Maximise Your Space: Top Laundry Tips for Small Home in Australia (2024)

Are you trying to fit a functional laundry area into a small Australian home?

Look no further.

We provide actionable laundry tips for small home that will help you optimize space...

Short Summary

• Optimize the laundry room layout in small homes by maximizing vertical space with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, multi-purpose laundry closets, and efficient appliances like a stacked washer-dryer combo.

• Use clever storage solutions designed for small spaces, such as under-sink baskets, pull-out organizers, and wall-mounted shelves.

• Invest in compact, multifunctional laundry appliances and implement space-saving air drying strategies.

Topics in This Article:

• Optimising Your Laundry Layout

• Clever Storage Solutions

• Compact and Functional Appliances

• Air Drying Strategies

• Laundry Room Aesthetics

• Maximising Efficiency

• Frequently Asked Questions/Recap

• Final Words

Small laundry rooms can be quite a handful, presenting numerous challenges for storage and functionality.

But with a well-thought-out layout, you can maximize your floor space and enhance the overall functionality.

One practical way to achieve this is by designing a compact layout.

This could involve tucking a space-saving laundry closet behind a door, complete with a stacked washer-dryer combo, built-in shelving, and a drying rod.

Even the sinks can be placed in recessed alcoves to maximize usable space.

A laundry closet can serve as a multifunctional area, combining the utility of a laundry with the efficient use of space, including extra bench space.

This is an excellent solution for small homes where every inch of space is precious.

The key to a successful small laundry room design lies in the balance between storage and floor space.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that there is adequate space for washing, drying, and folding clothes.

It might seem like a tall order, but with some careful planning and clever design choices, you can transform even the tiniest laundry room into a compact, efficient, and stylish space.

When it comes to small laundry rooms, clever storage solutions are a game-changer.

They not only help you keep everything organized but also make the most of your limited floor space.

One such ingenious solution is the ‘laundry in a cupboard’ setup, which maximizes your cupboard space.

Don’t be shy about using innovative storage options to maximize your storage space.

Some ideas include:

• Under-sink baskets

• Hanging basket organizers

• Wall organizers

• Pass-through laundry wall shelving

• Corner hanging shelves

These options can help you maximize the use of available space, ensuring enough storage space and keeping your laundry room tidy.

Pull-out storage options, such as cleaning agent pull-outs and storage trolleys, allow you to neatly organize and easily access your laundry products.

To keep your laundry area neat, consider vertical sliding organizers and hidden laundry hampers.

Finally, remember to combine open shelving with closed cabinets above your laundry appliances.

This will give you a balance between display spaces and concealed storage to meet different needs.

In small laundry rooms, every inch of space matters.

That’s why choosing compact and functional appliances is crucial.

Consider stackable laundry appliances, such as stacking a washer and dryer.

This can save space by utilizing the vertical height in the laundry room.

Alternatively, you could opt for wall-mounted vented dryers.

These provide an efficient space-saving solution commonly used in small apartments.

For those living in extremely small spaces like studio or one-bedroom apartments, ultra-compact washers and dryers can be a lifesaver.

And if you’re out most of the day or have extremely limited space, consider an all-in-one washer dryer combo.

This appliance both washes and dries within one machine, saving you valuable laundry space.

A washing machine like this not only fits your space but also meets your laundry needs efficiently.

While dryers are certainly convenient, they can also take up valuable space in a small laundry room.

That’s where air drying strategies come in.

Here are some ideas to utilise existing vertical space:

• Installing rods above washers/dryers

• Double hanging rods on walls

• Wall-mounted accordion racks

• Fold down clotheslines

• Mesh drying racks hung from the ceiling or under cabinets

One good example of a fold down clothesline is the Austral Indoor Outdoor Clothesline, as it has the flexibility to be placed anywhere the house.

Plus it is compact and can be folded down when not in use, perfect for houses with limited laundry room space.

These offer functionality and help keep the room uncluttered.

For a more temporary setup, consider an adjustable shower curtain rod in a hallway or a retractable clothesline.

You can also separate towels/heavier fabrics from lighter clothes to reduce drying time.

Remember, prioritising air drying on a line or rack whenever possible not only conserves energy that would otherwise be used by a dryer.

Check out our recommendation below for the best portable drying racks suitable for small home:

Artweger Twist 140

Driest tons of laundry yet virtually folds into nothing! Impressive indeed.

Buy Artweger Twist 140

Sunchaser Mobile Clothesline

Humongous capacity, as spacious as two fold down clotheslines--literally.

Buy Sunchaser Mobile Clothesline

Hills Portable 170

Stylish, washable, and hangs out of the way--folds flat when not in use!

Buy Hills Portable 170

A laundry room is more than just a functional space; it’s a part of your home.

Why not make it as visually pleasing as the rest of the house?

Using white and soft neutral tones can give a timeless look and expand the perception of space in a small laundry room.

But if you’re a fan of bold aesthetics, integrating bold patterns and colors, like classic black and white stripes or bold statement wallpapers, can provide a visual uplift to the room.

Consider adding depth and liveliness to the laundry room’s aesthetic with accents like textured blue panels or a pop of chevron flooring.

Personal touches like an accent wall or French-inspired decor can serve as eye-catching decorative elements that personalize the space.

Incorporating natural accents like greenery and elegant accessories like checkerboard floors can make a small laundry room more inviting.

You can also get creative with items such as colorful wallpaper, framed art, or even a stylish laundry room closet door to establish a unique and cheerful atmosphere.

Remember, a cohesive look that aligns with the rest of the home, or stands out on its own, can be a key aspect of the laundry room’s functional aesthetics.

So, let your laundry room reflect your style!

Efficiency is key when it comes to laundry rooms, especially in small homes.

Choosing heat pump dryers, which are more energy-efficient, can contribute to lower electricity bills compared to vented and condenser dryers.

You can also significantly reduce energy use by washing clothes in cold water instead of hot.

Make the best use of water and energy by running full laundry loads of dirty clothes.

Remember, washers consume similar amounts of resources regardless of the load size.

You can further improve the washing process by using a partitioned laundry basket for efficient sorting, and labeling sections for different types of clothes or family members’ belongings.

To increase drying efficiency, here are some tips:

• Switch laundry loads while the dryer is still warm to make use of the residual heat.

• Ensure that the dryer load size matches its capacity to prevent extended drying durations.

• If your utility provider offers time-of-day energy programs, doing laundry during off-peak hours can result in cost savings.

With these small laundry ideas, you can maximize efficiency and make the most of your small laundry room, even without ample bench space.

In conclusion, optimizing a small laundry room is all about clever design, efficient use of space, and thoughtful aesthetics.

From compact layouts and smart storage solutions to efficient appliances and air drying strategies, there are numerous ways to make your small laundry room work for you.

Remember, it’s not just about maximizing space, but also about creating a room that’s functional, stylish, and a pleasure to use.

Now go ahead, apply these tips and transform your small laundry room into a space that’s not just practical, but also a reflection of your style and personality.