20 Small Laundry Rooms That Maximize Every Square Inch
No one wants to do laundry, but having a designated space to do it makes the chore a lot more enjoyable — especially when it's designed to be as efficient as possible. Having a laundry room, no matter how big or small, is a major plus for potential buyers, too, making it a worthwhile investment. A study from the National Association of Home Builders reported that 91% of potential buyers want a laundry room in their homes.
Building a laundry room may seem difficult, if not impossible, in smaller homes, but it doesn't have to be. As long as you can carve out space for your washer and dryer, you can create a laundry room around them, using a mix of cabinet space, vertical space, shelving, etc. Having this dedicated space not only does wonders for your home's resale value, but it also makes doing laundry much easier and more efficient, if not enjoyable. Keep reading for some great ideas on how to design a small laundry room.
1. Cabinet space
Cabinets are a great way to add some extra storage to your laundry room. Whether you add multiple or only have room for one, try installing a cabinet or two in your small laundry room.
2. Built-in shelving
Built-in shelving is always a plus in any room in your house, but especially in the laundry room. Open-concept, built-in shelves allow you to easily display and have access to your cleaning supplies and laundry as needed, and can easily be added to a small room.
3. Kitchen partition
If you have a little bit of extra space in your kitchen, consider sacrificing some of it to make a laundry room. Put up a divider, a half wall, or even build a whole new wall to carve out a dedicated and conveniently located laundry area.
4. Half mudroom
Another area you can easily turn into a laundry room is your mudroom. Dedicate one half to shoes, coats, etc., and the other half to your laundry machines and supplies, adding in a few cabinets where possible.
5. Pets and laundry
If you have pets, consider combining your laundry room with your pet supplies to free up extra space in the rest of your home, and have a convenient area allocated for both your laundry and pets. You can even install a pet crate in the cabinets to make use of every inch of the room.
6. Hallway
Don't neglect your hallways when considering space for a laundry room. Slot in a stacking washer and dryer, adding in cabinets if possible, creating a small but effective — and centrally located — laundry room.
7. Closet
Closets are another great place to create a laundry room, minimizing trips from your dryer to your closet, and maximizing a small space in your home.
8. Shelving units
A great alternative to built-in shelving is a shelving unit. Make use of vertical space in a small laundry room with multiple shelves, and make them cute with wicker baskets, plants, etc.
9. Vertical space
Wall shelves are also a great way to create more space in the smallest of laundry rooms. It's also incredibly easy and cheap to DIY and can be built to your specific needs. You can even add a post to hang dry clothes underneath the shelves.
10. Hidden machines
Lots of people like to combine their laundry rooms with their bathrooms, but if you don't want to see the machinery, add some sliding doors to cover them. Better yet, opt for mirrored doors, which will make the small space feel a lot bigger.
11. Pantry and laundry
Walk-in pantries or butler pantries are the perfect size for the laundry room. There's no need to sacrifice pantry space, though — simply combine the two. Just make sure there is ample ventilation so the excess moisture doesn't spoil food.
12. Repurpose cabinet space
While having lots of cabinets in your laundry room is great for storage, you may not need nearly as much as you think. Consider taking out a cabinet or two and filling the space with a hamper.
13. Vertical shelving
Cubby shelves are fantastic for easily organizing your laundry room and are vital for small laundry rooms. Add cleaning supplies, detergents, sponges, hampers, trash cans, and more in the cubbies and canvas bins, filling in any extra space with cute and relevant décor.
14. Attic
Don't neglect your attic as a potential laundry room. As long as it's structurally sound and has plumbing and proper ventilation, your attic is a great place to create a laundry room that doesn't take up excess space in your home.
15. Stacking
If you have a small laundry room, consider swapping out your regular washer and dryer for stacking machines, which will free up a ton of space for cabinets, shelving, hampers, etc.
16. Office and laundry
If you can't justify dedicating an entire room in your home to just laundry, consider adding a desk and chair to create a combined laundry room and home office.
17. Combined laundry and bathroom
You can also add your washer and dryer to your bathroom to efficiently combine spaces and not sacrifice any rooms in your home.
18. Cubby laundry room
As long as your washer and dryer can fit, even the smallest cubby can be transformed into a laundry room. Either stack your machines or slot them in side-by-side with wall shelves.
19. Clean and simple
If you decide to combine your pantry and laundry room, opt for closed shelves wherever possible and a clean, white color palette to keep your pantry and laundry from clashing.
20. Narrow but effective
A hall closet is usually the perfect size for at least one laundry machine. Either stack the other on top or build some shelves up high for extra efficient storage.