30 Small Laundry Room Ideas That’ll Make You Swoon (2024)

30 Small Laundry Room Ideas That’ll Make You Swoon (1)
When we moved to a smaller home, I promised myself I’d do what needs to be done to make the space workable for our family.

That most definitely includes a renovation of our tiny laundry room.

I never knew I could be so excited about a laundry room renovation until I had kids.

Our tiny laundry room is going to require some serious creativity to make it into the combined laundry and mudroom we need.

Since I’m actively researching our laundry reno, I thought I’d share with you some of the best small laundry room ideas and designs so you can be inspired too.

Table of Contents

  • 30 Genius Ideas to Make The Most of Your Small Laundry Room
    • 1. Use full height
    • 2. Build accessible storage under your appliances
    • 3. Custom build shelves above your top loader
    • 4. Use industrial pipe for hanging
    • 5. Use the space between the studs to create a storage closet
    • 6. Hide a laundry closet behind a sliding barn door
    • 7. Invest in a mini washing machine
    • 8. DIY a drying rack that fits your space perfectly
    • 9. Use the back of the door
    • 10. Hang your dryer upside down
    • 11. Built-in Ironing Board Cabinet
    • 12. Use a collapsible laundry basket
    • 13. Wall-mounted mop and broom holder
    • 14. Back of the door laundry hamper
    • 15. Adjustable Above the Washer Shelving
    • 16. All White Room With Butcher Block Countertops
    • 17. Small Laundry Bathroom Combo
    • 18. Laundry Closet
    • 19. Wall Stencils
    • 20. Antique Washboards On the Wall
    • 21. Laundry Room Shiplap
    • 22. Extra Large Wall Letters
    • 23. White Brick With Plants
    • 24. Rolling Barn Door
    • 25. Stunning Neutral Greys
    • 26. A Fun Laundry Room Floor
    • 27. A Laundry Room With a Chandelier
    • 28. Hanging Things Up On A Slat Wall
    • 29. Artwork In the Laundry Room
    • 30. Charming Laundry Closet Wall Decor

30 Genius Ideas to Make The Most of Your Small Laundry Room

I strongly believe a small laundry room can still be a functional space for a family if we are smart with layout and design.

1. Use full height

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One of the smartest laundry room design ideas is to use height to your advantage.

If you have a stackable washer and dryer, you can fit a functional laundry room into a tiny space, or even a laundry cupboard.

This image above is really taking space saving laundry room ideas to the next level.

Not only have they stacked a washer and dryer, they also have an extra storage cupboard up top for more storage.

Depending on the width of your washer and dryer, this could be achieved using cabinetry made for a refrigerator, so it may not even require custom cabinets.

Check your measurements to see if this could work for you.

2. Build accessible storage under your appliances

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Creating storage at just above floor level is clever for two reasons.

One, you don’t have to bend down as far to access your washer and dryer, and two, you have more accessible storage.

Check out this gorgeous laundry room by The Woodgrain Cottage

3. Custom build shelves above your top loader

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If you’re looking for small laundry room ideas with top loading washer, this laundry room from View Along the Way is gorgeous.

I have a top loader currently, so I love to see how people create laundry room layouts that work with a top-loading machine.

I especially love how she painted the lino floors, as my existing lino is ugly but in perfect condition.

I’m so inspired to try this out and save money on new flooring.

4. Use industrial pipe for hanging

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I adore this compact laundry room.

It’s super-functional, with space for folding clothes and hanging them right away (my favorite trick for avoiding ironing).

Click through to see more of this laundry room and get instructions on how to make that gorgeous sign.

5. Use the space between the studs to create a storage closet

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What a clever storage idea for a small laundry.

This would work perfectly for that difficult to access space behind the door.

Full instructions can be found here

6. Hide a laundry closet behind a sliding barn door

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If you have an ultra-small space you might be looking for small laundry closet ideas.

The laundry closet pictured above is gorgeous and super-function.

When space is limited and you just cannot fit an opening door to your laundry, a sliding barn door can be a great solution.

It adds that farmhouse charm, as well as saving space.

7. Invest in a mini washing machine

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Ok so this option isn’t for everyone, but a mini or portable washing machine is a fantastic way to fit a washing machine in your teeny little house.

We have a detailed review of the top mini washing machines on the market today here.

8. DIY a drying rack that fits your space perfectly

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This gorgeous drying rack can be tailored to fit the space you have available perfectly.

I love the colors she used. Full instructions and more drool-worthy pics can be found on the Centsational Style site.

For more drying ideas, check out this guide to buying the best rotary clothesline for your home, or if you have limited space, this guide to drying racks for small spaces.

9. Use the back of the door

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Often the back of a door is a wasted opportunity.

Not so in a tiny laundry room where space is at a premium.

My Sweet Savannah purchased a door rack from Home Depot and turned the back of her laundry door into functional storage space.

It looks great against the contrast of chalkboard paint too.

10. Hang your dryer upside down

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If stacking your washer and dryer will remove any iota of functional bench space, consider mounting your dryer high on the wall to create a gap.

This is how my parents have always had their dryer, and it works perfectly fine.

Eventually, reading the dial upside down will become second nature.

11. Built-in Ironing Board Cabinet

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Need somewhere to store that pesky ironing board?

Check out this built-in ironing board on Amazon.

12. Use a collapsible laundry basket

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Sometimes just finding a place to store your laundry basket is a pain.

This collapsible laundry basket solves that issue and looks great too!

13. Wall-mounted mop and broom holder

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If your laundry room doubles as your cleaning supply closet or mudroom, then a wall-mounted mop and broom holder is a must have.

Keep your mops, brooms and other hangy bits off the floor with this clever product.

14. Back of the door laundry hamper

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Hang one of these bad boys on the back of your laundry door to keep dirty laundry out of sight and off the floor.

These clever hanging laundry hampers have a zipper at the bottom so you simply unzip and dump the contents straight into the machine – genius!

15. Adjustable Above the Washer Shelving

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If DIY is not in your DNA, you can grab these clever adjustable shelving solutions from Amazon.

Available to suit top loaders or front loaders so you can maximize space no matter what.

16. All White Room With Butcher Block Countertops

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If you think this room is stunning, you’ll be even more impressed when you see the before and after pictures.

My favorite thing about this room is the reclaimed wood butcher block countertops.

Every color – even the plants – has an earthy feel to it.

If you do install a folding table, leave room underneath for laundry baskets; thatkeeps the room from feeling too crowded.

17. Small Laundry Bathroom Combo

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I love sharing pictures of real-life laundry rooms. This one is amazing!

They turned a bathtub into space for a washer and dryer.

The best thing about this decor is the bright yellow paint on the walls. It’s so happy!

So many other laundry rooms in this list have grey or white walls – which is fine.

It’s just refreshing to see some bright paint on the walls too.

18. Laundry Closet

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As stunning as vast laundry rooms are, I found a charming laundry closet with cute decorating tips.

You can make even the smallest laundry space look darling.

All you need is the right containers, a shelf, and some wall decor. It’s pretty simple!

The key to keeping small laundry areas from being too cluttered is to use baskets and containers and to store extra things somewhere else.

Use space between the objects to make it feel more open.

19. Wall Stencils

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This laundry room is dreamy! Wall art is a lot of fun to put in your laundry room.

You can make your own stencils if you have a Cricut cutting machine.

There are also lots of free SVG files online you can choose from too.

20. Antique Washboards On the Wall

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There are so many things I love about this laundry room.

The white cabinets are breathtaking and fill the entire room with light.

I think my favorite thing is how they hung up antique washboards on the wall.

This room doubles as a mudroom (hence the bench and coat hooks). I love the additional storage inside the bench too.

21. Laundry Room Shiplap

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I don’t know if you call this cottage chic or farmhouse decor, but I love shiplap!

Homemade Lovely did a laundry room makeover and the results are inspiring.

The secret to modern farmhouse decor is keeping the color to a minimum and using earth tones throughout.

Everything in this room is cream, grey, and white, with a few earthy greens dispersed around it.

22. Extra Large Wall Letters

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There is so much I love about this laundry room from Designer Trapped.

I love the striped floor and the cheerful green walls.

I think it’s the extra-large “Fluff and Fold” wall art that has my full attention.

This is another design inspiration for anyone who wants to break away from the whites and greys that are so popular.

23. White Brick With Plants

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Another way to add some color to your laundry room is by adding a few potted plants and hanging up some wall art.

I love how the plants and art both bring in elements from nature into the space.

This room is still small but feels so inviting. Check out the Ugly Duckling House tour for more pics of it.

24. Rolling Barn Door

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One of the best things about a barn door – like this one – is that not only does it look stylish, but it is functional, too.

When you don’t have much room for a door to swing, having one that rolls to the side saves you lots of space.

I also really like seeing rugs in laundry rooms.

Designers recommend using tile floors here due to the chance of water leaks.

Rugs add a stylish dimension on plain floors – and you can roll them up and clean them whenever you need!

25. Stunning Neutral Greys

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Don’t be afraid to stick with black, white, and grey.

When you use these stunning neutral shades, you can make changes during the seasons without much effort.

When you decide what your color scheme is going to be, use it everywhere.

Choose baskets, bins, totes, and jars that all use these colors.

It will unify the room and create a common aesthetic.

26. A Fun Laundry Room Floor

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Don’t you love bold floors?

I mean, you either love them or hate them, there isn’t much in between.

Tour the entire laundry room – you will love all the pictures!

It’s filled with calming neutrals and full of natural light.

27. A Laundry Room With a Chandelier

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Now, this is different – but in a very good way.

There is plenty of room for washing and folding the clothes and the sky blue cabinets look amazing with the white walls and sink.

My favorite part of this room is the chandelier.

It adds charm and beauty to the room.

28. Hanging Things Up On A Slat Wall

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Here’s another laundry room that shows how even small spaces can be organized and decorated beautifully.

Pretty Handy Girl installed a slat wall and hang up her shelves that way.

This means she can easily move the cabinets and the shelves whenever she needs to.

So smart and it looks so good!

29. Artwork In the Laundry Room

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I really love cabinets in laundry rooms.

I can just picture all the ways I’d use that extra storage.

Those floors look amazing with a nice contrast.

What sets this laundry room apart is the whimsical artwork that is hanging above the laundry sink.

30. Charming Laundry Closet Wall Decor

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Finally, this collage shows all the thoughtful and easy ways to decorate even a small laundry closet.

Using bins and baskets that don’t match can actually have a quaint beauty.

I especially appreciate the cute keychain full of common laundry issues and how to treat them.

The idea is to be intentional with every bit of space. Use decorative baskets and jars that effectively organize your supplies while looking lovely at the same time.

Now that you a bit of an idea of how you want to decorate your laundry room, here are a few laundry tips to help you get the job done.

Small laundry rooms can be a challenge to work with.

I find it helpful to think about exactly how you’ll use your laundry so you ensure a laundry room layout that works for you, not what the magazines (or Pinterest) say is best.

Thankfully, these days there are so many creative space-saving products and ideas for small spaces that make life a lot easier.

I’ll post our small laundry reveal when I’m done.

Have you got a tiny laundry room? Any tips to share?

Like it? Pin it for later.

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30 Small Laundry Room Ideas That’ll Make You Swoon (2024)

FAQs

How to maximize space in a small laundry room? ›

How to Maximize Small Laundry Spaces
  1. Collapsible Hamper. A bulky hamper is the last thing you want to fit with for space in your laundry room. ...
  2. Countertop Over Washer/ Dryer. ...
  3. Wall-Mounted Ironing Board. ...
  4. Over-the-Door Garment Rack. ...
  5. Wire Shelves. ...
  6. Hooks.

How can I make my laundry room cute? ›

You can decorate your laundry room with as much creativity as any other room in the house, adding bold wallpaper, layered lighting, custom storage, a patterned tile backsplash, or a striking paint color.

What can a laundry room double as? ›

Sometimes a laundry room is more than just a place to wash clothes. In many homes, the laundry area also doubles as a mudroom or an entryway (or all three). These laundry mudroom design ideas will help you make the most of this heavily used space.

How do you fit a lot of stuff in a small room? ›

Organizing a Tiny Bedroom
  1. Build Wall Shelves. The walls are probably the most underutilized storage space in bedrooms. ...
  2. Use Bed Frame Storage. ...
  3. Hang Laundry Hampers. ...
  4. Store Shoes Above the Floor. ...
  5. Add Closet Hooks. ...
  6. Try a Hideaway Dresser. ...
  7. Decorate with Trones. ...
  8. Install Picture Ledges.
Aug 6, 2020

How do you stage a laundry room? ›

Organize The Laundry Room
  1. Get rid of excess hangers and hanging laundry with Wardrobe Boxes Use only white plastic hangers.
  2. Put away soaps, cleaner.
  3. Make sure all light bulbs work and have adequate wattage.
  4. Clean and empty counters, sinks, and washer and dryer.
  5. Temporarily store dirty laundry in washer and dryer.

How to design a laundry room layout? ›

While laundry room designs can vary considerably, the best among them often adhere to sound principles that make functionality a priority.
  1. Design to the Utilities. ...
  2. Include a Utility Sink. ...
  3. Reserve Flat Work Surfaces. ...
  4. Value Storage Space. ...
  5. Maximize Small Spaces. ...
  6. Light Up the Space. ...
  7. Add Hang-Up Space.
Apr 24, 2023

What not to store in the laundry room? ›

Items that should not be stored in a laundry room include items that can cause cluttering, such as extra furniture or appliances. It is also important to avoid storing items that will emit strong odors, such as paint or solvents, he says.

Where is the best place to put a laundry room in your house? ›

Having your laundry room near the bedroom makes it easy to toss the dirty items where they need to go, or transfer your clean laundry to the appropriate closet or dresser. A large closet or extra bedroom is easy to transform into a laundry room with the help of the right construction team.

What is laundry room etiquette? ›

Remove your laundry promptly, so others can use the machines without having to handle your items. Be respectful of other people's belongings. Never put someone else's clothes on the floor. Don't remove clothes before a cycle is complete.

What to combine with a laundry room? ›

A multifunctional laundry room could also include a mudroom, dog room, craft station, message center or even a bathroom. Make your laundry space more efficient instead of a dedicated space. This will also help to save space by combining functions and double your productivity during a busy work and laundry day.

How to make a laundry closet? ›

GUIDE TO CREATING A WASHER AND DRYER CLOSET
  1. EVALUATE AND MEASURE HOW MUCH SQUARE FOOTAGE YOU HAVE. The first step to creating your washer and dryer closet is evaluating and measuring your square footage. ...
  2. DETERMINE ELECTRICAL, GAS & VENTING NEEDS. ...
  3. CHOOSE A DOOR. ...
  4. FLOORING AND DRAIN. ...
  5. LIGHTING. ...
  6. SHELVING AND ORGANIZATION.

How small can a laundry room be? ›

The depth of appliances varies between 32 and 35 inches. So a minimum laundry room width would be about 6 ½ feet--if you aren't adding cabinets to the opposing wall. To add cabinets and countertops for extra storage and workspace, you'll need another 24 inches in width at least making your room closer to 8 ½ feet wide.

How to add storage to a laundry room? ›

For laundry rooms without a closet, consider adding a tall wardrobe-style cabinet that functions just as well as a traditional closet. This cabinet closet with a pullout rack provides storage space for the home's cleaning supplies. Pullouts with a drying rack, ironing board, and hamper add space-saving functionality.

Where to put a dryer when you have no space? ›

One common space-saving technique is to stack your tumble dryer on top of your washing machine. This setup is not only efficient but also practical. Washtower offers special cupboards designed to securely set your tumble dryer to your washing machine.

How much space do you need for a small laundry room? ›

Based on nearly 40 years of dealing with laundry rooms, I feel the minimum size for one of these rooms should be 9 feet wide by 11 feet long. Bigger is better. The door leading into the room should be at least 32 inches wide. Most are only 30 inches wide.

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