and most of us would have loved a Pinterest-worthy laundry room, but we were not blessed with it. And, oh, welcome, comrades, your laundry setting is more broom closet than shabby chic nook. However, the good news is that you do not require a square footage to make either a serious style or functionality upgrade.
I have lived in apartments where the washer and dryer were literally stuff into a hall. I did it (with enough cursing and a couple of genius tricks). And now? I really enjoy taking with me my clients to transform the little, out of control laundry areas into mini power stations that feel- dare I say it- enjoyable!
Now, in case you are sick of stubbing your toes on baskets or having to fold clothes on your bed (one more time), then feel free to check out 15 of the most amazing small laundry room ideas that are a punch! I will begin with a dozen initial ones and create your dream one hack at a time. đ
1. Stack Your Washer and Dryer (Itâs Not Just for College Dorms)
Too tall and too thin? Pile those mofo s.
Why It Works
- Saves serious floor space
- Frees up room for a cabinet or folding area
- Keeps everything tidy and vertical (Marie Kondo would approve)
Yes, it may also remind you a bit of Tetris when you first see it but you will enjoy those extra floor real estate. Bonus, stacking machines are quite handsome when confined by built-in or shelves.
| Pros | Bonus Perk |
|---|---|
| More floor space | Makes room for storage! |
FYI:When you rent or are afraid of scratching the walls, you should find stackable kits that can be replaced without any permanent installations.
2. Add a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack
Put your hand in the air if there was ever an occasion where you hung wet clothes over a dining chair. đââď¸ Ok, ok, we have all been there. However wall-mounted drying rack is the adult equivalent version that is a mind changer altogether.
What Makes It a Must-Have
- Folds flat against the wall when not in use
- Gives you space to air dry delicate stuff
- Doesnât hog your precious square footage
Even better, have it painted the same color as your wall, so it can camouflage with your wall, when shut. And all of sudden the balk of your laundry room is⌠kind of posh?
3. Use Slim Rolling Carts Between Machines
You are familiar with the little gap that exists between a washer and a dryer? Yeah, the sucking one, the swallowing sucking one?
Slide in a skinny cart on wheels and you have a secret storage place to store:
- Dryer sheets
- Detergent
- Random things you pretend youâll use one day
and it comes out like a drawer because it is on wheels. I would say it is the MVP of compact laundry rooms.
4. Install Shelves Above Your Machines
Are you sure the wall over your machines is not screaming out to be noticed? Quit omitting it. Shelves = free standing storage. And vertical storage = little room heaven.
Shelf It Like You Mean It
- Use open wood shelves for a natural, airy vibe
- Or go with white floating shelves for a clean, modern look
- Add cute bins and baskets to hide clutter
Feel like faking it that you have your life together? Name those baskets. đ
5. Try a Fold-Down Ironing Board
The worst thing to put away is ironing boards. I spoke as I spoke. But fold-downs, ironing boards? Chefâs kiss.
Why Youâll Love It
- It hides away in a wall cabinet when not in use
- Pops out in seconds when you need it
- Makes you feel like you live in a spy movie (just me?)
You will get a lot of space and you will be spared of that why is the ironing board always in the way? moment.
6. Use Light Colors to Open Up the Room
Display gimmickry, rather than gadgetry, but this one WORKS. In case you feel that your laundry room is a cave, use light colors to lighten this up.
Paint + Finish Tips
- Go for white, cream, or pale gray walls
- Use glossy or satin finishes to reflect more light
- Add a light-colored rug to pull it all together
I painted my little laundry room teeny: mint green, and put in a white shelf, and all of a sudden it was twice as big. Magic? No. Nothing more than the theory of color. đ
7. Add Pegboards for Hanging Storage (A.K.A. Wall Candy)
Now, what about undervalued superstar of wall storage: the pegboards? Well, not only in garages, anymore. Pegboards act as kind of butler with infinite storage of all your things⌠and without judgment.
Why Pegboards Rock
- Customize hooks and baskets however you like
- Perfect for hanging scissors, lint rollers, clothespins
- Super budget-friendly, even on Etsy or Amazon
You can even give it a cute color or frame it, if you are feeling extra. Extra: it makes your space a little bit reminiscent of that carefully disorganized appearance, which, in my opinion, is small-room at its finest.
8. Hide It All Behind a Curtain
Okay, not every one of us can afford themselves with a separate room. In some cases, your washer and dryer are simply chilling out in the hallway or the kitchen and that just makes things⌠less cute.
The Easy Fix? Curtains.
- Mount a tension rod or sliding track
- Hang a thick, stylish curtain (linen or canvas works great)
- Bamâyouâve got a hidden laundry zone
Pro Tip: Ideas are light, airy, and in line with the type of place that you live in. And, of course, nobody will ever suspect that behind it the laundry pile is getting dangerously high. đ
9. Make Room for a Folding Station
Are you still folding laundry on the bed (guilty), then it is time to graduate. Even in a mini-laundry room it is possible to include such a small folding station with a bit of imagination.
Tiny Room? No Problem.
- Use the top of your front-loading machines
- Add a butcher block or laminate counter across both units
- Install a pull-out shelf underneath a cabinet or wall niche
It does not need to be fancy it can be flat and clean. The first time you stop stacking up your towels on top of the detergent bottle is when you should know you have arrived. đ
10. Incorporate Built-In Hampers (No More Overflow!)
You know what will kill a vibe quicker than anything? The washing filled with soiled clothes. Enter the in-built hampers.
Why Built-In = Built Smart
- Keeps laundry sorted and out of sight
- Saves precious floor space
- Makes laundry day slightly less dreadful
Handy? Then put them into a bottom cabinet. Otherwise, drawers that slide in and out of ordinary cabinets called pull-out hamper drawers should be grabbed. Bonus, when they are accompanied by a liner. Simple to wash-up = marketable to you.
11. Use Wallpaper or Bold Backsplash to Add Personality
Do not think that it is a laundry room; it does not have to look dull. Hurl some style on those walls and make room a room which is a part of your real home and not an attic of a warehouse.
Make a Statement (Without Screaming)
- Use peel-and-stick wallpaper in fun patterns
- Try a bold tile backsplash behind your machines
- Add a cheeky framed printââDrop your pants hereâ never gets old
Believe me, when you get in a room that you say, Aah, this is nice (instead of a sigh), the whole doing of the laundry is carried out, which is quite different. Indeed, that is a thing.
12. Hook It UpâLiterally
Small laundry rooms are to hooks as duct tapes are to Do-It-Yourself: required beyond belief.
Hook Hacks Youâll Actually Use
- Hang mesh bags for delicates
- Use them for hanging mops, brooms, or mini steamers
- Add a few above the door for umbrellas or reusable grocery bags
And it need not be overthought, just put a Target multi-hook rack (like the one shown in picture) into an empty wall, by screwing it into the wall and you should feel good that you are a storage genius.
13. Bring in Baskets (and Label Like a Boss)
Of the little laundry-rooms, baskets are the unsung heroes. They conceal your mess, organize your paraphernalia, and they are adorable in the process. What has not to love?
Why Baskets Just Work
- Keep clutter out of sight
- Help categorize essentials (e.g., dryer balls, cleaning sprays, lost socks đ )
- Come in all shapes and materialsâwicker, wire, fabric⌠take your pick
Have some serious intentions to impress your future self? Label them. Take a chalk tag or clip-on label, mark the thing with its place and put everything in its place. Extra kudos with a pun in the title. Does anyone want Starch Stash?
14. Add GreeneryâYes, Even in the Laundry Room
You know what I am thinking. âPlants? In my wash room? Who am I anyway?â But wait a moment.
Why Youâll Love a Little Green
- Brightens the space with a splash of life
- Helps neutralize odors (hello, eucalyptus!)
- Makes your laundry area feel less like a utility closet and more like a mini retreat
To keep within the low-light favorites, such as:
- Snake plants
- Pothos
- ZZ plants
Pop one on a shelf or hang it in a macrame holder, and boomâyouâve just Instagrammed your laundry room. #LaundryGoals đż
15. Use Multi-Tasking Furniture (Space-Saving Sorcery)
Multi-functional furniture is your best friend when space is the main challenge. Consider it as space magic that really does work.
Some Genius Combos
- A bench with hidden storage: sit, sort, store
- A fold-out table that becomes a folding station
- A cabinet with a pull-out ironing board
This is frankly speaking, multifunctional furniture deserves a raise. Particularly in times when your room is smaller than a closet.
Conclusion: Laundry, But Make It Lovely
Actually, laundry will never be your favorite task. Yet reconceptualizing a clutter-filled tight area into one that is intelligent, compact and (sniff, snort) even kind of cool looking? It is completely possible.
This is because whatever you see as a small thing whether it is hanging baskets, placing shelves, or even pushing a snake plant at an edging on a floating ledge, every small idea you apply will count. It is not only decorating but formulating an area that would serve well in your life.
And IMO that is the true glow-up. đ
Have you got your favorite hack? Or perhaps you have a genius tip? Share it in comment or forward to a friend who is yet to unroll that towel in their kitchen counter.