Laundry Room Remodel Cost: Layout Upgrades and Storage
What Does a Laundry Room Remodel Cost?
A laundry room remodel costs $3,000 to $15,000 in 2026 depending on how much you change. A cosmetic refresh — new paint, shelving, countertop over machines, and better lighting — runs $1,000–$3,000. A full gut remodel with new plumbing, cabinetry, flooring, and layout changes pushes into the $8,000–$15,000 range. Relocating a laundry room to a different floor or part of the house starts at $10,000 due to plumbing and venting requirements.
Laundry rooms used to be afterthoughts — bare drywall, exposed pipes, a naked bulb overhead. Now buyers expect a finished, functional space. A second-floor laundry room is one of the most requested features in new construction, and even a polished basement or main-floor laundry room adds real appeal to listings.
Laundry Room Remodel Cost by Scope
| Project Scope | Cost Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $1,000–$3,000 | Paint, shelving, countertop, lighting, accessories |
| Mid-range remodel | $3,000–$8,000 | Cabinets, countertop, tile floor, utility sink, new fixtures |
| Full remodel (same location) | $8,000–$15,000 | All new cabinetry, counters, floor, plumbing upgrades, electrical |
| Laundry room relocation | $10,000–$25,000 | New plumbing runs, venting, electrical, full build-out |
| Combo laundry/mudroom | $5,000–$12,000 | Laundry plus entry storage, bench, hooks |
Major Cost Components
Cabinetry
Cabinets are typically the largest line item, running $1,500–$5,000 installed. Stock cabinets from Home Depot or Lowe’s cost $100–$300 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets run $200–$500 per linear foot. Most laundry rooms need 6–12 linear feet of cabinets — upper and lower — which puts you at $1,200–$4,000 for materials alone.
The most useful cabinet configuration: upper cabinets above the washer and dryer for detergent and supplies, a tall broom/utility cabinet for mops and ironing board, and a base cabinet with a countertop for folding. If space is tight, wall-mounted open shelves ($50–$200) replace upper cabinets at a fraction of the cost.
Countertops
A folding counter over the washer/dryer is the single most-used surface in a laundry room. Options and costs for a 6–8 foot run:
| Material | Cost (6-8 ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $150–$400 | Affordable, many patterns, edge chips over time |
| Butcher block | $200–$500 | Warm look, needs sealing, can stain |
| Quartz | $400–$1,200 | Durable, stain-proof, premium look |
| Solid surface (Corian) | $300–$800 | Seamless, repairable, mid-range price |
Butcher block is the most popular laundry room counter in 2026 — it’s warm, affordable, and easy to cut for a custom fit. Seal it with polyurethane and it’ll handle moisture fine. Quartz is overkill for most laundry rooms but makes sense if you want a premium finish that matches your kitchen.
Flooring
Laundry room flooring needs to handle water — washer leaks and overflows happen. Best options:
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): $4–$8/sq ft installed. Waterproof, comfortable, looks like wood. The most popular choice.
- Porcelain tile: $6–$15/sq ft installed. Completely waterproof, durable, cold underfoot without radiant heat.
- Sheet vinyl: $2–$5/sq ft installed. Budget option, fully waterproof, seamless (no grout to leak through).
For a typical 35–60 square foot laundry room, flooring costs $150–$600. Avoid hardwood, laminate, and carpet — one washer overflow ruins all three. If your laundry is on an upper floor, consider adding a washer pan ($30–$50) and a floor drain to protect the ceiling below.
Utility Sink
A utility sink costs $200–$800 installed (sink plus faucet plus plumbing connection). Stainless steel and composite sinks run $80–$250 for the fixture. If your laundry room already has water supply and drain lines (for the washer), adding a sink is straightforward — $200–$500 for a plumber to tee off existing lines. Without existing plumbing nearby, expect $800–$2,000 for new supply and drain runs.
A deep utility sink (20+ inches deep) is worth the extra $50–$100 over a standard depth — it handles soaking clothes, hand-washing delicates, cleaning paint brushes, and bathing pets. It’s one of those features homeowners wish they’d added sooner.
Lighting
Most laundry rooms have a single overhead light — barely adequate. Add under-cabinet LED strip lights ($30–$60) for task lighting over the counter, and upgrade the ceiling fixture to a flush-mount LED ($50–$150). If your laundry room has no windows, bright lighting (4,000K–5,000K color temperature) helps with stain spotting. Budget $200–$500 for a complete lighting upgrade including an electrician’s time. See our recessed lighting cost guide for more options.
Layout Options
Side-by-Side
The standard layout: washer and dryer next to each other with a countertop spanning both. Requires 5–6 feet of wall width. Best for rooms where you have wall space above for cabinets and beside for a utility sink or folding table.
Stacked
Stacking the dryer on top of the washer (using a stacking kit, $20–$40) frees up floor space. Works in closet laundry rooms and tight spaces. You lose the folding counter over the machines but gain floor space for a rolling cart or additional storage. Stacked setups require a front-loading washer — top-loaders can’t be stacked.
Galley Style
Machines on one wall, sink and countertop on the opposite wall. Needs a minimum 5-foot wide room. This is the most functional layout for serious laundry work — sorting, treating, washing, drying, and folding all flow in a line.
Laundry Closet
A closet laundry (stacked or side-by-side behind bifold or pocket doors) costs $500–$2,000 to upgrade with shelving, lighting, and a rod for hang-drying. You won’t fit cabinets or a sink, but door-mounted organizers and a pull-out shelf can maximize the small space. These often pair with a nearby mudroom setup for extra storage.
Plumbing and Electrical Considerations
Laundry rooms have specific plumbing and electrical requirements that affect remodel costs:
- Washer hookup: Hot and cold supply lines plus a 2-inch drain. Already in place for remodels in the same location.
- Dryer vent: Must vent to the exterior — never into an attic or crawlspace. Rerouting a dryer vent costs $200–$600. Maximum recommended vent run is 25 feet (subtract 5 feet for each 90-degree elbow).
- Electrical: Gas dryers need a standard 120V outlet. Electric dryers need a 240V/30A dedicated circuit ($200–$500 to install if not present). The washer needs its own 120V/20A circuit.
- GFCI protection: Required by code for outlets within 6 feet of a water source. Most existing laundry rooms don’t have GFCI outlets — adding them costs $100–$200.
If you’re relocating the laundry room to a different floor, plumbing is the biggest cost driver. Running new supply lines, drains, and venting to a second floor costs $2,000–$5,000 in plumbing alone. Think about financing this through a HELOC if the full renovation strains your cash budget.
Smart Laundry Features
Modern laundry rooms are getting tech upgrades. WiFi-connected washers and dryers ($800–$1,500 per unit) send cycle completion notifications to your phone. Smart home wiring can integrate laundry appliances into your home automation system.
A moisture sensor near the washer ($30–$50) alerts you to leaks before they cause damage — a worthwhile investment for second-floor laundry rooms. An automatic water shutoff valve ($150–$300) goes further by cutting the water supply if a leak is detected. These small additions can prevent thousands in water damage.
DIY vs. Professional Remodel
Many laundry room tasks are DIY-friendly: painting, installing shelving, adding a countertop over machines, hanging cabinets (if you’re comfortable with it), and organizing with storage accessories. These cosmetic improvements represent $1,000–$3,000 worth of work that you can do for $500–$1,500 in materials.
Hire professionals for: plumbing (sink installation, relocating supply lines), electrical (new circuits, GFCI outlets, 240V dryer outlet), and flooring installation (especially tile). A plumber charges $75–$150/hour, an electrician $65–$130/hour. A typical mid-range laundry remodel needs 1–2 days of plumbing and half a day of electrical work.
If you’re buyer guide with an unfinished laundry room, budget $3,000–$8,000 for a proper renovation. It’s one of the first projects most new homeowners tackle.
Laundry Room ROI
Laundry room remodels return 50–70% of cost at resale. A finished, functional laundry room with cabinets, countertop, and good lighting is expected in homes priced above $300,000. Below that price point, a clean working laundry setup (even without upgrades) is sufficient.
The biggest ROI move: adding a second-floor laundry to a two-story home that only has basement laundry. This convenience upgrade — while expensive at $10,000–$25,000 — directly addresses one of the top complaints from homebuyers. The renovation ROI page has more details on which upgrades pay back. Also see how this affects your home equity over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a laundry room upstairs?
Relocating a laundry room from the basement to a second floor costs $10,000–$25,000. The biggest expenses are plumbing ($2,000–$5,000 for new supply, drain, and vent lines), electrical ($500–$1,500 for dedicated circuits), and construction ($2,000–$5,000 for framing, drywall, and finishing). Structural reinforcement for the washer’s weight and vibration may add $500–$1,500. It’s expensive but consistently ranks as one of the most valued home improvements.
Is it worth adding a sink to a laundry room?
Yes — a utility sink costs $200–$800 installed and is one of those features homeowners use daily. Hand-washing delicates, pre-treating stains, filling mop buckets, cleaning pet bowls — a sink handles all of it. If your washer hookup is already in place, adding a sink is a straightforward plumbing job. Real estate agents report that a laundry sink is a common buyer expectation in homes above $350,000.
What size laundry room do I need?
Minimum functional size for side-by-side machines is 5 feet wide by 4 feet deep (20 square feet). A comfortable laundry room with cabinets, counter, and a utility sink needs 6×8 feet (48 square feet) or more. A galley layout works in spaces as narrow as 5 feet wide by 10 feet long. Closet laundry setups work in 3×3 feet with stacked units.
Should I choose gas or electric dryer for a remodel?
If you have an existing gas line in the laundry room, gas dryers cost less to operate ($30–$50/year vs. $50–$80 for electric). If you’d need a new gas line ($300–$800), the long-term savings don’t justify the upfront cost for most homeowners. Electric dryers are simpler to install — they just need a 240V outlet. Heat pump dryers are a newer option: they’re electric, 50% more energy-efficient, and don’t need an exterior vent, but cost $800–$1,200 more upfront.
How do I waterproof a second-floor laundry room?
Install a washer pan (a shallow tray under the washer, $30–$50) connected to a drain. Add a water leak sensor ($30–$50) and automatic shutoff valve ($150–$300). Use waterproof flooring (LVP or tile, not hardwood). Consider a floor drain if you’re doing a full build-out. These precautions cost $200–$500 total and can save $10,000+ in water damage to the floor below. Factor these into your maintenance budget.
What’s the most popular laundry room countertop?
Butcher block leads in popularity for 2026 laundry rooms — it’s warm, affordable ($200–$500 for a 6–8 foot run), and easy to DIY. Quartz is the premium choice for homeowners who want a polished look that matches their kitchen. Laminate is the budget pick and works fine — laundry counters don’t take the same abuse as kitchen counters. Whatever you choose, make sure the counter spans both machines and is deep enough (25–27 inches) for folding clothes comfortably.