The laundry room is traditionally a place of chaos. In my house, it was a place where dirty clothes and towels gathered in tiny mountains, where unused cleaning supplies lived with extra boxes and paraphernalia my family and I didn’t want to think about.
This was my reality until I decided that this was not a reality I was okay with. I embarked on a quest to clean and reorganize my laundry room.
Trust me, I know that laundry room chaos is a hard thing to manage. However, with the right storage tools and tips, you can create an organized laundry room that is easy to navigate and doesn’t make laundry a headache.
Here’s everything you need to know about laundry room organization and storage, from my home to yours!
Not all laundry storage solutions are the same. Whether it is the size of your room or your available budget, the first step is to identify the challenges standing between you and your organized laundry space. Then, find the right laundry storage solutions that suit your space. Let’s look at three laundry room storage solutions below!
If you have a small laundry room, put that vertical space to use! Explore using wall-mounted drying racks or floating shelves to use the vertical space available to you.
Compact, multifunctional furniture also helps maximize small laundry rooms. Folding tables with hidden storage are great if you don’t have any storage available to you. You could also consider installing a pull-out drying rack if you want to make more use of your walls.
Some other creative ideas include:
Budget is a common hurdle standing between people and their messy laundry rooms. However, with some strategic planning, you can organize your laundry room on the tightest of budgets.
Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly storage hacks:
I believe that a stylish room is so much more enjoyable to be in. Though laundry rooms are dedicated to a chore most of us dislike, sprucing them up with aesthetically pleasing storage solutions can make the task less daunting!
For a stylish laundry room, the best rule of thumb is to incorporate style with function. Consider using color-coordinated bins and designer hampers. You could also use rattan baskets that hide your laundry supplies and look aesthetically pleasing.
Another excellent idea is to invest in cabinets with doors. If you have the space and budget, this can make a space look chic, streamlined, and clutter-free. Paint the cabinets so they match—bonus points if you opt for a fun color and change out the door knobs to match your personal style.
There is so much decor inspiration available online! Some of my favorite Instagram-worthy laundry rooms include this one that boasts floating shelves and upper cabinets painted an eye-catching green.
This laundry room uses wallpaper and blue paint to spruce the space up. A simple wood shelf above the washer and dryer offers ample space for cute storage baskets!
I love how this laundry room features a cool, industrial-feeling clothes rack to maximize drying space.
Bottom line: Have fun with your laundry room decor! If you’ve got to be in there doing laundry, give the space a little glow up.
You have the inspiration. Now, it is time to organize your laundry room step-by-step. Let’s tackle this project:
Pull everything from your laundry room cabinets and shelves and set it in the middle of the room. Create a pile for essential items like laundry soap, fabric softener, laundry bags, dryer sheets, paper towels, etc. Anything that doesn't need to be in the laundry room should be placed in a clutter pile.
When you’ve finished organizing everything into the two piles, remove the clutter pile from the room completely—return items to where they should be or toss them. Remember: All you need in your laundry room are your laundry and possibly other cleaning essentials.
Put your cabinet storage to work! Putting as much as possible in cabinets is one of the best ways to keep your laundry room clean and tidy. This doesn’t mean throwing everything in a cabinet willy-nilly. If things are put in a cabinet without organization, you risk sacrificing space that could otherwise be strategically used for storage.
To get every inch out of your cabinets, I recommend using dividers, hooks, and clear containers to keep items contained. For instance, I have a clear container that holds all my household cleaning sprays, another container for laundry products, and a third container for folded rags and microfiber cleaning cloths. These bins are all housed in my laundry room cabinets, keeping the rest of the room looking organized.
You’re nearly done! Labeling everything may seem like an unneeded step, but trust me, it makes navigating your laundry room efficient and effective. Having a visual reminder of where everything is not only helps you keep your space tidy, but it also helps other people properly use your newly organized space.
As someone who loves all things organization, I’ve scoured every corner of the internet for some of the best laundry organization and storage products.
There are a few common pitfalls to avoid when organizing your laundry room. First and foremost, don’t neglect the room’s vertical space! I was pleasantly surprised to discover that adding tall shelves to my laundry room opened up a world of possibilities!
You may consider adding floating shelves above your washing machine. Or perhaps use an over-the-door storage caddy to maximize that vertical space.
A second common mistake is relying on impractical storage solutions. I always recommend measuring your storage space before purchasing products for your laundry room. Then, think about what your ideal laundry process looks like. What organization and storage materials will make life easier for you?
A hanging organizer might not make sense for you if your washing machine is hidden behind accordion closet doors. Or maybe you hate lifting heavy jugs over your head; a high floating wall shelf may not be the right choice for you, then.
At the end of the day, it’s important to invest in storage solutions that work for you and your lifestyle. Adjust the inspiration you see online to fit your preferences and budget!
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions I get about laundry room organization.
Declutter and reduce the amount of stuff stored in the space. Then, invest in hanging door organizers or shelves to take advantage of the room’s vertical space. Finally, consider swapping to space-saving laundry products like detergent sheets.
Look for inspiration online. Then, declutter the space and get storage bins and baskets to keep your laundry supplies in. A stylish basket to store your detergent in looks so much better than letting the jug sit on top of the machine! If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding a fun color to the space either through the wall color, wallpaper, or colorful baskets.
Baskets and bins are your friends! Use these to organize your laundry and cleaning supplies. If you don’t have any shelving, consider installing a floating shelf or using a bookcase to create vertical storage space. I also love over-the-door shoe storage bags if you don’t have any space for shelves or additional furniture.
Organizing your laundry room should never feel like a herculean task. If you feel overwhelmed by the state of the room, take it day by day. I promise that the end result and mental clarity you will get from having a clean, organized space will make doing laundry more efficient and enjoyable.
If you found this guide helpful, bookmark this page, share it with friends, and check out our other articles on laundry room organization.
Join our newsletter
“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”
“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”