Small laundry room ideas: 15 expert ways to organise a limited space

If you have resigned yourself to the fact that there isn't space in your home to fit in a room dedicated to washing your clothes, our small laundry room ideas are here to prove you wrong. 

That said, good planning is essential from the outset to ensure that you select the optimum layout for the needs of your laundry room organisation ideas. 

The best way to do this is to outline all your objectives for the space and prioritise those that offer the biggest impact on your daily life. For example, if you also want to use the space as a mudroom then you’ll need to account for the associated plethora of dirty shoes, boots, and coats on top of the usual laundry needs. 

To take you a few steps closer to being the proud owner of a small yet highly useful laundry space, we’ve rounded up the best ideas to maximise space.

15 savvy small laundry room ideas

While laundry rooms are often ruled out by those tight on space, they are such useful areas and most definitely one of the interior design features that will help sell your house.

The secret to success lies in thorough planning and prioritisation. 

"When designing utility room layouts, prioritising functionality and organization is key," says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors. "Start by assessing your storage needs and incorporating ample cabinets, shelves, and drawers to keep cleaning supplies, laundry essentials, and household items neatly organised and easily accessible."

The design and organisation experts at deVOL kitchens also believe it's an area worth investing in to get right, "We love that these spaces have become popular again in recent years; how wonderful to have somewhere dedicated to keeping you organised and the rest of your home uncluttered and simple."

With the help of our top tips and expert advice, there is no reason to let a little thing like space restrictions put you off. 

Claire Garner

Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and over a decade running her own interior design studio. Her ability to design is well known as is her skill in creating beautiful designs through layered simplicity; evoking a true sense of depth and calm in her spaces.

1. Think outside the box when it comes to location

If you don't have the space to dedicate an entire room to accommodate your laundry needs, you are going to have to get a little bit creative and look into how to organise a small space wisely.

"Finding space to fit a laundry room into a house involves assessing the flow and storage needs of the home to identify under-utilised areas such as cupboards, under stair spaces, or corners of larger rooms, such as the kitchen or bathroom," explains Molly Chandler, Designer at Willis & Stone. 

"These small, overlooked spaces can be repurposed into efficient and stylish laundry rooms with a bit of creative thinking."

In this space, which was designed by Claire Garner Interiors, the corner of a room has been sectioned off and is now home to an invaluable laundry space which also incorporates plenty of storage to ensure the main kitchen remains clutter-free. 

These Underground Parts Limited Rustic Solid Wood Wall Shelves from Amazon offer a similar look to the shelves here. 

Molly Chandler

Molly Chandler is a designer for Willis & Stone, where she creates beautiful and functional kitchens in both classic and contemporary styles.

2. Keep all the essentials to hand

Although the principle of the 'working triangle' in kitchen design might now seem a little dated, there is so much to be said for ensuring that practical spaces are laid out to be a joy to use. A poor layout is one of those laundry room mistakes to avoid at all costs. 

"Ensure efficient workflow by positioning appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and sinks in a logical arrangement, allowing for smooth transitions between tasks and maximise space efficiency by utilising vertical storage options such as wall-mounted racks or overhead cabinets," suggests Claire Garner. "Finally, don't overlook lighting; ensure adequate task lighting to illuminate work areas effectively."

This small, yet perfectly formed, laundry room manages to pack in all the essentials, including a deep sink for handwashing, plenty of storage and a built-in washing machine and dryer. 

Love stylish wall lights? Take a look at Pvczool Industrial Wall Sconce Lights from Amazon. 

3. Create the illusion of more space

Wondering how to make a small room look bigger? There are lots of clever ways to do this - so why not use them to make your laundry room somewhere to look forward to spending time in?

From keeping your wall colours fresh and light to maximising any natural light that the room receives, this is a space that should feel clean, airy and bright. A great way to do this is to use a large mirror as the splashback behind your work surfaces and sink - it really will make the room feel twice its real size. 

For an easy mirrored splashback, take a look at the BELOFAY Grey Tempered Glass Mirror Splashback from Amazon.

Of course, as well as looking great, this is a room that also needs to function brilliantly from a practical perspective. 

"Consider installing a countertop for folding clothes or sorting laundry, providing a dedicated workspace within the utility room and opt for durable and easy-to-clean materials for surfaces and flooring to withstand daily use," advises Claire Garner.

4. Declutter to create a sense of space

Decluttering will ensure your laundry feels more spacious and you’ll be far more productive in a room where you don’t have to clear space on the work surface before starting your chores. 

Decluttered laundry rooms needn’t feel sterile and empty; a stylish example of a perfectly organised laundry and boot room space is that of experienced home renovator Helen Pexton aka Instagram's @myconvertedcottage. 

Helen’s tips for planning a successful laundry space from scratch are to “plan, plan, plan and do lots of research,” she says, “Always try and have your own style and go with what you love”. 

If you’re looking for small laundry room ideas because you are tackling a revamp or makeover, then the sterling advice Lisa J Honiball, interior designer and founder of Interior Design Insiders shared with us will be invaluable.

 “In any room where space is restricted, your first step is to declutter and ‘re-home’ items. Much like the box bedroom, the laundry room can be prone to becoming a bit of a dumping ground,” says Lisa. 

“Does everything in your laundry room need to be there? Often you can find homes for items elsewhere in your house (or get rid of them completely if you are holding on to items you don’t need or use). 

5. Think vertically to maximise restricted space

 “Once you’ve decluttered - think vertically," advises Lisa. Vertical storage is the ideal way to make any small space feel bigger.

"Take cabinetry or shelving all the way up to the ceiling to make the most of all of the storage space available. And consider pegboards and hooks if you don’t have the depth for cabinetry.” All of which is invaluable advice when looking for small kitchen storage ideas.

Another top tip is to “Use every available space. If there is a small gap at the end of the cabinetry run, this could be perfect for storing your ironing board or drying rack,”  says Lisa.

Claire Roswell, a talented interior designer and founder of Mollins Antis Interiors, demonstrates how to incorporate stunning cabinetry and use all the available wall space with this practical and beautiful blue laundry room that she designed for a client. 

The open compartments, complete with stylish storage baskets, offer quick access to essential items whilst maintaining an organized and uncluttered aesthetic. 

6. Use open shelving and hanging pegs

Similar to organising a small kitchen open shelving is a great way to store essential items in your small laundry, in addition to making a style statement and elevating the feel of your space at the same time. 

Talented designer Nicola Ash, aka @loveallthingsquirky, shows us how it’s done in this stylish and supremely organised laundry area. 

The concealed storage is ideal for hiding those items you don’t want on display, whilst the hanging peg hooks perfectly display the more aesthetically pleasing laundry items while making good use of the over-counter wall space. 

You could store washing powder or pods in attractive glass jars on your open shelving combined with pretty pegs for the clothesline paired with items like a vase of fresh flowers to make you smile while you attend to chores.  

These Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Storage Jars from Amazon come in a range of different sizes to suit all storage configurations.

7. Add essential task lighting

When space is tight and you’re considering small laundry room ideas, great lighting can save the day. Lots of natural light is ideal as it bounces around, making the area feel more spacious and appealing and will make completing your chosen tasks easier too. 

If your small laundry room doesn’t have windows, perhaps it's a converted cupboard or basement conversion, then you might need to get a bit creative.   

Designer and content creator Joanne Hardcastle aka @hardcastletowers knows a thing or two about interior design and used all her tricks and techniques on a basement conversion project complete with a laundry room area. Lots of storage and natural light pulled into the space through cleverly positioned roof lights are the real heroes. 

If natural light isn’t an option, recessed light fittings will help from a space perspective as flush to the wall or ceiling, but as always, layered lighting is the best way to get the most from a room – to avoid common lighting mistakes that can make the space feel less functional.

You’ll need some task lighting to ensure you can complete all your laundry-related chores effectively and some accent lighting, perhaps some pretty scones over an open shelf, will elevate the room's aesthetic  

8. Use storage baskets and containers

Grouping essential laundry items together and storing them in easy-access baskets or neatly labelled lidded containers is a great way to organize a small laundry room – similar to how you can pleasingly organise under a kitchen sink. 

You can opt for sustainable materials like these Orthex Group recycled plastic containers with bamboo lids or use natural materials like jute, rattan, and seagrass for a stylish and rustic look.

Labelling containers is one of those small laundry room ideas that saves time and means you don’t have to open several to find the product you need. 

Stacked containers with neat labels can add to the aesthetic by giving your small laundry room an expertly organised feel. These Cleaning Collection Contemporary Design Cleaning Sticky Labels from Amazon make it easy to organise in style. 

9. Install a fold-out ironing board in a drawer

Home renovator and content creator Trina Staunton, aka Instagram's @lifeasmrsbuilder, is a bit of an expert when it comes to designing beautiful yet functional interiors. 

Trina regularly shares her tips and tricks with her followers on social media. And whilst her whole home is crammed full of genius space-saving and super-functional design features when it comes to home organisation goals, her laundry room is arguably the pièce de résistance. 

Trina’s fold-out ironing board in a drawer is a standout feature as it solves the age-old problem of where to store the often cumbersome item when not in use. We recommend the best-selling Nisorpa Pull Out Ironing Board at Amazon for a similar.

10. Fit a range of useful hanging rails

Hanging rails are your friend when you have a lot of laundry to contend with, as hanging wet clothes helps reduce creases, so saves time and effort on ironing. 

In a restricted space, pull-out or retractable hanging rails are super handy, especially when they are mounted on the wall, saving precious floor space. A clothes maid or pulley-operated, ceiling-mounted clothes airer is always a good idea as it lifts the clothes up and out of the way, freeing up space below to complete other laundry-related chores.

Plus as heat rises, the ceiling is often the best place to dry clothes indoors quickly saving you time too. But if you want to save time, also consider buying one of the best heated clothes airers on the market.

11. Save floorspace by stacking your appliances

When it comes to small laundry room ideas, stacking your appliances is a great way to reduce their footprint on your valuable floor space. Instead, utilise vertical space. One of the biggest kitchen appliance trends of 2024 is to stack appliances on top of one another.

"Consider installing compact, stackable washer and dryer units and utilising vertical space with wall-mounted shelves and cabinets," advises Molly Chandler. 

There are a few obvious prerequisites to implementing this setup, the appliances must be front-loading and the dryer (always installed on top) mustn’t have a larger footprint than the washer. 

Top-loading appliances generally have a larger capacity, so these restrictions might be viewed negatively by those with large families, but the space-saving benefits should more than make up for it. 

You’ll need to invest in a stacking kit, taking care to purchase the correct one for your appliances as these are not universal. Some kits come with excellent pull-out trays or drawers, located between the appliances, which are very handy for resting your laundry basket when loading and unloading the dryer. 

You’ll need to check your floor is level and ensure you have adequate weight-bearing requirements beforehand too. The NIUXX Universal Stacking Kit for Washer and Dryer from Amazon features everything you need to stack appliances safely. 

12. Get creative and commandeer a cupboard

If space is super limited and a whole laundry room just isn’t an option, then don’t despair. With the right home storage, the tiniest of spaces, yes, even a cupboard or small nook can be converted into a functional laundry area.

 Joanna Jeyes, interior designer and owner of Crocus Interior Design explains, “If you don’t have space for a whole utility room, look at under-stairs cupboards, downstairs toilets, unused space in the hallway that can be closed off with some folding doors and hide your washing machine in there. Remember to consider the noise of a washing machine, though, before you pop one in your office.” 

In addition to exploring our under-stair storage ideas, it's worth taking a look at our inspirational IKEA closet hacks if you are considering this solution.

The Vita 3-Door Cabinet from Amazon is a brilliant all-in-one solution for laundry room storage. 

13. Save space with sliding doors

There's a reason the pocket door design trend is firmly back in fashion. Never underestimate how useful sliding and bifold doors can be when working with smaller homes. 

They are the perfect way to create new spaces without encroaching on the floorplan - plus, if you opt for glazed designs, the flow of light won't be interfered with either, making them a popular choice for those looking at how to organise a small hallway. 

"Sliding or bi-fold doors can enclose the laundry area without taking up additional floor space," agrees Molly Chandler. She also suggests being wise with your furniture choices and sticking to those that offer maximum bang for their buck. 

"Consider multifunctional furniture or cabinetry that can double as a laundry station, blending practicality with design," says Molly. 

The fantastic sliding solution here is from Sliding Robes Direct.

14. Create a multi-functional space by adding a dog shower

Most dog owners will have experienced the pain of returning from a particularly muddy walk only to face the dilemma of how to get man’s best friend upstairs and into the bath without covering the whole house with mud in the process. 

Incorporating a mud room dog shower into your laundry area can be a game-changer, especially if you can locate it at an entry point into the home, and having a restricted space doesn’t mean this can’t be done. 

Clare Duffy, aka @clareduffyxx, runs a popular and inspiring interiors-focused Instagram account where she regularly shares stylish room makeovers and interior styling tips. With open shelving, dark hues, and pretty panelling, Clare’s laundry room is a brilliant example of organising a small space perfectly and has achieved the right balance between practical and stylish. 

Clare’s laundry room ticks so many of the boxes for getting the most out of a smaller space and the addition of a dog shower in this stylish laundry room is pretty genius. You can create your own using Hansgrohe's DogShower 3-Spray Dog Shower Handset from Victorian Plumbing.   

15. Use a bespoke solution to maximise space

Although it might not be the most cost-effective solution, having your laundry room furniture custom-made to exactly fit your individual space will usually be the best way to ensure not a single millimetre gets wasted. 

You can also specify exactly what you want from the space, be that somewhere to store your ironing board or space to hang sopping wet washing. Taking a bespoke approach is also highly recommended if you are looking at how to organise kitchen cupboards.

It is usually cheaper to take your plans and ideas to a local carpenter or joiner to be made up.

This beautiful pink laundry room manages to pack in a washer, dryer, roomy ceramic sink, plenty of storage and a handy built-in dirty laundry bin.

FAQs

How do I maximise space in my small laundry?

To maximise space in your small laundry, you’ll need to combine all the tips, tricks and techniques shared by our experts.

• Plan ahead and choose a layout that offers the most scope for functionality.
• Opt for retractable and foldable hanging rails and clothes airers.
• Declutter the room and carefully select the items you house in your small laundry room.
• Squeeze in as much storage as possible, this can be a combination of cabinetry, open shelving, baskets and drawers.
• Get creative and use every inch of available space, including the gaps above and to the side of cupboards and shelves.

How do you do laundry in a small space?

Similar to successful kitchen storage ideas, doing your laundry in a small space requires a robust system with adequate storage and organisation. When contemplating small laundry room ideas you’ll want to make the most of every available inch of space and the back of the door is a great but often overlooked area.

Following these top tips from Lisa Honiball will get you off to a great start, “Clever solutions like a slide-out worktop can be useful for folding laundry and then tuck back out of the way when not in use. Instead of a standard radiator consider a towel radiator – handy for laundry days and wet coats.”

How can I make my laundry room look nice?

The smallest rooms in the house are often the safest to make bold design choices for because a bold colour or pattern won’t be present on a large enough scale to become overwhelming. It's surprising how you can make a room look bigger with paint choices. 

When it comes to interior design, playing it safe in a tiny room can make the space feel even smaller because of an underwhelming lack of character and personality. The key to success is taking a considered approach to your scheme being sure to provide interest and depth. For example, if you are using bold patterned wallpaper trends, then perhaps pair it with half-height wall panelling in a complementary colour. 

Laundry rooms, however small, provide ample interior styling opportunities and it’s these little touches that will lift your mood and make you want to spend time in them, like a beautifully styled shelf adorned with a candle in your favourite scent or your favourite print in a lovely frame on the wall. 

Lisa Honiball offers the following great advice, “Your laundry room is a work-horse – often performing several functions, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. I always say if you have to spend time doing laundry it might as well be in a pretty space. Decant laundry pods into pretty jars, use wicker storage baskets or paint the room your favourite colour. Whatever makes doing the laundry slightly less of a chore."

Where do you hang laundry in a small laundry room?

As we have seen, there are lots of ways to incorporate hanging rails and racks into a small laundry room. Whilst you can fill the limited floorspace with freestanding airers, the best use of space usually involves going vertically and mounting rails and racks on the walls and ceiling. 

When shopping for wall-mounted airers and hanging rails to use in a small laundry room with restricted space, look for products with a low profile that can be folded away when not in use. Clothes maids, aka ceiling-mounted airers operated by a pulley system, are also great for hanging clothes in a restricted space. 

Does my laundry room have to be downstairs?

It’s fair to say that in most homes, the washing machine and, therefore, the laundry room, if present, is usually downstairs. But as many interior designers and home organisers will tell you, this isn’t always the most practical solution. 

Joanna Jeyes explains why, “Upstairs is where all the clothes are. Where they are all thrown on the floor, and left in piles because nobody can be bothered to bring them downstairs to the washing machine. Upstairs is where all the wardrobes and clothes storage is. Why on earth did we think having a washing machine downstairs made sense?” This is an undeniably convincing argument for why an upstairs laundry room might be best. Jo adds the following point to consider, “think about how much noise a washing machine makes and plan accordingly”.