12 Space-Saving Solutions for Small Laundries
Many modern laundries are now little more than a cupboard. These top tips show you how to magic up extra laundry space
Julia Fairley
29 April 2018
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
Once a workhorse of a room, our laundries have been steadily shrinking in size… and many have done a disappearing act altogether. If you don’t have space for a separate laundry or if you only have one or two square metres to squeeze one in, these clever design tricks will help you maximise every centimetre.
1. Combine your appliances
Some say the jury is still out on how suitable combined washer-dryers are. But regardless of whether you love them or loathe them, no-one can accuse these laundry appliances of being space guzzlers.
Most washer-dryer combos accommodate smaller loads than washing machines, so are better for weekenders or households with one or two people.
If you have a large family or can easily air-dry your laundry, you may be better off installing a standalone washing machine of similar size and using a retractable clothes line. If, however, you are short on drying space, these dual washer-dryer units can be a godsend.
Some say the jury is still out on how suitable combined washer-dryers are. But regardless of whether you love them or loathe them, no-one can accuse these laundry appliances of being space guzzlers.
Most washer-dryer combos accommodate smaller loads than washing machines, so are better for weekenders or households with one or two people.
If you have a large family or can easily air-dry your laundry, you may be better off installing a standalone washing machine of similar size and using a retractable clothes line. If, however, you are short on drying space, these dual washer-dryer units can be a godsend.
2. Embrace sink inserts
Too often, the focus of our laundries lands solely on washing and drying. But what about the all-important bench space for those mountains of folding?
If your laundry is already on the small side, chances are your laundry bench space is too, and this is when sink inserts come in handy. These nifty designs fit snugly into most sinks and create extra bench space in a room where every bit counts.
Tip: Get your builder, stone mason or benchtop manufacturer to save the piece of bench cut out for your basin and convert it into a matching sink insert.
Too often, the focus of our laundries lands solely on washing and drying. But what about the all-important bench space for those mountains of folding?
If your laundry is already on the small side, chances are your laundry bench space is too, and this is when sink inserts come in handy. These nifty designs fit snugly into most sinks and create extra bench space in a room where every bit counts.
Tip: Get your builder, stone mason or benchtop manufacturer to save the piece of bench cut out for your basin and convert it into a matching sink insert.
3. Make friends with front loaders
If you often have to do the folding on your kitchen bench or table, consider switching to front-loading appliances. ‘Why?!’ we hear top-loading devotees shriek. Because the tops of front-loading appliances can double up as bench space.
Sitting front loaders directly on the floor – as opposed to stacking them on top of each other or opting for a wall-hung position – means the top of the appliances comfortably reach bench height. You will have to crouch down to load and unload your appliances, so keep ergonomics in mind. But if bench space is what you need, front loaders provide it in spades.
Find a Houzz professional to help you redesign your laundry
If you often have to do the folding on your kitchen bench or table, consider switching to front-loading appliances. ‘Why?!’ we hear top-loading devotees shriek. Because the tops of front-loading appliances can double up as bench space.
Sitting front loaders directly on the floor – as opposed to stacking them on top of each other or opting for a wall-hung position – means the top of the appliances comfortably reach bench height. You will have to crouch down to load and unload your appliances, so keep ergonomics in mind. But if bench space is what you need, front loaders provide it in spades.
Find a Houzz professional to help you redesign your laundry
4. Extra bench space
Still short on bench space? Try incorporating a pull-out option that you can slide away into your joinery when not in use. Modular designs are great for small-scale living, and our laundries are no exception.
You can create an instant bench by installing a pull-out shelf like the one in this industrial laundry, which was squeezed into a cupboard in Chicago, USA. Swivel models achieve a similar effect and rotate out from your joinery then glide back in again.
Pull-down benches are also available and are usually affixed to walls or the end of joinery, while collapsible benches have also given many a little laundry a big helping hand.
Still short on bench space? Try incorporating a pull-out option that you can slide away into your joinery when not in use. Modular designs are great for small-scale living, and our laundries are no exception.
You can create an instant bench by installing a pull-out shelf like the one in this industrial laundry, which was squeezed into a cupboard in Chicago, USA. Swivel models achieve a similar effect and rotate out from your joinery then glide back in again.
Pull-down benches are also available and are usually affixed to walls or the end of joinery, while collapsible benches have also given many a little laundry a big helping hand.
5. Retractable clothes lines
Air drying our clothes saves huge amounts of electricity and keeps those power bills down, so it’s worth putting thought into savvy and stylish drying solutions.
A far cry from the Hills hoist, today’s options have us spoilt for choice. You’ll find pull-down clothes lines, retractable models that scissor back into your wall or joinery and take up almost no room at all, and even ceiling-mounted drying racks that you can lower then raise again so your clothes dry up and out of the way. Just try to install yours in a place you can reach easily.
Designs for Living: 10 Drying Rack Solutions for Your Laundry
Air drying our clothes saves huge amounts of electricity and keeps those power bills down, so it’s worth putting thought into savvy and stylish drying solutions.
A far cry from the Hills hoist, today’s options have us spoilt for choice. You’ll find pull-down clothes lines, retractable models that scissor back into your wall or joinery and take up almost no room at all, and even ceiling-mounted drying racks that you can lower then raise again so your clothes dry up and out of the way. Just try to install yours in a place you can reach easily.
Designs for Living: 10 Drying Rack Solutions for Your Laundry
6. On the board
Large ironing boards often dictate the need for a tall laundry cupboard. But with many of us battling to find space for a washing machine, let alone a dryer, room for a tall cupboard is out of the question.
Hidden ironing boards, which are concealed in your joinery, are the answer to many a question about where to stash this bulky beast. Some models swivel out and rotate back into your cabinetry, while others fold down from the inside of a cupboard. Whichever type you choose, you’ll thank yourself for not having to regularly wrestle a cumbersome ironing board in and out of a cupboard.
Large ironing boards often dictate the need for a tall laundry cupboard. But with many of us battling to find space for a washing machine, let alone a dryer, room for a tall cupboard is out of the question.
Hidden ironing boards, which are concealed in your joinery, are the answer to many a question about where to stash this bulky beast. Some models swivel out and rotate back into your cabinetry, while others fold down from the inside of a cupboard. Whichever type you choose, you’ll thank yourself for not having to regularly wrestle a cumbersome ironing board in and out of a cupboard.
7. Choose a small single-bowl sink…
Small spaces call for small measurements, so it makes sense to choose a diminutive design for your laundry sink.
Most people find single-bowl laundry sinks are sufficient (it all depends on how you do your washing), and they take up much less space than their double-bowl brothers.
Tip: Speak to your plumber about potentially moving the pipes under your sink back towards the rear cabinet wall to free up storage space.
Small spaces call for small measurements, so it makes sense to choose a diminutive design for your laundry sink.
Most people find single-bowl laundry sinks are sufficient (it all depends on how you do your washing), and they take up much less space than their double-bowl brothers.
Tip: Speak to your plumber about potentially moving the pipes under your sink back towards the rear cabinet wall to free up storage space.
8. … Or ditch your sink altogether
If your laundry is in the kitchen or bathroom, or if the sinks in these rooms are mere steps away, you may be able to bypass having a separate laundry sink altogether.
This set-up may not suit your requirements if you constantly need to soak garments. But if you use your laundry sink as a dumping ground for dirty clothes or cleaning products instead of actually turning on the taps most days, consider repurposing the valuable space occupied by your laundry sink and using your adjacent kitchen or bathroom sink instead.
If your laundry is in the kitchen or bathroom, or if the sinks in these rooms are mere steps away, you may be able to bypass having a separate laundry sink altogether.
This set-up may not suit your requirements if you constantly need to soak garments. But if you use your laundry sink as a dumping ground for dirty clothes or cleaning products instead of actually turning on the taps most days, consider repurposing the valuable space occupied by your laundry sink and using your adjacent kitchen or bathroom sink instead.
9. One room, two functions
One of the most effective ways to squeeze in a laundry when you’re short on space is to combine it with your bathroom or kitchen. These rooms already have ready access to plumbing, so with luck on your side, this may be a straightforward task.
In some homes, it can also help to designate separate rooms for washing and for air-drying your clothes – there’s no need to relegate these two tasks to the one room.
How to Squeeze a Laundry in Anywhere
One of the most effective ways to squeeze in a laundry when you’re short on space is to combine it with your bathroom or kitchen. These rooms already have ready access to plumbing, so with luck on your side, this may be a straightforward task.
In some homes, it can also help to designate separate rooms for washing and for air-drying your clothes – there’s no need to relegate these two tasks to the one room.
How to Squeeze a Laundry in Anywhere
10. Hung out to dry
Our laundries might be getting smaller, but they’re also getting smarter. Many savvy builders and architects now install vents for ducted heating inside joinery, so what looks like a linen cupboard is actually a cosy place to dry clothes out of sight.
You can also find more technical versions on the market. Specially designed drying closets like this model now feature on the list of premium laundry appliances, and many let you control the temperature, humidity, drying mode and timing.
Our laundries might be getting smaller, but they’re also getting smarter. Many savvy builders and architects now install vents for ducted heating inside joinery, so what looks like a linen cupboard is actually a cosy place to dry clothes out of sight.
You can also find more technical versions on the market. Specially designed drying closets like this model now feature on the list of premium laundry appliances, and many let you control the temperature, humidity, drying mode and timing.
11. Move it outside
Architects from centuries long gone were onto something when they positioned ye olde laundry – which was often little more than a copper tub – outside at the back of properties. We’re not suggesting you segregate your laundry from your home, out-house style, though if you’re trying in vain to fit it inside, consider moving it to the rear.
This cleverly located laundry at the back entrance of this beach house in Savannah, USA, also acts as a mudroom and makes room for an outdoor shower. The idea is to wash off sand and dirt and put your grubby clothes straight into the washing machine before entering the house, keeping it clean and free of clutter.
Tip: Extra brownie points go to this eye-catching red laundry door and mint green walls. There’s no rule that says laundries should be all white.
Architects from centuries long gone were onto something when they positioned ye olde laundry – which was often little more than a copper tub – outside at the back of properties. We’re not suggesting you segregate your laundry from your home, out-house style, though if you’re trying in vain to fit it inside, consider moving it to the rear.
This cleverly located laundry at the back entrance of this beach house in Savannah, USA, also acts as a mudroom and makes room for an outdoor shower. The idea is to wash off sand and dirt and put your grubby clothes straight into the washing machine before entering the house, keeping it clean and free of clutter.
Tip: Extra brownie points go to this eye-catching red laundry door and mint green walls. There’s no rule that says laundries should be all white.
12. Get savvy with wasted space
Who says your laundry appliances need their own separate room or nook? We’ve all seen concealed laundries cleverly hidden away in cupboards, though if you don’t have room to install the joinery necessary to hide your appliances, try repurposing ‘dead’ space in your home instead.
The owners of this residence in Montreal, Canada, got creative with the wasted space under their stairs. Instead of letting it stand idle, they utilised it by finding a home for their washing machine and dryer… and even a catnap.
Tell us
Did you find this article helpful? If so, like it, share it, save the photos and tell us your laundry space-saving secrets in the Comments below.
More
Browse more compact laundries on Houzz
Who says your laundry appliances need their own separate room or nook? We’ve all seen concealed laundries cleverly hidden away in cupboards, though if you don’t have room to install the joinery necessary to hide your appliances, try repurposing ‘dead’ space in your home instead.
The owners of this residence in Montreal, Canada, got creative with the wasted space under their stairs. Instead of letting it stand idle, they utilised it by finding a home for their washing machine and dryer… and even a catnap.
Tell us
Did you find this article helpful? If so, like it, share it, save the photos and tell us your laundry space-saving secrets in the Comments below.
More
Browse more compact laundries on Houzz
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Folding underwear? Who sees. It? What a waste!
I had two washer'/dryers and although their capacity was a bit smaller, they were well worth it, especially when we had nappies. I rarely used the machine to run on from washing to drying as the capacities were different, and much of the washing happily dried on a line, but for a small space they can be excellent. Ironing? I try to do as little as possible, but I sew and you need a full size one that allows fabric to flow over and under, difficult with that pull out one. Mine sits on a hanger behind the laundry door and as long as you put the right end at the top, works excellently. Also, as well as a self designed cupboard (fr brooms, vacuums etc), I have a drawer beneath the washing machine which holds all my bulk bought washing and dishwashing stuff and a pole across above the sink, where shirts and blouses hang to dry. It all works well.
Laundry Ideas