10 Small (But Mighty) Laundry Stations For An Easier Washday

A spacious dedicated laundry room has a certain appeal, to be sure. But with closet-size laundry stations trending in 2019, designers and homeowners are coming around to the fact that a lot can be done in a surprisingly compact space — freeing up more square footage for other uses. Take a gander at these 10 little-but-hardworking laundry rooms and then tell us whether you could see any of these setups working well in your home.

1. Patterned Backdrop

Stacked sliding frosted-glass doors hide a fun surprise in this basement closet by Jackson Design Build — crisp geometric wallpaper and a fully functioning laundry zone. The doors slide into the wall, opening up the space to reveal a wallpapered laundry zone complete with petite sink, laundry sorter, drying rack and shelving.

2. Laundry Bar

Who says you have to hide the laundry? In this sleek space by McCarthy Homes, the washer and dryer are tucked below a counter and sink located just off the kitchen. The countertop can be used to fold clothes on washday and can easily stand in as a wet bar during a party.

3. Mudroom Cleanup Zone

An efficient little laundry setup in the mudroom is especially helpful if you have an outdoorsy family or live near the beach — just walk in the door and toss mucky stuff directly in the wash.

In this vacation home by Grouparchitect, closet doors hide a stacked washer-dryer set near the entrance, while white shiplap walls maintain the beachy vibe.

4. Modern Farmhouse

If you count yourself among the legions of barn door fans, consider adding one of these mainstays of modern farmhouse style to your laundry station.

In this space by Caitlin Jones Design, a sliding barn door opens to reveal a side-by-side washer and dryer topped with a counter for folding, a sleek gray hexagon-tile backsplash and ample shelving.

5. Industrial Appeal 

Haven Builders installed a functional garage-style door in front of this compact laundry zone for a unique industrial take on the laundry room. Lift the door to reveal the space, lower it to conceal — either way it’s sure to make a statement.

6. Craft Room Combo

A counter placed atop the washer and dryer can make a standing-height surface that works for more than folding clothes. Positioned in a craft corner, this laundry setup from California Closets of Tennessee provides room for folding when needed but also can be used to spread out big projects.

Tip: If the crafts you enjoy tend to get messy, cover the folding surface before you begin so that you don’t end up with glue on your freshly folded towels!

7. Double-Duty Pantry

With a laundry station in the pantry, it’s easy to toss in a load of laundry while tackling kitchen chores. In this space from Whitten Architects, the washer and dryer are tucked below the counter in a butler’s pantry just off the kitchen.

8. Custom Cabinets

For a laundry station with a polished classic feel, get inspired by this space from Studio McGee. Fitted into custom cabinetry, this stacked washer and dryer take up little space, yet the set is surrounded by plenty of built-in storage.

9. Dressing Room Helper

It makes a lot of sense to keep the laundry near the bulk of your wardrobe — it’s easier to toss in a load and quicker to put clean clothes where they belong. In this walk-in closet, interior designer Sigmar designed a washing machine and drying cabinet fitted with custom doors that allow for ventilation.

10. White and Wood

Sometimes simple is best. In this laundry closet from Concept to Design, the side-by-side washer and dryer are topped with a chunky wood counter for folding and upper cabinets for supply storage.