Laundry doesn’t have to be a chore in every sense of the word. With the right setup, even the smallest laundry room can become a surprisingly functional and pleasant space. These tips and smart layout choices can help you reclaim the room’s purpose—and maybe even enjoy the process just a little more.
Rethink Your Vertical Space
When floor space is tight, think up, not out. Many laundry rooms waste valuable wall real estate that could be put to better use. Installing shelves above your washer and dryer creates an easy-access home for detergent, dryer sheets, and baskets. Wall-mounted drying racks or retractable clotheslines provide air-drying options without eating into your square footage.
Pegboards can also be a game changer. Not only do they organize cleaning tools like lint rollers, scissors, and brushes, but they can also be customized to your workflow. With vertical storage, you keep the floors open while still having everything within arm’s reach.
Maximize Storage Without a Remodel
You don’t have to knock down walls or install built-ins to increase storage. Slim rolling carts, for example, fit neatly between machines and the wall, perfect for storing laundry pods, stain removers, or clothespins. You can also repurpose kitchen organizers—like spice racks or hanging baskets—to store smaller laundry tools.
For homes without a designated laundry room, turning a closet or hallway nook into a laundry station can also work well. Adding a tension rod for hanging clothes or a folding shelf that drops down when needed can create a more complete setup in an otherwise awkward space.
Add Style Without the Renovation Costs
Just because it’s a utility room doesn’t mean it has to look plain. An inexpensive peel-and-stick wallpaper can instantly transform bland walls. Bright paint colors or a splash of patterned tile can bring the space to life, even in small doses. Decorative baskets or clear jars offer practical storage while contributing to a cohesive look.
Changing light fixtures is another way to bring style in. Replacing a bare bulb with a small pendant or flush mount light adds charm and better visibility. Hanging art or framed laundry-themed prints can inject personality into a space often ignored when it comes to design.
Make Folding and Sorting Easier
Folding laundry is rarely a favorite task, but it becomes easier when you have a system. A designated folding surface—such as a mounted countertop above your machines or a compact folding table—adds efficiency to your routine. You won’t be tempted to pile clothes in baskets or on couches when folding happens on the spot.
Adding color-coded hampers or bins for sorting whites, darks, and delicates helps streamline the wash process. If you live in a household with multiple people, individual bins per family member can save time on putting clothes away later. Labeling them or choosing different colors for each person makes sorting nearly automatic.
Squeeze Function into Tight Quarters
Even the tiniest laundry zones can benefit from thoughtful organization. Stackable washer and dryer units open up up floor space. Wall-mounted ironing boards that fold down when needed offer a sleek solution. And a foldable step stool helps you reach upper storage without adding clutter.
If your laundry area is in a shared or open space—like a basement corner or hallway closet—try using curtains, sliding doors, or decorative screens to tuck everything out of sight. That way, when the laundry’s done, you can close the space off and keep your home looking tidy.
Give Your Laundry Room a Lift
With just a few adjustments, your laundry room can shift from a dreaded destination to a surprisingly well-loved part of your home.
Whether it’s adding vertical storage, upgrading your folding station, or injecting a bit of style, even the smallest change can make your laundry area more enjoyable. Start with one improvement, and let your least-loved space become one of the most useful.