19 Household Items You Can Repurpose For A Functional Laundry Room

A laundry room can always be created a little more functional. It makes sense to update your space according to your changing needs through the years. It doesn't need to be a full-on renovation either: Small updates can be handy. This can look like adding more storage, adopting a better laundry organization system, or just making the space look nicer so laundry feels like less of a chore. If you're on a budget, are environmentally conscious, or want to test an updated idea before you commit to it, you can repurpose items you already have around your house to create a more functional laundry room. We've rounded up some household items that are surprisingly practical when you use them in the laundry room.

Reusing what you already own is good for your wallet and the environment. Even if you have to shop for something new, many of these repurposed items are cheaper than buying a comparable purpose-made laundry room product. Take inspiration from these ideas, which show you some common household items you can repurpose for use in the laundry room.

A wall-mounted coat rack is useful not only in the entryway. Add one to your laundry room to hang all types of laundry items while making your space look quaint. You can use a wood wall hook for a similar look to this inspirational photo. Traditional hooks also work nicely and look great. Use a coat rack with shelving or cubbies on top for even more storage space. Racks are easy to find at local hardware stores or online retailers. 

Those with a vintage taste will love this laundry room idea. Instead of installing traditional cabinets, use a piece of old furniture. Items like an old hutch, sideboard, or nightstand can replace a laundry room cabinet simply by mounting it to the wall. Use something you already have, or visit your local thrift store to find a suitable unit. You'll want to find a piece that functions similarly to a cabinet, with a door and spacious shelving. Some of these furniture pieces might be heavier than regular cabinets, so you'll want to make sure to mount them securely.

Do you have a drink dispenser taking up space in the back of your kitchen cupboard? Maybe you bought it for a birthday party or other celebration and haven't used it since. Give it a new home in the laundry room. Drink dispensers work as pretty liquid laundry detergent dispensers. Just fill the jug up and twist the handle to pour enough soap for a load of laundry. To prevent any drips and messes, you might want to place the dispenser tap over a sink or tray.

It's hard to add storage to a small laundry room or a laundry closet. One of the best ways is to take advantage of unused door space. An over-the-door shoe organizer slips right over your door without causing any damage. Its various pockets make it simple to organize small laundry room bits and bobs, like stain-removing sprays, scent bead bottles, cleaning supplies, and any other small items. If you don't already have an organizer, they're affordable enough to grab a new one. Some even have clear pockets so you can see the items inside.

There is no doubt that a lazy susan is a kitchen's best friend — making it easier to serve large groups of people at the kitchen table, keeping items within close reach on its rotating surface. This same function makes it perfect for the laundry room. Kitchen lazy susans are spacious since they're made to hold a few items at a time. They're large enough to hold your big detergent bottles and other laundry accessories. Small lazy susans (designed for storage) are also available. Though they're too small to fit detergent bottles, they can be a helpful addition in your laundry room cupboards.

Maybe you don't have the need (or the space) for a small garbage can in your laundry room. If you still want somewhere to place small garbage bits, like lint and used dryer sheets, you can use a tissue box instead. Plus, you'll be upcycling something used! An empty tissue box can fit pretty much anywhere in a laundry room, and its small opening is perfect for keeping lint contained. Add a decorative tissue box cover to make it look nicer.

It's not uncommon to have some extra hooks or knobs hanging around, especially if you bought a multi-pack that you didn't fully use. Put them to good use in the laundry room. Attach hooks or knobs directly to the wall where you have the space, paying mind that if you attach them to a stud, they'll hold more weight. Each one provides an extra spot for you to hang items. Take even more advantage by using baskets or bags to store multiple small pieces on one hook.

It's common to add a movable kitchen island in the kitchen to create extra counter space. Why not try the same idea in a laundry room? A kitchen island is the perfect height for folding laundry, and if you have one with wheels, you'll be able to move it out of the way as needed. Repurpose an old one or buy one new — either way, it's more versatile than a standard table. You can find movable kitchen islands in a variety of sizes, too, and many have shelves or cupboards underneath for storing items. 

Most households have an inexpensive storage basket or two lying around. If you're not using one to its full potential, you can use it to hide visible laundry hookups. You just need to cut some holes in the back to fit over the laundry outlet or taps. You can also use this hack in other parts of the laundry room and beyond. As long as a surface lines up with what you're trying to hide, disguise it with a nifty cutout basket.