Small laundry rooms get a bad reputation, but in practice, they’re often the easiest spaces to improve.
A few thoughtful changes can completely change how the room feels and functions.
The key isn’t adding more things; it’s using the space you already have in a smarter way.
When storage goes vertical, counters stay clear, and clutter is kept in check, even the smallest laundry room starts to feel manageable.
In this list, the focus is on DIY ideas that actually work in real homes, not picture-perfect setups.
These are practical updates that improve flow, reduce mess, and make everyday laundry routines feel simpler and more organized.
List of DIY Small Laundry Room Ideas
Small laundry rooms are honestly one of my favorite spaces to improve, because tiny changes show up immediately.
The trick is always the same: use vertical space, keep the counter clear, and reduce visual noise.
A small room can feel “designed” fast when it has a simple system.
1) Add Floating Shelves Above the Washer and Dryer
If the machines sit against a blank wall, that wall is basically free storage.
Floating shelves keep detergent and daily supplies off the counter so you don’t lose your only work surface.
I usually keep shelves a little shallower than kitchen shelves, because laundry rooms are tight and you don’t want to bump into corners while carrying baskets.
Small detail that matters: add a lip or use baskets so bottles don’t get knocked off when you’re reaching quickly.
2) Build a Simple Plywood Countertop Over Front-Loaders
A countertop over machines is one of the biggest “quality of life” upgrades.
Folding on top of machines works, but it’s slippery and awkward. A single, sealed plywood top gives you a stable folding zone and makes the whole setup feel more intentional.
Designer tip: if the room feels cramped, a thin counter looks lighter than a thick butcher block. You can still make it feel finished with edge banding and a soft satin seal.
3) Use a Narrow Rolling Cart for the Awkward Gap Beside Machines
That weird 6–10 inch gap beside a washer is frustrating… until you treat it like a built-in niche.
A slim rolling cart is perfect for stain sprays, dryer sheets, cleaning cloths, and extra trash bags.
What I’ve seen work best: keep the top shelf for “everyday” items and the bottom for backups so you’re not digging around mid-laundry.
4) Diy a Fold-Down Wall Table for a Folding Station
If there’s truly no room for a permanent counter, fold-down tables are the next best thing.
You get a surface when you need it, and then it disappears, so the room stays open.
Placement matters here. Mount it at a comfortable working height and leave enough clearance so it folds down without hitting baskets or doors.
5) Add a Hanging Rod for Air-Drying
(under shelves or between cabinets)
This is one of those things people think is extra… then they use it daily.
A rod gives you a spot for delicates, drip-dry items, and “I’ll hang this now so I don’t forget” pieces.
An easy DIY version of this small bathroom can be done with a tension rod between two surfaces.
More finished version: a mounted rod under a shelf. Either way, it cuts down on random damp clothes ending up on doorknobs.
6) Install a Peg Rail so Tools Stop Living on the Counter
Laundry rooms collect small tools: lint rollers, mini broom, garment brush, stain brush, and microfiber cloths.
When they don’t have a home, they land on the counter, and the room instantly feels messy.
A peg rail is a simple fix that keeps everything visible and reachable.
Design move: paint the rail the same color as the wall so it blends in and doesn’t feel visually busy.
7) Mount Hooks for Baskets and Bags to Clear the Floor
In small rooms, the floor needs to stay open, or the space feels impossible.
Hooks hold things that normally pile up: reusable bags, mesh laundry bags, aprons, and even a lightweight hamper.
Real details to follow: place hooks where the bags won’t swing into you when you turn around with a basket.
8) Add Under-Shelf Baskets to Double Your Storage Instantly
If you already have shelves, under-shelf baskets give you an extra layer without adding bulk.
They’re perfect for dryer sheets, stain sticks, clothespins, or those “misc” items that don’t deserve a full bin.
Best practice: use them for small/light items only so they don’t sag or feel cluttered.
9) Decant Detergent Into Matching Containers
(it’s about space, not perfection)
Bulky original packaging eats space and looks chaotic fast.
Decanting isn’t just for aesthetics; it helps you control how much shelf space each product takes up.
What works in small laundry rooms is to keep one container for everyday detergent and store refills elsewhere so the shelf doesn’t turn into a stockroom
10) Use One Big Tray on the Counter to Control Visual Clutter
Counters collect little things: coins, dryer balls, stain spray, measuring scoop, and random sock clips.
A tray gives those items one boundary, so the counter still feels like a work surface.
Designer trick: a tray also makes cleaning easier, lift one item instead of ten.
11) Create a “Sorting Zone” with Stacked Bins Instead of Multiple Hampers
Traditional hampers are bulky. In small laundry rooms, stacked bins work better because they use height instead of floor space.
You can sort by lights/darks, towels, or “air dry” items.
Keep it practical: don’t over-sort. Two or three categories are plenty, or it becomes another chore.
12) Turn the Back of the Door Into Storage
Behind-door storage is a small-space cheat code. It’s great for thin items: small bottles, brushes, cloths, lint rollers, or even an ironing spray.
The key: choose storage that stays relatively flat so the door still opens comfortably and doesn’t feel like it’s fighting you.
13) Add a Slim Wall Cabinet
(Shallow is better than deep in small rooms)
A shallow cabinet can store a lot without taking over the room. Deep cabinets in tight rooms feel heavy and can make the space feel narrower.
Good use: a cabinet for “not pretty but necessary” items like stain removers, sponges, gloves, and backups.
14) Build Simple Cubbies with Crates or Boxes to Create Structure
Open shelves can start to feel messy if everything is visible. Cubbies give you structure and stop piles from spreading sideways.
Keep it calm: use the same style of bin throughout. Mixing ten different bin types makes a small room feel visually loud.
15) Use a Curtain Instead of Doors for a Laundry Closet
Curtains are forgiving. They don’t swing into narrow walkways, and they soften the hard edges of appliances.
Small detail: hang the curtain high and wide so it looks intentional like part of the room not like a quick cover-up.
16) Paint the Walls a Light, Warm Neutral to Make the Room Feel Bigger
Laundry rooms often have little natural light. A warm neutral (instead of a cold bright white) keeps the room from feeling stark.
Experience note: small rooms look better when the paint is consistent walls + trim in similar tones can make the space feel calmer.
17) Add a Peel-and-Stick Backsplash to Finish the Workspace Wall
A backsplash isn’t just for kitchens. In laundry rooms, it makes the counter area feel complete. It also hides scuffs where baskets bump the wall.
Best look: keep it simple if the room is tin,y large, busy patterns can feel noisy in a small space.
18) Wallpaper One Focused Area
(OR a back wall, nook, inside a closet)
Wallpaper is great for laundry rooms because it adds personality in a space that usually feels purely functional.
The trick is to use it in a controlled way: one wall, or even just the inside of cabinet doors.
Why I like it: it gives the room a “finished” feeling without needing new cabinetry.
19) Paint Cabinets a Slightly Deeper Tone than the Walls
This adds depth and makes the room feel layered, even if everything is simple. A small room can feel flat when everything is the same color.
Keep it subtle: small spaces usually look better with soft contrast than dramatic contrast.
20) Swap Hardware (or Add It) for an Instant Update
Old or mismatched hardware makes a room feel dated. New pulls make cabinets look more current, even if the cabinets are basic.
Interior designer habit: repeat the same finish across the room (hooks, pulls, rod) so it feels cohesive.
21) Add Better Lighting (It Changes Everything)
A small laundry room can feel gloomy fast. Better lighting makes the room feel cleaner, bigger, and easier to work in.
Practical tip: if you can’t change fixtures, brighter bulbs or stick-on under-shelf lighting helps a lot.
22) Use Under-Cabinet or Under-Shelf Lighting for Shadowy Corners
Laundry rooms often have dark zones right where you’re working. Under-shelf lighting makes it easier to see stains, read labels, and fold neatly.
Bonus: it makes the room feel more “designed” without expensive upgrades.
23) Add a Washable Runner to Soften the Room
Laundry rooms are hard-surface heavy appliances, tile, and utility cabinets. A runner makes the room feel warmer and is nicer on your feet.
Keep it functional: choose something washable and low profile so doors and carts don’t catch.
24) Stencil the Floor if Replacing It Isn’t Happening
If the floor is ugly but solid, stenciling is a smart DIY. It gives you a pattern and distracts from wear without the cost of new flooring.
What matters most: prep and sealing. A good seal keeps it from looking worn too quickly.
25) Stack the Washer and Dryer if the Room Needs Floor Space
Stacking can change the whole layout. It frees space for shelves, a small sink, or a folding surface.
Reality check: make sure it suits how you do laundry if you’re constantly switching loads, stacking is still fine, but you’ll want a stable basket spot nearby.
26) Add a Small Stool that Tucks Away
If you add vertical storage, you need a way to reach it without climbing on machines. A small stool that slides under a counter or beside the machine keeps it safe and simple.
Designer note: pick one that blends in so it doesn’t feel like visual clutter.
27) Create a “One-Wall” Setup with Shelves + Counter + Cart
One-wall laundry rooms are common in small homes. The goal is to keep everything on one side so the walkway stays open.
How it comes together: counter over machines, shelves above, rolling cart at the end, hooks on the side wall.
28) Use Matching Baskets for Open Shelving
Open storage only looks good when it’s consistent. Matching baskets create calm, even if the contents are a little chaotic.
Tip: mix one basket size for “daily” items and one larger size for towels/linens.
29) Add a Small Piece of Art
(one is enough)
Laundry rooms don’t need a lot of decor. One piece of art gives the room personality without making it feel crowded.
Placement: hang it where you naturally look ,usually above the counter or opposite the machines.
30) Bring in a Plant to Soften the Utility Feel
Laundry rooms can feel hard and functional.
A plant softens the edges. If there’s no light, faux works, the goal is texture and warmth.
31) Add a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack that Folds Away
If you air-dry often, wall-mounted racks are a game-changer. They fold away when not needed, which keeps the room open.
Why it works: it gives you drying space without living permanently in the middle of the floor.
32) Create a Mini “Command Corner” if the Laundry Room is a Pass-Through
If the laundry room is near the kitchen or entry, it often turns into a drop zone.
A small board for notes and schedules keeps paper off the counter and helps the room stay functional.
33) Keep One Closed Bin for “Random but Necessary” Laundry Items
Every laundry room has odd items: missing socks, stain brushes, sewing kits, spare buttons, lint trap brushes, and random clips.
One closed bin prevents those things from spreading across shelves and counters.
This is the secret to keeping the room looking good long-term.
Conclusion
If a small laundry room feels frustrating, it usually means the space is missing a clear system, not square footage.
Starting with one thoughtful DIY change can make the room easier to use right away, whether that’s adding folding space, creating better storage, or reducing surface clutter.
These small updates tend to have a ripple effect, making laundry feel more manageable over time.
If you’ve tried any of these ideas or found a solution that works especially well in your own laundry room, share it in the comments.
Sharing experiences is often more helpful than perfect photos and can give others practical ideas they can actually use in their homes.
James McLaren, with a rich background in architecture from the University of Manchester, has been contributing his expertise to the world of creative construction and home innovation for over 20 years. His journey began as a project manager for a leading construction firm, where he honed his skills in bringing complex designs to life. James joined our platform as a freelancer in 2019, quickly becoming a favorite for his insightful and practical advice. He has been a pivotal force to our wing ever since, bringing our readers a blend of technical know-how and creative flair. Beyond his professional life, James is an avid woodworker and enjoys restoring vintage furniture, a hobby that complements his professional insights beautifully.
