Design a Small but Efficient Laundry Room

Some people like to incorporate their laundry area into the kitchen so they can cook and wash clothes at the same time. Others prefer a separate area for their laundry room. A separate room keeps the washer and dryer noise contained, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a large area to be efficient. There are numerous products that can be used to design a small but efficient laundry room. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Stackable washer/dryer. Short on horizontal space in your laundry room? Go vertical with front-loading stackable machines to help free up some room for cabinets, hampers and other types of laundry-related storage. Sure, they will take away from some of the upper storage space, but this option will free up the more valuable floor area.

Deeper cabinets. It can be difficult to make towels and linens fit into the 12" deep upper cabinets, so go for deeper storage over the washer and dryer -- and going deeper doesn't take away from usable space. Make sure the shelves are either adjustable or are far enough apart to fit whatever you choose to store in them. A tall pantry cabinet is also a nice addition to the laundry if there is enough room.

Hanging rod. If you have clothing or laundry items that you like to hang as they finish drying, a hanging rod is a must. Mainly, it's just a lot less tacky than hanging wet clothes on the shower rod. It doesn't necessarily have to be long; even a short rod over the sink or washing machine will do.

Wicker baskets. Baskets help keep a small room more organized, and they can give it a more homey feel. Simply place them side-by-side on open shelves for a quick and easy way to organize smaller items. They also work well for storing extra linens that don't have anywhere else to go.

Hideaway ironing board. Ironing boards that pop out of cabinets are becoming more common in today's homes, since they don't take up a lot of room, and they can be hidden away when they are not in use. They help keep the laundry room free of clutter to make it more efficient.

Pull-out hampers. Do the dirty clothes seem to pile up on the floor daily? Sort them into pull-out hampers to keep out of sight, and out of mind, until the next laundry day. You can get cabinets that have special hardware designed to hide away garbage cans or hampers, which can be pulled open, and then closed to make the space more efficient.

Small-ish sink. Sinks are great for washing out stains or hand-washing delicate clothing items. However, that huge white bin (that you have likely seen in many basement laundry rooms) can take up a lot of space. Replace it with a smaller one that can be integrated into a base cabinet -- then use the storage you have underneath.

Related Content:
Feng Shui: Clearing the Way to a Healthier Lifestyle
How to Declutter and Organize Your Garage
Clutter Control: Tips to Organize Your Desk