I've been looking for a retractable clothesline myself! From what I've found, there's really not a whole lot to choose from as many of them look rather flimsy. There is one that I have my eye on though. I have the following saved in my Amazon "wish list" :) and haven't tried it yet but it appears to be more sturdy than many: http://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Clothes-Clothesline-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B0010XNC60/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1VE5X2R1U4V40&colid=2K2STWJTYKO6S

I have three different types of drying racks, and have used them alot, but now I love the clothes line we use in the basement even more. I was sitting drying racks over every furnace vent to dry clothes on rainy days, so we quickly figured out something better. I found 2 retractable (single line) clothes lines at Big Lots for $5 each. In an unfinished room in our basement I strung three lines from each line, for a total of 6 lines. I used large hooks in the studs to guide each line through. I ended up with enough line to hang all our clothes. Occasionally I use a drying rack along with the lines if there are extra things. On the back wall I also have a 6-foot length of clothes rod where I hang all our shirts/tops on hangers for drying. We installed a ceiling fan in the center of this room to move the air and aid drying. No more birds "bombing" your clothing. No more sun fading colors. No more pollen, bugs, or cottonwood fluff (which looks like snow outside right now). No wind or weather worries. I hardly ever hang clothes outside anymore since we installed the indoor line last fall and almost never use the dryer. It's really convenient because we can watch TV in the evening and do the clothes and get them hung before we go to bed. -Grainlady

You all rock! Tibbrix - thanks. Those are certainly functional but I don't think I want to give up that much floor space to hanging stuff just on laundry days. Lyban - YES! That is just the sort of thing I was trying to find pictures of to share with the designer. Especially your 3rd picture. That would be perfect. Rina - like the looks of those but for hanging 20 wet shirts and pants on hangers, I don't think they would do well with the weight. I don't hang many lightweight items. Bpathome - Interesting! I like the idea of an overhead one as well. Thank you. And yes, like you, I like the cottagey white wood ones but a half dozen men's khaki pants that were more wet than dry would probably pull it out of the wall. :) Tibbrix - Ooh yes! I love that Sheila Maid one too. Thank you all so much! This forum helped me totally redo my last house and I can tell you will all be a wonderful resource for the new place as well.

I've done the same when traveling Europe, Uk and Ireland. It's really nice. The cons to using one at home are are it uses electricity and will make your laundry room a little bit warmer. And they don't come cheap. YMMV In my laundry room (faces west and is very warm in summer anyway) I use the mainstream collapsible folding drying racks and a small table fan set on the floor to circulate air.