Good laundry room lighting can make everyday tasks a whole lot easier—and honestly, more enjoyable. Plenty of homeowners put up with dim spaces that make it tough to spot stains, sort clothes, or even read those tiny fabric care labels. Dim lighting also throws shadows everywhere, so it’s easy to mess up folding or ironing.
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The key to maximum efficiency is combining three types of lighting: bright overhead fixtures for general illumination, focused task lighting above work areas, and energy-efficient LED bulbs with cool white color temperatures between 4000-5000K. This combo gives you enough light for detail work and keeps energy bills down.
When you install the right lighting, your laundry room stops feeling like a dark utility closet. Suddenly, it’s a functional area where you can actually work comfortably.
You’ll figure out how to plan the perfect layout, pick fixtures that fit your style and needs, and follow the steps to get everything set up. The right lighting setup can make laundry day a little less of a drag.
Understanding Efficient Laundry Room Lighting
Good laundry room lighting means using three types of lights together, getting the right brightness, and picking a color temperature that helps you see details.
Key Lighting Types for Laundry Spaces
Your laundry room needs three types of lighting. Each one does something different, but together, they get the job done.
Ambient lighting is your main overhead light. It lights up the whole room. Recessed LED fixtures or flush-mount ceiling lights work great here.
Task lighting focuses on places where you actually work. Under-cabinet lights help you see your folding surface. Pendant lights can hang over the ironing board. Wall sconces work around your washer and dryer.
Accent lighting adds style without wasting energy. Small decorative fixtures can highlight shelves or artwork. These make the space feel nicer while you work.
LED bulbs are the best choice for all three. They use less energy, last longer, and don’t get as hot, which helps keep your laundry room cooler.
| Lighting Type | Purpose | Best Fixtures |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient | Overall room lighting | Recessed LEDs, flush-mount ceiling |
| Task | Work area focus | Under-cabinet strips, pendants |
| Accent | Style and atmosphere | Wall sconces, small decorative fixtures |
The Importance of Lumens and Lumens per Square Foot
Lumens show how bright a bulb is. More lumens means more brightness. You want enough lumens in your laundry room to see colors and spot stains.
First, measure your room’s square footage. Multiply the length by the width. Then, multiply that number by 50-75 lumens per square foot for good lighting.
A 100 square foot laundry room needs 5,000-7,500 lumens. Split this number between your fixtures. Most lumens should come from your overhead light.
Example: A 10×10 room is 100 square feet. At 60 lumens per square foot, you need 6,000 lumens. That could be one 4,000-lumen overhead fixture plus 2,000 lumens from task lights.
If you don’t have enough lumens, you’ll struggle to see. Too many, and you’ll waste energy and get glare. The 50-75 lumens per square foot range is usually just right.
Optimal Color Temperature for Laundry Tasks
Color temperature affects how you see colors and details. It’s measured in Kelvin (K). Lower numbers look warmer and yellow. Higher numbers look cooler and blue.
Warm white (2700K-3000K) feels cozy but makes it hard to see true colors. Use this for accent lights, not your main work lights.
Cool white (3500K-4100K) balances comfort and color vision. This is great for general laundry room lighting.
Daylight (5000K-6500K) gives you the truest color. Use this for task lighting where you need to spot stains or match colors.
Most laundry rooms work best with 4000K bulbs for overhead lights. This gives you good color without being harsh.
Use 5000K-6000K for under-cabinet task lights where you fold and sort. Try not to mix very different color temperatures in one room. It makes the lighting look uneven and can make chores harder.
Planning Your Lighting Layout
You’ll need to look at your space’s size and layout to figure out the best spots for each type of fixture. Creating zones for general light, focused work, and accent features makes sure you cover every area and avoid dark spots.
Assessing the Laundry Room’s Size and Layout
Start by measuring your laundry room’s length, width, and ceiling height. These numbers tell you how many fixtures you’ll need and where to put them.
Small laundry rooms (under 50 square feet) usually just need one overhead fixture and task lighting. Larger ones (over 100 square feet) need more lights, spread out.
Map out your washer, dryer, sink, and folding area. Each spot needs its own lighting plan.
Look at your ceiling height and type. Standard 8-foot ceilings work with flush-mount fixtures. Higher ceilings can handle pendant lights or track lighting.
Notice any obstacles like pipes, ductwork, or shelves. These things affect where you can safely install fixtures.
Check for windows or doors. Natural light helps during the day, so you might need less artificial lighting then.
Identifying Zones: General, Task, and Accent Areas
You should set up three lighting zones in your laundry room.
General lighting lights up the whole room. Install ceiling-mounted fixtures like recessed or flush-mount lights in the center. Aim for 50-70 lumens per square foot here.
Task lighting goes where you work. Add under-cabinet lights above your folding counter or washer. Put adjustable wall sconces near the ironing board. These lights help you spot stains, read labels, and sort clothes.
Accent lighting brings in some style. Use wall sconces to show off artwork or track lighting for open shelves.
Each zone does something different, but together they make the room work. General lighting keeps things bright. Task lighting helps you get laundry done safely. Accent lighting just makes it all look better.
Strategic Fixture Placement to Reduce Shadows
Place your main overhead fixture in the middle of the room for even light. Don’t put it right above tall appliances, or you’ll get shadows.
Install task lighting 18-24 inches above work surfaces. This height gives good light without glare. Put lights at the front edge of cabinets, not the back, to keep your workspace clear of shadows.
Use a few smaller fixtures instead of one big one. Two or three smaller ones usually give better coverage.
Think about where the light points. Downward-facing lights are great for general use. Angle some lights to brighten up the spots where you actually work.
If you can, put lights on both sides of tall appliances. Side lighting helps get rid of dark areas between machines.
Choosing the Right Fixtures and Bulbs
Your laundry room lighting will only be as good as the fixtures you pick. Go for LEDs with a 4000-5000K color temperature for the best visibility. Where you put the fixtures really affects how well they light up the space.
Selecting Overhead Lighting for Broad Coverage
Recessed lighting is the most versatile overhead option for laundry rooms. Install 4-inch LED recessed fixtures spaced 4-6 feet apart for even coverage.
If you’ve got low ceilings, flush mount fixtures save headroom and still give plenty of light. Pick ones with frosted glass or acrylic diffusers to cut down on harsh shadows.
Track lighting works well in narrow laundry rooms. Aim the adjustable heads toward your work areas and appliances.
| Room Size | Fixture Recommendation | Quantity Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 sq ft) | 2-3 recessed lights or 1 flush mount | 2-3 fixtures |
| Medium (50-100 sq ft) | 4-6 recessed lights or 2 flush mounts | 4-6 fixtures |
| Large (over 100 sq ft) | 6+ recessed lights or fluorescent troffers | 6+ fixtures |
Pick fixtures rated for damp locations if your laundry room gets humid. This keeps them working longer and safer.
Task Lighting: Illuminating Work Surfaces
Under-cabinet lighting is a must for folding and sorting. LED strips under upper cabinets cut out shadows on the counter.
Install adjustable wall sconces next to or above your ironing spot. Mount them 60-66 inches from the floor to avoid glare but still get focused light.
If you don’t have upper cabinets, pendant lights hung 30-36 inches above work surfaces create good task zones. Adjustable-height pendants give you more options.
Linear LED fixtures above your washer and dryer help you see into the machines. This makes loading and unloading way easier.
You might want to add motion sensors to task lights. Hands-free lighting is a lifesaver when your arms are full of laundry.
Under-Cabinet and Accent Lighting Options
LED strip lights are the most flexible under-cabinet choice. Go for ones with a 90+ CRI rating for accurate colors when you sort clothes.
Puck lights give focused light under cabinets. Space them 12-18 inches apart for even coverage.
Wall sconces can pull double duty as accent and task lights. Put them by windows or artwork for style and function.
Tape lighting works for highlighting cool features or adding a glow behind shelves. Use warm white (3000K) for accents.
Install dimmer switches for accent lighting. Then you can adjust the brightness depending on what you’re doing or the time of day.
Pick hardwired options over plug-ins if you can. It looks cleaner and the power is more reliable.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency
Smart lighting choices can really cut your laundry room’s energy costs—sometimes by as much as 80%. LEDs and automated controls work together to save energy and lower your bills.
Benefits of LED Lighting in Laundry Rooms
LED bulbs use about 75% less energy than old-school incandescent bulbs. That means real savings, especially since laundry room lights often stay on for a while.
LED strips work great under cabinets and shelves. They give you focused light for tasks and don’t use much power. Plus, they don’t heat up the room like older bulbs.
LEDs last a really long time. They can go for 25 times longer than incandescents and 3 times longer than compact fluorescents. You’ll spend less on replacements and maintenance.
You can pick your color temperature, too. For laundry, 4000K-5000K gives you crisp, daylight-like light that makes spotting stains and sorting colors easier.
LEDs also put out less heat, so your laundry room stays cooler. That’s a bonus in the summer.
Utilizing Motion Sensors and Smart Controls
Motion sensors turn lights on when you walk in and off when you leave. No more forgetting to turn off the lights, and it’s super handy when your hands are full.
Install sensors that let you tweak sensitivity and how long the light stays on. For laundry rooms, a delay of 5-10 minutes usually works well.
Smart dimmer switches let you change brightness for different tasks. Use full brightness for stain treatment, then dim it for folding.
Timers are nice for regular laundry routines. Set them to turn lights on before you start and off after you finish.
Pair occupancy sensors with daylight sensors for the most efficient setup. They’ll adjust your lights based on how much sunlight you’re getting.
Installation Process for Laundry Room Lighting
Installing new lighting means following safety steps, mounting fixtures the right way, and testing your new laundry room light to make sure it works. Each step takes a bit of care.
Safety Precautions Before Installation
Turn off the power at the circuit breaker before you start any electrical work. Use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is really off at the fixture.
Gather your tools: wire strippers, electrical tape, wire nuts, and a sturdy ladder. A flashlight or headlamp is handy since you’ll be working in the dark.
Wear safety glasses and non-slip shoes. Don’t try to install heavy fixtures or do electrical work alone.
Check your local building codes for permits. Some places require one for new electrical work or even just replacing fixtures.
Take down the old fixture carefully and check the electrical box. Make sure it can handle the weight of your new light.
Step-by-Step Fixture Installation Guide
Take a minute to read the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific fixture. LED lights and fluorescent fixtures need different mounting methods.
Grab the fixture wires and connect them to the house wires using wire nuts. Match black to black for hot, white to white for neutral, and connect green or bare copper to the ground wire.
Wire Connection Order:
- Start with the ground wires
- Next, connect the neutral wires (white)
- Finally, attach the hot wires (black)
Use the provided screws to mount the fixture to the electrical box. Most laundry room lights go up with a mounting bracket or just a direct screw connection.
Install the bulbs according to the fixture specs. Some LED fixtures already have built-in bulbs, so you might not need to do anything extra there.
Tuck any loose wires inside the electrical box before you finish mounting the fixture.
Testing and Adjusting Lighting Settings
Go flip the circuit breaker back on and try out your new laundry room light. See if the switch works and make sure the light comes on without any flickering.
If your fixture lets you adjust brightness, play around with the settings. A lot of newer LED lights let you pick how bright you want the room.
Walk around and look for any dark spots or annoying glare. You want your laundry room lighting to get rid of shadows over your work areas.
If you put in motion sensor lights, test how far they reach and how long they stay on. You can tweak the sensitivity to fit your room size and how you use the space.
Swap out any bulbs that don’t work right during your first test. It’s handy to jot down the bulb type and wattage for next time.
Enhancing Style and Functionality
Smart lighting really makes a difference. The right fixtures don’t just help you see—they can actually turn your laundry area into a spot that looks good, too.
Coordinating Fixtures With Laundry Room Decor
Pick lighting fixtures that work with your laundry room decor and color scheme. If you like a modern look, try sleek LED recessed lights or maybe a geometric pendant fixture.
Traditional rooms look great with classic flush-mount fixtures in warm finishes like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. For more of an industrial vibe, you could use exposed bulb fixtures or metal cage pendants.
Think about your cabinet hardware and appliances when you pick fixture materials. Matching metals can pull the whole room together.
In colorful laundry rooms, neutral fixture finishes help keep things from clashing with bold paint or wallpaper. White or chrome fixtures usually blend right in with most color palettes.
Under-cabinet LED strips are a smart way to add task lighting and keep a clean look. These strips hide the wires and give you that streamlined vibe, no matter your style.
Balancing Practicality With Aesthetics
You really need bright task lighting, even in laundry rooms that look stylish. Decorative fixtures can look great and still give you enough light for things like stain removal or fabric care.
Try hanging pendant lights over islands or folding spots—they’re eye-catching and help you see what you’re doing. If you can, pick fixtures with adjustable heights so you can tweak the lighting for whatever task you’ve got going on.
It helps to layer your light sources. Overhead ambient lighting works well with targeted task lights, and you can toss in some accent lighting if you want a bit more depth.
Dimmer switches make a big difference, letting you switch between super bright and a softer glow. This is especially handy if your laundry space pulls double duty for other uses.
Don’t forget to pick fixtures that can handle a little humidity. Look for damp-rated or wet-rated labels, especially if they’re going near washers or utility sinks.
If you’re adding decorative touches, think about where the cords will go. Try to hide wires inside walls or use cord covers so things look tidy.