Getting the Most from Your Small Laundry Room
Your laundry room is where all the cleaning magic happens. But what if it’s too small? How do you make the most of the space you have without resorting to remodeling? There are many things you can do to maximize the space in your small laundry room. By making a few adjustments, your small space can feel larger than it really is.
Ramp Up the Storage with Cabinets
Cabinets are a lifesaver in a small laundry room. Not only are they great functional pieces that also hide clutter, but they help tidy up your laundry room as well. Kitchen cabinets are perfect for the laundry room. You can also take advantage of the room’s vertical space by adding floor-to-ceiling cabinets.
Pull Out Drawers for Maximum Space
Reframe how you think about storage in your laundry room with versatile pull out drawers. Accessibility is a big advantage of pull out drawers. When extended, you’re able to see everything that’s inside the drawer. They also help to increase your storage space which is what you need in a small laundry room.
Shelves Are For More Than Knick Knacks
If cabinets aren’t your first choice, perhaps adding a few shelves will appeal to you. Besides being functional, shelves also look great in a small laundry room. To create clean lines with no visible support, try floating shelves. They make a room feel bigger and airy. If visible support doesn’t bother you, bracket shelves are another good option. For an industrial look, opt for wire shelves.
Adding baskets or bins to place on single or tiered shelves give the room a wow factor while keeping your supplies hidden. Don’t forget to label each basket so you can quickly find what you need.
Create a Workspace with Countertops
Incorporating a countertop or work surface above your side-by-side washer and dryer is a great way to make use of a small space. Countertops are ideal when you want to fold clothes, iron or keep your materials or commonly used items within easy reach. There are even countertops designed specifically to fit over a washer and dryer (right) that provide a workspace and help keeps your space neat and tidy.
Get Stacking with a Stackable Washer and Dryer
To gain more floor space in your laundry room, a stackable washer and dryer pair is designed with small spaces in mind. The streamlined configuration and smaller footprint are great characteristics, especially if you don’t have a designated laundry room. They can be easily placed in a hall closet or even in a bathroom. Make sure the washer and dryer you purchase are stackable. You may also want to consider a stacked laundry center – an all-in-one washer and dryer unit.
To prevent injury or damage, always use a washer and dryer stacking kit. The kit distributes the dryer’s weight while it’s on top of the washer. It also absorbs the vibrations from both appliances, allowing you to operate both appliances at the same time.
An All-in-One Washer Dryer Does It All
For the ultimate space-saving idea, an all-in-one washer dryer lets you wash and dry a load of laundry in one appliance. While it’s less efficient than a separate washer and dryer, as with the stacked washer and dryer, it’s half the footprint of the two appliances. All-in-one washer/dryers run on a standard 120-volt outlet and many models are ventless, meaning you can turn practically any space near a cold water connection into a mini-laundry room.
Side-by-Side Washer and Dryer
When a stackable washer and dryer combo isn’t an option, side-by-side appliances can still be a good choice. A front load side-by-side washer and dryer pair frees up additional space above the two appliances. Install cabinets or floating shelves (as noted above) or countertops (as noted below) above the washer and dryer to get the most out of the space. You can also use a top load side-by-side washer and dryer configuration, however, this doesn’t give you the advantage of extra space above.
Keeping it Clean with a Sink
There are advantages to having a utility sink in the laundry room, even if it’s a small room. It’s perfect for presoaking clothes, rinsing heavily soiled clothes before putting them in the washing machine, or hand washing delicates.
A freestanding laundry sink comes with its own legs. It’s usually more utilitarian in appearance and only needs to be connected to the wall and plumbing lines. This is a great choice if you want an affordable sink and you’re not selecting one for the aesthetics.
Undermount laundry sinks and drop-in laundry sinks are both attached to your existing countertop. While the undermount sink is installed beneath the counter and provides a smooth, seamless look on top, the drop-in sink is inserted from the topside of the counter, sits below the counter and has a lip around the sink. Undermount sinks work well if you want to maintain a contemporary look in your laundry room.
Wall mount laundry sinks attach directly to wall studs. They’re usually smaller in size, making them perfect for even the smallest of laundry spaces.
Small Space, Smart Solutions
With the right setup, a small laundry room can still work hard for you. By adding upgrades like pull out drawers, countertops and a sink, you can turn even the tightest areas into a space that’s efficient, organized and easy to use. The goal is to create a laundry that works for you, that supports your routine and keeps essentials within easy reach.
Key takeaways to get you started:
- Reduce clutter with shelves, pull out drawers and cabinets
- Take advantage of vertical space
- All-in-one and stackable appliances free up valuable floor space
- Adding a countertop creates more functional workspace
With thoughtful choices to maximize what you already have and investing in a few upgrades, your small laundry can do more than you thought. Many of the upgrades are DIY-friendly and can be done one project at a time.
Ready to get started? Whatever your needs, Lowe’s is with you every step of the way with storage solutions, cabinets, washers and dryers and more. Shop online or stop by your local Lowe’s and speak to a Lowe’s Red Vest associate.