Laundromats probably aren’t the most obvious typology that springs to mind when thinking of engaging hospitality design or retail design – you could even refer to them as ‘the spatial underdog’. Inherently retro in an age where at-home or in-building washer-dryers are increasingly commonplace, they’re more likely to stand out for their stereotypically urban aesthetic, with neon signage reflecting of steel machine surfaces.

Laundry has to get done, however, and for those that still utilise a Laundromat to do so, there are some pretty cool looking ones out there that we’ve rounded up for your viewing (and maybe using, depending on where you’re reading from) pleasure. From bespoke appliances to in-house coffee bars and even a mermaid tail, there are some serious design gems in the laundry sphere. Who knew?!

Metal Pop Up Laundry at Museum of the Paris Mint by Rodolphe Parente // Part of the 2017 AD Interiors exhibition at Museum of the Paris Mint, Rodolphe Parente created a luxury laundry room following the theme of functional Art & Matter. Tucked into a small corner space, the installation featured bespoke elements such as a metal ‘carpet’ by Maison Pouenat, constructed from colourful high gloss metal fragments and spare enamel lacquers.

The laundry appliances were unsurprisingly far from standard, with a washer embedded into a terracotta-coloured ridged wall, and an ironing board with its own in-built overhead light. Contrasting the multi-coloured interior, all laundry items shown were starkly white, including t-shirts hung from an L-shaped corner rack, and more items crumpled in the washing machine.

Les Nettoyeurs White’s Dry Cleaners in Montreal, Canada by Ivy Studio // Ivy Studio were inspired by Parisian apartments for the interior of progressive dry cleaning counter Les Nettoyeurs White’s, in Montreal’s residential Boucherville neighbourhood. Founded by two young entrepreneurs looking to disrupt the dry cleaning market, the brand’s ecological, customer experience-driven ethos is reflected in the counter’s chic, minimalist design.

Attention to detail such as mouldings, high ceilings and a selective palette of quality materials comprise the aesthetic of the 75sqm interior. The store embodies a feeling of old-world opulence, with an elegant colour scheme dominated by black and white with touches of brass. Custom terracotta herringbone tiles stand out against pristine white walls, a visual play on the name, which casually abbreviates to ‘White’s’.

Powder Laundry in Brunswick East, Melbourne by Studio Tate // Powder pulls the laundromat concept into the 21st century, while recalling the retro feel of this staple of community life. A soft pink palette recalls the stray red sock that makes it into your load of white sheets. Flooring merges from pink terrazzo to durable grey rubber benches. Barstool seating is provided, positioned just close enough to ‘accidentally’ bump into your neighbour. Power outlets and USB chargers fitted into the joinery mean that you can distract yourself with work or catch up on emails.

The circular porthole of the washing machine becomes a recurring motif, with joinery created from overlaying multiple circles, and material selections such as white perforated metal backed with soft pink. The tactile sensibilities of this manual task have been exploited using a variety of textures including studded rubber for countertops.

Hermèsmatic: Hermès 80th Anniversary Laundromat Pop Up Concept // In celebrating the 80th anniversary of Hermès‘ signature silk scarves, the French luxury brand launched a series of pop-up spaces dubbed Hermèsmatic. Your average bag of dirty laundry isn’t allowed. Rather, customers were able to dye their old scarves to give them a new lease of life. Washing machines in the brand’s signature orange colour give scarves a blue or pink rinse, and a dryer restores them to their original softness. The free-of-charge process took 48 hours, definitely longer than you’re average non-luxury wash cycle.

Laundromat Café Celsious in Brooklyn by Corinna & Theresa Williams // A homely alternative to the sterile, coin-operated Laundromat options across New York City, sisters Corinna and Theresa Williams designed Celsious in Williamsburg. Incorporating lounge areas and a coffee shop, the space is a welcoming hangout, which makes total sense in catering to crowds that have no choice but to linger until their load is done.

Behind a double height glazed façade, the ground floor features the front desk and walls lined with washer-dryers. Stairs adorned with reclaimed MTA subway tiles lead to a loft area complete with tables, chairs and a small coffee bar. Theresa Williams sourced furniture via impressively thrifty means, such as Arne Jacobsen chairs found on Craigslist and other pieces that utilise IKEA hacks.

Coral motifs and clean off-white surfaces offset the usually sterile impression given by abundant steel appliances, with further warmth from natural materials such as reclaimed cork and solid pine stools made from shipping pallets. There’s also a garden at the back, which allows customers ample options to chill whilst waiting for their laundry.

Aesop Upper West Side store inside a former dry cleaners by Tacklebox // Aesop are no stranger to a unique retail concept, and their location on Manhattan’s Upper West Side by Tacklebox makes no exception. Set in a former dry cleaners, the architects preserved the façade and signage of what was previously a family-run, local institution Laundromat. Internally, the store was stripped back to a minimalist shell.

Vertical strips of milled pine plywood line two walls, as well as the service counter. Along the pine walls, shelves that display Aesop product have profiles inspired by upturned clothes hangers, a subtle way of referencing the building’s former life. A freestanding vintage basin forms a prominent feature, used for testing product. Other surfaces are kept subtle and bright, including a grey terrazzo tiled floor and fresh white walls and ceiling. Tacklebox transfers the ‘clean’ associations of a dry cleaner and applies this notion to Aesop’s minimal aesthetic.

‘Ida’ Mermaid tail art set in a Laundromat by Olivia Erlanger // New York-based artist and curator Olivia Erlanger conceived an installation partnership with contemporary art and media platform Mother Culture, comprising, of all things, mermaid tails emerging from washing machines at Laundry Zone in Arlington Heights, LA. The scale-covered tails are presumably realistic, complete with translucent fins. One is bright yellow; another mottled shades of purple and blue.

Besides the ambiguous artistic symbolism, we also can’t help but think of this as a slightly morbid, 21st-century rendition of when Ariel tries to live with humans in The Little Mermaid (and struggles).

[Photography credits as noted.]