For most people, time spent in the laundry is time spent doing something they would rather not be doing. There’s just something fundamentally frustrating about tackling a chore that never seems to end, but it’s even worse if you have to do it in a cluttered, untidy space with no room to keep your clean and dirty clothing separate.
If you have a dedicated space for laundry at home – as small as a spare closet or as large as an entire room – taking the time to organise this space is something your future self will love you for. Even if you’re working with limited space, there are plenty of things you can do to maximise it.
As laundry and storage specialists, we take pride in bringing new life to these often-overlooked spaces in any home. If you’re tackling this on your own, here are ten clever laundry storage solutions to inspire you.
1. Wall-mounted shelving for instant vertical storage.
When floor space is scarce, your walls are going to be your new best friend. Floating shelves or mounted cabinets above your washer and dryer instantly expand your storage area without crowding the room.
Once you’ve got them up, you can use the higher shelves for bulk items like detergent or extra towels, and the lower ones for everyday essentials. This is a simple and clean way to upgrade your laundry and storage while maximising the space you already have.
2. Pull-out hampers to keep things organised.
We don’t have to tell you that nothing ruins a tidy laundry faster than piles of clothing on the floor. Built-in or pull-out hampers are a great way to keep dirty laundry out of sight while still making it easy to access.
If you really want to maximise your space, you can even install a double or triple hamper system to sort your clothes into. This is a small luxury, especially if you house them in cabinets or under countertops, but it makes a huge difference.
3. Folding stations that double as countertops.
If your laundry doubles as a utility space, consider adding a folding bench or countertop above front-loading machines.
It’s one of the simplest laundry and storage upgrades out there: it gives you a flat surface to fold, stack, and organise, while hiding bulky appliances underneath. Bonus points if you match the finish to your cabinetry.
4. Overhead drying racks.
You’ve seen a clothes horse, so you know how much floor space they can take up. A wall-mounted or ceiling-hung drying rack can easily solve that problem, especially if you install one that lowers and raises on a pulley system.
If you’re low on floor space, this is the ideal spot for air-drying delicate garments and other small necessities.
5. Hooks and hanging rails for quick access.
If a clothes horse doesn’t quite do it, you’ve got other options. Hang freshly ironed shirts, drip-dry items, or cleaning tools in a single area without occupying any counter space.
You can double down by mounting rails under cabinets, inside tall cupboards, or even along unused walls around the space. Add in a few under-shelf hooks for lint rollers, pegs, or reusable bags, and your laundry room will start to look a whole lot less cluttered.
6. Slimline storage carts for tight spaces.
Many small laundry spaces come equipped with odd little niches, usually just a few inches of space between a washer and a wall, or a cabinet and a sink. If you have one of those, a narrow rolling cart fits perfectly there.
These slim units are one of the best laundry and storage solutions for awkward spaces, and you can roll them away when not in use. This is one of those small changes that can make a significant difference if you’re willing to give it a try.
7. Multi-purpose cabinetry.
Many laundry rooms share territory with a hallway or garage. If that’s the case for you, then it pays to choose mounted cabinets that can pull double duty as garage storage.
Think tall cupboards. Ones that are anchored to the wall and store far more than cleaning supplies. Seasonal items, sports gear, pantry overflow; a multi-purpose cabinet can house it all. Not only does this make the transitional space look better, but it also provides you with more room to do your laundry on a day-to-day basis.
8. Integrated ironing stations.
If you’re among the many Kiwis still using a squeaky old ironing board when you need to look clean and pressed, let us introduce you to a different solution: integrated ironing stations.
These fold neatly into either a wall or a cabinet, saving you a significant amount of space and making ironing much easier. Pair that with a nearby power outlet, and you’ll never have to dread ironing day again (well, any more than ironing might warrant).
9. Lighting that actually helps.
This may not seem like a laundry and storage solution at first, but good lighting can make all the difference. It makes every space feel bigger and more functional, especially if you layer the space with warm task lighting, LED strips under shelves, and lights inside cabinets to illuminate the dark corners.
10. Don’t forget the finishing touches.
Even the most utilitarian spaces warrant a touch of style. Once you’ve got the fixed systems, such as cabinetry, in place, you can add woven baskets for storage, matching jars for detergents, and pegs, and even a plant or two to soften the overall look.
It’s really amazing how far a few aesthetic touches can go in transforming your laundry. In terms of maximising space, this actually encourages a return to tidiness after each go-round, so you’re always starting with a clean slate.
With any of these laundry and storage upgrades, you can create the best laundry space you’ve ever had (even if you’re only working with a small footprint). Think vertically, hide your clutter creatively, and focus on solutions that simplify your routine.
Create a custom laundry and storage solution with Wardrobe World.
Here at Wardrobe World, we make it easy for Kiwi homeowners and renters to revive their spaces with excellent laundry and storage solutions. Get in touch with us for a free measure and quote today.
