Making Your Laundry Space More Functional: Tips and Ideas

By: Jenny Cazares

We are writing this blog to give you good ideas about how to make your laundry space functional and convenient.

How do I make the most use of my functional laundry space?

Whether you have a 500 sq foot laundry room or a 25 sq foot laundry closet, you can design a space that works best for your lifestyle.

How do I make my single door laundry closet more useful?

• Depending on the size of your stackable unit, you may be able to add cabinetry or a shelf above for storage.

• Add a thin pantry cabinet or shelving along the side of your unit with a clothing rod.

• Install cool white lighting in the closet and the hallway, since this area tends to be dark.

• Install a small pull-out ironing board to the back of the door. You will need approximately 4” of space behind your units for hoses and dryer vent, for room to close the door.

• Accessories, such as a folding table, a rack to dry clothes & hooks can be installed on either side of the door.

How do I make my double door laundry closet more useful with stackable or side-by-side units?

• Install cabinets and shelves for storage, add baskets and hamper space, if available.

• Add a countertop above your side-by-side front loader machines for folding space. If you have stackable units, you can add a smaller countertop beside it.

• Hang a clothes rod above counter space.

• Install barn doors for a charming look and to utilize all of your closet space.

• Add a decorative wallpaper design to the back wall.

• Hang an ironing board or other utility items on the doors.

• Install cool lighting, if needed.

How can I make the most of my pantry laundry room?

• A laundry sink might fit nicely in this space, which would be very convenient.

• Tiling the space behind your sink is a beautiful look & functional, it’s easy clean-up for those tough messes.

• Cabinets blended with open shelving are great for kids’ laundry baskets and separating whites & darks. 

• Add cabinets & shelves wherever possible for any additional storage.

• Decorative baskets and containers look nice to store items on shelves.

How do I make my bathroom/laundry room combo blend together when my appliances are exposed?

• Add cabinets above, below and along the sides of your washer and dryer for storage & paint them to match your existing space.

• Add a longer countertop on top of your front loading machines. 

• Make a space below the countertop to store hampers out of the way.

• If you have top loaders, hang a rod for clothes or add painted shelves to store baskets & decorative items.

• Install wallpaper behind your units and lighting above.

• Hang a ladder above your units or stand it against the wall for a drying rack.

• Create a partial wall or half-wall, although still visible, this creates a bit of separation.

How do I make my bathroom laundry closet more appealing?

• Install a sliding barn door for a creative look while being able to utilize all of your laundry space.

• Build out your laundry closet and add cabinets above. Frame it & add nice doors to match your existing bathroom.

• Add decorative wallpaper. The peel & stick contact paper makes it easier than ever to install and remove if you change your mind.

• Add cabinets and shelves inside for storage, baskets & decorative items.

• Use cool white lighting for more visibility, since this area tends to be a darker space.

What is the best way to utilize my functional laundry room space?

• Tile the walls or hang wallpaper to create beauty & texture. It dresses up your space & is easy to wipe clean.

• Install a laundry sink if you have the plumbing set up, keep the sink near your washer for easy transition for tough messes.

• If you have windows with a lot of natural lighting, hang fabric shades. They are beautiful and easy to open and close.

• If you don’t have windows, add cool white lighting. It is more luminous and best for practical spaces, such as laundry rooms, kitchens & garages. 

• Under cabinet lighting or a decorative fixture over your utility sink would be beautiful & practical.

• Add cabinetry where space is available, over your washer & dryer or along the side.

• Install a counter cabinet for additional storage, such as bulk items, cleaning supplies & linens. This allows room for a countertop, to make folding clothes easy, right from the dryer. 

• Make room for a pantry, to store a fold out ironing board, iron and other essentials.

• Have a designated space to store hampers out of the way. I love the rolling cart laundry baskets, reminiscent of those days at the laundromat. 

• Add shelves for your decorative items and baskets to complete your space.

How do I create a nice basement functional laundry room space?

Oh, the dreaded laundry room basement! Why would anyone ever think this was a good idea?

What can I do with my Basement Laundry room?

• Paint the concrete walls and floors a color or design.

• Hang curtains over the concrete walls to soften the space.

• Add a cabinet with a countertop for a place to fold clothes. You can find an old cabinet or dresser to paint and use in this space.

• Set-up an ironing station for easy access to iron and essentials.

• Add plenty of cool white lighting to make the space brighter to work in.

• Hang shelves and add baskets for storage.

• Use a decorative rug to make the space feel cozy.

• Hang a ladder from the ceiling beams to use as a drying rack.

What is the best flooring for my laundry room? 

• A vinyl plank or tile floor would be a great choice and resistant to spills and dirt.

• For the typical concrete basement floor you can paint it or tile. Stick down tiles might also be a good inexpensive option.

• If you don’t have an overflow drain in the floor, I would recommend a washing machine drip pan. You’ll be happy you have one, if your washing machine ever overflows. 

The possibilities are endless for creating a beautiful, more functional laundry space. I hope my blog has inspired you to get creative and have fun with your project. I recommend looking on Pinterest for more creative ideas and get started!