The Plight of the Petite Laundry Room

Happy 2023, my friends! I hope your new year has been off to a good start. As for me, I had high hopes for two weeks of rest and relaxation, a mental reset, but this season of germs had other plans for our whole family. Nick got the worst of it and is still bedridden, and I’m a few clicks away from unhinged as the little ones are flying off the couch, shrieking over every toy and asking for the 3rd snack of the AM.

The last week of every year, I love working on a big recap post on my top purchases and reader favorites of the year, but that’ll be a little delayed this time around. In the meantime, I wanted to share a little closet care post for getting organized in the new year. After the kids go down at night, cleaning and organizing has been therapeutic to say the least.

After sharing a photo of my favorite shelf dividers on my IG stories the other week, I wanted to answer some more questions on how I fold and hang my sweaters. To see the folding tips in motion, check out my Instagram reel video here. For more clothing storage posts, my acrylic shelf dividers and petite hangers can be found on my Amazon page.

Finding Vertical Storage in a Petite Laundry Space

As mentioned in my small space storage post, I store my knits in underbed drawers and also on sweater shelves with these dividers. I saw this general folding method on several TikTok accounts last year, where one end of the garment is tucked into an opening at the other end so that the garment doesn’t easily come un-folded when you take an item off a stack or move them around inside a drawer. I have now converted ALL my laundry folding to this method – from sweaters to jeans to tees, leggings, and tights. It’s been nothing short of a game changer. Again, this method is MUCH easier to follow in video form, so be sure to check my IG reel.

If you prefer to hang your sweaters, just be sure to do it in a way that won’t stretch out the knit, especially at the shoulder areas from the hanger edges. If I had abundant hanger space in a huge walk-in closet, I’d probably opt for hanging more of my knits so that I can clearly see which item is which. But alas, my laundry room is about the size of a shoebox, and every inch of vertical space counts.

Maximizing Vertical Storage with Hanging Shelves

Unfortunately, not all of us have the luxury of a sprawling laundry room with ample storage. In fact, my laundry space is so tiny that I’m pretty sure two people can’t even fit in there at the same time. The biggest challenge when planning out my laundry room storage DIY projects was finding enough room to create a functional space.

That’s why I turned to the often-overlooked vertical wall space above my washer and dryer. Building DIY laundry room shelves in that area was a game-changer for my tiny laundry room. The wall above a washer and dryer is a space that’s out of the way but provides the perfect spot to store laundry supplies and cleaning essentials.

It’s always smart to leverage that wall space as much as possible, especially for bulkier items. In my space, that looks like storing extra paper towels and supplies to make my own laundry detergent on the top shelf. And for those of you who prefer to hang-dry your clothes, you can even install wall-mounted drying racks up there. They may be a bit hard to access, but they’ll keep your clothes out of the way and off the floor.

Shelving Solutions for Small Spaces

Honestly, when it comes to storage in a small laundry room, every inch counts. That’s why I’m a big advocate for using open shelves to maximize vertical space. Open shelves keep my supplies handy and help me see everything at a glance. And if you have tall ceilings, definitely utilize that extra vertical storage by stashing the items you use less frequently up top.

To keep my open shelves looking tidy and uncluttered, I love using natural or wire baskets to corral like items. For example, I have one basket for my cleaning products, another for dish rags and dusting cloths, and another for lightbulbs. This helps maintain that sleek, streamlined look without visual clutter.

And let’s not forget about using that unused wall space! Hanging taller items like brooms, mops, and even my ironing board frees up precious floor space. I just use some Command hooks or robe hooks to keep them tucked away but within reach.

A Folding Station for Petite Perfection

Now, I know a lot of you out there probably prefer to fold your laundry in the living room while binge-watching the latest Netflix series. But for me, I like to keep the whole process contained in the laundry room. That’s why I built a DIY folding table or countertop over my front-loading washer and dryer.

Not only does this expand the usable surface area, but it also prevents me from losing those fresh stacks of folded t-shirts to the dreaded “no-man’s-zone” behind the machines. I mean, who wants to go on a scavenger hunt for their clean clothes?

Having a dedicated folding station also keeps all my laundry essentials – like detergent and dryer sheets – right at my fingertips. I even have a small tray that I can slide in and out to corral those items, so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.

And the best part? This DIY folding counter has been a total game-changer for my laundry routine. No more awkward bending or reaching over bulky appliances. Just a clean, streamlined space to tackle that never-ending mountain of dirty clothes.

Bringing in the Personality

Now, I know what you’re thinking – a laundry room is just a utilitarian space, right? Wrong! I firmly believe that even the most functional areas of our homes can and should have a little personality.

That’s why I’ve sprinkled in some subtle touches to make my laundry room feel more like an extension of the rest of our home. Instead of a cheap plastic dustpan, I’ve got one with a smiley face. And forget the boring old Swiffer duster – I’ve got a cute feather one that brings a smile to my face every time I use it.

It’s the little things like that which transform a plain, forgettable space into something truly special. And let’s be real, when you’re elbow-deep in dirty clothes and a never-ending to-do list, you need all the joy and personality you can get.

Maximize Every Inch, Embrace the Chaos

So there you have it, my friends – my tried-and-true tips for creating a functional, organized, and downright delightful laundry room, even in the tiniest of spaces. From hanging shelves to DIY folding stations, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos and maximize every precious inch.

And let me tell you, it’s been nothing short of a game-changer. No more lost socks, misplaced cleaning supplies, or awkward laundry dance-offs. Just a streamlined, stylish space that makes tackling the never-ending pile of dirty clothes a little bit easier (and a whole lot more enjoyable).

So, what are you waiting for? Grab those power tools, get creative with your vertical storage, and let’s turn that petite laundry room of yours into a true oasis of order and personality. Your future self will thank you, I promise.