Laundry probably ranks low on your list of things to do.
In fact, you’re not alone if you dislike sorting, washing, folding, and ironing. But the problem for many homeowners is not so much doing the laundry, but having a cramped or unwelcoming laundry room.
Even though organizing a laundry room might seem like an afterthought, it is a crucial part of keeping your house clean. Most homes have a cramped laundry room filled with piles of clothes, shoes, and towels.
If this sounds like you, the time has come to streamline.
Here’s how to create an inviting laundry room that is good looking, well organized, and has plenty of functional space.
Tip #1: Reduce your wardrobe
When you have far too much laundry to deal with, you can’t hope to learn how to organize a laundry room. Therefore, the first step is to clear out the clutter in your closet and dresser. Minimal clothes mean minimal laundry, so you have less to worry about!
Here are some ways you can get rid of wardrobe clutter:
- ⬥ Donate or throw away old clothes. We all have outfits in our closet that never get worn. To create more space in your bedroom and laundry room, throw away or donate clothes you no longer wear.
- ⬥ Switch out your seasonal gear. If your closets are full of out-of-season clothing, clear them out and make room for your essentials. Store winter or summer clothes in bins or storage units until it is time to wear them.
- ⬥ Streamline your laundry. Don’t wait until your hampers are full to do laundry. Create a system (and schedule) for washing different types of clothes. For example, you could do the whites on Monday, the lights on Wednesday, the darks on Friday, and the towels on Saturday. Organizing a laundry room and keeping it organized for years to come is easier if you minimize your loads.
Tip #2: Establish laundry stations
Is there a place where you keep your hampers? Where do you fold and sort your laundry? If you have nowhere to put your clothes, how often do you find yourself carrying them up and down the stairs?
That’s why laundry stations are so important. Before you get started organizing, create a system that helps you and your family keep the room clutter-free, clean and spacious.
Consider the following items when designing your laundry room space:
- ⬥ Counter space. Make life easier by having access to a counter or folding table. By having empty counter space nearby, you will be more likely to hang, fold, and put away your clothes as soon as you remove them from the washer or dryer.
- ⬥ Drying rack. Whether you prefer to hang your clothes on hangers or to dry them on a rack, make sure that your laundry room provides one (or both) of these options. For drying your clothes, tension rods are a great way to save space.
- ⬥ Laundry baskets. To quickly load and unload laundry in the laundry room, keep a hamper or laundry basket handy. The ideal place for these would be underneath counters or in a nearby closet.
- ⬥ Ironing board. Keep an ironing board in your laundry room so that you can iron your clothes immediately, rather than putting away wrinkled clothes and ironing them right before wearing them. By doing this, you will save yourself space, time, and hassle.
Tip #3: Maximize the space you have
The laundry room is a space for washing and drying clothes, but it is often used for other purposes as well. The laundry room also houses coats, shoes, towels, pet supplies, kids’ backpacks, and much more. What is the best way to organize these items? Vertical storage! By going vertical, you’ll maximize your space and keep clutter at bay.
The following tips will help you make the most of your laundry room:
- ⬥ Make use of wall space. For some people, the laundry room is the entryway to the house. This is why it’s important to have designated spaces for shoes, regardless of the season. Using DIY shoe racks will prevent your family from tracking grass and dirt throughout your home. You can build these from floating shelves, PVC pipes, or tension rods and store them on an empty wall.
- ⬥ Buy shelves, hooks, and baskets. By using these simple solutions, you can easily store your belongings and prevent clutter. Above your washer and dryer, arrange shelving or wire racks to hold laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Organize jackets, hats, backpacks, and accessories on wall hooks. To keep your floor space clean and open, place smaller, miscellaneous items in decorative baskets.
- ⬥ Hang over the door. If you want to maximize your existing space, consider hidden storage that you may have never considered. A great place to hang your ironing board, for example, is behind the door of your laundry room. You can also hang your belongings out of sight with over-the-door organizers.
Tip #4: Select the right laundry storage solutions
Cleaning and moving items around are just a few aspects of organizing your laundry room.
When you have figured out how to use your space and create your laundry stations, be sure to have the right storage containers for all your endless laundry supplies.
For the perfect laundry storage solution, consider the following containers:
- ⬥ Keep your laundry essentials hidden in closed containers for a more organized appearance in your laundry room.
- ⬥ Store your detergent boxes and bleach bottles in open containers.
- ⬥ For ease of cleaning up spills, use lined baskets and canvas containers.
- ⬥ Small boxes are perfect for corralling small items like stain sticks, laundry markers, pocket change, or lone socks.
Place these containers within easy reach in your laundry room. They will keep your designated area organized, and they will allow you to hide all of your laundry essentials when you have guests over.
Tip #5: Look for space-saving appliances
Finally, no matter how big the washers and dryers are, we should not let them dominate our laundry rooms. Think smaller, more energy-efficient appliances if you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer (or simply hoping to downgrade).
A smaller washer and dryer would free up more space in your home, give you more space in your laundry room, and make the area more functional for your family.
Instead of stressing out over endless loads of laundry, use these storage tips to help you organize, simplify, and transform your laundry room. You may just find that you no longer dread laundry day!
How to Instantly Improve Your Laundry Room
