Why There's Simply No Need For A Traditional Laundry Hamper Anymore

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

It's a situation most of us are familiar with — you're browsing impeccably styled photos of relaxing bedroom ideas on Pinterest, flipping through the pages of your favorite interior design magazine, or enjoying a healthy dose of home styling content on your social media feeds, but upon looking at your own home, things feel far from photographable. After swapping out your decor, giving the newest bedroom trends a shot, and even upgrading your organization for that clutter-free finish, things are improved, but certainly not perfect. So what gives? After taking a look at all of these photos, you might start to notice that there's one common item missing: a laundry hamper.

We're not saying that doing away with your laundry hamper will instantly transform your space into the subject of an interior design cover story, but it can certainly help. Completely getting rid of or swapping out your laundry hamper with a more functional product can provide some other surprising benefits, too. From encouraging the habit of putting away clean laundry immediately to making better use of valuable space, you might be surprised just how easy it is to live without this item that's often seen as a necessity.

Of course, even if you're a fan of ignoring it, the dirty laundry still piles up. The good news is that it doesn't need to be stored in a large, ugly hamper. By exploring alternative solutions like storage benches, bags, chutes, built-in hampers, and even backpacks, you can create a functional, concealed laundry system that doesn't constantly detract from your impeccably styled spaces.

One of the primary goals of doing away with a laundry hamper is improving the look of your space. As such, you'll want to look for more discreet alternatives that still provide you with somewhere to keep your dirty laundry. Storage benches, like this Safavieh Freddy 2-Basket Storage Bench, are up for the task. When placed at the foot of your bed, in the laundry room, in a walk-in closet, or in the mudroom, they can act as both an essential part of your laundry routine and a place to slip on your shoes. Because the baskets tuck neatly into the bench, your laundry pile won't be visible until it's time to toss it in the washer.

The same goes for laundry backpacks, like this Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag, and larger laundry bags, like the Keepjoy Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag. These two options offer alternatives to bulky laundry baskets that are difficult to lug around, especially for those in small apartments or who don't have an in-unit washer and dryer. While they're not the prettiest, their more streamlined footprints make them easier to hang behind a door or tuck into the corner of the closet, ensuring that they won't become a focal point in your space. Of course, both options will require you to put away your laundry as soon as it's done, but it's a great way to break the habit of allowing your clothes to pile up.

If you have the budget for it or you're designing a new home, there are two ways to completely eliminate the need for a traditional laundry hamper: a laundry chute and a hidden, built-in hamper. Both require some permanent modifications to your home — especially for a laundry chute. It can be quite difficult to add on this feature once a home has already been designed and built, and is best factored in during the initial design process.

A laundry chute consists of a hole and a wide pipe that leads directly to the laundry room, depositing dirty clothing right where it needs to be. This is obviously a wonderful convenience, but it's especially helpful for those who live in multi-story homes or those who face difficulty hauling heavy baskets up and down stairs. Oftentimes, the entry point of a laundry chute is hidden within existing cabinetry, but it can also be concealed behind a separate door on the wall — either way, they provide a nearly undetectable alternative to a normal laundry hamper. More advanced systems even incorporate suction, helping to push the fabric along and ensuring it reaches its desired location.

There's also the built-in hamper — less invasive than the chute, but still a somewhat involved change. Essentially, these hampers are hidden behind existing cabinets. They function like large drawers, pulling out to reveal a bag within that can be used to house dirty laundry. When it's time to wash, the bags can be removed and taken to the laundry room. While this approach will cut down on your functional cabinet space, it's by far the most low-profile option available.