Wash. Dry. Fold. Repeat. Sounds simple enough, but when you have a small laundry room this can turn into a big mess of a task. Making the most of every single inch is crucial to keep this chore from feeling like one. Max out your laundry room design with creative solutions the perfect paint colors that will have you enjoying the scent of fresh clothes instead of crying over soiled loads. Check out these small laundry room ideas to have yours working like a well oiled machine.

Find the Right Configuration

Deciding on a front loading versus stacking washer and dryer set will depend on the space you have — don’t worry, there are plenty of small laundry room ideas for both configurations! Most homeowners prefer front loaders, or side-by-sides, because they allow you to have counter space on top of them if you choose. Some side-by-sides have risers that double as storage drawers, so you can bring the loads up to your level and hide the unsightly supplies below. You can also build your own platforms to create slots large enough for your laundry baskets.

Stacking washer and dryer sets are ideal for rooms that are lacking in floor space, even allowing a little wiggle room to fit in a sink. Take your time to really think about the best configuration for your layout before starting your small laundry room makeover.

Make Your Walls Work

Laundry room organization ideas seem to be a dime a dozen, but if you can’t make them work for your space they’re worthless. Luckily everyone has a wall or two in their room and can implement at least one of these space-saving tricks. The most obvious would be upper cabinets or open shelving to stash detergent and cleaning accessories above your machines or counters. Make them go all the way up to the ceiling and put the occasionally used stuff up at the top. A folding step stool that can be stowed beside the machines will come in handy to reach it all. If this is too much for you, try a hanging wall organizer, like the kind you might use to sort mail and hang keys, to hold the essentials you use most. A pull-out drying rack mounted to the wall or ceiling is a perfect way to create an on-demand feature in a small laundry room layout, as is a wall-mounted ironing board.

If you’re truly tight on space, add a shallow shelf behind your door. Those few inches are enough to store plenty of cleaning products, plus you’ll never see them unless you’re inside the room with the door closed!

Create Space

Small rooms require you to get creative and “make” space. How on earth can you make space out of nothing? Look for unique solutions and spots that can do double duty. For example, use a sliding barn door on the outside of your room so that you can use the precious space inside that otherwise would have been reserved for the door swing. Similarly, create storage that can be easily moved so you can access various parts of the room as needed — a cart on wheels that holds all of your laundry essentials is a perfect solution. If you have a large enough area for a sink (lucky you!) put a rod across it to hang clothes out to dry; even if it’s just enough for a few shirts it’s worth it.

Another worth-it addition if you can swing it is a spot to fold clothes. A pull-out shelf, a small section of counter space or a board atop a utility sink are all great makeshift folding centers. Take cues from other rooms, like the kitchen, and use a narrow slide-out cabinet traditionally used for spices to stick between or on the side of the washer and dryer. Most of these only require a few inches but make a world of difference when it comes to small laundry room storage.