How to Organize a Utility Room — 17 Ideas for a More Streamlined Space

Utility rooms rarely get the attention they deserve, especially when it comes to organization. In most homes, these functional spaces serve a hybrid function — a place to hide bulky appliances, store your laundry, or even take the form of a miniature mudroom. As such, they can quickly become disorganized and descend into chaos.

There's no reason for your utility room to become a place you dread, however. While it's not the kind of space you choose to wile away your time in, making the effort to organize a utility room will make your banal chores a less stressful experience and ensure everything runs smoothly (because, let's face it, laundry days are stressful enough as it is).

There's also size to consider, too. "Typically, laundry rooms are tight on space, so effective storage and organization are key," says Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. "You should always look at what equipment you use regularly, what needs to be accessible, and what can be stored away."

The best utility room ideas are always those that make it a more practical place, streamlining your daily routine and simplifying your life. That might mean adding storage that's close to hand, designating a space for your cleaning supplies, or installing areas to hang, fold, and dry your clothes. Whatever your setup, there's always a solution. Here's an expert guide on how to organize your utility room.

1. Utilize Vertical Space by Adding Storage

An organized space starts with good storage. Since this practical part of our home tends to be on the smaller side, maximizing vertical space is a great way to optimize your storage solutions.

"The best way to maximize space is to install floor-to-ceiling storage," says Richard Moore,
Design Director at the kitchen designer, Martin Moore. In the space above designed by Veranda Homes, vertical cabinets are stretched to the ceiling for a seamless look.

They offer ample utility room storage for the likes of your iron, your detergents, and all those miscellaneous bits and pieces that find their way into this multi-functional room. To Melissa Hryszko, designer and co-owner of Veranda Homes, it's all about "maintaining a clean and clutter-free space".

2. Store Lesser-Used Items Up High

In the professional organizers' handbook, storing lesser-used items up high is rule 101. Or, to put it another way, everything you use regularly should be within easy reach.

If you have utility room shelving similar to that pictured above, daily items like laundry capsules, softener, and scent-boosters should be in the lower shelves.

Meanwhile, the middle shelves should store more infrequently used products like stain removers, washing machine cleaners, and spare cleaning products, with the top shelf reserved for rarer-needed items. As Richard instructs: "Your high-level cabinets can be used to store seldom-used items, such as vases, party platters, and punch bowls."

3. Install Built-in Laundry Bins

When planning your utility room design, the focus should be on creating a space that makes regular chores like washing and ironing easier and simpler. One way to do that is by installing built-in laundry bins or, better yet, multiple deposits.

One of the most menial tasks of laundry day is separating your lights and darks, so consider installing a separate laundry chute for each and labeling the cabinet. Not only will they ensure that your unsightly pile of soiled clothing is tucked away (unlike an overspilling laundry basket), but it will encourage everyone in your family to do their bit.

"Carved laundry baskets are a popular way of making the laundry task easier, enabling all members of the family to put away their laundry in the hopefully correct basket," says Richard Mason, owner and furniture designer at Secret Drawer. "Dividers within the basket further enable separation of laundry, while the pull-out system maximizes available space, making life a little easier."

Melissa Hryszko

Melissa is an acclaimed design luminary, leading Veranda Homes alongside her husband, Rob. With over two decades of expertise, they have established themselves as trailblazers in Calgary's home-building industry. Melissa's unwavering commitment to precision and attention to detail defines Veranda's approach to every project. Her meticulous handcrafted designs ensure that each endeavour, whether traditional, modern, renovation, new construction, or commercial, is infused with individualized care, resulting in unmatched uniqueness and the embodiment of the Veranda brand.

4. Plan Space for Drying Racks

Drying rack ideas should be part and parcel of your utility room design. Freestanding options are best avoided because they can be overly cumbersome, plus they also take time to set up and store away when finished. Instead, choose options that don't impose on your floor space.

"Hanging your laundry to dry is very much part of a utility room, and it’s nice to use wind power once in a while, so be sure to have a laundry maid," suggests Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL Kitchens. These suspend from your ceiling and offer a retro feel. You could also integrate vertical drying racks that pull-out from built-in cabinetry.

5. And Consider Space-Saving Drying Options

If you have a small utility room, consider space-saving drying rack solutions like this fold-out option that mounts to the wall. Home stylist and renovator Sharon Hornsby installed the rack pictured above to keep her floor space free for a more organized utility room.

"It's great for small spaces like ours because it just folds down when you need it and then goes back flat against the wall," she says. "Not only that but it looks good too, and being made of wood rather than plastic, it’s also environmentally friendly."

Helen Parker

Helen Parker is deVOL’s Creative Director. She joined in 2004 as a kitchen designer and by 2011 she had become responsible for deVOL’s style, creating one-of-a-kind showrooms, sourcing antiques and gifts and designing new pieces of furniture and accessories. Over the years, she has developed deVOL’s look and voice, styling all its beautiful imagery, writing for its brochures and website, and is often featured in national and international press. Recently, Helen has starred in and helped to produce deVOL’s Emmy-nominated TV series. Helen’s passion and desire to create a special look for deVOL has proved to be the making of this company.

6. Place Your Appliances Next to Your sink

It's important to think about the layout of your laundry room and how you plan to use it. When thinking about utility room sink ideas, make sure there's room to place your appliances nearby for extra convenience.

"How you design your laundry room comes down to the space available and how you intend to use it, so always start there when planning the layout," says designer Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. If you're hand-washing or spot-cleaning, you don't want to carry dripping clothes across the room for a rinse cycle or wash. For a balanced look, consider putting your washer and dryer on either side of your sink (deep Belfast sinks are usually best for utility rooms).

7. Always Include a Tall Cabinet Where Possible

To keep the utility room organized and appealing, it's always helpful to include a floor-to-ceiling cabinet in your built-in storage. "Tall, narrow cupboards are useful for hiding brooms, irons, and ironing boards," says Merlin Wright of cabinet makers, Plain English. It doesn't need to be wide, and shelving can be kept to a minimum (a single shelf high up will do).

Consider adding hooks, holders, and cable organizers for your appliances, too, to guarantee an organized utility cupboard, too. "For example, we always ensure the ironing board is tucked away in its own upright area, and the handheld vacuum will have its own charging spot," says Irene.

8. Add Labeled Cubbies for Clean Laundry

For an extra level of organization that makes utility rooms a stress-free affair, keep labeled cubbies or laundry baskets for each person in the house. This will ensure your laundered linens have a designated home while waiting to be returned. To label your cubbies, you can use this Pro Bluetooth Label Maker Machine from Amazon.

"We like to incorporate a cabinet with individual laundry baskets for each member of the family," says Irene of Gunter & Co. "This creates a space to store ironed clothes before they are returned to their owners.|

9. Stack Your Appliances to Maximize Space

Forced to plan a small utility room? Stacking your appliances on top of each other is a simple yet effective solution if space is at a premium. Better yet, it will also reduce the need to always bend down to load and unload.

"Stacking the washing machine and dryer optimizes space, but do remember that the cabinets need to be deeper and wider to allow for pipework," explains Jayne Everett, Design Director at Naked Kitchens. You'll also need to make sure you have power outlets within easy reach of both your washer and dryer.

10. Play Around With Modular Storage

While built-in systems have their bonuses, not everyone wants to incur a utility room remodel cost. Modular systems are a great storage idea as they offer a flexible and versatile solution no matter the size or blueprint of your space.

"Functionality is the most important aspect when designing a laundry room," says Zoe Feldman, interior designer and founder of Zoe Feldman Design. "We typically like to incorporate modular storage systems that can be tucked away and pulled out when needed. Everything needs a place to live."

Laundry bins on wheels — such as this ROSOS Laundry Basket from Amazon — are ideal as you can easily manoeuvre them around the room for easy access and fold them away when not in use.

11. Integrate a Folding Station

"For utility room organization, ideally there should be plenty of work surface to sort and fold clothes," says Merlin. If your appliances are set side by side, think about adding a countertop above them to create a clever small utility room storage idea that doubles as a folding station. As well as laundered linens, you can also place detergents and cleaning products on here for easy access.

Don't dismiss the possibility of larger tables or countertops, either (if the space permits it). "When designing a laundry room, I always prioritize function just as much as aesthetics," says Melissa. "A large island is a game changer — it gives plenty of space for sorting, folding, and even a spot to sit while tackling laundry."

12. Install Hanging Rails for Clean Clothes

Good closet organization starts in the utility room, so it's a good idea to install a clothes rail in your utility space for sorting your clean laundry. Hanging rails can ensure clothes don't clog up the space, either on the floor, countertops, or radiators. Use them for airing clothes or hanging freshly ironed pieces that need to stay crumple-free.

"Plan hanging rails that match the rest of your ironmongery into your laundry room design," says Irene. "They will not only provide accessible hanging for freshly ironed clothes but also look beautiful and integral to the design of the room."

13. Integrate a Ironing Station

In a similar vein, don't forget to include space for ironing your clothes, either. We often prioritize the washer, but having a designated spot for ironing might encourage you to complete this tiresome task and stay more organized.

There's no reason you can't make this a hidden storage idea, either. "One of my favorite features to incorporate into a laundry room is a pullout ironing board for our clients," says Melissa. "It’s practical, easy to use, and tucks away seamlessly when not needed. We pair it with a hanging bar close by, so they have the perfect setup to press and hang clothes in one go. It’s little details like this that make a laundry room work smarter, not harder, keeping everything efficient and clutter-free."

Merlin Wright

Merlin Wright has been design director at Plain English for 17 years. Merlin's background was in boat building and cabinetmaking before studying industrial design, so he immediately related to co-founders Katie Fontana and Tony Niblock as they are both sailors and obsessed with traditional craft skills. For Merlin, it was Plain English's simplicity and authenticity in cupboard making, which to him looked 'just right' and still look right, appropriate and timeless 25 years later that appealed.

14. Include Seating to Double Up As a Mudroom

It's common for utility rooms to bridge the gap between outdoors and in. "As a result, utility rooms are increasingly being used as mudrooms too, with a door to the outside," explains Richard Atkins, designer and director of DesignSpace London. "This prevents dirty shoes being walked through the house."

In these multi-functional spaces, you'll need to organize the room differently. "We might add a bench seat with a shelf and peg rail for hats and coats, and the sink can double up for muddy dogs and boots," says Merlin. "Space beneath a bench seat is often useful for storing baskets for recycling, ready to lift into the car." It also creates space for open or closed shoe storage underneath to keep those walking boots nicely organized.

15. Hide Your Appliances for a Streamlined Finish

Allow your beautiful utility room cabinet ideas to really sing and create a chic and organized space by keeping your appliances inside built-in joinery. They can be easily accessed when needed, but it helps a room that's first and foremost a functional one to look more aesthetically appealing.

"Having a picture-perfect home is the top priority, but the rooms really do have to work," emphasizes Helen at deVOL. "A utility room is a perfect place to mix humble style, cool simplicity and proper function. If you need big appliances, go for stainless steel industrial ones, or hide away white goods behind closed doors."

16. Use Open Shelving for Baskets and Containers

A pretty and practical way to organize your utility room is to hang open shelves on any spare wall space. And to make open storage look better, you can opt to add storage baskets in there to keep your essentials. We love this Seagrass Storage Basket from Dunelm and this Woven Storage Basket from Amazon.

Not only can this add an attractive modern rustic aesthetic to the room, it also provides the perfect spot to place wire or wicker baskets for storage. It's also an ideal way to show off any glass jars you've decanted your products into, and perhaps a trailing plant or two.

17. Make Space for a Pet Shower in Larger Utility Rooms

Blessed with a spacious laundry room? Make the most of it with a super-handy dog washing station. Yes, it may seem a little indulgent, but it will put an end to mopping up muddy paw prints and puddles around the house and help to keep the room clean and tidy.

The utility room is also a good place to store pet food, toys, plus food and water bowls. This makes for the perfect way to organize your space as well as make room for your furry friend's essentials.

FAQs

How Do I Organize My Laundry Area?

Utility rooms have various uses, but a laundry area is key. Since the cycle of laundry is seemingly never-ending, you need a set-up that simplifies your routine and works for your space.

"The size of the room should determine what laundry appliances are required and whether adding a sink is sensible or possible," says Richard at DesignSpace London. "For instance, a combined washer dryer may be sufficient for a small city centre apartment, but for a larger home, we’d look at bigger separate appliances and a sink for cleaning shoes and clothes."

As a rule of thumb, there should be a system for dirty laundry (like labeled chutes or baskets); a washer and dryer positioned next to each other; a surface for folding, sorting, and ironing; and lastly, a place to hang or store the laundered items.

How Do you Organize a Small Utility Room?

Many utility rooms are short on square footage, so small utility room ideas are essential to optimize space and create a well-functioning room. Make the most of every inch of space with clever storage ideas. Install bespoke storage that's customized to your needs; this can include wall cabinets, under-sink cabinets, tall cabinets, and open or closed shelving.

Get creative with drying racks, and hang rails or rods in any spare nook, including under a cabinet or open shelf. Ceiling drying racks and laundry maids are also a great idea for small laundry rooms. Hang wall hooks in even the tightest of spaces; we love the pink nook by deVOL above which can be used for anything from cleaning brushes to laundry peg bags.

What Should You Store in a Utility Room?

All of your washing and cleaning essentials can be stored in a laundry room (think washing tablets, stain removers, fabric conditioner, iron, ironing board, mops, and even your vacuum cleaner). It's a functional space where all the necessary but less-than-pretty products can live.

A modern laundry area can double up as a mudroom or pantry area so, if you don't have separate areas for these, you can also store coats, boots, dried foods, and even an extra fridge or freezer.

Time spent in your utility room might not be the pinnacle of luxury, but it shouldn't be a space you dread entering. A design-worthy room with clever storage and optimum organization will make the menial aspects of your everyday routine all the more enjoyable. Put simply, it's the gateway to a more organized living room, kitchen, and closet, too.