Laundry Room and Laundry Supplies: Get it All Organized

Learn How to Create an Organized Laundry Room

Is your laundry room or space cluttered with piles of clothes?

Is it filled with things that just don’t belong there?

You know, the stuff you “temporarily” put in there “for now.”

If this totally describes your laundry room, it’s time to get it organized, clean, and so pretty, that you can’t wait to do your laundry. ← Or at least get it to where you can actually wash your items without having to sidestep all the clutter.

In this post, you will:

Put a design plan in place for any DIY taking into account space and budget
Empty and declutter this room so that you can start your DIY and organizing
Organize your room with some awesome add-ons to help keep this room looking spectacular while maintaining its function
Find some simple tips to help you maintain your organized look

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Putting A Plan in Place

First Steps to Getting Your Dream Laundry Room

The first thing you’ll want to do is to make a plan.

This means taking measurements, sketching a design you’ll love, as well as creating a shopping list for any DIY tools, supplies, organizers, and decor items you’ll need.

You are welcome to use our free project planner or get our Total Home Workbook which will provide you with the templates you need to get your entire home beautifully organized.

Think of Everything

With pen and paper in hand, go ahead and think about how you want your laundry room to look.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Is there anything your room needs?
Is there something you’d like to add to make doing laundry easier like adding a drying rack or folding table?
Could you use some shelving?
Do you have room for a small closet?
Could it use better lighting (especially if it is located in a basement or an inner room with no windows)?
Are there other things you’d like to do in your laundry room besides laundry? Example: think ironing, folding, sewing, etc.
Is there a style you prefer? Farmhouse, vintage, or modern?
Are there colors you’d like to see in there?
What kind of organizers would you like to add? Examples include mason jar dispensers, baskets, trays, etc.
How about decor? Signs, photo art, quotes, rugs, etc.

Here are some additional areas to think about as you come up with your DIY plan:

Put up or reconfigure cabinets
Put up wallpaper, shiplap, or pegboard
Paint walls (consider painting it white if your laundry room has poor lighting)
Add hooks to walls or door
Lay down new flooring
Install better lighting
Add a utility sink
Put up shelving
Add a cleaning closet
Install a folding table
Install a drying rack

For a complete list of “everything you can think of”, check out Porch’s article, Mastering the Art of Laundry, which features 35 experts including yours truly. It details everything from laundry care to laundry room organization.

Now, in order to see if your design is doable, it’s time to take measurements*.

Just remember to mark on your plan any outlets, waterlines, and vents.

And unless you are completely renovating this room, your machines will likely have to stay put where they are.

Also, if you are planning lots of DIY, enter a timeline on your design plans so it doesn’t interfere with your regular laundry chores.

After you are done finalizing your plans, go ahead and order/purchase any supplies you will need.

Sidebar

*If your laundry room is too cluttered to take good measurements, then read the next section.

If you rent, chances are you won’t be able to do much DIY but you can still have a nice spot to do your laundry.

Skip over any permanent DIY ideas and, instead, check out some doable options below.

Getting Your Laundry Up-to-Date

Now, before you start any DIY work, let’s get your laundry up-to-date.

This will make it easier to empty and declutter it.

If you have a lot of clothes to get to, then make it a day.

This way, if you have to do without your machines for a couple of days, the laundry pile won’t be so bad.

Laundry Room Prep for DIY

Declutter

Before you start to DIY, it’s time to declutter your laundry room.

Grab a bag for trash and a couple of boxes for donations and repurposing tasks.

First, remove and/or relocate any items that don’t belong there or are better served elsewhere.

If you have items on your shelving or in cabinets and closets, go through them tossing away anything you don’t need or items that have been there a long time…” Hello, lone sock, I was holding onto until your mate could be found. “

Have laundry samples you don’t need or want?

Consider donating them to a shelter.

Have clothing that has been ruined by stains that just won’t come out?

Repurpose them into rags, pillow coverings, etc.

[If you decide to repurpose anything, please do so ASAP. Do not let well-intentioned clutter pile up.]

Time to DIY

For each day of your plan, get your supplies ready before you begin.

Next, remove any items that will interfere with your DIY plans for that day.

Anything you can’t remove, try to cover with a tarp to lessen the mess.

Continue following your DIY plan until you are done.

Time to Clean

Once all of your DIY tasks are done, it’s time to clean your laundry room including your machines.

Start by wiping down your cabinets, shelving, and closets.

You’ll also want to clean any windows and the utility sink if you have one.

Next, pull your machines from your wall and vacuum/clean behind them as well.

To clean and sanitize your machines properly, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Some may require that they be cleaned with a particular brand of cleaner.

If you don’t have the manuals for this information, check online.

Many appliance companies keep their manuals available at their sites.

Or check Youtube. They may have a video tutorial available.

Here are some recommendations from HGTV for cleaning your washing machine properly.

Most importantly, don’t forget to clean the dryer hose well.

This must be done regularly. It is a common source of home fires when not cleaned for a long time.

And lastly, sweep and mop your floors.

Organizing Your Laundry Room

Now that your laundry room is clean, go ahead and start returning the items you removed.

Make sure that these are items you need and want to keep in this area.

And place things in spots that serve you and how you get around this room.

If you have any laundry guides, consider framing them and hanging them up on the wall or on the inside of a cabinet/closet door.

You can also click here to get our free laundry scheduler that you can display.

Helpful Products

If you have high cabinets, you may want to add a stepstool to this room, preferably one that folds up so that it doesn’t take up any space or get in the way.

And if you plan on doing any sewing, a chair may be a nice addition.

Organizing Tips to Follow

If your laundry room or space is small consider organizers that have a dual purpose.

You can install a drying rack under a shelf or a folding table that slides out.

Or hang a multipurpose shelf.

Pegboard is great for holding items such as scissors, lint brushes, and sewing tools.

You can also add baskets and shelving to your pegboard if you prefer.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to pegboards.

Finally, keep a small jar or tray nearby for items like loose change found in pockets or at the bottom of your machines after doing a load.

Accessorizing and Decor

If you are going for pretty, you can put your detergents (liquid, powder, or pods) in beverage dispensers with spigots.

Just remember to label anything that has been removed from its original packaging especially if you are not the only person doing laundry.

As for decor, check out these finds

Final Thoughts on Maintaining Your Spectacular Laundry Room

Once you are done with your room, it is time to create a plan to keep it clean and organized.

Place a calendar in this room so that you can mark the days you need to do certain tasks such as cleaning the inside of your machines or delinting your dryer hose.

Never have more than one load ready to wash in this room.

The minute you have a load of items to wash, go ahead and do them.

This will keep pileups from happening.

Click here to read how you can simplify your laundry routine to just one load a day in 20 minutes.

Keep a small trash can nearby for used dryer sheets, lint, and of course, trash.

You may also want to keep a couple of rags around for accidental spills.

If you are not the only one doing laundry, go over the rules for your newly organized laundry room with the other person (people).

Show them where everything is located and point out that everything has a place and must be returned to that place the way that it was found. No exceptions!

And whatever you do, don’t let your laundry room become a catch-all for items that do not belong there.

If your laundry room is located in the basement or garage, click the posts below to help you declutter and organize these spaces.

Steps for Creating a Beautifully Organized Laundry Room

Learn How to Create an Organized Laundry Room

Putting A Plan in Place