Laundry rooms are often completely separate from the kitchen and serve different household functions. Since these two areas are typically not visible, matching cabinetry is unnecessary.

Instead, focus on creating a laundry space that works for your specific storage and organisational needs without worrying about matching the kitchen.

2. Purpose-Driven Design

Kitchen cabinets are built to store cooking utensils, pots, pans, and food items, while laundry room cabinets are designed to hold cleaning supplies, detergents, and laundry essentials. These functional differences mean that cabinetry should be chosen based on the specific needs of each room.

The design of laundry room cabinets should prioritise accessibility and practicality for the laundry process.

3. Location

In most homes, laundry rooms are located in different parts of the house—such as the basement, near the garage, or next to the main bedroom. Since these spaces are often far from the kitchen, there’s no reason to match the cabinets.

The focus should be on selecting materials and storage solutions that make the most sense for the laundry room’s location and function.

Differences In Purpose And Layout

The kitchen is the heart of the home, where meals are prepared and families gather. In contrast, the laundry room is a functional space for washing and cleaning.

These rooms have distinct purposes, so the cabinetry does not need to match. The cabinets can differ even in homes with the laundry near the kitchen.

Key Considerations For Laundry Room Cabinets

There are a few factors to consider when selecting cabinets for the laundry room:

1. Size and Dimensions: Laundry room cabinets tend to be shallower, usually about 12 inches deep, compared to kitchen cabinets, typically 24 inches deep.
2. Storage Needs: Items stored in laundry room cabinets, such as detergents and cleaning supplies, differ from kitchen items. Therefore, laundry room storage solutions must cater to these specific requirements.
3. Safety: If you have children, consider installing locks on cabinets that store hazardous materials like bleach or stain removers. Avoid placing heavy or bulky items on high shelves.

Design Flexibility

One key benefit of designing laundry room cabinets is the flexibility in style, colour, and material. While some homeowners may choose to match their laundry and kitchen cabinetry for a cohesive look, it is by no means a requirement.

Colour Choices For Laundry Room Cabinets

White is a popular choice for laundry rooms, giving a clean and crisp appearance. However, there’s no need to avoid adding a pop of colour.

Soft tones like dove grey or bold citrus shades like lime or orange can add character to the space.

Function Over Form

Functionality should take precedence in a laundry room. Cabinets should help keep the space organised by storing essential items like detergent, fabric softener, and ironing supplies.

A well-organised laundry room reduces the time spent on laundry tasks and helps maintain a clean and tidy appearance.

Matching Cabinets For A Cohesive Look

Sometimes, homeowners may choose to match their kitchen and laundry room cabinets. This can create a sense of continuity, especially in open-plan homes.

However, there are pros and cons to this approach:

Pros Of Matching Cabinets

1. Cost-Effective: Using the same materials for both spaces can save money, as manufacturers can produce more units of the same design.
2. Time-Efficient: Using the same cabinet design for both rooms can streamline the renovation process, saving time in decision-making and installation.

Cons Of Matching Cabinets

1. Wasted Aesthetic: If the rooms are not adjacent or visible to one another, matching cabinetry can feel unnecessary.
2. Different Functions: Kitchen and laundry rooms have distinct functions, and the cabinetry in each room should reflect that. Trying to match cabinets may limit the functionality needed in the laundry room.

Practical Tips For Laundry Room Cabinet Design

Designing laundry room cabinets requires careful thought to maximise space and functionality. Below are some practical tips to get the most out of your laundry room storage.

1. Vary Storage Options

Mix wide and narrow cabinets to create a versatile storage solution. This allows for efficient storage of both large and small items.

Adding hooks and shelves can also provide easy access to frequently used items.

2. Consider Unconventional Layouts

Think outside the box when placing appliances and cabinets. For example, positioning appliances under a window can create space for a longer work counter, while adding cabinets or shelves above can increase storage.

3. Add Decorative Details

Consider adding open shelving or decorative glass-front cabinets if you have a larger laundry room. This can give the room a lighter, more open feel while maintaining functionality.

4. Use Colour And Accents Wisely

In smaller laundry rooms, bright colours or patterned flooring can make the space feel larger and more vibrant. Try using the same accent colours throughout the room for a cohesive design.

Multi-Purpose Laundry Rooms

Many homeowners combine the laundry room with other functional spaces, such as a mudroom. Integrating cabinets into these spaces can create a seamless look and provide additional storage.

Ideas For Small Laundry Rooms

1. Maximise Vertical Space: Consider adding cabinets up to the ceiling in small rooms. These can be used for items you don’t need access to daily, such as extra towels or seasonal cleaning supplies.
2. Install a Pull-Down Drying Rack: Save space by installing a pull-down drying rack that can collapse when unused.
3. Fold-Out Ironing Boards: Consider a fold-out ironing board that can be stored within a cabinet when not in use for a space-saving solution.
4. Pet-Friendly Features: Consider incorporating a pet door or dedicated storage space for pet supplies in your laundry room if you have pets.

Conclusion

Whether laundry room cabinets should match kitchen cabinets depends on the homeowner’s preferences and the layout of their home. While no rule requires the two to match, consistency can sometimes create a polished look.

Ultimately, the cabinets in a laundry room should be practical, functional, and designed to suit the room’s specific purpose. Whether you match the cabinets with your kitchen or create a unique design for the laundry, the most important factor is making the space work for you.

To make the most of your renovation, focus on storage solutions, safety, and design that reflects each room’s functionality.

FAQs About Cabinets

Can You Use Kitchen Cabinets In A Laundry Room?

In a word, yes, you can use kitchen cabinets in a laundry room.

Is It Hard To Hang Cabinets In Laundry Room?

The great thing is that cabinet installation isn’t really any harder than putting up shelves. You will need some help lifting the cabinets up onto a wall, but the process is fairly simple.

Can I Hang Cabinets On Drywall?

Securely mounting upper cabinets onto drywall can be a little tricky. If you don’t hang the cabinets properly, the screws will strip the drywall and slide right off the wall, taking your glasses and dishes down with it. A few simple steps will securely attach your cabinets to the walls and prevent broken-dish mishaps.

Do You Need Special Screws To Hang Cabinets?

To attach the cabinets to each other, use a No. 8 2¼-inch-long trim-head screw with a fine thread suited for hardwood. This fastener’s small-diameter head is unobtrusive, so you don’t have to hide it under a cap or wood plug.

Can Cabinets Be Hung With Drywall Anchors?

Using Drywall Anchors. There are several different kinds of drywall anchors that can be used for mounting a wall cabinet, either using them in conjunction with the mounting strip and/or French cleat mentioned above or using them alone to mount the cabinet to the wall.