Summer laundry doesn't have to be your Everest! Designing a Functional Laundry Room
Let's be honest – laundry is never really "done." And summer laundry? Forgetaboutit…. With wet swimsuits and sweaty changes of clothes, kids home from college or just from grade school for two and a half months, the molehills become literal mountains of laundry that seem to regenerate the more you hack away at it!
As part of our summer series for surviving the summer (college dorm room organizing, pantry optimization, ultimate moving checklist to date), this week we’re diving into those piles of dirty clothes.
Whether you're washing t-ball uniforms, work clothes, beach towels, bedding, or pet blankets, the laundry room is one of the busiest spaces in your home. But for a space you have to spend so much time in, shouldn’t it be a pleasant place to be? Thoughtful design and aesthetics is a good place to start. And while a builder-grade laundry room with a wire shelf and a washer and dryer may get the job done, but it rarely supports the way a family actually lives.
At The Tailored Closet, we believe a well-designed laundry room should do more than hide dirty clothes. It should simplify your routines, reduce clutter, and make one of life's most repetitive tasks a little more enjoyable.
Here are our favorite ways to design a laundry room that's as beautiful as it is functional.
Start by Thinking Beyond Laundry
Today's laundry rooms often serve multiple purposes. Depending on your home, they may also function as a mudroom, pet station, gift-wrapping area, craft space, or household command center.
Before designing the space, ask yourself:
- Will this room also store cleaning supplies?
- Do you need a place for backpacks and shoes?
- Is this where pet food or grooming supplies live?
- Do you wrap gifts or store seasonal items here?
- Do family members enter through this room every day?
Designing around your lifestyle, not just your appliances, is the key to creating a space that truly works.
Maximize Vertical Storage
Laundry rooms are often compact, making vertical storage essential.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides valuable space for storing:
- Laundry detergent
- Stain removers
- Cleaning products
- Extra paper towels
- Vacuum accessories
- Light bulbs
- Pet supplies
- Seasonal household items
Adjustable shelving allows your storage to evolve as your family's needs change, ensuring every inch is used efficiently. And pull-down wardrobe bars take that hang-dry space up and out of the way until you need it.
Add Plenty of Counter Space
One of the most requested features in a custom laundry room is a large countertop.
A countertop above front-loading washers and dryers, or a dedicated folding station, creates a convenient place to:
- Fold laundry
- Sort clothing
- Treat stains
- Wrap gifts
- Organize household projects
Instead of carrying laundry to another room, everything can be completed in one efficient workspace.
Include Pull-Out Hampers
Sorting laundry is much easier when you have designated hampers for different loads.
Built-in pull-out hampers help separate:
- Lights
- Darks
- Delicates
- Towels
- Athletic wear
Concealed behind cabinet doors, they keep dirty laundry out of sight while making wash day more efficient.
Create a Home for Cleaning Supplies
Without designated storage, cleaning products quickly clutter shelves and countertops.
Custom cabinetry allows you to safely organize:
- Spray bottles
- Dusting supplies
- Paper products
- Ironing equipment
- Extra detergent
- Replacement filters
- Household essentials
Keeping supplies behind closed doors creates a cleaner, more polished appearance while making them easy to access.
Incorporate Smart Drying Solutions
Not everything belongs in the dryer.
Consider adding features such as:
- Pull-out drying racks
- Hanging rods for air-drying
- Fold-down drying shelves
- Valet rods for freshly ironed clothing
These thoughtful additions make caring for delicate garments much more convenient while reducing wrinkles and extending the life of your clothing.
Don't Forget the Details
The difference between a basic laundry room and an exceptional one often comes down to the finishing touches.
Some of our favorite upgrades include:
- Integrated LED cabinet lighting
- Soft-close drawers
- Decorative hardware
- Open shelving for baskets and décor
- Slide-out utility carts
- Built-in step stools
- Charging stations for cordless vacuums
- Labelled baskets for each family member
These details not only improve functionality but also make the space feel like a natural extension of the rest of your home.
Make Room for Pets
For many families, the laundry room doubles as pet headquarters.
Consider incorporating:
- Built-in pet feeding stations
- Storage for food and treats
- Leash hooks
- Grooming supply drawers
- Pull-out waste bins
Creating a dedicated pet zone helps keep the rest of your home cleaner and more organized.
Brighten the Space
Laundry rooms don't have to feel utilitarian.
Good lighting makes a significant difference when treating stains, sorting colors, or folding clothes.
Whenever possible, combine:
- Natural light
- Bright overhead lighting
- Under-cabinet lighting
- Interior cabinet lighting
Light-colored cabinetry, reflective surfaces, and thoughtfully selected finishes can also help smaller laundry rooms feel more open and inviting.
Design for Everyday Life
The best laundry rooms aren't just beautiful – they’re practical.
Every cabinet, drawer, shelf, and countertop should support the routines your family repeats week after week.
At The Tailored Closet, we design custom laundry rooms that help homeowners save time, reduce clutter, and simplify everyday living. Whether you're building a new home or remodeling an existing one, thoughtful storage solutions can transform this hardworking room into one of the most organized spaces in your home.
Because when your laundry room works better, your entire home works better.
After all, organization isn't just about creating beautiful spaces, it's about creating systems that make everyday life easier.
Beautifully Organized. Thoughtfully Designed.
Design Driven. Client Obsessed.