Ultra-Useful Laundry Room Ideas
A laundry room is more than a place for a washer and dryer.
Fully functional laundry room organization is a household must-have. But aside from a washer and dryer, what makes a good laundry room a good laundry room? In this guide, browse our list of ultra-useful laundry room ideas you can make your own.
Tip!
Need help with your appliance shopping? Check out our Washing Machine Buying Guide and Dryer Buying Guide for assistance choosing the best washer and dryer for your needs.
1. Install a Countertop Over Your Washer & Dryer
Your washer and dryer will most likely take up the most amount of space in your laundry room. Install a broad countertop over your front-loading washer and dryer to convert the space into a useful surface for tasks like folding, steaming, ironing, and more. Your washer and dryer will look neat and tucked away under the counter, and you can even install cabinet doors or curtains over your washer and dryer to conceal them when not in use.
Laundry room organization is key. With the help of laundry sorters or laundry hamper sets, you'll be able to keep your household's clothing organized. You can separate your laundry by wash type, person, color, etc. Add casters and boost your laundry room organization even more; with hampers on wheels, you'll no longer need to heave heavy loads of laundry from room to room.
In a laundry room, curious hands or snouts can be dangerous – many laundry products and household cleaning products can be toxic if touched or ingested. Make sure smaller houseguests can’t reach your laundry products by installing storage units in high places and using wall space to your advantage. Install wall-mounted cabinets or high wall shelves, or add a wall-mounted linen closet to avoid any possible tipping. If you go with a linen closet, store linens on the bottom shelves and reserve the top shelves for potentially harmful products.
Tip!
If you don’t have the wall space for higher up storage, keep your cleaning and laundry products under lock and key by installing lock-and-bolt hardware on cabinet doors and drawers.
A large closet is an excellent space to keep your washer, dryer, and laundry supplies. A closet's alcoved shape is ideal for storing your essentials out of the way. Depending on the depth of your closet, you can even keep the doors in place to neatly conceal your laundry room's inner workings when not in use. Install handy laundry room organization like shelving and clothing rods for hanging garments and keeping them wrinkle-free!
Tip!
When shopping for laundry room appliances to fit under a table or in a closet, pay close attention to dimensions. Use our helpful guide on How to Measure & Prepare for a New Washer & Dryer for tips.
5. Install a Sink for Your Delicates
Many delicate materials – including silk, lace, and cashmere as well as embroidered and structured garments – don't fare well in washing machines and dryers. These pieces of clothing often require hand-washing to make them last, so installing a designated sink in your laundry room can be a super convenient addition. Whether you opt for a kitchen-style sink or a sturdy utility sink, it’s also great for washing kids' sports equipment, soaking stubborn stains overnight, or cleaning up after a long day of yard work without tracking dirt into your kitchen.
Tip!
Looking to install a laundry room sink yourself? Learn how with our step-by-step guide How to Install A Kitchen Sink.
6. Don't Skip the Drying Rack
If you have the time in your schedule, air-drying your clothes on a drying rack instead of tossing everything right into the dryer is a great way to boost your household sustainability. This drying method is perfectly safe and effective for garments of any kind. Not only will drying certain items (wool especially) on a drying rack help preserve their durability, but with repeated use, it can also save you money on your electric bill.
Durable and easy to clean, tile flooring is an excellent choice for a room in which water and cleaning products are used (and spilled) frequently. Available in a wide range of gorgeous colors, shapes, and patterns, tile flooring is also one of the most visually stunning flooring options. If you want to add some comfort or traction to your laundry room floor consider adding a machine-washable area rug or runner.
Use a freestanding cabinet in your laundry room to conveniently store extra house linens — this makes putting them away after washing super easy. Use woven baskets and bins on a higher shelf to store laundry essentials like stain remover, detergent, or linen sprays. For additional storage, keep a large rattan basket on top or nearby to store spare throw pillows and blankets for hosting overnight guests.
Tip!
Looking for more laundry room storage solutions? Check out our guide 8 Essential Laundry Room Storage Ideas.
9. Save Space With a Stackable Set
If you want to free up space in your laundry room, go with a stackable washer and dryer set. Not only does this look great, it allows you to make the most of vertical space – creating more room for counters, laundry organization systems, and even some extra wall space to store your vacuum or other cleaning supplies.
The laundry room is the best place to keep your ironing board and garment steamer. This way you can make sure your clothing is in good condition before moving it to your closet. Keep a foldable ironing board tucked away in your laundry room when not in use, or install a wall-mounted or over-the-door model to save valuable floor space. You can also keep your garment steamer and iron in your laundry room and stash them away in a drawer or cabinet to avoid clutter.
If you find that you have a lot of negative space in your laundry room after all your essentials are installed, why not make it a multifunctional space? A crafting area pairs well since a crafting desk can double as a counter to fold laundry. If you’re into sewing, having needles and thread in the laundry room is convenient for when clothes need mending. Keep things organized with a utility cart, storage boxes, and clear storage jars and canisters.
Who says you can’t have fun with colors and patterns in your laundry room? Make every space in your home one that you love by creating an aesthetic that brings you joy. Using gorgeous blue hues, this laundry room pairs color drenching with laid-back coastal style for a stunning, bespoke look. The monochromatic elements like the area rug and wallpaper tie the space together, while key accents like the rattan pendant light play up the beachy texture.
Tip!
Interested in bringing style into your laundry room? Check out our guides on some popular decor styles:
The Ultimate Guide to Coastal Style
Your Guide to Modern Farmhouse Style
The Ultimate Guide to Glam Style
