Simple Ways to Create More Storage in the Laundry

Laundry rooms are among the most cluttered and poorly designed areas in many homes, despite receiving regular use and housing numerous supplies. Detergent, stain remover, fabric softener, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, hampers, and ironing devices all require places in rooms typically little more than closets.

The absence of sufficient storage results in bottles strewn about, appliances obstructed, hampers blocking traffic, and supplies crammed wherever they can fit, rather than where they are actually needed. This disorganization wastes time looking for things and makes an already mundane chore even more infuriating.

Constructing functional laundry storage doesn’t require expensive renovation or professional installation in most cases. Here are functional solutions that maximize the use of minimal space.

Mount shelving over appliances

Wallspace between washers and dryers is typically underutilized, despite being perfect for shelving. Mount bracket shelves, floating shelves, or small cabinets to store detergents, fabric softeners, and other essentials at convenient heights for easy access.

Vertical storage stores them off appliance tops, where they get knocked and create sense-making home bases for laundry stuff. Stock standard shelving boards and brackets that are 30-60 dollars and less than an hour to install using common tools.

Position shelves high enough not to hit heads, but low enough to access.

Put a rolling cart between appliances

Small rolling carts, 6 to 12 inches wide, are placed between side-by-side dryers and washers, occupying space that would otherwise be unused. Narrow units have several levels of shelving for supplies and roll-out storage, then nest out of the way.

Handle-and-wheel models range from $30 to $80 and are installation-free. The mobility enables you to roll the cart out when loading the machines and roll it back in when not in use.

This feature is particularly well-suited for renters, as it’s completely temporary and relocates with you.

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Hang a pegboard for tools

The wall-mounted pegboard provides convenient storage space for spray bottles, brushes, measuring cups, and other household items. Modify garments with hooks and baskets that can be rearranged easily as needs shift.

Pegboard sheets cost between $15 and $30, and the system displays frequently used items in full view rather than hiding them in a drawer or cabinet. Paint the pegboard to match your walls or utilize decorative types that look intentional rather than utilitarian.

This approach is particularly suitable for small spaces where every item requires its designated place.

Utilize over-the-door organizers

The laundry room door’s back is an actual storage treasure, with the possibility of adding hanging organizers featuring pockets, hooks, or shelves. They hold cleaning supplies, stain removers, dryer sheets, and miscellaneous pieces without taking up wall space or requiring installation of anything more complex than basic hooks.

They range from $15 to $40 and take minutes to install. The vertical configuration holds more in less space and keeps it out of reach behind the closed door. Choose transparent pockets for visibility or solid material for a cleaner appearance.

Install a fold-down drying rack.

Wall-mounted fold-flat drying racks reserve air-drying space when not in use, without occupying permanent space. Fold-flat racks retract against walls after they are extended for delicates or items that don’t tumble dry, then fold up again to reclaim floor space.

These units cost between $30 and $80, depending on size and material, and they require mounting to studs for weight bearing. This customized drying solution outperforms hanging clothes over doors and furniture, as it doesn’t occupy any floor space in already tight laundry areas.

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Stack washer and dryer vertically

Stacking with brackets or stacking kits is an option on front-loading machines, freeing up considerable floor space on slender laundry closets or rooms. The vertical configuration provides open floor space for hampers, sorting stations, or rolling carts that are out of reach for side-by-side appliances.

Stacking kits cost $20 to $60 and attach as directed by the manufacturer. This adjustment particularly benefits homes where laundry occupies closets or small dedicated rooms where every square foot matters for utility.

Place floating shelves in the corners

Corner areas in laundry rooms are usually left vacant despite their accessibility. Utilize corner floating shelves or triangular supports with boards to offer storage in otherwise wasted space.

These are acceptable for less-accessed items because corner access takes a bit more effort than front-forward shelving. Corner shelf units typically cost between $20 and $50; alternatively, you can create a DIY one using plain lumber for less than $20.

The amount of storage space you can create using corners is substantial in small rooms.

Hang a tension rod

Tension rods inserted between walls or in cabinet openings provide instant hanging storage space for spray bottles, cleaning rags, or laundry that needs to be washed or dried. This no-drill alternative costs $10 to $20 and can be adapted to fit many areas.

S-hooks are placed on the rod to suspend spray bottles by their triggers, or use clip hangers for those items that require airflow. The flexibility enables you to create hanging storage wherever you have parallel surfaces, even in strange spaces.

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Use the inside of cabinet doors

Interior cabinet door surfaces offer hidden storage space for flat items and light materials. Add small baskets, magnetic strips for metal materials, or adhesive hooks to keep measuring cups, little paintbrushes, or instruction manuals out of sight but within reach behind closed doors.

Adhesive organizers cost $5 to $15 per piece and can be installed without tools or require any long-term modifications. Utilize all available surfaces in compact laundry spaces by exploring three-dimensional storage options.

Install countertop over appliances

Installing a solid surface counter over the washer and dryer provides a folding area along with storage space beneath when an overhang of the counter is built in. It is a precise measuring and securing of appliances or walls, but it completely transforms laundry room operations.

Pre-fabricated pieces of countertop from home centers are available and cost between $50 and $150, depending on the size and material. The work surface offers folding immediately after drying as conveniently as carrying baskets elsewhere.

Use magnetic containers on appliances

Magnetic containers stick to metal washing machine and dryer tops, holding detergent pods, dryer sheets, or small supplies at hand where you need them. The containers offer quick access without cluttering counters or shelves.

Various container sizes enable you to sort various supplies separately. Magnetic organizers are available for $10 to $30 per pack and can be installed in seconds without the need for any tools.

Use bins with lids to prevent spills in the event that items shift when machines are running. This simple solution is particularly well-suited for front-loading machines with large smooth surfaces.

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Install wall-mounted hampers

Wall-hanging or door-mount hampers keep dirty clothes contained without occupying floor space. Hanging canvas bags, wire baskets, or multi-compartment sorters have laundry off the floor and sorted by type or color.

Hanging units cost $20 to $60 and are installed with hooks or brackets. The vertical option is especially suitable for closet laundries that have limited floor space. Choose hampers with simple removal from mounts for carrying to machines when full.

Install a utility sink cabinet

Where feasible, utility sinks with lower cabinets provide functional washing stations and sufficient storage. The lower cabinet holds cleaning supplies, buckets, and laundry materials, with the sink performing hand-washing, pre-treating stains, and filling the buckets.

Stand-alone utility sink cabinets cost $200 to $500 and require merely plugging into existing plumbing. This feature is a significant upgrade of laundry room functionality for those homes that have adequate space and basic plumbing accessibility.

Repurpose furniture pieces

DepositPhotos – CHICAGO, IL, USA – MARCH 16, 2021: A clean laundry room with white cabinets, a utility sink, granite countertop, and Bosch washer and dryer appliances. — Photo by j.hendrickson3

Small dressers, bookshelves, or storage cubes bring organization to laundry rooms while providing surfaces for folding or sorting. These furniture pieces offer more storage than basic shelving while looking more finished than utilitarian wire racks.

Shop secondhand for budget-friendly options that just need cleaning or a fresh coat of paint. The drawers and shelves contain supplies neatly, while the top surface provides functional workspace.

Choose compact units that are proportionate to the size of your laundry room rather than large pieces of furniture that fill up the space.

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Small space, smart solutions

Laundry rooms don’t have to be large, but must be smart, especially when it comes to storage. The secret is maximizing the vertical area, utilizing overlooked spaces like doors and corners, and selecting storage that doubles as something else or utilizes every available inch.

These upgrades won’t require massive renovations or substantial budgets—most cost less than $100 and less than an hour to install. Start with fixes for your most frustrating issues, which could be cluttered counters, homeless supplies, or limited sorting areas.

Even having a few storage solutions transforms disorganized laundry areas into clean areas where accomplishing this sometimes-required task becomes feasible rather than overwhelming.