Even a compact footprint can offer plenty of room for laundry appliances, storage, extra cabinets, and still look good. All you need are creative ideas and smart design tricks to boost both space and style. Thankfully, designers have plenty of clever solutions to help you make the most of every last inch, turning this "support space" into a multitasking, functional, and standalone unit.
Hidden storage flaps, vertical cabinets, under-counter racks, flexible baskets, and bespoke or modular units are all super handy tools for maximizing the potential of a utility room. And if your small laundry space feels short on style, there are ways to incorporate paint, wallpaper, or even artwork that won’t feel over the top—but will still add a subtle touch of elegance.
So, are you ready to give your small utility room some love? Take a look at these expert-approved ideas that combine smart storage with standout style.
1. Color Drench the Small Utility Room to Boost Style
How often do you really think about sprucing up the utility room design — a space that’s almost always seen as purely functional? But with just a fresh coat of paint or a pop of color, you can completely transform it and make it feel far more inviting. Think of the hours you spend doing chores in here — wouldn't you want to make it just a little more enjoyable?
This laundry room by Maggie Glendenning of Maggie + Co Studio is a great example if you're willing to give this room a big dose of color. She says: “This laundry room was designed to make doing laundry fun again. We color-drenched the space and cabinetry in a buttery yellow and added retro-inspired flooring to bring in depth and playfulness—creating a space you’ll actually want to spend time in.”
2. Don't be Afraid of Pattern in a Small Utility Room
And speaking of design — if paint feels too permanent or even a bit one-dimensional (some colors can fall flat, agreed!), then utility room wallpaper might be the better option. Take this space by Amber Guyton of Blessed Little Bungalow, for instance, tucked just off a hallway. Ideally, you wouldn't even notice it due to its modest footprint. But the patterned wallpaper, which wraps around the surrounding walls, brings this small space to life.
Despite its size, the room also accommodates generous storage, thanks to the baskets and built-in cabinets.
“Upon moving in, my entire bungalow was painted in builder beige, and the laundry and mudroom space was a total blank canvas,” she says. “I decided to add cabinetry for laundry storage, with a functional hanging rod in between, and installed a butcher block counter above the washer and dryer. For a nostalgic nod to my grandparents’ breakfast nooks and laundry rooms, I covered the walls in a bohemian metallic wallpaper by Jungalow to help brighten up those laundry days when I’m not exactly in the mood to wash and fold. Lastly, I painted the cabinets in Clare Paint’s Current Mood to match my kitchen, added brass hardware, and finished with a pop of pink on the back door—just to bring a little fun into the space.”
3. Hide it Behind a Sliding Door
Don’t air your dirty laundry in public — hide it behind sliding doors! If your utility room is visible from the living, dining, or kitchen area where you’re likely to host guests, consider concealing it in a sleek, stylish way. This narrow utility room, for example, is tucked behind a fluted wooden sliding door that adds a touch of elegance to both the laundry zone and the adjoining spaces.
“This laundry room was part of a larger renovation project and is located within the sitting area of the home's guest quarters,” shares Tracy Parkinson of Nest+ Company. “Due to its visibility, we aimed to create a more decorative design than a typical laundry room. The backsplash tile complements the beadboard sliding door, and the wallpapered side walls add a soft touch.”
4. Make Use of the Room's Vertical Space
Maximize laundry room storage by making full use of vertical space. In this design by Meera Pendred of First Sense Interiors, a floor-to-ceiling hidden laundry cabinet neatly houses the machines while maintaining a clean, streamlined look. It also includes a built-in laundry rail, perfect for hanging clothes straight from the wash.
“This utility room was designed to maximize functionality within a compact footprint while maintaining a calm, considered aesthetic,” says Meera. “Every element was carefully planned to create a hardworking yet classically beautiful space that feels effortless to use—balancing practical storage, durable surfaces, and thoughtful details.”
5. Add a Hidden Laundry Storage
The best way to organize a laundry room is by opting for a sleek, minimalist design that prioritizes order. Choose smooth cabinet finishes, a muted color palette, and incorporate hidden storage to keep all the laundry-day essentials neatly out of sight.
A pull-out laundry hamper, a hidden drawer for soaps and detergents, and a sleek built-in unit to house the machines are all smart ways to keep the space looking streamlined and clutter-free. “By cleverly concealing certain elements, we created the illusion of bespoke joinery, seamlessly blending form and function,” share Darren Genner and Simona Castagna of Studio Minosa. “The space, when not in use, becomes a sleek, integrated one.”
6. Build a Drying Rack Into the Cabinetry of a Small Utility Room
This earthy, organic laundry room has charm and timeless style, thanks to the materials used here. But other than that, there are several clever small laundry room storage ideas that you could take cues from.
“This laundry room was never going to be an afterthought—it had to feel intentional, timeless, and undeniably chic,” explains Molly Kidd, founder and principal designer of Molly Kidd Studio. “I wanted this new build to have soul, something that felt as if it had been here forever yet still had a striking presence. Over-grouted brick walls add depth and texture, while oversized limestone pavers ground the space with an old-world elegance. The materials do the talking — raw, organic, and full of character.”
“Of course, form follows function,” she adds. “Every detail was designed for effortless utility: ample storage to keep things streamlined, pull-down drying racks that disappear when not in use, and leathered granite countertops that bring both durability and a tactile richness. It’s a study in contrasts—rugged yet refined, high-design yet entirely livable. Because even the most utilitarian spaces deserve to be unforgettable.”
7. Don't Be Afraid to Paint the Room a Dark Color
Creating a chic ambiance in a room that is mainly functional will help to make lighter work of the laundry experience. Think of dark paint ideas for the walls to boost character.
"Light colors are not the only option for a small laundry room," says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. "I love to embrace a small room and create a dramatic and intimate interior with intense cocooning colors, such as our Dark Brunswick Green."
8. Install a Mini Hanging Rail for Extra Functionality
Choose inventive ideas for utility storage by utilizing any nooks and crannies that would otherwise be wasted.
Tiffany Leighof Tiffany Leigh Design got creative with this small amount of wall space between a wall cabinet and the sink by installing a mini hanging rail. It's great for extra laundry room storage and ideal for children's clothes or other small items like tea towels and cloths.
Hanging rails are a great idea for any laundry room and can be placed along any spare wall space or even underneath open shelving for extra organizational points.
9. Let There Be Light
"You can transform your small laundry room in seconds by considering just a few simple things: colour, laundry room lighting ideas, and storage," says George Miller of Neptune.
"In a small room, we would usually try and encourage as much light as possible, so making the most of windows during the day, and spotlights to create as much light in the room as you can."
Adding texture, like marble countertops and wood cladding, also helps to create a cozy and stylish finish.
10. Keep Cabinets and Walls Neutral
George also suggests sticking to a neutral palette to create some tranquility in a room that's essentially for working in. If your utility room flooring is already a dark shade, consider neutral cabinets.
He comments: "Painting the walls and cabinetry in neutral shades will create a calming space and, hopefully, make the space feel a little bigger. Paired with laundry baskets for additional storage, this creates a stylish and homely space for cleaning up and keeping organized."
11. Hide Appliances Behind Stylish Door Fronts
Keep a small utility room looking pretty by hiding appliances behind chic door fronts. Lindye Galloway of Lindye Galloway Design Studio shows here how you can use stylish Shaker-style laundry room cabinet ideas to create a nook for your washing machine and tumble dryer, so when they're not in use, the room looks more inviting.
She says: "Love these little hideaway doors we designed so you can keep the laundry room looking pretty no matter how many loads are ahead!"
12. Invest in Wall-Hung Foldable Drying Racks
Keep clutter off the floor and utilize wall space with a collapsible wall-hung drying rack. The stylish example from Garden Trading above has three height options and folds flat after use to conserve space conveniently.
Pop linens, tea towels, shirts, or tops on the rail to dry and keep other areas clutter-free at the same time.
13. No Wall Space? Hang the Rack From the Ceiling
The key to maximizing a small laundry room? Make the most of every bit of available space. A hangin rack is the best way to dry laundry indoors when the weather is unsuitable or when the outdoor space is limited. Use the entire length of the ceiling, and air your clothes without taking up radiator or floor space. It's an efficient way to utilize space that would otherwise go unused.
14. Use Multiple Styles of Storage for Optimum Efficiency
A great way to boost usability in a small laundry room is "with plenty of different storage options for all the items you need," says Claire Wilks of Garden Trading. "Go for built-in cabinets, glass bottles for detergents, shelving for stacking, a hanging rail, and a set of baskets and trays to have everything neatly grouped."
This perfectly pretty and masterfully organized laundry room by Marie Flanigan Interiors above shows how you can utilize multiple styles of storage, from rails to laundry baskets, to keep the space clean and tidy.
15. Make the Most of Wall Space With Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
The more storage ideas you can have in a small laundry room the better. A great way to maximize wall space? Floor-to-ceiling cupboards.
Even if you can only fit one tall unit alongside your other cabinets, the space will be ultra-handy for storing everything from fabric conditioner to pegs and laundered linens. Any taller items, like mops or an ironing board, can also be put away in a full-height cupboard. "In a narrow room, a lift-up bench seat with storage underneath makes the space more efficient," says Chris Scott of property design and development company Mascot.
If you're looking to store lots of smaller items in baskets and boxes, you can add multiple shelves inside a tall cupboard; or perhaps you'd find a hanging rail for shirts and other items more useful.
16. Try Modular Shelving for Flexible Storage
"Laundry rooms have become a desirable must-have at home but are often compact," says Peter Erlandsson, co-owner of String Furniture.
"Modular, open shelving ideas provide a great way to fit storage into small spaces. The best thing about modular furniture is that it really can be installed anywhere. There are only two things you need to consider. The first is making sure your shelving is deep and tall enough to store your belongings but narrow enough that it doesn’t compromise your precious square footage."
"The second is making sure you use a mix of open shelving and cabinet styles to create a display unit that is flexible enough to hide the things you don’t want on show," adds Peter. "You can design a modular shelving system to suit any space with a range of shelving sizes."
Using minimal materials, these modular shelving units also offer a pared-back Scandi-style look for a clean-lined finish.
17. Introduce a Vintage-Style Pulley in the Utility Room
If you're short on square footage but have reasonably high ceilings, try stacking your tumble dryer on top of your washing machine to free up more space.
Finish by adding rustic decor and a vintage-style pulley for a modern farmhouse kitchen feel. A touch of marble will always add a dash of decadence to make doing the laundry a little more pleasurable — and this is one of the prettiest laundry room sink ideas we've seen.
"To make your utility feel even larger, there is an age-old doctrine of using light colors on walls to make your home look bigger," adds Peter.
18. Get Creative With Beautiful Fabric
For a softer take on storage and a stylish way to add print, color, and texture, do like the French and try using pleated curtains to keep products hidden.
"In a small laundry room, sometimes you have to get creative with storage solutions," says Kim Armstrong, principal designer and owner of Kim Armstrong Interior Design.
"In this space, the green laundry room cabinet ideas add a fun pop of color, and the skirted sink is not only functional for hiding plumbing and supplies but also beautiful."
19. Play With Pattern to Add Depth and Interest
“Laundry rooms are a great place to bring in pattern and movement,” explains Kim. “These spaces are typically quite simple and don’t have many layers of interest, so when you have the chance to introduce pattern in this relatively small area, go for it—it adds instant depth and character.”
If your laundry zone is tucked into the kitchen, patterned kitchen tiles can help visually define and energize the space. “Patterns can be added just about anywhere—on the walls, the floors, and even the ceiling!”
Kim adds, “I’d say, have fun with this space and push your comfort zone just a little. It’ll pay off in big ways.”
20. Utilize Hooks On Any Spare Wall Space
Wall hooks are an easy way to keep things organized in a small laundry room, which can easily get overwhelmed and cluttered.
Whether you use a peg rail or separate, singular hooks, they can be used for hanging brushes, peg bags, cloths, and even coats if your utility is doubling up as a mudroom too.
21. Create Corner Shelves to Maximize Storage
Fitted corner shelves are an innovative way to utilize every bit of spare space, and will offer a much-needed extra storage spot for anything from decorative items to necessities like washing powder. A great way to further organize a corner cabinet is by inserting a lazy suzan, pull-out shelves or stackable bins inside them.
Bring the outside in with a pretty trailing plant, or pop your glass storage jars here for easy access to all your essentials.
No matter how small your utility room may be, you can stretch its potential with clever ideas like hidden storage, wall-mounted and ceiling racks, and pull-out shelves. And don’t forget to add a touch of color, pattern, or art to the space—so it always feels welcoming and brings a little joy to the daily routine.
FAQs
How Can a Small Utility Room be Functional?
Surprisingly, a small utility room can extremely efficient and beautiful if you use clever design ideas. You can maximize storage by utilizing the vertical space by adding tall cabinets and open shelving. You can also insert stackable or compact appliances to free up floor area. Consider hidden storage, pull-out drawers, and wall-mounted drying racks to keep essentials organized and out of sight. Don't forget to incorporate durable materials, good lighting, and a touch of personality—with patterned tiles or colorful cabinetry—to transform the space into a hardworking yet inviting corner of the home.
How Can I Maximize My Tiny Laundry Room?
Maximize space in your small laundry room by efficiently using all of the available areas, that includes wall and floor space. "From stackable washers and dryers to hanging rods, collapsible shelving and drying racks, it’s important to consider layout when looking to maximize efficiency," says designer Marie Flanigan. "Also, consider your day-to-day function and what thoughtful additions would benefit your lifestyle."
How Much Space is Needed for a Small Utility Room?
Even a small space, can pack a punch, and accomodate all your needs. Plan the room's layout well. "The main thing you need to account for is your washer and dryer," says Marie. "If possible, include baskets to hold detergents and other necessities to keep the small space tidy. Hooks are also a space-saver that add great laundry room function."
Where Can I Place the Utility Room in a Small House?
Where your laundry room is located can often depend on your home’s layout.
"Unless you’re building a new home, most homes typically have a designated laundry room," says Marie. "Sometimes, the laundry room is on the second floor of the home where the bedrooms and bathrooms are located. As a mother of three, I often like the laundry room near the back entrance of the home, making it a great drop zone for kids’ clothes and layers."
Tiffany Leigh adds: "If your house is small, consider simply using a closet for your laundry space."
