Laundry day doesn’t have to be a chore, especially when your small laundry room is designed to be as efficient and stylish as possible. If you’re dreaming of a makeover that maximizes space and enhances organization, you’re in the right place.
From clever design ideas to creative storage solutions, we’ve compiled 40 tips that will transform your laundry space into a functional oasis. Whether you’re incorporating a stackable washer and dryer, installing a sink, or adding an accent wall for a pop of personality, these suggestions will inspire you to rethink your space.
Imagine basket storage that keeps everything tidy and within reach – it’s all possible with a bit of creativity and planning. Get ready to dive into these innovative solutions and give your laundry room the update it deserves.
Maximizing Vertical Space
Shelving Solutions: From Floor to Ceiling
Vertical space is often an untapped resource in small laundry rooms. Installing shelves from the floor to the ceiling can provide ample storage for detergent, fabric softeners, and other laundry essentials. Opt for adjustable shelving to accommodate items of varying heights. Using baskets and bins on these shelves can help keep things organized and accessible, while also adding a decorative touch.
Hanging Rods: Elevate Your Laundry Game
Hanging rods are a game-changer in small laundry rooms. They provide a place to air-dry delicate garments or hang freshly ironed clothes. Position these rods above your washer and dryer or beneath a shelf to make the most of unused vertical space. This not only saves floor space but also helps keep clothes wrinkle-free.
Tall Storage Cabinets: Slim but Mighty
Tall, narrow storage cabinets are perfect for small laundry rooms. These cabinets can fit into tight corners and provide substantial storage without taking up much floor space. Use them to store cleaning supplies, laundry baskets, or even bulky items like ironing boards. Choose cabinets with adjustable shelves to customize the storage according to your needs.
Compact and Multi-Functional Furniture
Foldable Drying Racks: Space-Saving Marvels
Foldable drying racks are indispensable for small laundry rooms. They can be easily folded and stored away when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. Look for models that can be mounted on the wall or hung over a door to maximize functionality. These racks are perfect for drying items that can’t go in the dryer, like sweaters and delicates.
Stackable Washer and Dryer: Double the Function, Half the Space
Stackable washer and dryer units are a smart solution for small spaces. By stacking the dryer on top of the washer, you save a significant amount of floor space, allowing room for additional storage or workspace. Choose energy-efficient models to save on utility bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
Rolling Laundry Carts: Mobility and Storage in One
Rolling laundry carts offer both mobility and storage. These versatile carts can be easily moved around, making it convenient to transport laundry from room to room. Use the shelves and baskets to store laundry essentials, and tuck the cart away when it’s not needed. Some models even come with foldable ironing boards for added functionality.
Innovative Storage Solutions
Over-the-Door Organizers: Hidden Gems
Over-the-door organizers are a hidden gem for small laundry rooms. They provide extra storage without taking up any floor space. Use them to store cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, or small tools. These organizers come in various styles and sizes, so you can find one that fits your door perfectly and keeps everything within easy reach.
Wall-Mounted Baskets: Chic and Functional
Wall-mounted baskets are a chic and functional addition to any small laundry room. They keep frequently used items off the countertops and within arm’s reach. Choose baskets in different sizes to store everything from clothespins to dryer sheets. These baskets can also add a touch of rustic charm or modern elegance, depending on the style you choose.
Under-Cabinet Drawers: Sneaky Storage Spots
Under-cabinet drawers are perfect for sneaky storage spots in small laundry rooms. These drawers can be installed beneath cabinets or countertops, providing hidden storage for smaller items like sewing kits, extra buttons, or stain removers. This keeps the surface clutter-free and the room looking tidy and organized.
Smart Sorting Systems
Color-Coded Bins: Fun and Functional
Color-coded bins make sorting laundry a breeze. Assign a different color bin for whites, darks, and delicates to simplify the sorting process. This not only saves time but also helps prevent laundry mishaps. These bins can be placed under countertops or in cabinets, keeping them out of the way but easily accessible.
Slide-Out Hampers: Ease and Efficiency
Slide-out hampers are a fantastic way to keep dirty laundry out of sight. These hampers can be integrated into cabinets, allowing you to slide them out when needed and tuck them away when not in use. This keeps the laundry room looking clean and uncluttered, while also making it easy to sort and transport laundry.
Wall-Mounted Sorting Stations: Keep It Clean and Simple
Wall-mounted sorting stations keep the laundry room clean and simple. Install hooks, baskets, and shelves to create designated spots for sorting laundry. This system keeps everything organized and off the floor, making it easy to maintain order in a small space. Personalize the station with labels or color-coding for added efficiency.
Creative Folding Areas
Drop-Down Tables: Pop-Up Convenience
Drop-down tables provide pop-up convenience in small laundry rooms. These tables can be mounted on the wall and folded down when needed, offering a flat surface for folding clothes or sorting laundry. When not in use, simply fold the table back up against the wall to free up space. This is an excellent solution for maximizing functionality in tight quarters.
Convertible Counters: Laundry and More
Convertible counters are a versatile addition to any small laundry room. These counters can serve as a folding station, a workspace, or even a place to store laundry baskets. Look for counters with built-in storage to maximize utility. When not in use for laundry, the counter can be used for other tasks, making it a multi-functional piece of furniture.
Pull-Out Surfaces: When You Need Extra Space
Pull-out surfaces provide extra space when you need it. These surfaces can be integrated into cabinets or drawers, allowing you to pull them out when you need additional workspace. This is ideal for small laundry rooms where countertop space is limited. Use the pull-out surface for folding clothes, sorting laundry, or even ironing.
Compact Sink Ideas
Corner Sinks: Perfect Fit for Tight Spots
Corner sinks are a perfect fit for tight spots in small laundry rooms. These sinks utilize otherwise unused corner space, providing a place to hand-wash clothes, soak stains, or rinse out cleaning supplies. Choose a compact, deep basin to maximize functionality without taking up too much space.
Wall-Mounted Sinks: Minimalist Magic
Wall-mounted sinks offer minimalist magic in small laundry rooms. These sinks free up floor space and create a clean, streamlined look. They are ideal for hand-washing delicate items or cleaning up after laundry tasks. Pair a wall-mounted sink with a sleek faucet and under-sink storage to keep the area organized and efficient.
Multi-Use Sinks: Wash, Soak, and Store
Multi-use sinks are a versatile addition to any small laundry room. These sinks come with built-in features like washboards, drying racks, or even storage compartments. This allows you to wash, soak, and store items all in one place, maximizing the functionality of a small space.
Lighting Solutions for Small Spaces
Under-Cabinet Lighting: Bright Ideas
Under-cabinet lighting offers bright ideas for illuminating small laundry rooms. These lights provide focused illumination for tasks like sorting laundry or reading care labels. LED strip lights are an excellent choice for under-cabinet lighting, as they are energy-efficient and can be easily installed.
Recessed Lighting: Clean and Clear
Recessed lighting provides clean and clear illumination in small laundry rooms. These lights are installed into the ceiling, creating a sleek and unobtrusive look. Use recessed lighting to brighten up the entire room, making it easier to see and complete laundry tasks. Consider dimmable options to adjust the lighting based on your needs.
Task Lighting: Focus Where It Matters
Task lighting helps you focus where it matters in small laundry rooms. Install task lights above folding stations, ironing boards, or sorting areas to provide direct illumination for specific tasks. Adjustable task lights allow you to direct the light exactly where you need it, enhancing both functionality and comfort.
Stylish Yet Functional Décor
Patterned Tiles: Small But Impactful
Patterned tiles can make a small laundry room look big on style. Choose bold, eye-catching patterns to add visual interest and personality to the space. Patterned tiles can be used on the floor, as a backsplash, or even as an accent wall. This small but impactful change can transform the entire look of the room.
Wallpaper Wonders: Bold and Beautiful
Wallpaper wonders bring bold and beautiful designs to small laundry rooms. Opt for wallpaper with vibrant colors or intricate patterns to create a statement wall. This adds depth and character to the room without taking up any physical space. Choose moisture-resistant wallpaper to ensure durability in a laundry environment.
Decorative Hooks: Practical and Pretty
Decorative hooks are both practical and pretty in small laundry rooms. Use them to hang items like ironing boards, brooms, or laundry bags, keeping them off the floor and within easy reach. Choose hooks in stylish designs or colors to add a decorative touch. This simple addition can enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
Space-Saving Accessories
Magnetic Strips: Tools at Your Fingertips
Magnetic strips keep tools and essentials at your fingertips. Install a magnetic strip on the wall to hold items like scissors, lint rollers, or sewing kits. This keeps frequently used tools easily accessible and off the countertops, saving valuable space. Magnetic strips are a clever and efficient way to organize a small laundry room.
Pegboards: Customizable Organization
Pegboards offer customizable organization for small laundry rooms. Mount a pegboard on the wall and use hooks, baskets, and shelves to organize tools and supplies. This flexible system allows you to rearrange and customize the storage based on your needs. Pegboards can also be painted or decorated to match the room’s style.
Fold-Out Ironing Boards: Iron and Hide
Fold-out ironing boards are perfect for small spaces. These boards can be mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet, allowing you to fold them out when needed and hide them away when not in use. This saves space and keeps the room looking tidy. Look for models with built-in storage for iron and ironing supplies to keep everything in one place.
Incorporating Technology
Smart Appliances: High-Tech Help
Smart appliances bring high-tech help to small laundry rooms. Modern washers and dryers come with features like remote control, automated detergent dispensing, and energy-efficient cycles. These appliances make laundry easier and more efficient. Investing in smart appliances can save time, reduce energy consumption, and improve the overall functionality of the laundry room.
Laundry Apps: Streamline Your Chores
Laundry apps can streamline your chores by providing reminders, tracking cycles, and offering tips for stain removal. These apps can be linked to smart appliances for seamless integration. Use laundry apps to schedule laundry days, track progress, and ensure that you never forget a load in the washer again.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Practices
Energy-Efficient Machines: Save Space and Energy
Energy-efficient machines save space and energy in small laundry rooms. Look for washers and dryers with high energy ratings to reduce electricity consumption and lower utility bills. Energy-efficient machines often come in compact designs, perfect for small spaces. This eco-friendly choice benefits both the environment and your wallet.
Air-Drying Solutions: Eco and Budget Friendly
Air-drying solutions are both eco and budget-friendly. Use retractable clotheslines, foldable drying racks, or wall-mounted drying systems to air-dry clothes. This reduces energy consumption and extends the life of your garments. Air-drying is a simple and effective way to adopt more sustainable laundry practices.
Budget-Friendly Ideas
DIY Shelving: Affordable and Personalized
DIY shelving provides affordable and personalized storage solutions. Build your own shelves using reclaimed wood, crates, or metal brackets to create custom storage that fits your space and style. DIY shelving is cost-effective and allows you to add a personal touch to the laundry room. This project can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance the room.
Thrift Store Finds: Unique and Useful
Thrift store finds can be unique and useful additions to small laundry rooms. Look for second-hand cabinets, shelves, or storage containers to repurpose in your space. Thrift shopping is budget-friendly and can yield one-of-a-kind pieces that add character and charm to the room. It’s also a sustainable way to furnish and decorate.
Upcycling Furniture: Creative Reuse
Upcycling furniture is a creative way to reuse and repurpose items for the laundry room. Turn an old dresser into a storage cabinet, convert a vintage ironing board into a shelf, or use an old ladder as a drying rack. Upcycling not only saves money but also reduces waste and adds a unique, personalized touch to the space.
Making the Most of Every Inch
Nooks and Crannies: Hidden Storage
Nooks and crannies can provide hidden storage solutions in small laundry rooms. Utilize every available space, including under the stairs, behind doors, or in corners. Install shelves, hooks, or baskets in these areas to store laundry supplies and keep the room organized. Maximizing these hidden spaces can significantly enhance the functionality of the room.
Closet Conversions: Dual Purpose Spaces
Closet conversions can create dual-purpose spaces in small homes. Transform a closet into a laundry nook by installing a compact washer and dryer, shelves, and storage. This allows you to use the space efficiently and keeps the laundry area out of sight when not in use. Closet conversions are a clever way to incorporate a laundry room into tight quarters.
Under-Stairs Wonders: Space Utilization
Under-stairs wonders make the most of often overlooked space. Utilize the area under the stairs for laundry storage or even a small laundry station. Install shelves, cabinets, or a compact washer and dryer to maximize this unconventional space. This creative use of space can turn an awkward area into a highly functional laundry room.
Customizing Your Laundry Space
Personalized Labels: Organized and Stylish
Personalized labels add organization and style to the laundry room. Use labels on bins, baskets, and shelves to keep everything in its place and easily identifiable. Custom labels can be designed to match the room’s decor, adding a cohesive and polished look. This simple addition enhances both functionality and aesthetics.or-coded bins or labels to personalize each zone and make laundry a collaborative effort.
Pet-Friendly Spaces: Wash and Care for Furry Friends
Pet-friendly spaces cater to the needs of furry friends. Designate a spot in the laundry room for washing and grooming pets. Install a pet-friendly sink or a small tub for easy bathing. Use shelves or cabinets to store pet supplies like shampoo, brushes, and towels. This ensures that your pets are well taken care of while keeping their items organized.
Color Schemes for Small Laundry Rooms
Light and Bright: Open Up the Space
Light and bright color schemes can open up the space in small laundry rooms. Choose light colors like white, beige, or pastel shades to create a clean, airy feel. These colors reflect light, making the room appear larger and more inviting. Pair light colors with ample lighting to enhance the effect.
Bold and Vibrant: Add a Pop of Personality
Bold and vibrant color schemes add a pop of personality to small laundry rooms. Choose bright colors like turquoise, coral, or mustard to create a lively and energetic space. Use these colors on walls, cabinets, or accessories to make a statement. Bold colors can transform a mundane laundry room into a fun and dynamic area.
Neutral Tones: Classic and Clean
Neutral tones offer a classic and clean look for small laundry rooms. Colors like gray, taupe, and soft white create a sophisticated and timeless space. Neutral tones can be easily paired with various decor styles and accents, making them versatile and adaptable. This color scheme provides a calm and organized atmosphere.
Indoor Plants: Fresh and Inviting
Indoor plants make small laundry rooms fresh and inviting. Choose low-maintenance plants like succulents, snake plants, or pothos to add a touch of greenery. Place them on shelves, countertops, or windowsills to brighten up the space. Indoor plants improve air quality and add a natural, calming element to the room.