Laundry Room Storage Solutions

Smart Laundry Room Storage

A well-designed layout smartly blends a laundry room and hobby space. A front-loading washer, dryer, and utility sink fit neatly along one wall in this colorful multi-use room. Upper cabinets offer versatile storage for laundry and crafts supplies. A center table is as handy for folding clothes as it is for crafting. Storage between the washer and dryer offers a place for detergent pods and dryer sheets.

Storage for Tight Spaces

Because you can't afford to waste a sliver of space in a tiny laundry room, take storage as high as you can with shelving. Keep the laundry storage tower design simple to prevent the room from feeling overcrowded. Stacked washer and dryer units leave space for lower side shelves, rather than limiting the storage with higher shelving.

Tip: Reserve low shelves for frequently used items so they are easy to access.

Appliance Drawers

Some manufacturers of washers and dryers thoughtfully provide storage drawers in the base of the appliance. If you're shopping for a new washer and dryer and your laundry room is short on space, keep this feature in mind. Make the most of a small space with a few laundry room storage shelves either for supplies or decor.

Easy-Care Kits

Corral clothes-care supplies in cute laundry room storage bins that clean up easily if anything drips or spills. Organize other household and laundry items by type in attractive containers and label them so you can find things quickly. Within the bins, use jars or cups to gather smaller supplies.

• More Clever Laundry Storage Ideas

Transform Blank Walls

Hang an ironing board on a sliver of blank wall or the back of the laundry room door to save valuable floor space. Mounting an ironing board holder to the wall is a simple solution for a cramped laundry room—and wall-mount holders set up in seconds. This clever laundry room storage idea uses every inch of space wisely.

Mix Style and Function

Vintage-look details and clever use of cabinetry give this spacious, open laundry room its cottage-style charm. Shelves encourage organization and let flea market accessories come alive, while upper and lower cabinetry provide practical storage for laundry supplies. A laundry room folding table offers room to sort and fold without interrupting traffic flow.

Small-Space Laundry Closet

A full-size laundry room might not be an option for some condos, apartments, and small homes. For those types of spaces, test this laundry room storage idea. This stacked washer and dryer tucks away in a slim closet off of the kitchen and uses nearby cabinets for storage. Perforated door panels add visual interest and ventilate the laundry area while keeping the appliances out of sight.

• Small Laundry Room Storage Ideas

In the Bag

Gather each family member's socks and underwear in a separate mesh bag, then send the whole bag through the washer and dryer. When the cycle ends, each person can grab his or her bag to sort and put away. Use hooks to hang the bags, and attach a label to indicate whether the contents are clean or dirty to keep the laundry system going smoothly.

Enlist a Turntable

Whether you store laundry gear on a countertop or under the sink, using a turntable is an easy way to keep it accessible. Group items by purpose—such as the post-wash supplies shown—for easy, sensible organization. Gather smaller items like clothes pins in a tall container to keep everything organized.

Open Shelving

Stash overflowing laundry baskets in open cubbies. They'll look tidy, and the air circulation will help prevent mildew and odor problems. Labeling them by load type or family member helps keep things organized and in one place.

• Download our free laundry room labels.

Clear Canisters

Economy-size boxes of laundry powder save you money, but wrestling with the large container every time you wash clothes can be a chore. Consider transferring manageable amounts into clear canisters that you can keep on an open shelf. They look pretty and show when you're getting low on supplies.

Custom Storage + Work Surface

If you're looking to install laundry room storage cabinets to make your laundry room beautiful and efficient, use a mix of cabinetry options. A combination of shelves and drawers provides versatility, which is key to well-organized storage. A countertop spanning the washer and dryer provides a work surface for sorting and folding garments. A tension rod above the sink provides laundry room hanger storage.

Slim Down

Maximize storage in tight laundry spaces with a slender shelving unit. Designed to fit between the washer and dryer, the unit is perfectly sized for small jars and containers, and it neatly corrals everything within an arm's reach. Use open baskets to gather mismatched socks or items found in pockets.

A Solution with Style

A space-saving stacked washer and dryer in this closet-turned-laundry area leaves plenty of room to install shelves for storage. If your laundry closet lacks a door, like this one, conceal it with a cute, colorful shower curtain suspended from a shower rod. The curtain solution hides the otherwise visible laundry room—a definite plus when guests visit.

Hang Time

The secret to wrinkle-free clothes is hanging them up the moment the dryer buzzes. Extend hang space with an over-the-door rack or valet hook. This small version is perfect for drying undergarments and camisoles.

Organize with Baskets

Use matching baskets to organize laundry room necessities. Removable cloth liners protect the baskets from spills and can be washed as needed to keep them fresh. Use attractive boxes to store laundry room essentials, such as sheets or towels. Label the boxes so you can find what you need without lifting a lid.

Shelf Helpers

Put the space in your laundry room cabinets to better use with a hanging wire shelf unit that hooks onto a cabinet door. Gather laundry supplies in cute containers to organize the shelves in a smart and stylish way. Over-door hooks can work on the back of the door to the laundry room to stash the ironing board or extra supplies in a shoe organizer.