If you’re anything like some of the people in our households, the laundry room is a very happy place. So when we spend a lot of time in our homes, we tend to notice little things we could improve, especially in high traffic areas. A common theme amongst our client is that they need more space, but sometimes it’s not more space the need. Instead the current space just needs to be organized.
Laundry rooms are a common culprit for being disorganized. They’re a “dumping ground” for all things, including that dirty laundry. So instead of focusing on enlarging the space, we’re going to talk about how we can make the existing space better.
A good de-clutter will provide some fast relief. If you want your laundry room to operate like a well-oiled machine, start by emptying it and giving it a good clean. Throw out anything you can’t or won’t use and add shelves, cupboards, drawers or a hanging area for all of your necessities.
If you have the space, you may want to consider assigning “zones”. These zones could be for dirty laundry, cleaning products, brushes, brooms, coats, shoes, and all the extra stuff that’s dumped in the laundry room when you don’t know where else to put it. Label the baskets or shelves so everyone in the house knows what goes where; this will also help to avoid the “I didn’t know where it was supposed to go!” conversation you’ll likely have.
Make sure you maximize the existing space. Behind the door is a perfect spot to hang your ironing board or drying rack. You might also want to look into hanging racks that attach to the wall and fold down when needed to save on floor space when drying clothes. Another really cool option for handing clothes is to suspend an old ladder from the ceiling and use the ladder rungs to hang your clothing (such a genius idea!).
And those cupboards we talked about… utilize the wall space you have and get as many up as possible for storage. Don’t forget a sink too for all those tough stains that need scrubbing before a wash cycle.
Are you able to stack your washer and dryer? If so, this could be a game changer for anyone who’s tight on space. Stacking these allows for more overall space in the room. Another benefit to stacking your washer and dryer… you can attach baskets to the sides for things like brushes or rags.
Peg boards are a quick and easy solution for cleaning essentials and supplies. Ever wonder where to store the rags, cleaning brushes, rubber gloves, paint brushes and more? A peg board is easy to install, and because there aren’t any doors, you’re forced to keep it neat and tidy.
The messy and dusty lint has to go somewhere. Instead of a garbage bin, you may want to consider hanging an old bin or mailbox on the wall (something with a lid). This keeps your floor space clean and tidy, and allows you to be efficient with how many trips to the garbage can you make.
Book shelves aren’t just for books. If you have at the floor space, bring in a book shelf to store odds and ends, like stain removers or extra linens. You could also hang the book shelf on the wall if you’re short on floor space.
