For most Aucklanders, the laundry room is the place where good intentions go to die. It’s supposedly a space for cleanliness, but often ends up as something closer to a chaotic transit zone for muddy rugby gear, half-folded towels, and that one mysterious sock tucked into the corner.
You might feel like you need more floor space, but we’ve got a different theory; you need smarter laundry storage design. Without knocking down a single wall, you can open up a ton more space and turn your laundry into the functional room of your wildest dreams.
Despite constantly damp air and packed schedules, your laundry room can be more than just a spot for your washing machine. All you need is the right plan. We promise. So, let’s take a tour of some of our favourite laundry storage systems.
1. Open up your airflow, everywhere.
The biggest mistake in traditional NZ laundries is using solid wooden cabinetry. While it looks nice, it’s a trap for moisture and heat. When you’re dealing with damp clothes or the steam from a dryer, solid shelves lead to that stale, musty smell we all know too well.
Our laundry storage systems prioritise ventilated wire shelving. Because the air can actually move through the shelves, your linens stay fresh, and your “airing” clothes dry significantly faster. It’s a simple switch that makes a massive difference in the health of your home’s air.
This philosophy also applies to how you organise your laundry’s floor space. Make as much room in front of any windows or extraction fans as possible so steam can escape the room easily.
2. Get everything up off the floor.
If you can see your floor, then you’re winning. Most clutter accumulates and gets worse because we just have nowhere to put the bulky stuff (like the ironing board, the vacuum, or that massive bag of detergent you bought from Costco a year ago).
With a wall-mounted laundry storage design, you can essentially double your usable space without sacrificing a single square inch of your floor. These options can range from adding full cabinets to your wall to mounting a simple hanging rod for shirts that come straight out of the dryer.
Either way, if it helps you get those piles of laundry off the floor and keep them there, the storage solution is worth it. Your laundry will immediately start to feel like a brand-new space.
3. Create a logical flow for your laundry.
While shelves and extra storage are important, the best thing you can do for your laundry space is to create a logical flow. If you need to walk across the room to find a basket while unloading your dryer, then your system is broken.
Try working like our team, and designing your laundry storage solutions using the “Clean Cycle”:
1. Stage 1: Sort. Use integrated slide-out baskets or hampers to separate lights from darks before they can ever reach the floor.
2. Stage 2: Wash. Put storage directly above the washing machine to keep your detergents in view, but out of reach for pets and little hands.
3. Stage 3: Air. Use wire ventilated racks for delicate items that shouldn’t go near your dryer, or for long-term storage of items like blankets and towels.
4. Stage 4: Fold. Make sure you always have a clear, unobstructed shelf for immediate sorting and folding.
If you want to take things one step further, consider adding baskets with designated rooms onto one of your laundry walls. These labelled baskets allow for immediate sorting, so your family can come and grab their clothes from the laundry room rather than you taking each item to them. Quick and easy!
4. Get creative if you have a small space.
If you’re in a CBD apartment or one of the older Auckland villas, then you probably have something closer to a laundry cupboard than a full-on room. This is where it’s important to bring some real precision into your planning and get creative with your laundry storage design.
For example, adjustable racks will let you squeeze a surprising amount of storage space into a single bifold cupboard. Over-the-door organisers are also ideal for small items like lint rollers or brushes, and basket varieties are ideal spaces to hold spare washing powder.
5. Get a professional in to assess your space.
If trying to deconstruct what your laundry needs is making you want to tear your hair out, then a better idea might be to get a professional in. We can check out your space, measure everything, and talk with you about what your laundry needs to become functional. We have encyclopaedic knowledge of laundry storage solutions, so you’ll never be left high and dry without a clear solution.
At the end of the day, your laundry – despite being one of the spaces in your home that most people won’t see – is arguably one of the most important rooms you can give your attention to. When your laundry works well, the rest of your home does, too.
So, take the time to dissect what isn’t working and implement some of the creative laundry storage solutions on this list to restore functionality to this space.
Find creative laundry storage systems from Wardrobe World.
We specialise in creating user-led storage solutions for every room in the home. Whether your master bedroom needs an update or your laundry is overflowing with clutter, our team can offer off-the-shelf or bespoke laundry storage design to suit your needs.
Get in touch to begin!
