Laundry Room Organization and Efficiency in Small Spaces

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Storables.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)

Laundry rooms are often the unsung heroes of our homes, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our clothes clean and our lives organized. However, these rooms can quickly become cluttered and inefficient, especially in small spaces. In this article, we will explore the best practices and innovative solutions for maximizing the efficiency of your laundry room, even in the most compact of spaces.

Understanding the Challenges of Small Laundry Rooms

Small laundry rooms present unique challenges. They often lack the luxury of ample counter space, ample shelving, and sometimes even the room to stand comfortably. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can turn these tiny spaces into functional and stylish oases of cleanliness.

The Importance of Organization

Organization is key to making the most out of any laundry room, regardless of its size. A well-organized laundry room not only makes doing laundry easier but also helps maintain a sense of calm and order in your home. Here are some essential items that should be stored in a laundry room:

• Laundry Detergent: This is a must-have item that should be stored in an easily accessible location.
• Stain Removers: These are essential for tackling tough stains and should be kept handy.
• Dryer Balls or Dryer Sheets: These help reduce static cling and keep your clothes fresh.
• Fabric Softener: This adds a pleasant scent to your clothes and makes them feel softer.
• Drying Rack: A drying rack is perfect for delicate items that cannot be put in the dryer.
• Laundry Baskets: These are great for sorting clothes and keeping them organized.
• Iron and Ironing Board: These are crucial for ironing out wrinkles.
• Clothespins: These are useful for hanging clothes to dry.
• Lint Rollers: These help remove lint from your clothes.
• Broom and Dustpan: These keep the floor clean and dust-free.
• Trash Can: A small trash can is necessary for disposing of lint, fabric scraps, and other waste.
• Bath Towels and Beach Towels: These should be stored in a designated area to keep them clean and dry.
• Cleaning Rags and Supplies: These are essential for cleaning the room itself.

Refreshing Your Space

Before diving into organization tips, it's important to refresh your space. A clean and visually appealing laundry room can motivate you to keep it organized. Here are some tips to make your space pretty:

Baskets and Bins

One of the best tricks to making a space organized and efficient-looking is to hide the supplies and create a little bit of decoration. For example, you can use wicker baskets and canisters on the shelves to store backup detergents. The drawers between the washer and dryer can be used to store hand towels, Norwex cleaning cloths, and a dustpan.

Organized Cabinets

Organized cabinets are crucial in any laundry room. They provide ample storage space for laundry essentials and small items. Make sure to use every inch of available space thoughtfully. The cabinet is where you should hide most of the laundry essentials and small items.

Dirty Laundry Storage

Dirty laundry storage is another critical aspect of maintaining an organized laundry room. Here are some ideas for storing dirty laundry:

Shelves in the Laundry Closet

If you have a laundry closet, consider building shelves inside it. This will help keep your dirty laundry organized and easy to store until wash day.

Adjustable Shelf Rack

If you don’t have a closet, an adjustable shelf rack can be used to store laundry baskets off the floor. This keeps the floor clear and makes it easier to move around.

Deep Armoire or Tall Cabinet

A deep armoire or tall cabinet can also be used to store laundry baskets. These types of cabinets are perfect for vertical storage and can be folded away when not in use.

Vertical Canvas Laundry Bag Sorters

Vertical canvas laundry bag sorters are another great option for storing dirty laundry. These can be folded away when not in use, making them a great space-saving solution.

Hanging Laundry Ideas

Hanging laundry is an excellent way to save space and keep clothes fresh. Here are some hanging laundry ideas:

Hooks on the Wall

Hooks on the wall are simple yet effective. You can use single hooks or a line of hooks like a coat rack to hang shirts for drying.

Bar Under Shelves

Screw a towel bar to the underside of shelves as a hanging rod. This keeps clothes in plain sight, encouraging you to put them away sooner.

Add a Row of Pegs

Similar to hooks, adding a row of pegs makes use of wasted space and is a charming way to decorate your laundry area.

Fold-Out Laundry Hanger

A fold-out laundry hanger on the wall is another space-saving solution. This type of hanger folds away when not in use, keeping your laundry room clutter-free.

Door Organizers

Don’t underestimate the power of making use of your laundry room door for storage. While you can’t open the door while in use, it can be hung on an open door. This is especially useful for hanging laundry bags or other items.

Rolling Cart

A rolling cart is a versatile storage solution that can be used for sorting laundry and hanging clothes to dry. This type of cart folds away when not in use, making it a great space saver.

Maximizing Space with Innovative Solutions

Maximizing space is crucial in small laundry rooms. Here are some innovative solutions to help you achieve this:

Lazy Susan Storage

One of the best low-key laundry room hacks is a Lazy Susan storage. Place the revolving tray on top of the washing machine, where it will help keep track of all the little odds and ends that tend to go missing the moment you need them. Fabric softener sheets, detergent pods, stain removers, and whatever else will always be within arm’s reach.

Pegboard or Rail System

If you don’t have enough room to combine your bathroom and laundry, consider using a pegboard or rail system to keep all of your tools and supplies neatly organized. This is especially useful for those short on counter space—just hang any cleaning bottles or tools up high so they’re out of the way and you always have a clear work surface.

Decanting Laundry Products

Decanting laundry products into alternative canisters is another great way to maximize space. This creates a uniform space by trading original packaging for elevated canisters, bins, and baskets. Utilizing these storage solutions instead of bulky boxes makes it easier to categorize your products and save space. Just don’t forget to add labels since you wouldn’t want to mix up your laundry detergent with your powdered bleach.

Hiding Washer and Dryer

Hiding your washer and dryer can make your laundry room look more organized and stylish. Here are some tips:

Pocket Doors

Washer and dryer? What washer and dryer? Lindye Galloway, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lindye Galloway Studio + Shop, oh-so brilliantly hid this machine set behind sliding doors. “I love these little hideaway doors we designed so you can keep the laundry room looking pretty no matter how many loads are ahead,” Galloway says. “The shaker-style cabinets discretely disguise the machines when not in use for an overall cleaner, more organized look.”

Countertop Over Washer and Dryer

Spare yourself from folding laundry awkwardly over your washer and dryer. Instead, take a note from this laundry room designed by Lindye Galloway Design Studio + Shop and install a countertop over your machines. It’ll both create a sleek look and serve as a folding station.

Utilizing Every Little Corner

Storage space is of the utmost importance in a laundry room—a small but mighty space. Don’t let any little nook or cranny go without a purpose. Here are some tips:

Behind-the-Door Shelves

The space behind a door is a storage spot that’s often overlooked. Build a set of shallow shelves and mount it to the wall. The materials cost about $40. Locate the studs, drill clearance holes, and screw the shelves to the studs with 2-1/2-in. wood screws. Put a rubber bumper on the frame to protect the door.

Instant Laundry Room Cubbies

If you don’t have laundry cabinets or shelves, buy inexpensive plastic crates at a discount store and create your own wall of cubbies for some small room organization. Screw them to the wall studs using a fender washer in the upper corner of each crate for extra strength.

Additional Storage Solutions

Here are some additional storage solutions that can help maximize your laundry room space:

Sponge Holder

Wet sponges always end up on the ledge of the utility sink, never drying properly and becoming moldy and smelly. Here’s a better solution: screw a sieve to the back of the sink to hold the sponges. They dry nicely, they’re out of the way, and they last forever.

Clothes Hanger Holder

If you have shelves or cabinets above your washer or dryer, you’ve got the perfect spot to store clothes hangers. Just mount a towel bar to the bottom of the cabinets. This puts hangers at your fingertips so you can hang up shirts and slacks fresh from the dryer.

Laundry Workbench

A sturdy workbench is not just for carpentry—it’s also perfect as a potting bench or laundry room table. If you want a surface that’s easy to clean and protects against spills, apply two coats of polyurethane varnish to the top and the shelves.

Quick Washer and Dryer Shelf

Clean up the clutter of detergent boxes, bleach bottles, and other laundry room stuff. Install a shelf that fits just above the washer and dryer. Screw ordinary shelf brackets to the wall and mount a board that just clears the tops.

Laundry Organizer

Make laundry day easier with this shelf for all your detergents, stain removers, and other supplies. Build this simple organizer from 1×10 and 1×3 boards. If you have a basement laundry room, you may need to cut an access through the shelves for your dryer exhaust.

Hanger Shelf

Sometimes you just need another place to hang clothes, like on the shelf over your washer and dryer. Turn the edge of that shelf into a hanger rack by predrilling some 3/4-in. plastic pipe and screwing it to the top of the shelf along the edge.

Paper Towel Holder

If the roll of paper towels on the shelf in your laundry or utility room keeps falling off, try this: slip a bungee cord through the roll and hang it from the wire shelving. And here are some tips for hanging a more permanent solution.

Maintaining Tidiness

You don’t want to go through the whole tedious process of decluttering and organizing all over again. So be sure to maintain the tidy state of your laundry room by wiping up spills and putting away items right after you use them. Here are some additional tips:

Clutter Begone!

Laundry rooms take on all sorts of clutter over time. This can range from papers, tools, and toys lying around to hampers and boxes overflowing with mementos or forgotten items. Clear out all that stuff you don’t need before organizing the space.

Assign a Place for Everything

Once the laundry room is clutter-free, it’s time to start assigning each item a home. This can be as simple as labeling shelves and drawers or mounting a few wall organizers to keep cords and tools in place.

Wipe Down All Surfaces

Don’t waste all your hard work by forgetting to wipe down the surfaces after organizing. A good start is to use a dry microfiber cloth for everyday dusting, and switch over to an all-purpose cleaner once or twice a month.

Conclusion

Organizing a small laundry room requires creativity and strategic planning. By utilizing innovative storage solutions like Lazy Susan storage, pegboard systems, and decanting laundry products into alternative canisters, you can maximize your space and maintain efficiency. Remember to refresh your space by making it visually appealing and functional. With these tips and tricks, you can turn your small laundry room into a functional and stylish oasis of cleanliness.

In conclusion, laundry room organization is not just about keeping your clothes clean; it’s about creating a space that makes doing laundry easier and more enjoyable. By following these tips and incorporating them into your daily routine, you’ll find that maintaining an organized laundry room becomes second nature. So go ahead, take control of your laundry room, and make it the most efficient and stylish space in your home