Make a Clean Break With Laundry Chaos

Bins and bags, sorters and other storage — we've got several loads' worth of ways to keep your laundry neat

October 23, 2012
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More
Comment38
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I always feel the tiniest bit wistful when I look at photos of gorgeous laundry rooms on Houzz. Like many homes of its era, my late-'60s split level has no dedicated laundry area — our washer and dryer are tucked in a corner of the garage. It's not the location that bothers me, though; it's the fact that finding space to gather, sort and fold clothes is such a challenge.

Currently I use a four-bag sorter tucked into my (tiny) closet, which keeps laundry separated and the floor uncluttered but also eats storage space. And my "folding table" is the guest bed, which works great — except when there are actual guests in it.

I know I'm not the only Houzzer with this dilemma. If you're also fighting the laundry battle, check out this roundup of inventive ways to keep the piles in check — no remodeling required. What additional tips do you have? Share details in the Comments!
Contemporary Bathroom by Zinc Art + Interiors
Zinc Art + Interiors
This three-bin laundry sorter provides an easy place for tossing dirty clothes at bathtime. Because it's so streamlined and attractive, it doesn't detract from the room's design, and it blends with the palette as well.
Contemporary Closet by The Closet Guy Inc
The Closet Guy Inc
If you have space in a drawer or closet, consider retrofitting it with pull-down hampers. Removable liners make it a snap to carry clothes to the washer.
Modern Entry Maillardville Manor-Mudroom
Here's a solution that works great for smaller closets: pretty baskets stacked to one side. The only drawback is that they don't hold as much as regular-size bins.
Traditional Laundry Room by ReStyle Group Interiors
ReStyle Group Interiors
These labeled fabric bins fit into specially designed cubbies, but you could stack your own customized versions in a closet or on a shelf.
Eclectic Hall by freckled laundry
freckled laundry
When I hear the words "laundry bag," I think back to the industrial-size nylon version I had in college. But these pretty ones, made from mattress covers, suit the soft, cottagey style of the space. You could have a set of them custom made from a fabric that matches your decor.
Traditional Laundry Room by Bud Dietrich, AIA
Bud Dietrich, AIA
Let's not forget the ironing board while we're at it. Without a laundry room, where do you stash it? Here's one solution: Mount an ironing board cabinet on the wall. You can buy one ready made, but a carpenter or woodworker could craft one to your specifications as well.
Traditional Closet by More Space Place - Nashville
More Space Place - Nashville
A walk-in closet also makes an ideal space for installing a built-in fold-down ironing board.
Traditional Hampers by Steele Canvas
Steele Canvas
Colored Canvas Baskets
This retro-look laundry cart would pair well with an industrial or eclectic room. It's so cute that you don't even need to hide it.
Contemporary Hampers by Organize
Organize
Four Canvas Bag Laundry Rolling Sorter - $74.99
Here's a four-bag sorter almost exactly like the one I have. Because my washer and dryer are two flights of stairs away from my closet, I don't use the casters, but in a single-story home you could easily pull it wherever you like.
Traditional Hampers by Home Decorators Collection
Home Decorators Collection
Hampton Bay Double Tilt-Out Hamper - $209
A freestanding double hamper with tilt-down drawers mimics the look of furniture — just right for a bedroom.
Modern Hampers by User
User
Circle Pattern Laundry Basket - $435
I'm not usually a fan of sticking a hamper in the corner of a room. But this mod-meets-whimsical style is so much fun that it might sway me.
Contemporary Hampers by Crate&Barrel
Crate&Barrel
Woven Green and White Laundry Basket - $39.95
Pretty woven baskets in crisp white and chartreuse add a cheerful note to a mundane chore. Tuck them along the closet floor or stack a few on a shelving unit.
Contemporary Hampers by Gracious Style
Gracious Style
Georgetown Laundry Sack - $64
The subtle colors of this laundry bag make it incredibly easy on the eyes.
Eclectic Hampers by Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Ruffle Laundry Bag - $39
A lovely ruffled bag adds feminine flair.
Contemporary Hampers by The Container Store Custom Closets
The Container Store Custom Closets
Horizon Round Crunch Can by Umbra - $19.99
Meet the Crunch Can, a marvel of smart design that expands and collapses as needed. I have four, and I use them for all kinds of tasks — including ferrying laundry upstairs to fold. When it's empty, the can squashes flat for easy storage.
Scandinavian Ironing Boards by IKEA
IKEA
Jäll Tabletop Ironing Board
A portable tabletop ironing board takes up much less storage space than a standard model. Why haven't I bought one of these yet?
Traditional Ironing Boards by Cornerstone - A Division of Richelieu
Cornerstone - A Division of Richelieu
In-Drawer Mount Ironing Board - $345.76
This specially designed pullout features a pop-up ironing board that slides right back in when you're finished pressing.

More: Storage Solutions for the Ironing Board
Comment38
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Comments (38)
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sammyk1ns
@Charleee I lived with a gecko for many years - do not be alarmed if you hear screaming one day - they do that from time to time - it scared the you know what out of me the first time I heard it - a little tiny creature should not make such a huge sound.
   
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PRO
User
Metro wire shelving is a great solution for laundry rooms, where the use is heavy and visibility is key (to prevent losing socks!). Unlike cheap imitations, it is NSF certified: it meets the highest standards for hygiene. Metro wire shelving is easily installed, adjustable and accesorizable: it fits your changing needs.
Here follow some examples of what people have done with their laundry rooms: we thing they rock!
https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/hudson-loft-nyc-schappacherwhite-architecture-d-p-c-img~7f9173dd00f825b9_9-8616-1-737ffe4.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/hudson-loft-nyc-schappacherwhite-architecture-d-p-c-img~7f9173dd00f825b9_8616-1-737ffe4-w240-h360-b0-p0.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="360" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,2496106);return false;"/>
Hudson Loft, NYC · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/a09164c902cd57b4_9-9555/industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a09164c902cd57b4_9555-w240-h465-b1-p0--industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="465" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,7917569);return false;"/>
Metro Shelving Unit - 48x18x74 Black · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/82c12c9c04834767_9-9646/home-design.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/82c12c9c04834767_9646-w240-h359-b0-p0--home-design.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="359" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,20723080);return false;"/>
Garage & Laundry Room Storage · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/0171525602cd5799_9-8811/industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0171525602cd5799_8811-w240-h474-b1-p0--industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="474" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,7917563);return false;"/>
Metro Shelving Unit - 36x18x74 White · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/9d614d4f01cd0a62_9-2039/traditional-laundry-room.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9d614d4f01cd0a62_2039-w240-h360-b0-p0--traditional-laundry-room.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="360" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,4499974);return false;"/>
Queen Anne Laundry Room · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/ae21446202cd587c_9-9015/industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ae21446202cd587c_9015-w240-h263-b1-p0--industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="263" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,7917630);return false;"/>
Metro Shelving Unit - 36x14x33 Chrome · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/laundry-rooms/net-zero-energy-home-one-sky-homes-img~d5411e8a030cecf9_9-8549-1-3cab049.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/laundry-rooms/net-zero-energy-home-one-sky-homes-img~d5411e8a030cecf9_8549-1-3cab049-w240-h159-b0-p0.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="159" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,9356363);return false;"/>
Net Zero Energy Home · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/69b147ae02cd5803_9-9372/industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/69b147ae02cd5803_9372-w240-h360-b1-p0--industrial-utility-shelves.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="360" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,7917597);return false;"/>
Metro Shelving Unit - 48x18x54 Chrome · More Info
   
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anigozanthos Ulysses

once you try using a full size steamer, there's no way you will ever use an ironing board again. They're not that expensive and work so much better.

   

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