If you're building or renovating your home and looking for colour scheme help or ideas to maximise storage in a small laundry, this post is for you. Today I’m sharing a personal behind-the-scenes look at how I designed my own compact laundry using practical layout tips, smart cabinet planning, and one of my favourite neutral paint coloursfrom Dulux to create a warm and cohesive space.

As always, I’m Bozica—a qualified interior designer and colour specialist—and I'm here to help you confidently choose paint, finishes, and layouts without the overwhelm.

🧼 A Functional & Beautiful Small Laundry

Let’s start with the space. My laundry is compact, full of nooks and crannies, and located on the ground floor, where storage is limited. So I had to be smart—every centimetre mattered.

Even though I don’t often use 3D programs, in this case I used SketchUp to sketch out the room. If your layout is more straightforward, you can easily plan your laundry in 2D by hand, or your cabinet maker can draw it for you.

🗂 What I Included & Why

Every cabinet and drawer had to be purposeful. Here's how I planned it:

• Pull-out laundry drawers: One for whites, one for darks

• Built-in washing machine & dryer: Positioned side-by-side for an easy flow

• Overhead shelving: For storing laundry powder and supplies

• Dedicated tall cupboard: For charging my vacuum and mop (with a PowerPoint!)

• Side cupboard: Holds my gardening tools

• Extra storage: Cat supplies and decorative vases up top

• Cupboards for the kids: Their school shoes, bags, sports gear and water bottles all go in here

🎯 Tip: Start by writing down exactly what you need to store. Then assign each item a home.

🎨 Matching Paint to Tiles: Why It Matters

In this space, I used a tile that wraps around the corner and continues into the splashback. To keep it cohesive, I matched the paint colour on the adjacent walls perfectly to the tile using Dulux ACC Cord.

I see so many bathrooms and laundries where the paint doesn’t match the tile, and it really throws the whole space off. You have two choices:

1. Match the paint to the tile (like I did)

2. Choose a white that works with your tile’s undertone

That’s why testing your paint is critical, especially with neutral colours.

🪟 Paint Testing Tip

Always:

• Use Dulux Vivid White as your comparison base

• Test your colours vertically on A4-sized samples

• Avoid testing on the floor—it distorts undertones

Neutrals are complex. A tile with a blue undertone, for example, will need to be paired with a white that balances that, not one that competes.

✅ My Quick Tips for Small Space Planning

• Plan for how you'll use the space before you design it

• Allocate storage zones based on real items: shoes, sports gear, pet supplies, etc.

• Include PowerPoints inside cupboards for vacuums and cleaning tools

• Use vertical storage—shelves are your best friend in a tight laundry

• Match your paint to tiles or select the perfect white based on undertone

🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White

Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:

📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.

🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?

If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.

👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.