45 Small Laundry Room Ideas To Make the Most of Your Space

Some say the laundry room is the hardest working room in the home. Laundry is no easy job, and while sure, modern machinery has made this job less of a chore, there’s still hang drying, folding, and ironing that must be done. These jobs are made easier with lots of space but space is not always available in all homes, so what does one do when their laundry room is confined to a smaller area?

You can undoubtedly maximize a small space with organization, a well-planned layout, and the right accessories. Storage is not even an issue with a well-laid out space — you don’t have to fret if you’re working with small square footage. It’s all about how it’s laid out. Today, we move towards the laundry room and explore how you can make the most of a small laundry room.

dark green cabinets with coral floral wallpaper in laundry area. — Coastal and cottage styles rolled into one in the tiny laundry with a splash of coral [From: Kroiss Development]

wall mounted white shelves on sage green beadboard wall black brackets pottery crocks stainless steel sink — Cottage laundry room boasts gray green cabinets paired with a stainless steel countertop fitted with a sink under stacked shelves lining a gray green beadboard backsplash [From: Jacqueline Fortier]

A space-savvy and stylish small laundry room does not demand too much in terms of square footage. The washer and dryer units can sit next to one another, while all the other features in the room depend on your specific needs. A smart laundry room makes your daily life easy and does not turn laundry day into a taxing affair. This is a look at the best small laundry rooms around.

Finding a Niche in Your Home

You need not always find a whole room for the laundry. The best way to create additional space for the laundry in the kitchen, hallway, or any other place is by putting it in a small niche that would have been otherwise neglected.

Many of these corners are generally left unused, or you tend to find an indoor plant or large floor vase gracing this spot. But you can add functionality to this little nook with custom units holding both the washer and the dryer. Everything else in these tight little spots is an extra you can eliminate by maximizing vertical space.

natural finish shiplap on walls of laundry mud room — Laundry next to the rear entry saves storage space by maximizing the corridor next to it. [From: Houzz]

washing machine tucked into corner of bathroom with sloped ceiling — Make the most of unused small corner in the bathroom and turn it into laundry [From: Alex Tihonov]

industrial style laundry room with wood shelves that roll out — This room has it all: roll-out shelves, folding and ironing zones, and space-savvy laundry space. [From: Houzz]

cottage style laundry room with rustic barn doors and countertop — Barn doors, skylight, slanting roof, and natural woodsy finishes give a new life to the laundry in white [From: NK Living]

kitchen cabinet repurposed for stacked washer and dryer — Turning the spare kitchen cabinet in the kitchen into your laundry on a budget [From: Emilie Fournet Interiors]

minimalist laundry room with sleek white floor to ceiling cabinets — Corner laundry design with smart open shelving in chic wooden design that offers ample shelf space [From: Anna Pavlovskaya Interiors]

stacked washer and dryer concealed by garage style door — Finding a small niche for the laundry in the modern industrial home [From: Haven Builders]

Color and Contrast

The theory behind color palettes in most tiny rooms and spaces is to keep them down to a bare minimum. And most often, this is a theory that makes plenty of sense. But this does not mean you should completely stay away from color in the small laundry room. The washer and dryer units themselves can bring in bright pops of color here.

Think beyond white and gray, and pops of dark blue coupled with white can create an excellent blend of modern and beach styles. Dark greens, bright reds, and pretty pinks all have a place in the tiny laundry as long as you do not put them all together simultaneously!

small laundry nook with wallpaper featuring brown, white, and pink ocean waves — Custom wallpaper with a coastal vibe for the small laundry room [From: Blakely Interior Design]

deep blue cabinets flank a galley style laundry room — Elegant laundry with ample counter space in deep navy blue and white with modern and coastal styles rolled into one [From: Outpost London]

coastal style laundry roo with light blue cabinetry — Elegant and space-savvy laundry in deep navy blue and white with modern and coastal styles rolled into one, including a clever laundry basket storage area [From: Outpost London]

dark green cabinets with gold accents to hold washer and dryer — A touch of dark green brings chic elegance and storage solutions to the small laundry in white [From: marcusse construction]

blue and gray L-shaped laundry room — Bluish-gray laundry room idea with white wall space shaping the backdrop [From: Roundhouse]

shared home office and launry droom — Combining the home office and laundry into one [From: Rosa Dest Interiors]

Go bold with a beautiful backsplash!

Combine Form with Functionality

Once you have sorted the ergonomics of your small laundry space, it is time to turn focus toward aesthetics and look beyond just color. Wallpaper in small spaces is a trend that is catching on across the globe, and you can dip into this and give the laundry niche identity of its own. An accent wall with color and textural contrast goes a long way in providing the laundry area with an identity of its own.

Laundry bags on wheels, drying racks, sleek wooden shelves for all your laundry, and additional storage baskets will help put the final touches on a gorgeous space. It’s sure to serve you well for years to come.

stacked washer dryer in kitchen nook across from pantry — Contemporary home laundry and kitchen save space while creating smart functionality [From: The Renovation Broker]

dark steel colored walls in laundry room — The dark backdrop for the small laundry with plenty of space-savvy features. [From: Houzz]

laundry room with skylight — Using the skylight to bring light into the small modern laundry room [From: Lewis Alderson & Co]

large laundry room with farmhouse sink and black and white tiled backsplash — White and light blue laundry room with ample space, farmhouse sink, and natural light [From: burlanes interiors]

scandinavian style laundry room with home office desk — Beautiful Scandinavian style laundry room with white and wood color scheme [From: kinoto]

laundry room featuring television above ironing area — Clean and crisp monochromatic laundry in white with smart lighting and space for ironing board

Get Smart With Doors

When working in a small space, it’s essential to make sure you are aware of every last inch of the room. Whether your doors swing out or in, they will always take up more space. Sliding barn doors are a style increasingly popular and don’t seem to be fading any time soon.

They are a perfect fit for a small laundry room. They will conceal mess and not take up any space in or out of the room.

Use Drying Racks

You can install small wall-mounted or under-cupboard drying racks when short on space. They don’t take up much space, and you can hang your delicates easily.

Awkward corners are great spots for clothing rods.

Creative Sink Placement

A small laundry room doesn’t mean you can’t have a sink. A sink in a laundry room is most necessary, and you don’t have to sacrifice this pivotal element because you’re short on space.

They make small laundry sinks in so many different varieties now that you are almost sure to find one that will fit your space.

Use Lighting to Your Advantage

A well-lit space can make any small room feel so much bigger than it is. Use lighting to your advantage and ensure that your laundry room is well-lit. If you’re lucky enough to have a large window in your laundry room, make sure not to cover it with heavy drapery and dark coverings — light sheer curtains are best.

A small laundry room can feel cramped and dark, but with the right lighting strategy, you can make the space feel bright and inviting. One advantage of using lighting in a small laundry room is that it can make the space feel larger. By adding lighting to the corners of the room, you can highlight the walls and ceilings and make the space feel more open. Consider using recessed lighting fixtures to create a clean and modern look that complements the rest of your home decor.

Interior cabinetry lighting also will work to your advantage in lighting up your small space.

Another advantage of using lighting in a small laundry room is that it can help you see better when you’re doing laundry. Whether you’re sorting clothes, folding laundry, or ironing, good lighting is essential for ensuring that you can see what you’re doing clearly. Consider using LED light bulbs in your laundry room to provide bright, energy-efficient lighting that will last for years. You may also want to add task lighting to specific areas of the room, such as above the washer and dryer or over the ironing board, to help you see better while you work.

Using lighting in a small laundry room can help you create a more cohesive and stylish space. By choosing light fixtures that match the rest of your home decor, you can create a stylish look that ties the room together. Consider using pendant lights, wall sconces, or chandeliers to add a touch of elegance and style to your laundry room. You may also want to use colored lighting to create a unique ambiance or add a pop of color to the space.

Make Use of Shelves

If you don’t have the luxury of a countertop in your laundry room, you can use shelving to your advantage. You can install shelving above your washer and dryer, or you can also do wall-mounted shelving. This will give you ample room to store laundry materials and soaps.

Even if your laundry room is in a closet, you can still make great use of shelving.

Closed Cabinetry

If you have a small laundry room, you know how important it is to maximize your space. One effective way to do this is by using closed cabinetry. Closed cabinetry can provide ample storage space while keeping your laundry room organized and clutter-free. There are a lot of small laundry room storage ideas out there, but closed cabinetry is one of the most efficient.

Installing upper closed cabinetry in your small laundry room will give you more storage space and room to store items you don’t want on display. You will also be able to keep your small space clean and more organized.

One great thing about closed cabinetry is that it can be customized to fit your specific needs. You can choose the size and layout of your cabinets to make sure all of your laundry supplies have a designated spot. This can be especially helpful in a small laundry room where every inch of space counts. By utilizing the vertical space in your laundry room, closed cabinetry can help you store more items in a smaller area.

Another benefit of closed cabinetry is that it keeps your laundry room looking neat and tidy. With everything stored behind closed doors, you won’t have to worry about unsightly clutter or messy shelves. This can help make your laundry room a more pleasant place to be, which can make doing laundry a little less of a chore.

When it comes to small laundry room organization ideas, closed cabinetry is definitely worth considering. Not only does it provide ample storage space, but it can also help keep your laundry room looking clean and organized. With so many customization options available, you can create a storage solution that fits your specific needs and makes doing laundry a little easier. So, if you’re struggling to find ways to make the most of your small laundry room, closed cabinetry might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Maximize Space in Closet Laundry Rooms

Sometimes all you have is a closet to work with, but just because you don’t have an actual laundry “room” doesn’t mean you can make the most out of what you have.

Closet laundry spaces can be set up to be both functional and pretty. Make clever use of shelving by storing items in baskets. Stack your laundry machines to allow more room to hang clothes, and install accessories like pull-out hanging bars to hang dry clothes.

When it comes to small laundry rooms built into a closet, maximizing space is key. With a few clever small laundry room storage ideas and small laundry room organization ideas, you can transform your cramped space into a functional and efficient area.

Make use of vertical space. Install shelving units or cabinets that run from floor to ceiling. This will not only provide ample storage space but it will also make the room look taller and more spacious. Use baskets or bins to organize items on the shelves and make them easily accessible.

Consider installing a fold-down ironing board. This will save space and provide a convenient spot for ironing clothes. You can also use the back of the door for extra storage. Install hooks to hang items such as hangers, bags, or other accessories.

Invest in a space-saving laundry sorter. This will allow you to separate laundry as you go without taking up valuable floor space. You can also consider adding a pull-out drying rack or installing a wall-mounted drying rack to save floor space.

Make use of the space above the washer and dryer. Install a shelf or cabinet above the appliances to store detergent, fabric softener, or other laundry supplies. You can also use this space to store items that are not used frequently, such as extra linens or seasonal clothing.

Consider adding a pop of color or a fun wallpaper to liven up the space. This will make the laundry room feel less like a chore and more like a cheerful space.

With a little creativity and some small laundry room storage ideas, you can make the most out of your small laundry room built into a closet. By maximizing space and organizing items, you can create a functional and efficient area that makes doing laundry a breeze.