Laundry rooms are often one of the smallest rooms in a home, but with some creative space-saving ideas, you can transform even the tiniest laundry nook into an organized and functional space.
Whether you have a closet-sized laundry room or a narrow galley layout, there are solutions to help maximize every inch.
Read on for 14 innovative tips to make the most of your petite laundry area.
With customized storage, multi-functional furniture, and space-conscious appliances, you can gain functionality and style.
Aim for zones and systems that streamline laundry day and give you room to fold, sort, and manage household linens with ease.
With a mix of DIY projects, compact appliances, and customized cabinetry, you can create a laundry oasis, even in a tiny footprint.
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Built-In Cabinetry
One of the best ways to maximize a small laundry room is through built-in cabinetry and shelving.
Having cabinets and shelves custom-designed and fitted to the exact dimensions of your laundry room is a great way to take advantage of every inch of space.
Built-ins allow you to maximize vertical storage up to the ceiling, while also making use of narrow wall space that may be awkward for freestanding storage units.
Opt for cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling with adjustable shelves inside to customize the storage options.
Open shelving above is great for frequently accessed items like laundry baskets, detergent bottles, and folding tables.
For laundry rooms with constrained dimensions, consider open cabinetry with adjustable hooks to hang laundry bags, irons, brooms, and other items.
This allows you to use the space efficiently while also being able to see what’s inside at a glance.
Incorporate pull-out shelves in base cabinets to access items in the back that normally get buried.
Pull-out shelves on casters allow you to fully extend them to see the whole depth of the cabinet.
When designing built-ins, look for wasted spaces that could accommodate narrow vertical drawers for things like lint rollers, clothespins, and laundry accessories.
Take advantage of the area around pipes and ductwork too.
Built-in shelving that boxes in pipes can turn awkward dead space into useful storage.
With some custom carpentry work, you can transform your small laundry room into an organizational dream.
Wall-Mounted Fixtures
Installing your laundry appliances on the wall, rather than sitting on the floor, is a space-saving trick that works especially well in narrow laundry rooms.
Wall-mounted faucets free up space below the sink for a small storage cabinet or basket.
Select a wall-mounted laundry sink with an elongated shape to allow more room for folding next to the sink.
Retractable drying racks or fold-down ironing boards mounted on the wall allow you to free up floor space when not in use.
Wall mount your laundry sorter inside a closet or pantry so it doesn’t take up floor footage.
You can purchase wall-mounted laundry rods and shelves to install inside closets to optimize the vertical storage.
Wall-mounted fixtures, cabinets, and appliances help create a laundry room that feels open and airy, rather than cramped.
Take advantage of vertical airspace through wall-mounted solutions at various heights.
Stackable Appliances
When dealing with a petite laundry room, sometimes you have to think vertically to maximize space!
Stackable washer/dryer units allow you to double your laundry capacity without increasing the footprint.
Units are available in side-by-side or top and bottom configurations.
Just be sure to measure doorways and halls to ensure the stacked units can fit through.
If you prefer separate washer and dryer units, look for models with narrow or compact dimensions to shave off precious inches.
There are even stackable laundry centers that include storage drawers built right in under the appliances.
The lower drawers provide a great spot to store laundry essentials and provide a workspace for folding.
Stackable drying racks can also be helpful for small spaces when wall mounted.
Install double rods to hang clothes on both levels.
For laundry rooms with low ceilings, consider retractable clothes drying racks that fold down flush against the wall when not in use.
Any opportunity to make use of vertical space translates to more room for you to move and work.
Multi-Purpose Furniture
Furniture that serves multiple purposes is a smart choice for small laundry rooms.
An inexpensive all-in-one laundry center with sink, drying rack, storage and ironing board built right in can maximize a tiny space.
Look for used or vintage wash stations made of durable metal that include fold-down ironing boards and hanging rod areas.
Repurposed dressers make excellent laundry room storage with built-in compartments for folded clothes and shelves above for supplies.
The top of the dresser can even serve as a folding station.
If space is extremely tight, consider wall-mounted or fold-down work surfaces that can be used for folding and then folded up and out of the way.
Look for furniture pieces like storage ottomans that can double as extra seating or a spot to fold laundry.
A rolling island with storage bins below to catch unsorted laundry is handy for petite spaces since it can easily be moved out of the way against a wall.
Any furniture that plays multiple roles will help maximize the functionality.
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Strategic Lighting
Proper lighting is important in any laundry room but especially critical for small spaces that tend to be darker and feel more cramped.
Use lighting strategically to make your petite laundry area feel open and inviting rather than claustrophobic.
Ambient ceiling lighting is crucial, so replace any old dreary fixtures with new ENERGY STAR LED lights that provide bright, even light.
Increase functionality and visibility with ample task lighting.
Under-cabinet lighting illuminates countertop tasks like folding and sorting.
Position adjustable recessed can lights over key areas like the laundry sink.
Consider wiring in a switched outlet above the washer/dryer with track lighting that you can aim at sorting baskets or clothing racks.
Lighted shelves are handy for illuminating stored supplies and linens.
Natural light can make a world of difference in a small enclosed room.
Add windows if possible, or use reflective paint colors to bounce light around.
A skylight or solar tube can funnel sunshine from above into an interior laundry room.
With strategic lighting solutions, your tiny laundry space will feel bright and airy.
Creative Storage Solutions
No laundry room is complete without specialized storage to corral all your linens, supplies and equipment.
In a petite laundry room, smart storage is especially key.
Start by looking at all vertical space that could accommodate floor-to-ceiling shelving.
Take advantage of the area above appliances, doors, and windows.
Narrow shelving units work well positioned between wall studs.
Use an over-the-door hanging system to take advantage of the door area.
Install multi-tiered racks for drying delicates to maximize vertical real estate.
A rolling laundry sorter with multiple compartments helps keep loads organized in a condensed footprint.
Clear acrylic bins are great for open shelving since contents are visible.
Bins and baskets that hook or nest together save space.
Make use of unconventional nooks like the area under sinks, inside closet doors or above the washer/dryer.
Small laundry rooms call for creative solutions like hanging shoes organizers for laundry supplies, under-shelf baskets, and magnetic bars for tools.
Take advantage of every niche possible with customized storage solutions.
Convenient Laundry Chute
For multistory homes, installing a laundry chute provides an ingenious way to transport dirty clothes from bedrooms down to a main-floor laundry room.
Inside the upstairs hall or closet, position a laundry chute with a door to easily toss clothes down the shoot where they end up conveniently in the laundry area.
Look for space-saving chute designs that fold up when not in use.
For laundry rooms with closet space right above, install the chute in the ceiling of the closet floor above to feed dirties directly into a waiting hamper or basket.
This avoids the need to carve out floor space for a chute installation.
By allowing you to conveniently drop loads directly into the laundry room from above, a chute eliminates hauling heavy baskets up and down stairs.
The chute leads right to where the dirty clothes need to go, maximizing efficiency in your workflow.
For multistory homes with upstairs bedrooms, a laundry chute is a smart way to save steps and energy.
Fold-Away Ironing Center
An ironing board takes up precious floor space that you may not always need access to.
For small laundry areas, a fold-away ironing center is useful for freeing up room when not in use.
Wall-mounted ironing boards only protrude about 15 inches from the wall but can be positioned at a comfortable height for use when needed.
Or select an ironing board-cabinet combo that tucks the board inside a vertical cabinet mounted on the wall.
When closed, the board is out of sight.
You can also find ironing centers with built-in retractable clothes drying racks.
The rack pulls down when you need to hang freshly pressed shirts and then tucks away when not needed.
For quick touch-ups, a mounted wall ironing surface takes up no floor space when folded up.
Install hooks nearby to hang and cool garments after ironing.
With your iron and supplies stored in the cabinets below, a fold-down ironing center creates an efficient workspace that appears and disappears effortlessly in a small footprint.
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Use a Retractable Drying line
Install a retractable ceiling-mounted clothesline to dry garments in a flash.
– Look for industrial-grade retractable clotheslines designed for indoor use.
These are rust-resistant and can handle frequent use.
– Install securely into ceiling studs.
Measure the laundry room layout to determine the ideal width and positioning.
– Make sure the ceiling height can accommodate full extension without hitting the floor.
Retractable clotheslines may range from 4 to 10 feet long.
– Consider models with two or more hanging lines to double drying capacity.
– Use clothespins to securely fasten items to the line.
Opt for stainless steel rust-resistant clothespins.
When not in use, the retractable clothesline disappears out of sight against the ceiling.
It takes just seconds to lower for an instant indoor drying solution.
Install a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack
Maximize vertical space with a wall-mounted drying rack.
Position it above the washer/dryer or on another empty wall space.
– Look for stainless steel or aluminum rack designs made for wall mounting.
Seek rust-resistant materials.
– Choose folding racks that pivot or slide out of the way.
Select a size that best fits your available space when extended.
– Install securely into wall studs.
Wall anchors alone cannot withstand the weight of wet laundry.
– Allow for airflow around the rack.
Do not position directly above vents or appliances.
– Use spring clamps to securely clip items onto the rack.
Opt for stainless steel clamps to prevent rusting.
A wall-mounted rack takes advantage of empty vertical real estate.
Just fold up out of the way when not actively being used for drying.
Add a Hideaway Ironing Station
An iron and mini ironing surface can be concealed in a narrow cabinet or closet.
– Install a shallow cabinet or repurposed closet near an outlet specifically for the ironing station.
– Look for an extra-slim ironing board that fits inside the dedicated space when folded down.
For occasional use, even a small fold-out wood ironing surface mounted to the inside of a cabinet door can work.
– Mount a retractable ironing cord reel inside to keep the cord neatly stowed away.
– Store the iron itself inside when not in use.
Look for compact models that won’t take up too much room.
– Customize the space with supply storage.
Install hooks, racks and bins to hold laundry items.
Tuck away the iron and ironing surface to keep the laundry room clutter-free.
You’ll maximize space while keeping key equipment easily accessible.
Hang a Retractable Drying Rack from the Ceiling
For a drying solution that disappears when not in use, install a ceiling-mounted retractable drying rack.
– Look for commercial-grade retractable racks designed for indoor installation and resistant to rust/mold.
– The rack mounts to ceiling joists and features pulleys to raise and lower smoothly.
Stow it against the ceiling when not drying items.
– Make sure the room has adequate height for the rack to extend fully.
Measure carefully before installing.
– Opt for wider models to maximize drying capacity.
Some retractable racks extend up to 6 feet wide.
– Use spring clamps to secure delicate items onto the rack while drying.
A ceiling-mounted retractable rack provides a great vertical drying solution.
Raise it to maximize open floor space or lower it only when you need quick access to drying space.
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Build Customized Drying Cabinets
For a DIY solution, construct customized built-in cabinets with retractable drying racks or rods.
– Use moisture-resistant plywood or similar material.
Opt for cabinets with ventilation slats or holes for airflow.
– Install sturdy pull-out rods or fold-down shelves fitted with drying racks.
– Include space to store laundry supplies, delicates bags and accessories.
– Add custom hardware like hangers, hooks and retractable rods designed for air drying laundry.
– Finish with moisture-resistant paint in a coordinating color.
With custom cabinets, you can integrate drying and storage solutions tailored to the exact size and shape of your laundry area.
Get creative with built-ins to maximize every bit of available space.
With some innovative space-saving solutions, even the smallest laundry nook can become fully-functional.
Focus on making the most of what you have available.
The ideas in this article can help you maximize your tiny laundry room to gain efficiency and organization.
Get creative with compact fixtures and multi-purpose furniture to make laundry day easier.
