What you do NOT want in a laundry space
Washing clothes is as inevitable as death and taxes, so we may as well make the task more enjoyable with a well laid out laundry area. Even if the room you have available for the task is a closet, taking the time to plan an efficient design will ensure optimal functionality and that means less time spent on an unpleasant task and more time doing things that you love. Does this Spark an idea?
Bins and Baskets
In a wide closet place bins or baskets side by side, so they are accessible to everyone. If you must stack them, use sliding drawer style bins so you do not have to remove those on top every time you need to get to the one on the bottom. Also keep in mind, there is nothing like color-coding for organization everyone can understand at a glance. For storing dirty laundry until you wash it, choose a white bin for white clothes, navy blue for dark colors, pink for pastels, and brilliant yellow for bright colors. Even toddlers, who cannot read, know the difference between basic colors like red, yellow, or blue, and they will make a game of sorting their own clothes into the correct color baskets.
Wire Shelves
Wire shelves are great in laundry spaces because the open structure allows airflow that helps keep down mildew growth. Use long, wide shelves directly above the washer and dryer for storing laundry products right where you need them. If your closet is particularly tiny, make best use of the space above the washer for a stackable dryer and put narrow wire shelves on the inside of the door instead. They will still be convenient while washing, but out of the way when the door is closed.
Ironing Space
A good way to get an ironing board in the laundry area is to hang a fold down board on the back of the door. You could also follow the suggestion from Closet City and put a telescoping clothes hanger on the wall so you can put clothing on hangers straight out of the dryer and save ironing altogether. (See Reference 1)
Folding Table
There are few things as aggravating as trying to fold clothes on top of a washer or dryer while it is in use, merely because you have no other space to do it. If your closet is too small for a more conventional table, use a wall to install a fold down table that you can put out of the way when you are done. You could even use the door, if you have no extra wall space.
Hang Ups
When you have used all the floor, shelves and walls, there is still the ceiling to consider. In a dinky space, creativity is important. Use tiny pulleys and rope (such as those used to raise and lower high hanging flowerpots) to haul baskets up out of the way when not in use. Stow detergent and dryer sheets in those to save shelf space for other things, such as seldom-used linens, folded clothes or small laundry bins.
Tags: above washer, fold down, laundry area, task more, washer dryer