How do I make storage in my small laundry room?

Having a small laundry room can make it difficult to have enough storage for all your supplies and keep things organized. However, with some clever solutions, you can maximize every inch of space to create the storage you need. Here are some tips for adding functional storage to a compact laundry area.

Assess Your Needs

First, take a look at everything you need to store in your laundry room. Make a list of categories like:

• Detergent, bleach, fabric softener
• Ironing supplies
• Cleaning tools like brooms, mops, vacuum
• Laundry baskets
• Other household items that get stored in the laundry room by default

Knowing what you need to store will help you come up with the best storage solutions. Store similar items together when possible.

Install Wall-Mounted Cabinets

Wall-mounted cabinets are a great way to get items up and out of the way. Have cabinets installed across any empty wall space, ideally going all the way up to the ceiling. Wall cabinets can store:

• Detergents, bleaches, fabric softeners
• Cleaning supplies
• Extra toilet paper and paper towels

Choose cabinets with doors to conceal the contents and keep things neat. Labels on the outside of cabinet doors make it easy to find what you need.

Add Shelving

It’s amazing how much stuff shelves can hold. Consider adding:

• Floating shelves – Install floating shelves above your washer/dryer or on other empty wall space. Use for folded laundry waiting to be put away, ironing supplies, laundry baskets.
• Corner shelves – Shelves fit into a corner perfectly. Great for storing brooms, mops, and other cleaning tools.
• Over the door storage – Hang shelf units over the back of the door to hold small laundry supplies.

Use Vertical Space with Stacks

Stacking items is an efficient way to take advantage of vertical storage space. Try stacking:

• Plastic drawers to corral socks, cleaning rags, delicates wash bags
• Laundry baskets and hampers
• Groups of same-sized items like towels or washcloths

Add a Hanging Bar

Install a hanging bar to make use of empty wall space above eye level. Use it to hang:

• Ironing board
• Hoses, dusters, and other cleaning tools
• Laundry bags

The hanging bar keeps items off the floor and neat while still keeping them easily accessible.

Repurpose Household Items

With a little creativity, many everyday household items can be repurposed into laundry room storage solutions:

• Plastic shower caddies to hold laundry detergent pods
• Tiered plant stands for folded laundry
• Under-bed storage boxes for delicates and accessories
• Over the fridge storage for laundry treats like stain remover
• Plastic drawers from office supply stores for small items

Maximize Closet Storage

If your laundry room has a closet, make sure you’re using the space as efficiently as possible. Install:

• Shelf risers to double your shelf space
• Over the door storage
• A second closet rod for hanging seasonal or overflow items

Use storage containers to keep the closet tidy.

Add a Folding Station

Having a dedicated spot for folding laundry can help keep the task from taking over the entire room. Options for folding stations:

• A fold-down wall mounted table
• A freestanding narrow table or countertop along a wall
• A piece of countertop spanning over the washer and dryer

The folding station provides a space to neatly fold and organize laundry as it comes out of the dryer.

Incorporate Bins and Baskets

Bins and baskets are affordable and versatile storage options for small laundry rooms. Use them to hold:

• Rolls of aluminum foil, wax paper
• Scarves, gloves, hats
• Medicines, first aid supplies
• Air fresheners, scented sachets

Labeling bins makes it easy to return items to their proper spot. Bins on wheels can be tucked under counters when not in use.

Add Tension Rods

Tension rods allow you to utilize awkward, narrow spaces that are too small for shelves. Mount them across corners or between walls to hang:

• Drying delicates
• Sweater storage bags
• Airtight bags of off-season clothes
• Shower caps and accessories

Make Use of Doors

The back of doors are prime real estate for laundry room storage. Install over-door storage pockets, racks, and hanging shelves. Store items like:

• Iron
• Spray starch
• Clothespins
• Seam ripper
• Lint roller

A hanging shoe organizer with multiple pockets is also perfect on the back of the door to sort small laundry necessities.

Add Drawers

Drawers provide concealed storage that keeps laundry essentials tidy but easy to access. Possible places to add drawers:

• Under stackable washer/dryer
• Under a countertop or folding table
• Freestanding narrow storage chest
• Repurposed dresser or file cabinet

Use drawer organizers and dividers to neatly arrange items inside.

Optimize Under Sink Space

If your laundry room has a sink, don’t neglect the storage possibilities under the sink. Add storage like:

• Pull-out wire bins on wheels
• Stackable bins and baskets
• Tension rods to hang spray bottles
• Turntables and risers to efficiently stack items

The under sink cabinet can hold cleaning products, scrub brushes, gloves and more.

Take Advantage of Dead Space

Look for any wasted spaces in your laundry room that could be transformed into storage. For example:

• Narrow gaps between appliances
• Space between side of dryer and wall
• Above the door
• Area behind bifold doors

Shelf inserts, slide-out trays and vertical storage units can take advantage of the dead space.

Go Portable

When you’ve maxed out all available storage space, portable storage items can provide flexibility:

• Plastic totes to stash lesser used supplies
• Wheeled carts to hold laundry supplies and move around as needed
• Freestanding shelving units like utility carts
• Collapsible laundry hampers

Portable items can be stashed out of the way when not needed or wheeled to wherever you’re working.

Make Smart Use of Small Spaces

Don’t overlook even the smallest spaces when looking for laundry storage solutions. Take advantage of awkward areas like:

• Narrow spaces between studs
• Above the laundry machines
• Ends of countertops
• Beside pipes and vents

Narrow shelving units, wall-mounted rods, corner cabinets and vertical storage can fit into tight spaces.

Choose Multipurpose Furniture

Since space is limited in a small laundry room, look for storage furniture that can serve multiple purposes:

• A folding table that has shelves or baskets for storage underneath
• A storage ottoman that can provide extra seating
• Cabinets with built-in drying racks
• Benches with lids that open for storage

Multipurpose furniture, like a storage cabinet with a built-in folding area, blends function with storage for a compact laundry room.

Stick to Neutrals

Light, neutral colors will keep your small laundry room looking open and airy. Paint the walls and storage items in shades like:

• White
• Beige
• Light gray
• Soft yellow

Neutrals help reflect light to make the space feel more spacious. Plus, they provide a clean backdrop that lets your colorful laundry supplies be the focal point.

Let In Light

Natural light makes any small space feel bigger and brighter. Maximize light in your laundry room with ideas like:

• Large mirror to reflect and amplify light
• Sheer curtains rather than heavy drapes
• Pale or reflective window treatments
• Glass cabinet doors
• Skylights or windows if possible

Shedding bright light on your laundry area helps it feel more open, even if it’s short on square footage.

Declutter Aggressively

A small laundry room gets cluttered quickly. Make decluttering an ongoing process:

• Toss products you don’t use anymore
• Keep only essential tools and equipment
• Store off-season items elsewhere
• Donate items you never use
• Contain all supplies in storage containers

Maintaining a strict decluttering regimen helps keep your tiny laundry area neat and organized.

Conclusion

No matter how petite your laundry room is, it’s possible to carve out enough functional storage. Solutions like wall cabinets, shelves, stacking items vertically, repurposing household items and using multipurpose furniture allow you to make the most of every inch of space. Keeping things neat with bins, baskets and containers, along with decluttering relentlessly, will help even the smallest laundry room remain efficient.

With some clever storage hacks and compact organizational tools, you can create a laundry room that maximizes every bit of available space. Focus on making use of every vertical and horizontal surface, incorporate dual purpose storage furniture, and keep the space Minimalist, streamlined and clutter-free. A small laundry room can still be totally sufficient with the right storage solutions.