Whether your laundry room’s the size of a walk-in closet or just a little corner tucked behind a door, running outta space happens fast. Soap bottles, baskets, missing socks, before you know it, the place is a mess.
But here’s the thing: most of us forget about the space that’s right above our heads. Vertical space. You know, the walls and all the room going up that just sit there doing nothing.
Here’s some smart (and not too expensive) ways to use that space and make your laundry room way more useful.
1. Stack Your Washer and Dryer
Okay so this is a no-brainer if your washer and dryer can actually stack. Not all of them can, so don’t just go putting one on top of the other without checking first. That’s just asking for a disaster. But if they’re made to stack, go for it. It’s a huge space saver.
You’ll need a stacking kit too. It’s not that complicated but still, read the instructions. This setup can free up half the room sometimes. That means you got space for shelves, a cart, or even a small table to fold clothes.
2. Wall-Mounted Shelves and Cabinets
This is maybe the easiest upgrade. Just grab some shelves and get ’em up on the wall. Start right above the machines. You can keep all the bottles of detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover, whatever you use up there. Cabinets are great too if you don’t want your stuff out in the open.
Some people worry about drilling into the wall, especially if it’s tile or cement. But there’s anchors and tools made for that. Just take your time and measure things so it’s all straight. Nothing looks worse than a crooked shelf.
3. Use the Ceiling Too
Look up. No really, look. There’s a lot of room up there that’s probably just collecting cobwebs. One thing that’s really cool is a ceiling-mounted drying rack. Some of them pull down on a pulley system and go right back up when you’re done. Saves a ton of floor space.
This is especially helpful if you hand-wash stuff like sweaters or delicates. And if you don’t wanna hang wet clothes in the hallway, ceiling space helps a lot.
4. Hanging Rods and Hooks
Rod below a shelf = genius. You can hang shirts as soon as they’re out the dryer. No wrinkles, no ironing. Also hooks are super underrated. Mount a few hooks on the wall or even on the back of the door. Hang bags, lint rollers, even a mini ironing board.
It’s also just easier when everything has a place. Otherwise stuff ends up in a pile on top of the washer and then your sock falls behind it and it’s just gone forever.
5. Fold-Down Drying Rack
If your room is really small and there’s just no way to put a full-size rack on the floor, go for one that folds up flat against the wall. These are great for tiny homes, apartments, or those random closet-laundry setups some builders thought were a good idea.
You only pull it down when you need it. The rest of the time it’s not in your way at all. And most of them look pretty decent too.
6. Slim Rolling Cart
There’s usually that awkward gap between the washer and dryer. You drop something in there and you’re basically never getting it back. But guess what fits in that space perfect? A slim rolling cart. Some are even made exactly for that spot.
Put your detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener, maybe some cleaning sprays on it. Then just roll it out when you need it and tuck it back in when you don’t.
7. Pegboards for Custom Storage
Pegboards ain’t just for garages. In the laundry room, they’re amazing. You can hang scissors, lint brushes, tiny baskets, anything you want really. And the best part is you can move stuff around on it depending what you need.
Just put it on an open wall and build your own little laundry station. Way more fun than digging through a drawer trying to find stain remover.
8. Over-the-Door Organizers
Don’t forget the door. Most people ignore that space but it’s useful. Get one of those over-the-door organizers with pockets or wire baskets. You can throw dryer balls, extra clothespins, even lost socks in there.
It’s also good if you don’t have a ton of wall space but still want somewhere to stash stuff. And they’re super easy to install. Literally just hang it.
9. Multi-Use Furniture
If your laundry room has a little more room, try adding a piece of furniture that does more than one thing. Like a bench with storage inside. You can sit on it to fold clothes or put your shoes on, and inside it could hold towels, extra laundry baskets, or cleaning rags.
Some people add a fold-out ironing board that folds into the wall or even a cabinet. You don’t have to trip over it every time, and it’s there when you need it.
10. Label Your Storage Bins
Sounds like a small thing but wow it makes a big difference. Use bins or baskets on your shelves, and label ’em so you know what’s in each one. You’ll stop opening three different containers looking for dryer sheets.
Try keeping things in categories—like one for cleaning stuff, one for laundry stuff, and maybe one for those weird items you only use once a month but still need.
It helps other people in your house too. No more “Mom, where’s the bleach?” every time someone tries to help.
Final Thoughts
Laundry rooms get messy fast. But that’s mostly cause we run outta places to put stuff. When you start using the walls, the ceiling, the doors, all of it, things get way more manageable. Even if you don’t have a big budget, a couple shelves or a pegboard can make a huge difference.
So next time you do laundry, look around your space. There’s probably at least five spots where you can go up instead of out. And once it’s all set up? Doing laundry actually feels kinda… okay. Maybe not fun, but definitely easier.