Even if your laundry room is small, there are plenty of ways to make it functional and visually appealing. Whether a galley-style space or a compact laundry nook, thoughtful renovations and design changes can transform the area, making it feel more spacious and organised. With these practical tips, you’ll have a laundry room that meets your needs and looks and feels much bigger.
Let’s get straight to the point.
To make your small laundry room look bigger, use vertical storage like stacked cabinets and shelves, keep the space organised with baskets and boxes, and maximise wall space with hooks or drying racks. Choose light, cool-toned paint colours to make the room feel larger, and opt for stackable appliances to free up space. Adding open shelving, repurposed cabinets, or a fold-down drying rack can further enhance storage. Good lighting, a large sink, and thoughtful layout choices will help create a functional and spacious-feeling laundry room.
Maximise Small Laundry Room Storage
Storage is key in any laundry room. Even if space is tight, there are clever ways to store laundry supplies and other essentials.
1. Vertical Storage Solutions
One of the best ways to use a small laundry room is to think vertically. Installing cabinets and shelves that stretch from floor to ceiling will provide ample storage without taking up much floor space. For example, consider stacking cabinets instead of placing them side by side to free up horizontal room.
Place frequently used items within easy reach, while higher shelves can store less commonly used items. Use narrow but tall shelving units to maximise vertical space.
2. Keep It Organised
Organisation is essential in a small space. Without a system, even the best storage solutions can turn into clutter. Use baskets, boxes, and organisers to categorise items and ensure everything has its place. This way, you’ll ensure the space remains functional, and everything gets noticed.
Tall and narrow shelving towers can fit between machines and walls, allowing you to store everything you need within reach.
3. Use Wall Space Wisely
Remember to use the walls. Hooks can hold laundry bags, drying racks, or other items, freeing up floor space. Install shelves above the washing machine and dryer to store detergent, cleaning supplies, or laundry baskets.
Tips For A Larger-Looking Laundry Room
Decorating can play a big role in making your laundry room appear larger.
1. Paint With Light Colours
Dark colours can make a small room feel even more cramped. Instead, use light, cool-toned shades like soft blues, greens, or greys. These colours help to create the illusion of a bigger space by making walls appear to recede from the eye.
2. Minimise Decorations
Keep your laundry room clutter-free by using functional items as décor. Paint your cabinets in light colours, and choose unique, modern cabinet pulls for a touch of personality. Avoid unnecessary decorations like large paintings, which can crowd the space visually.
3. Remove Cabinet Doors
Open shelving or removing doors from cabinets can create a more spacious feeling. Consider hanging curtains in front of shelves or the entryway instead of doors for a softer look. This can add style without making the room feel closed in.
4. Improve Lighting
Good lighting is critical in any room, but especially in small spaces. Avoid flush ceiling lights and use fixtures that hang slightly down to draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of more height. Make sure the room is bright to avoid it feeling dim and cramped.
Clever Layout Ideas For Small Laundry Rooms
If you have a small space, proper planning can make all the difference in how the area functions.
1. Use Stackable Appliances
Stackable washer-dryer units are a great solution for small laundry rooms. This setup leaves room for vertical shelving, storage towers, or a drying rack. You can also use the space above the appliances for extra storage.
Alternatively, opt for front-loading machines. These can be paired with a countertop for folding laundry or used as a surface to hold supplies.
2. Create A Folding Space
Adding a shelf or countertop over the machines can create a useful folding area if you have front-loading appliances. This space can also hold laundry baskets, detergents, or other items you need while doing laundry.
3. Combine Spaces
If your home lacks a dedicated laundry room, consider integrating the laundry area into another room. For example, you could fit a washer and dryer into your kitchen, bathroom, or basement. You can create a productive laundry station in almost any space with the right planning. Curtains or cabinet doors can hide the machines when not in use.
Smart Storage Hacks For Small Laundry Rooms
When it comes to maximising space, every inch counts.
1. Hang Laundry Items
Hooks, towel bars, or closet rods hang laundry bags and clothes. A wall-mounted accordion drying rack is another space-saving option. You can also hang an ironing board over the back of the door to keep it out of the way when unused.
2. Use Slim Storage Carts
If there’s a small gap between your washer and dryer or between the machines and the wall, slide in a slim storage cart. This can be a great place to store bottles of detergent, softener, and other laundry supplies.
3. Install Track Systems
Track systems with shelves or hanging baskets can be mounted above your appliances to store detergents, stain removers, and other necessities. Adding a lazy Susan can make it easier to access everything without cluttering the area.
Functional Additions For A Tiny Laundry Space
Choose functional pieces to make the most of a small laundry room.
1. Create A Command Centre
If you can fit a table in your laundry room, opt for one with storage space underneath. Use baskets or bins to keep things organised, and store essential items like stain removers and detergent on the tabletop. Add a collapsible drying rack or ironing board behind the table for easy access.
2. Install A Large Sink
If space permits, splurge on a larger sink. It will make handwashing clothes much easier and provide a space to soak laundry or rinse delicate items. Choose an apron sink to add function and farmhouse style to the room.
3. Repurpose Cabinets
When renovating other areas of your home, consider moving old kitchen cabinets to your laundry room. A fresh coat of paint and new hardware can transform them into perfect storage for detergents, cleaning supplies, and other laundry essentials.
Laundry Room Design: Additional Tips And Tricks
Plenty of other ways to make a small laundry room functional and visually appealing.
1. Extend Shelf Life
Add a shelf to the space on top of your front-loading appliances. This surface can be used for folding clothes or storing frequently used items. Choose a durable material like butcher block for a sturdy, laundry-friendly surface.
2. Utilise Space Underneath
Elevate your washer and dryer slightly to create storage space underneath. This space can be used for hampers, bins, or baskets to hold laundry essentials.
3. Think Outside The Box
If your indoor laundry room is too cramped, consider moving it to an outdoor area such as a garage or a dedicated shed. This can free up valuable square footage inside your home while providing a larger, more functional laundry area.
Conclusion
You can transform a small laundry room into a functional and visually pleasing space with careful planning and clever design. Vertical storage, light colours, and efficient layouts can make your laundry area look and feel larger. Incorporate these tips to maximise space and create a laundry room that’s not only practical but also a pleasure to use.
FAQs About Laundry Room
How Do I Get More Space In My Laundry Room?
Another easy way to save space in your laundry room is to stack your washer and dryer on top of each other. This approach will help free up your floor plan and give you more room to get chores done.
Can You Make Any Room A Laundry Room?
You can turn just about any room in your home into a full-function laundry without sacrificing its main purpose.
What Is A Good Laundry Room Size?
Based on nearly 40 years of dealing with laundry rooms, I feel the minimum size for one of these rooms should be 9 feet wide by 11 feet long. Bigger is better. The door leading into the room should be at least 32 inches wide.
How Much Space Do You Need For A Washer And Dryer?
For standard side-by-side washers and dryers, you’ll need a space of about 56 inches wide for the set. If you have front load units, make sure to allow about four feet of space in front of the appliance for ample room to load and unload your laundry.
What Is The Average Square Footage Of A Laundry Room?
The average laundry room takes up 3.7% of your home’s square footage. For a 3,000 square foot home, that translates into approximately 111 square feet. The average actual size for 3,000 square foot homes and larger is 145 square feet.
