Date:  January 8, 2013  |  

Plan your space. When designing a new laundry room, keep in mind that you will eventually store more than just clean clothes here. If space is tight, stack your washer and dryer and install floor-to-ceiling cabinetry for items such as Christmas decorations, the vacuum or pet products.

Counter attack. Remove front-load washers and dryers from their pedestals and place a countertop across them. This gives you added storage for detergents, as well as a space to fold or iron clothes as they come out of the dryer. Don’t forget a pull-out rod for hanging items.

To each his own. Try designating each family member a drawer or cabinet big enough to hold a laundry basket. Not only does this help keep clothing separated and organized, there will be less chaos searching for lost items.

Find your happy place. If you don’t use your laundry room every day, chances are you at least walk through or by it. Make it feel like a part of the house by hanging a piece of bright artwork or painting it a cheerful color. If the space is well-designed, you are more likely to keep it clean and organized.

Closet Factory, Little Rock, (888) 666-0168, blog.closetfactory.com