Small Laundry Room Cabinets Hacks: 10 Easy Ways to Maximize Space

This post is about small laundry room cabinets.

A small laundry room doesn’t have to feel cramped or cluttered. With the right strategies and a little creativity, you can make the most of every inch of space. This is especially true when it comes to your laundry room cabinets, which are essential for keeping the room organized and functional. Whether you’re dealing with limited storage or simply want to improve the layout of your laundry room, these smart space-saving tips will help you maximize the potential of your small laundry room cabinets. From clever shelving solutions to organizing accessories, these small laundry room cabinets tips can transform your laundry space into a more efficient, clutter-free area.

1. Utilize Vertical Space

When cabinet space is at a premium, the best option is to think vertically. Instead of simply focusing on the available horizontal storage, maximize the vertical height in your laundry room. Installing shelves above your laundry room cabinets is an easy and effective way to store items you don’t need to access frequently, such as extra detergent, fabric softener, or cleaning supplies. These shelves help transform the often-overlooked space above eye level into valuable storage. If your laundry room cabinets extend all the way up to the ceiling, consider adding pull-out baskets, stackable bins, or hanging organizers.

2. Install Pull-Out or Pull-Down Shelves

Maximizing deep cabinets can be a challenge in a small laundry room. While deep shelves may seem practical at first, they often make it difficult to access items stored at the back. This is where pull-out or pull-down shelves come in handy. These types of shelves allow you to bring items forward with ease, giving you full access to everything stored inside your laundry room cabinets without reaching into the back. Pull-out shelves are great for storing laundry baskets, cleaning products, or even extra towels. A pull-down shelf works wonders in high cabinets, enabling you to lower items within easy reach, making them much easier to access.

3. Add Organizers and Bins

Laundry room cabinets can quickly become cluttered without proper organization. Small bins, baskets, or drawer organizers are a fantastic way to keep everything neat and easily accessible. Label each bin or container so you can quickly identify its contents, making it simpler to find what you need in a hurry. For example, designate one bin for cleaning supplies, another for dryer sheets, and another for stain removers. Bins can also store smaller items like dryer balls, lint rollers, or spare laundry bags. This system prevents clutter and helps you keep track of your laundry products, reducing the chances of overbuying or losing essential items.

4. Use Over-the-Door Organizers

Over-the-door organizers are one of the best-kept secrets for optimizing small laundry rooms. These organizers offer a convenient way to store items that would otherwise take up valuable cabinet space. They are perfect for holding everything from cleaning cloths and small tools to laundry detergent pods, spray bottles, and fabric softeners. Not only do over-the-door organizers save space in your laundry room cabinets, but they also keep commonly used items within arm’s reach. You can install them on the inside of your laundry room door or even on the inside of cabinet doors to utilize space that would otherwise be overlooked. With multiple pockets or compartments, these organizers make it easy to separate and store different items.

5. Opt for Slim Cabinetry

When floor space is limited, slim, shallow cabinetry becomes your best friend. These cabinets are designed to fit into narrower spaces or tight corners without taking up too much room. By using slim cabinets, you can free up valuable floor area, making the room feel less crowded while still offering much-needed storage. If your laundry room has narrow walls or awkward corners, consider installing custom or pre-made cabinets that are designed to fit these specific spaces. These cabinets can store small items like laundry detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, or even cleaning tools. Slim cabinets are particularly effective when you need to maximize storage potential without overwhelming the space, helping you keep everything neatly tucked away but easily accessible.

6. Store Items You Use Less Frequently

To make the most of your limited storage, use the higher shelves or upper sections of your cabinets for items you don’t need to access every day. Storing items you use less frequently on these higher shelves can keep your lower storage areas clear for things you need regularly. For example, you can place seasonal items, such as heavy-duty cleaning supplies or extra towels, on higher shelves. Other less-used items like spare laundry baskets, extra detergent bottles, or vacuum attachments can also be stored on these elevated shelves. This practice not only helps keep your laundry room organized but also ensures that everyday essentials remain easy to reach while keeping your space clutter-free.

7. Maximize Cabinet Depth

If your cabinets are designed with a deeper configuration, you can maximize their storage potential by adding adjustable shelves. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize the height between each shelf, so you can store a wider variety of items with varying sizes. For example, larger items like fabric softener bottles, laundry baskets, or toilet paper rolls can be stored on the lower shelves, while smaller items can be placed on the upper shelves. You can also use drawer organizers inside deeper cabinets to help keep smaller items like stain removers, dryer sheets, or cleaning cloths neatly contained.

8. Invest in Multi-Functional Cabinets

When space is limited, multi-functional cabinets are a game-changer. These cabinets combine several features into one piece of furniture, offering more storage and functionality without occupying extra floor space. For instance, cabinets with built-in drying racks or an ironing board can save room by providing two essential laundry functions in a single piece of furniture. Some cabinets are also designed with extra drawers or cubbies for additional storage of cleaning supplies, detergent, or even laundry baskets. Investing in these multi-functional pieces not only keeps your laundry room organized but ensures you’re using every square inch efficiently. With a well-chosen multi-functional cabinet, you can easily integrate storage and workspaces, making your laundry room both practical and stylish.

9. Declutter and Simplify

One of the most effective ways to maximize space in any small room, including your laundry room, is to declutter regularly. Over time, we often accumulate unnecessary items that take up valuable storage space. Regularly evaluate your supplies and get rid of anything you no longer need. For example, expired cleaning products, empty detergent bottles, or unused laundry baskets can quickly pile up and create unnecessary clutter. Keeping only the essentials in your cabinets will not only free up valuable space but will also make it easier to find what you need. A simplified, decluttered space ensures that your laundry room feels more open and spacious, making it a pleasant and efficient area to work in.

10. Make Use of Every Nook and Cranny

Finally, don’t overlook the small, unused spaces in your laundry room. Even the tiniest nooks and crannies can be turned into functional storage areas with the right approach. Consider installing small corner shelves, under-cabinet hooks, or adding baskets that fit into unused spaces. For example, a narrow shelf installed inside the door of a cabinet can hold smaller items like stain removers, clothespins, or even dryer balls. These often-overlooked spaces can provide additional storage for smaller, frequently used items, preventing clutter from building up on countertops or in other areas of your laundry room. Making use of every available nook and cranny will allow you to keep the room organized and ensure that no space goes to waste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Build Laundry Room Cabinets

Building laundry room cabinets begins with designing your layout based on available space. Measure carefully and plan for shelves, drawers, and storage. Choose durable materials like plywood, MDF, or wood for the cabinet boxes and doors. Cut the pieces to the required sizes and assemble the frames with screws and wood glue. Once assembled, install the cabinets by securing them to the wall studs. Make sure they are level before attaching the doors and shelves. Finish by sanding, applying wood filler, and painting or staining the cabinets for a polished look.

How to Install Cabinets in Laundry Room

To install laundry room cabinets, start by measuring the space to ensure the cabinets fit. For upper cabinets, install them 18 inches above the countertop or washer/dryer, and lower cabinets at 34-36 inches. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs, then drill holes in the cabinet backs to align with the studs. Secure the cabinets to the wall with screws, ensuring they are level before tightening. For lower cabinets, check the alignment with the floor before securing. Finally, install doors, handles, and shelves, adjusting as needed for a snug fit.

How High Should Laundry Room Cabinets Be?

For upper cabinets, install them around 18 inches above the countertop or washer/dryer, or 54-60 inches above the floor if there’s no countertop. Lower cabinets should be placed at a height of 34-36 inches for a comfortable workspace. These measurements ensure your cabinets are functional, easy to access, and provide ample storage.

How High to Hang Laundry Room Cabinets?

When hanging laundry room cabinets, aim for a height of 18 inches above the countertop or washer/dryer for upper cabinets. If there’s no countertop, set the cabinets around 54-60 inches above the floor. This height ensures accessibility without overcrowding the space and provides sufficient room for tasks like folding or sorting laundry.

How Deep Are Laundry Room Cabinets?

Lower cabinets in laundry rooms are typically 24 inches deep, offering enough space for laundry baskets and larger items. Upper cabinets are usually 12-15 inches deep to store smaller items like detergents and fabric softeners. The depth of the cabinets allows for optimal storage without overwhelming the space.

How to Organize Laundry Room Cabinets?

To organize your laundry room cabinets, group similar items together, such as detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers. Use bins or baskets to keep smaller items organized and label each container. Consider installing additional shelves or using vertical storage to maximize space. Store everyday items at eye level and less frequently used items higher up. Regularly declutter to maintain an organized space.

What to Store in Laundry Room Cabinets?

Laundry room cabinets are ideal for storing laundry supplies like detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, and stain removers. You can also store cleaning tools such as brooms, mops, and vacuums, along with spare laundry baskets, ironing supplies, and lint rollers. If you have extra towels or seasonal items, store them in the upper cabinets. Pet supplies, like grooming tools and shampoos, can also be kept here.

How to Paint Laundry Room Cabinets?

Start by removing hardware, doors, and shelves. Clean the surfaces to remove dust and grime, then sand lightly to ensure proper paint adhesion. Apply a coat of primer, followed by a high-quality enamel or cabinet paint in thin layers, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Once the paint is dry, reattach doors and hardware for a fresh, updated look.