9 Laundry Room Fixes That’ll Save You Time

The laundry room might be small, but it’s one of the busiest spots in the house. If yours is cramped, cluttered, or just not working right, you’re probably wasting more time than you realize.

Good news is, a few smart changes can make laundry faster, easier, and less frustrating. No fancy remodel required—just fixes that make sense.

Install a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack

Skip the bulky drying rack that’s always in the way. A fold-down or accordion-style rack mounted to the wall gives you all the drying space you need without eating up floor space.

It’s perfect for delicate clothes, dish towels, or anything that shouldn’t hit the dryer. When you’re done, just fold it flat. Mount it near the washer or above a utility sink to make rinsing and hanging all one quick motion.

Add a Folding Surface

Trying to fold clothes on top of a wobbly basket or your washer lid isn’t doing you any favors. Install a small countertop, a piece of butcher block, or even a board across the machines for a steady surface.

It doesn’t have to be fancy—just solid and easy to wipe down. Having a place to fold right there means you’ll be more likely to get it done instead of piling it up somewhere else “for later.”

Use Wall Bins for Sorting

Instead of tripping over baskets, mount a few large bins or canvas bags directly to the wall. Label them by color or family member and let everyone drop their stuff where it goes.

You’ll spend less time sorting and more time getting loads started. Plus, it clears up floor space and makes the room feel more organized. If wall space is tight, use back-of-the-door hooks or slim laundry carts to do the same job.

Add Shelving Above the Washer and Dryer

That wall space above your machines is too valuable to leave empty. A couple shelves can hold detergent, dryer sheets, stain removers, or even baskets for sorting small items like socks and cleaning cloths.

Use deep-enough shelves that stuff doesn’t fall off but not so deep that you’re knocking into them. Keep the things you use most often within arm’s reach, and tuck the extras up higher. You’ll stop wasting time digging through cabinets every time you start a load.

Improve the Lighting

If your laundry room has a single weak bulb, you’re not seeing stains, sock pairs, or anything clearly. Swap it for a brighter LED fixture. Better lighting helps you move faster and makes the whole space feel more usable.

Look for daylight-style bulbs if you don’t have windows—it’ll help with color matching and spotting dirt or lint that’s easy to miss in dim light. It’s a quick change that makes the room a lot more efficient.

Create a Laundry Supply Station

Instead of keeping detergent and supplies scattered or tucked in random cabinets, put everything in one spot. Use a caddy, shelf, or small rolling cart to hold everything you need for laundry in one organized area.

This cuts down on hunting around every time you run a load. It also makes it easier to spot when you’re low on something. Keep dryer sheets, stain spray, and a lint roller nearby so it’s all within arm’s reach when you need it.

Install a Hanging Rod

If you’ve got space between cabinets or over your machines, a tension rod or mounted bar can give you a place to hang clothes straight out of the dryer. No more wrinkled shirts piled up waiting to be ironed.

It’s especially useful for air-dry items, button-downs, or anything you don’t want tossed in a basket. Keep a few hangers on hand and it’ll quickly become one of those small upgrades you rely on more than you expected.

Mount a Small Trash Can

Lint, dryer sheets, tags—laundry rooms build up junk quick. Mount a small trash can to the wall or side of the dryer so you can toss stuff immediately without walking across the room or letting it pile up.

If space is tight, use a slim pull-out bin or even a container with a lid. The goal here is simple: keep the workspace clean and make less mess. You’ll spend less time cleaning later if you’ve got a spot to toss the small stuff now.

Keep a “Lost and Found” Bin

Loose socks, mystery buttons, pocket change—it all ends up in the laundry. Keep a small bin or tray nearby for those stragglers. That way, you’re not shoving them in a drawer or worse, losing them for good.

A catch-all container right by your folding station keeps the flow moving. No stopping to figure out whose sock it is or where that Lego came from.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.