How to Maximize Space in the Laundry Room |
Why is it that this room always seems to have laundry soap in the wrong places, nothing is within reach and we never have enough room?
Probably because no one has ever really taken the time, to decide what needs to be in this space and where it should be.
Should we have shelves, bins or storage containers?
Should we have good lighting?
Should there be a small clothes pole?
I
say YES, to all of these questions. Anyone that has ever done laundry
knows how maddening it is to pull clothes out of the dryer, put the
clothes on hangers, so they do not wrinkle, and then not have anywhere
to put the hanger!
I
have concluded that whoever came up with the wonderful idea of every
home having a laundry room, — never did laundry! If they had, they
would have given it some careful consideration and created an actual
work area that was compatible with what the chore itself entailed.
So, let's organize your laundry and make it a workable room!
- Place a shelf, above the washer, that has enough room for soap (the type with the spigot to fill the cup of soap), bleach, non-chlorine bleach, baking soda and liquid fabric softener. It is easier and takes less time to have everything within an arms reach, than to have to go into a cupboard to retrieve the items.
- Place one 'wall' cabinet in the area, in which to hold extra's, stain releasers etc.
- From this cabinet, to the wall, have a short clothes pole that will extend over the back of the dryer area. You will want this to be above your dryer because it will take less time and movement to hang the clothes.
- If you have the space, you may also want to have a table, cupboard top or work area that you can use to fold your clothes.
- Underneath this area, have some open shelves in which you can store laundry baskets that are a different color, for every family member. This way, everyone has a specific color and automatically knows when they have clothes to put away. Do not forget to have one basket for towels, sheets etc.
- I also have a small little basket, on my shelf with the laundry detergent, which I use to hold little, mini lingerie bags. These come in handy for throwing small children's' socks in, slipper socks, nylons etc. They are thrown right in the washer and dryer, you never loose a matching sock or nylon and nothing manages to get snagged or wrapped around them.
- On the inside of the cabinet door, you can hand a small child size shoe organizer that will hold, safety pins,clothes pins, a sewing kit or any other things you deem necessary.
Just imagine the time and steps you will save, not to mention the amount of stress and frustration that you can eliminate from your life, by having organization take over the laundry room!
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer that offers tips and hints on organizing and cleaning to help you take the stress out of life. Get other shortcuts at Easy Home Organizing.
