Look, we’ve all been there. Standing in that closet they call a laundry room, wondering how on earth you’re supposed to fit your life in there. My neighbor Rick has this tiny box of a laundry space, maybe 4 feet by 5 feet tops.
For years she just threw her dirty clothes in there and shut the door fast before they could fall back out. Sound familiar?
Small laundry rooms are pretty much standard in most apartments and many homes now. The average laundry room in new builds has shrunk about 20% over the last decade. Builders figured out they could save square footage by making these utility spaces tiny.
Thanks a lot, guys.
But guess what? You don’t need a massive room to have a functional, dare I say gorgeous, laundry space. My tiny laundry area used to be a nightmare until I got smart about it. Now it’s actually kind of my favorite room in the house. Weird, right?
So let’s talk about how to work magic in your little laundry box. I promise by the end of this, you’ll stop dreading laundry day. Okay, maybe not entirely, but at least the room won’t be fighting against you anymore.
Ways to Design a Laundry Room in a Small Space
When you’re working with a space the size of a phone booth, you gotta get crafty. Most folks think they need to knock down walls to make their laundry room work. Not true at all. The average person uses only about 40% of their vertical space effectively. That right there is your secret weapon.
Optimize Vertical Space
Your walls are your best friends in a tiny laundry room. My old setup wasted all that beautiful wall space, which is crazy when you think about it. That’s like free real estate just sitting there doing nothing.
Go as high as you can with shelving. Those walls go all the way to the ceiling, right? Use them! I installed shelves that go up about 7 feet, which gives me space for detergent, fabric softener, and all those random cleaning supplies that never had a home before.
Even the space above your washer and dryer is gold. You can easily fit 2-3 shelves there. Just make sure to leave enough clearance so you can still open lids if needed. About 15-18 inches usually does the trick.
Wall-mounted drying racks that fold down when needed are also amazing space savers. When folded up, they take almost no space at all. And they hold a surprising amount of clothes. Mine holds about two loads of delicates when fully extended.
Opt for Stackable Appliances
This was a game changer for my friend Sarah. She switched from side-by-side machines to a stacked unit and suddenly had space for a folding table. The newest stackable machines are pretty incredible too, with bigger capacities than you’d think.
Look for those all-in-one units like the wash tower mentioned in the sample. These take up less space than two separate stacked machines because they’re designed as one piece. They’re typically about 27 inches wide and 30-34 inches deep, compared to traditional setups that might need an extra few inches of clearance.
The average stackable unit will free up about 15 square feet of floor space compared to side-by-side machines. That’s enough room for a small cabinet or hamper system.
Incorporate Multi-Functional Features
This is where you can get really clever. Everything in a small laundry room should do double duty, at minimum.
I added a slim rolling cart between my washer and wall. It’s only 6 inches wide but holds all my stain removers, dryer sheets, and has a little basket for loose change and things I find in pockets. When I need to clean behind the machines, it rolls right out.
Think about your ironing board too. There are wall-mounted versions that fold down only when needed. Some even have little cabinets built in where you can store your iron and spray starch. Mine saved me about 8 square feet of storage space I was using for the traditional ironing board.
The sink situation can be tricky in small spaces. If you need one, consider a sink that fits over your washing machine. They make special ones designed for this exact purpose. You can wash delicates or hand wash small items without taking up any extra floor space at all.
Conceal Those Appliances
Not everyone wants to look at their washer and dryer all day. If your laundry area is part of another room, like in a bathroom or kitchen, hiding those machines can make the whole space feel cleaner.
Curtains are the easiest solution. Hang a tension rod and some cute fabric, and boom, instant hiding spot. Costs maybe $30 total. My sister did this in her apartment and used fabric that matches her bathroom color scheme. You’d never know there’s a washer behind there.
For a more polished look, sliding barn doors or bifold doors can close off the space when not in use. Yeah, they take up a bit more money from your wallet, but they make your place look so much nicer.
Also, install high-quality laundry taps from reliable suppliers. Durable taps reduce leaks and handle water pressure better in compact spaces.
Custom cabinet doors are another option if you’re feeling fancy. They can be designed to fit right over front-loading machines, turning your appliances into what looks like built-in cabinetry. About 40% of high-end small space renovations now include this feature.
Use Light Colors
Dark colors in small spaces make them feel like caves. Trust me, I learned this the hard way with my navy blue laundry nook phase. Bad idea.
Light colors reflect more light, making the space feel bigger. A light blue, soft gray, or classic white can make your tiny laundry room feel twice as big. No joke, when I repainted from that dark blue to a pale gray, people asked if I’d knocked down a wall.
The psychology behind this is pretty cool. Our brains perceive lighter spaces as more open and spacious. Lighter colors can make a room feel up to 25% larger according to some interior design studies.
Consider painting your shelves the same color as your walls too. This creates a seamless look that doesn’t chop up the visual space. My shelves are the same soft white as my walls, and it makes the whole room feel cohesive and bigger.
Add Personality with Decor Elements
Just because it’s a laundry room doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Small touches can make the space feel special without cluttering it up.
A cute little plant that thrives in humidity, like a pothos or peace lily, can bring life to the space. These plants actually love the warm, slightly humid environment of laundry rooms.
Wall decals or a small framed print can add character without taking up precious space. I have a funny laundry-themed print that makes me smile every time I’m switching loads.
If you’re feeling ambitious, peel and stick wallpaper on one wall creates a focal point. About 30% of small laundry makeovers now include an accent wall. They draw your eye to the design rather than the size of the space.
Use Mobile Storage Solutions
Anything on wheels is your friend in a tight space. Slim rolling carts can slip into gaps between machines or along walls. They can be pulled out when needed and tucked away when not.
A rolling hamper with sorting compartments is genius for small spaces. It can live somewhere else in your home and only visit the laundry room on wash day.
I got this neat little stool that has storage inside where I keep my iron and other less-used items. It tucks under my small folding table when not needed but gives me a place to sit when I’m sorting clothes. Two purposes, one footprint.
Include Good Lighting and Ventilation
Bad lighting makes small spaces feel like sad little caves. Most builder-grade laundry rooms come with the saddest excuse for a light fixture. Upgrading this can transform how the space feels and functions.
LED strip lighting under shelves is cheap and adds tons of functional light right where you need it. I added some under my upper shelf for about $20, and suddenly I could actually see to match socks.
A small fan or proper vent is crucial too. Laundry rooms generate moisture, and in a small space, that gets concentrated fast. About 62% of laundry room remodels now include upgraded ventilation systems. Without good airflow, you risk mold and that musty laundry smell nobody wants.
Consider Overhead Shelving
The ceiling is valuable real estate in tiny spaces. Overhead shelving along the perimeter can hold bulky, rarely-used items like extra comforters or seasonal bedding.
My overhead shelf is where I store my big detergent refill containers and bulk purchases. It keeps them accessible but not taking up prime real estate.
Just make sure anything overhead is secure and not too heavy. Nobody wants a laundry avalanche when grabbing the fabric softener. As a general rule, items you use weekly should be at eye level or below, less frequent stuff can go up high.
Drying Rack Solutions
Hang-drying clothes can take up tons of space, but some clever solutions exist. Retractable clotheslines that pull out when needed are amazing. They can span across the room and hold a surprising amount of clothes.
Wall-mounted drying racks that accordion out are another great option. Mine folds flat against the wall when not in use but can hold an entire load of delicates when extended.
For a budget option, over-the-door drying racks work well too. They hang on the back of your laundry room door and provide hanging space without using any floor or wall space.
Conclusion
My tiny laundry room used to be the bane of my existence. Now it’s actually kind of amazing. All it took was thinking vertically, getting smart about storage, and making everything pull double duty.
Remember that your small laundry space can absolutely be functional and pretty. The average person spends about 8 hours a month doing laundry. That’s a full work day every month in that space. Might as well make it nice, right?
Start with one change. Maybe it’s just painting the walls a lighter color or adding one smart storage solution. Small improvements add up to big changes over time.
And hey, if all else fails, there’s always the laundromat. Just kidding. Your tiny laundry room has potential, I promise. Now go show that small space who’s boss.
