Laundry Room Countertops (9 Best Types & Materials)
There are a few areas in the home that get a lot of action and require a lot of attention when it comes to organization and foot traffic. One of these spaces is an active laundry room. A well-laid-out laundry room with countertops for treating stains, folding clothes, hanging your clothes to dry, and even doing light ironing could make all the difference.
You can use it as a dedicated space for folding, among other things. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your laundry room, at times daily, and making sure that you have a space that you can aesthetically enjoy makes all the difference in the world.
Types Of Laundry Room Countertops
Here’s our list of what the different countertops are so you can pick the one that works best for you and your home.
Granite Countertops
Popularly used as a countertop material for kitchens, granite also serves as one of the most reliable options for laundry room counters. This natural hard rock offers not only impressive durability but also a unique lustrous look with mineralized crystals. Aside from being sturdy, granite countertops are scratch-resistant and insensitive to varying temperatures.
It stands up well not only to heat but also to moisture. In addition, granite countertops are not susceptible to chemical damage from soap and certain cleaners. It is naturally resistant to molds and mildew and will not harbor the growth of harmful bacteria. To top it all off, granite counters are 100% sustainable and eco friendly.
The only drawback you have to deal with a granite laundry room countertop is that it requires special periodic maintenance. Just like any natural stone, granite needs to be sealed and resealed regularly for added protection.
For this room, you can choose between a polished and honed granite finish. Polished granite countertops are perfect if you want a glossy, high-end look. Honed granite, on the other hand, is ideal for rustic and farmhouse-style houses because they have a matte surface and an aged appearance.
When it comes to color, there are hundreds of options you can choose from, which means you can surely find the perfect granite countertop that will fit the design of your laundry room.
Granite colors for countertops come in neutrals like brown, beige, white, tan, gray, gold, and black, but also have more exotic shades like blue, green, and red. Its unique flecked or veined pattern can certainly add a strong focal point in a laundry room set-up.
Cost-wise, laundry room granite countertops can range from $35 to $55 per square foot on average, depending on the type, color, design, finish and edge profile.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are another material you can try for laundry rooms. Made of 90% crushed-up quartz, which is the hardest mineral around, quartz counters offer a reliable and super durable work surface which can last for years.
Quartz composites are scratch, heat, and stain resistant; completely nonporous so they’re easy to clean; and less likely to fracture during transit because mineral particles are uniformly dispersed and free from imperfections of natural stone. – Renovation, Michael W. Litchfield
Quartz countertops are known for being most forgiving when it comes to scratches, chips, and cracks. They stand up well to moisture and spilled liquids, so you do not have to worry about it being exposed to laundry detergents or bleach. It is also hygienic and won’t harbor molds and mildew. Unlike natural stone, quartz does not need to be sealed and requires very minimal maintenance.
In addition to all these practical benefits, quartz countertops can provide a high-end look. So if you want a non porous alternative to natural stone like granite and marble, this is your best bet. It has an almost perfect appearance and a consistent color, making it a great choice if you want a seamless laundry room counter design.
Because quartz can be produced in any color, the options you have are endless — from neutrals, and earth tones to lively and bold hues. Regarding pricing, quartz is less expensive than other materials, running between $50 to $100 per square foot depending on the design, brand, and color.
Tile Countertops
If you want a cost effective yet durable laundry room countertop material, tiles are worth giving a shot. More typically used as a flooring or wall finish, tiles can also serve as a durable countertop material in wet areas.
There are numerous types of tiles which can be used for counters but the most common and the best ones are made of ceramic and porcelain. Both types stand well to moisture but porcelain is more impervious because they are much denser.
Some practical benefits that tile countertops offer include ease of installation, affordability, and low maintenance. When it comes to looks, tiles can offer a great way to add in a pattern or color to a laundry room.
Tile countertops come in a wide variety of colors and designs, some of which mimic the appearance of natural wood and stone. So whether your laundry room is traditional or modern in style, you can surely find a tile that will match its overall design.
However, tile counters come with a few drawbacks, the first is that the grout lines tend to harbor the growth of bacteria. The seams also prevent you from creating a seamless countertop design. When it comes to cost, tile laundry room countertops are the cheapest option in the market, with costs ranging as low as $1 per piece.
Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops are considered one of the trendiest options today because of their industrial look. This material offers a flat, smooth work surface that is made of a mixture of cement, gravel and sand. Sometimes, it is reinforced with glass fibers to reinforce its strength.
Concrete countertops are your best bet if you want a seamless appearance for your laundry room. Because they can be cast into any form, you can create long, seamless spans of counters and even add in overhang designs.
The customization options for concrete counters are virtually endless — you can choose any color, finish, or shape then add embellishments. These are perfect for modern and contemporary styles of laundry rooms.
Although concrete surfaces are naturally gray in color, you can mix in pigments to give it a bolder look. It can also be finished to resemble the look of marble, granite and wood.
Concrete is also one of the strongest construction materials, which means your laundry room countertop can last for decades without being damaged. It wouldn’t scratch easily and can help increase the long term value of your home. There are, however, a few weaknesses which include vulnerability to staining and the need to be sealed and resealed regularly.
Compared to other materials for counters, concrete comes with a higher price tag as it requires more labor. Estimates for concrete countertops range between $75 to $150 depending on the design.
Stainless Steel Countertops
Considered to be the “workhorse kitchen”, stainless steel countertops are typically found in professional and industrial kitchens. Among all the countertop materials, they can endure the most wear and tear and are proven to stand the test of time. In fact, stainless steel surfaces are nearly indestructible.
Stainless steel is an ideal laundry room counter material because it resists rust and corrosion even when exposed to moisture. Aside from being nonporous, it is completely stain-resistant, insensitive to laundry detergents and other chemicals, and inhibits bacteria buildup. To top it all off, it is very easy to maintain and does not need to be sealed.
Stainless steel countertops also have a very flat surface, which means you can easily fold clothes in them without having to worry that the fabrics will get scratched.
The only downside to this laundry room countertop is it comes in limited options — with the color limited to only one, which is silver. However, you can find it in different finishes like brushed, polished, and matte.
When it comes to pricing and cost, stainless steel counters are generally more expensive because they are custom-made. On average, it costs around $75 to $100 per square foot.
Stone Countertops
Stone countertops make for great options because they can work well with clothing. This material is mainly seam-free, flat, and most importantly, smooth. It won’t snag or get in the way of even the most delicate fabrics you have when you have to fold or iron them on the surface.
These countertops can also be extremely durable. Although stone surfaces like granite or quartz usually come up as materials that are used for kitchen counters, they can be quite useful in the laundry room as well.
To start off, it has immense aesthetic value. Stone countertops in your laundry room can completely transform the space and make it look inviting and less boring. We get it, laundry rooms don’t really get a lot of visitors but think of this as more of a personal type of satisfaction.
Depending on your stone of choice, they can have marbling and can come in a variety of different colors. You can definitely customize the kind of stone countertop you’re planning to get for your laundry room so that it complements the rest of the other colors and ultimately, the look and vibe of the entire space.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops have been around for over half a century now and to this day, they continue to be a staple in bathrooms, kitchens, and yes, even in laundry rooms. They place somewhere on the mid-range level of the pricing wheel so if you’re on a bit of a budget, this can work for you.
Visually, it can’t really compete with the aesthetics of real stone counters but they are a huge upgrade compared to the laminate ones.
The idea behind solid surface countertops is to have a solid material that is just like stone but isn’t as porous. Stone surfaces often run the risk of cracking or breaking because of its main material composition but solid surface countertops have the advantage of being far more durable.
It’s great to use for the laundry area because it’s a space that’s usually prone to wear and tear and if you do get a few scratches in, you can easily repair it just by sanding it down.
Butcher Block Countertop
A butcher block countertop is basically composed of individual wooden strips that have been joined together to form a sleek and solid base or slab.
It is quite a trendy material to have in the kitchen countertops but it can also be a great option to go for if you are planning to update your laundry room area. Its aesthetics are that of a rustic, farmhouse vibe that has warm undertones and it can liven up the space with its subtle pop of earthy color.
It is one of the most affordable options out there for countertops so if you want to update your laundry room without burning a hole in your pockets, this is something worth considering. If you want to save even more money, what’s great about this countertop is that professional installation isn’t really a must.
You can opt to do it yourself. It really isn’t that hard to get this installed. You will need to cut the material according to the specific measurements that you need, and cut into the spaces with a circular saw should you need holes for sinks and other laundry room elements.
You can also keep a butcher block countertop clean and shiny with nothing but the most basic home cleaners and polishes so cleanup is a breeze with this material in the laundry room!
Laminate Countertops
The surface area of laminate countertops is ideally seamless and extremely smooth. It can definitely work well if the intent is to use it for sorting out or folding your clothes in the laundry room.
It is also available in a wide range of colors and different finishes so in terms of aesthetic flexibility, it can be top-notch. They can be a wise choice to opt for if you are planning to remodel your laundry room on a budget because they don’t cost much and it would be fair to claim that laminates are the cheapest materials available for counters.
A word of caution though, these might not be as durable as the other countertop materials. They can peel and flake and it wouldn’t be advisable for you to use hot iron on this surface as it would melt out the laminate. Its colors may fade over time but if you’re OK with the occasional replacement every 5 years or more of hard use, then this shouldn’t be that much of a problem.
Choosing the Right Countertops
When choosing the right laundry room countertop, some considerations that you have to take in mind are durability, clothing operations, appearance, and cost. First, your countertop material must be durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear, and exposure to moisture and heat. Next, it must provide a smooth surface that will enable you to fold clothes without the fabrics getting snagged or damaged.
Appearance is also another factor because your countertop should offer design flexibility to fit the whole style of your laundry room and must be attractive. Lastly, pricing should be reasonable, practical, and cost effective.
Laundry Countertop Accessories
In addition to the countertop material, other laundry room accessories that you have to decide on when setting up your laundry room include useful features like a sink and faucet, storage and shelving and loose accessories like hampers, laundry baskets, an iron and ironing board.
Keep in mind that when choosing these accessories, do not only focus on what matches the style of your home but it must also be practical and functional to increase the efficiency of the workflow in the space.
DIY Laundry Countertop
A laundry room countertop is often an integral part of the entire space. If you don’t have the budget for a professional remodel, thankfully, with a few handy skills, this is something that you can opt to do yourself.
You are going to need wood pieces cut out to the specific measurements of the space that you’re planning to install your laundry room countertop on, some drywall anchors, assorted screws, a stud finder, a drill, and a level to make sure that everything is even and installed at the proper height.
A level also ensures that your laundry room countertop isn’t askew or asymmetrical. An optional material to go for would be a wood stain or paint of your choice. See the best laundry room paint colors here.
Pay attention to the depth of your washer and dryer set. Not all pairs come with the same height and you might want to go for a level for your countertop that accommodates both of them. Measure out the height of your highest set and add an inch or two for your actual countertop space.
Best Countertop For The Laundry
Considering all of the options available, what we feel will make the best countertops would be solid surface types. This is factoring in the aesthetics, cost flexibility, availability, and durability.
Of course, if you have a premium home, it would be in your best judgment to upgrade to more premium materials as well, such as quartz countertops, but for the average home, solid surface countertops, or for those on a budget laminate surfaces will work perfectly.
Inexpensive Countertop
As we’ve discussed, the cheapest laundry room countertop option is the laminate countertop. It ranges from around $10 to $30 per square foot and is quite a far cry from say, a stone countertop, which can be easily at $50 to $100 or even more.
For more related designs, visit our gallery of laundry room flooring.
