10 Clever Ways to Organize a Small Laundry Room
It's all about making your walls work harder.
If your space is more like a "laundry closet" or "laundry corner," take note. These ideas will help you maximize your space to make it more streamlined and efficient.
Add a countertop.
A butcher-block slab morphs the top of your machines into usable workspace. Plus, pull the cute curtains, and your utility room is suddenly just cozy nook. It's a clever trick for holiday party season — washing machines aren't exactly festive.
Shop a similar look: butcher block countertop ($299, amazon.com), curtains ($10, amazon.com)
Hang handy baskets.
No room for a shelf? These little caddies are the perfect size for your cleaners, and they can fit on even the bittiest bare wall.
Shop a similar look: plastic caddy ($14,
Try tilt-out drying racks.
If a standalone version is out of the question (this blogger's laundry room is in her bathroom), line the walls with racks instead. Hinges help them tuck neatly out of the way when you're done.
See more at Home With Baxter »
Shop a similar look:drying rack ($82,
Float a shelf over the machines.
Much like a sofa table can offer a much-needed spot to rest your coffee, this handy ledge turns the top of your machines into storage – without requiring much extra room at all.
Shop a similar look: shelf ($50 and more, etsy.com)
Go up (up, up!).
First of all, this might be the loveliest garage laundry space we've ever seen. But it also reminds us to hang shelves and cabinets as high as they will go — no vertical space left behind.
See more at The Cavender Diary »
Shop a similar look: floating white shelves ($25 for a 2-pack,
Squeeze an ironing board in the wall.
Make extra space magically appear by adding a hidden closet in-between wall studs. This one holds a recessed ironing board, so it can alway stow completely (and we mean completely) out of the way.
See more at Apartment Therapy »
Shop a similar look: cabinet ironing board ($160, amazon.com)
Choose shelves with hooks and rods.
Souped-up shelves work much harder than their sleek floating cousins. This set has hooks (great for holding lingerie bags as you stuff them) and a rod that makes the teeny space between the machines available for hanging shirts as you press them.
See more at Craftaholics Anonymous »
Shop a similar look: shelving unit ($150,
Install a pegbaord.
In a small laundry room, not even wall space should go to waste. This blogger installed a pegboard that serves as storage for all of her tools and dirty clothes baskets.
Shop a similar look: pegboard ($54, amazon.com)
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
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