Laundry room organization ideas that blend function and design. Get the best tips to make the most of your laundry room.
Organizing your laundry room can streamline your workflow and make the task quicker and easier!
We’re fortunate enough to have an entire room dedicated to laundry, but that wasn’t always the case. We have had a basement laundry, mudroom laundry and have laundry closet at the lake house that we’re currently updating.
Now matter how big or small your space is, these space saving design tips will make the task feel a little lighter – and maybe even enjoyable.
A modern laundry is one of the hardest working spaces in your home. It’s important to organize it so it works for you! It’s often not just a place to wash, dry, hang and iron laundry, but also a space to store cleaning supplies.
PS – Pretty cleaning supplies never hurt! You can shop my favorites here and on Amazon.
You don’t need a ton of space to enhance the usability of your laundry room. In fact, you can pack just as much function into a laundry closet as you can a laundry room with these simple organization tips!
As with any organization project, start by decluttering (you can get my decluttering checklist here). Eliminate excess and combine duplicates and you’ll instantly find more space!
Want to see the newest update of this laundry room? Check out our Modern Laundry Room update! (originally published August 2016, updated with additional tips, photos and video April 2021.
Laundry Room Organization
I utilize a lot of organizational methods in my laundry room. They each work in their space and are effective for me. Evaluate your space and determine if these ideas can work for you.
Maximize Space
You can make the most of a compact space by integrating shelves, cabinets or peg rail above your washer and dryer. They can hold detergent, stain remover, frequently used cleaning supplies, a sweater stone and more.
The top of a washer and dryer are perfect for folding and stacking. To make it feel even more appealing, add a counter or simple butcher’s block.
Incorporate Laundry Room Shelving
Laundry room shelving is so functional and can be designed to suit your style. White shelves blend into the wall while wooden shelves can add warmth and depth.
In a closet laundry room your shelves can go from wall to wall, making it very easy to install. Laundry room shelves that are mid-wall just need to be supported with sturdy brackets to keep everything in their place.
Open laundry room shelving looks especially nice when you contain items in baskets and bins that coordinate. Doing this simple thing can bring a calm feeling to a daily chore.
Add Laundry Room Storage Cabinets
Laundry room storage cabinets are a great storage option. They keep all of your supplies behind closed doors so all you see from the outside is a clean cabinet front. I, of course, still like to maintain order inside my cabinets.
Every item has a place and I only store what I need and use in my laundry room storage cabinets.
Stop by to read about how to add charm with a vintage-inspired Wall Sink for your laundry or utility room!
Cabinets for laundry rooms are often a basic cabinet, but you can still update them with new hardware or paint for a fresh and stylish look. Using baskets and bins can keep everything organized inside laundry room cabinets.
Assess your room and where laundry room shelves would work the best for you. If you already have cabinets above your washer and dryer, then you can put shelves on a different wall. It’s your laundry room, so make it work for you.
Make it Accessible
Don’t be afraid to place frequently used items where they are readily available. You can keep them visible and within reach so it feels more effortless.
Upgrade packaging by eliminating it! Glass canisters work well for pods, powdered detergents, baking soda and more! Add a scoop or measuring cup for powdered detergents.
Instead of hiding them, I keep an array of natural cleaners like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, natural dish liquid and baking soda for tough stains in apothecary bottles on a tray with dryer sheets for convenience (see my free printable difficult stain guide).
Pour cleaners and solvents into clearly labeled glass bottles to make them aesthetically pleasing.
Storing product in clear glass canisters rather than their original packaging allows you to buy in bulk and always know when you’re running low.
It also eliminates the chaotic feeling that comes from a barrage of brightly colored plastic bottles. I love the seamless feel of a coordinated space.
For products that need to be squirted or pumped, purchase some plain squirt and pump bottles and label them. Or, if you like a particular brand’s packaging for cleaning items, but it’s too expensive, buy it once and then reuse the bottles by filling them with a less expensive product. This will provide cohesiveness and simplicity in your laundry room.
Hang It
One of the best ways to maximize space is to make the most of your walls, by adding hanging storage.
You can add a peg rail (like we use for our garage organization) as mentioned above, perfect for excess hangers, cleaning brushes and a dust pan.
A closet hanging rod is also ideal. You can hang it under cabinets, in a closet or even use a free standing rod to hang recently ironed clothing, wet dresses and more.
If you don’t have space for or a closet rod or frequently hang clothes, incorporate a drying rack. You can easily install using two coat hooks spaced apart at the same level. It’s easy to stow away in a closet or on a wall.
To stow an ironing board, you can use the same method, hanging 2 coat hooks at the appropriate distance. This keeps it stowed away while not in use, but easily accessible.
If you frequently iron, make an oversized ironing board with rubber feet the size of your washer and dryer. It is always ready for a quick touchup!
If you iron infrequently, a small over-the-door ironing board will do the trick!
Use Baskets, Caddies and Bins
Baskets are not only great for moving clothing and linens, but they’re also great to store cleaning supplies, keep things tidy and from falling over. You can find some of my favorite baskets in the shop along with more Storage Containers and Supplies!
When stowed away, they look clean and tidy, too! I used a bamboo tray to store dryer sheets just above the dryer as well. Removing everything from its package makes it easily accessible and aesthetically pleasing.
Rolling carts are great for large families and can move freely throughout your home. They’re great for storing clean clothes or separating dirty clothes while somewhat disguising them.
Brighten it Up
Utilizing a light and bright paint color with a high LRV (light reflective value) not only makes your space feel larger, but also makes things easier to find. This is especially important for cabinet interiors!
Hidden Storage
One of the best laundry room organization tips is to utilize hidden space. Have a nook? Find a way to utilize it! We integrated a sink skirt in our laundry room. It’s the perfect place to store unsightly goods.
You can download my stain guide and coordinating laundry room organization labels here!
Of course you can bring any room to life integrating something organic like a houseplant. Add an olive tree, Meyer Lemon Tree, ZZ Plant, Lavender, or a succulent.
You may be surprised at how much you love your laundry room when it works for you and looks beautiful at the same time!
It looks amazing! I wouldn’t even mind folding laundry in a room that pretty!
xo Jess
Your space is so serene and calming. Might even make laundry fun to do! 😉
What gorgeous storage suggestions!! Time to purge my laundry room and make it pretty!
I love how you don’t have to hide anything when your detergent and stain removers are already so pretty! The stain guide is super handy!
I love the cohesive look here, Julie! What do you store in the baskets above your cabinets? I am moving into a new house with limited storage and a similar laundry room as yours, and need some storage inspiration!
Thanks, Hannah! I store things I seldom use just because they are challenging to get to like seasonal hand towels and bedding.