Even a small laundry room can add a lot of extra convenience to your home. Whether it’s tucked into a closet behind bifold doors or carved into a narrow room, a separate space to wash and fold (and house detergent, an ironing board, and a growing pile of solo socks) helps keep clutter contained, and the rest of your home more functional. 

With a few thoughtful upgrades, any laundry setup can feel more organized and easy to use. These DIY small laundry room ideas focus on clever storage, practical improvements, and simple styling changes to make the most of every inch. 

15 budget-friendly DIY laundry ideas for small spaces

These budget-friendly small laundry room ideas are perfect for making the most of narrow laundry spaces. From pocket doors to stackable storage solutions, let’s transform even the tiniest nook into an efficient, stylish laundry area. 

1. Stack your washer and dryer 

Maximize vertical space by investing in a stackable, front-loading washer and dryer unit — a setup that’s especially useful if you have a tiny laundry room or narrow laundry closet layout. This frees up precious floor area for extra storage or a folding surface. 

Stackable machines come with safety kits to keep everything secure, making this a straightforward narrow laundry room idea that even DIY novices can apply. 

2. Add a folding station 

A fold-down folding table mounted to the wall or custom countertop over machines is a good fix for compact laundry rooms. Pair it with a built-in laundry basket for sorting, and you’ve got a streamlined setup that keeps clothes where they belong — rather than piled up on the couch.

3. Hang floating shelves

Floating shelves create more visual openness since they don’t have bulky frames or doors like traditional cabinetry. For minimalist interior design, open shelves hold detergents, sprays, and small laundry baskets while keeping the feel open and uncluttered. It’s a simple way to add storage without sacrificing your design style or square footage. 

Find floating shelves that match your space on Onton

4. Convert a closet into a laundry nook

You don’t need a full room to create a functional laundry zone — a coat or hallway linen closet can easily house stackable machines or even a standard side-by-side unit, depending on the depth. A tension rod for hanging clothes and a couple of shelves above for supplies are great laundry closet ideas, transforming even the most compact setup into a fully functional room.

5. Install wall hooks or peg rails

When floor space is limited, the best tiny laundry room ideas climb up the walls. Peg rails or sturdy wall hooks give you a spot to hang damp clothes, bags, or cleaning tools without cramming everything onto shelves. It’s a simple, budget-friendly upgrade that brings order without adding too much bulk. 

6. Mount an ironing station

Freestanding ironing boards are hard to tuck away neatly — which is why they often become semi-permanent pieces of bedroom furniture. But mounted fold-down ironing boards easily tuck away. It’s a strategic small laundry room idea that doesn’t take up unnecessary space and keeps your laundry routine contained in one area. 

7. Use a rolling laundry cart

A slim, multi-tiered laundry cart (think hanging rod, laundry basket, and storage shelf) slides into a corner, giving you instant access to the items you reach for most. Look for a cart with wheels so you can easily pull it out when you’re sorting or folding and tuck it away when done. 

8. Add wallpaper or paint

Tie in your home’s style by adding design-cohesive wallpaper or paint to your laundry room. Simple stripes, patterned wallpaper, or a bright coat of paint brings personality into a strictly utilitarian space. It’s a great way to define a room and make doing laundry feel a little less dull. 

Search for fun wallpaper on Onton

9. Repurpose a mudroom

When space is really tight, consider creating a mudroom laundry room. It’s actually the perfect spot — you can drop dirty clothes into the laundry basket as soon as you walk in and keep shoes, coats, and cleaning supplies all in one organized spot. If your mudroom doubles as your formal entryway, camouflage the washer and dryer with a set of cabinet doors or a sliding panel to keep the room practical and welcoming. 

10. Install a drying rack 

It’s not exactly a clothesline under the warm summer sun, but if you air-dry often, a drying rack is a convenient installation. Consider installing a long stationary rack, which can also double as a shelf for extra storage. If space is tight, a fold-down drying rack can easily tuck away. Either way, it’s a smart swap for bulky racks or hanging blouses and pants in the shower. 

11. Use curtains to hide appliances

Instead of bulky cabinet doors, lightweight curtains keep machines out of sight without adding visual weight to your room’s interior design. Curtains are also easier to install, and they open up small laundry rooms by avoiding the depth that cabinet doors require. 

12. Hang LED lighting and under-cabinet strips

Add good lighting to the top of your list of basement laundry room ideas. Basements tend to lack natural light, so bright LEDs or under-cabinet strips make the space feel more inviting. Plus, task lighting helps you spot stains or sort laundry without straining your eyes. 

13. Build a utility sink 

A small utility sink is a game-changer in any laundry setup. It’s perfect for hand-washing delicate items, soaking stained clothes, and tackling messy cleaning tasks without hauling everything into the kitchen or bathroom. 

14. Decorate with a runner rug or tile mat

A washable rug or cushioned tile mat softens hard floors and adds comfort when you’re ironing or folding clothes on long laundry days. It also brings some color and style to otherwise utilitarian spaces. 

Find the perfect runner rug on Onton

15. DIY a laundry command center

A washer, dryer, and wall-mounted drying rack are just the beginning. Add behind-the-door organizers, shelves, and a whiteboard or calendar to corral all your chores in one centralized zone. It turns even the smallest rooms into a more organized, efficient hub for household chores. You can use AI tools to imagine the best setup. 

Bring your laundry room ideas to life with Onton

Not sure if a fold-down drying rack or a built-in shelf system will solve your laundry woes? Onton’s AI-powered search engine makes it easy to explore smart, stylish solutions. Try prompts like “sleek laundry basket” or “floating shelves for closet laundry room” to find items that fit your space. 

Once you pick a few favorites, use Onton’s Imagine tool to see how everything looks in your laundry room. Just upload a photo and start experimenting with the layout and decor. 

Dream up your ideal laundry room setup with Onton.