Laundry Area Storage Tips
An efficient laundry area needs storage space arranged around the washer and dryer. A long deep shelf – or shelves – placed directly above the machine adds room for frequently used supplies. Installing ceiling-high cabinets above the shelf provides a perfect spot for cleaning supplies, linens, and overflow storage.
Every laundry area needs counter space for folding, sorting, and mending clothes. A fold-down counter with an easy-to-clean laminate surface adds convenience in cramped quarters. Another useful feature is a sink for washing delicate garments or soaking out stains. Hang clothes for drip-drying on a metal or wooden closet rod over the sink. Mount a ceiling fan directly above it to help quicken the drying process and disperse the fumes from the soap and bleach..
Install cabinets or large-capacity storage bins below the counter. On the wall, attach a narrow cabinet or a rack for your ironing board. Adding walls around your laundry area hides clutter and muffles the noise of machines.
A full-size ironing board can be stored near the laundry area either inside a storage closet or in a special shallow cabinet. In a storage closet, secure the board with a chain or strap, or build a narrow slot so that it stands upright. If you’re building a cabinet for your ironing board, you’ll need to buy a fold-down board. Measure the board and allow several inches around it for access. For extra convenience, add a sleeve board, a clothes hanger, and shelves inside the cabinet as well as an electrical outlet for an iron.
For simpler storage solutions, you can install an ironing board on the back of a door so that it folds down when needed, or simply fasten a commercially available ironing valet rack to a wall or door to hold the board and iron.
There are two options for sorting clothes for the laundry. First, you can build a cabinet with a single deep drawer and partition the drawer with plywood dividers into separate compartments for whites, colors, and permanent press items. Another divider could be added, creating a compartment for towels or work clothes. Install the drawer with heavy-duty commercial slide runners. Alternatively, buy a commercial sorting tray with individual slide-out bins. If you have space under a counter, inside a free-standing island, or against a wall, you can simply stack sorting bins to keep clothes ready to go when laundry day arrives.
