How to Create a Laundry Nook Within a Small Space
When I moved into my apartment, I knew the space was going to be small (480 sq ft. to be exact) which was totally fine with me. Living in a small space with little-to-no storage would really allow me to get creative and flex my organizing muscles when it came to setting up my space the way I preferred.
I like everything to run as efficiently as possible (yes - I can be very Type A but I try to leave room for flexibility) especially my laundry system. So, I decided to create my own laundry nook. The goal was to create a nook that would inspire me to do my laundry while making it as stress-free as possible.
I believe the trick to creating a streamlined laundry system is to have a compartmentalized hamper. When you use one hamper to store dirty clothes you tend to spend more time sorting through your laundry. A compartmentalized hamper allows you to simply remove your clothes and throw them directly into the washer because they're pre-sorted. So, be sure to keep that in mind the next time you're handling your dirty laundry. If you don't have a compartmentalized hamper then I strongly suggest that you consider switching to one.
Now that my mind was made up, I started the search for a multi-sectional hamper suitable for my space and style but I kept coming up empty-handed. I needed a hamper with at least 3 sections but every sectional hamper I came across was priced entirely too high or was too big to fit into the nook. Finally, I hit the jackpot when I went to Ikea in College Park, MD. I came across the Torkis Laundry Hamper for $12.99. My type of price so, now we're talking! The hamper has two sections, so I decided to purchase two so that I could have a total of four sections.
I like that the hamper is lightweight, durable, and the perfect size to fit inside my laundry nook. Even though it's just me living my space, I like that this hamper can be used in a dorm, room for a young child or teen, or even a guest room. It's very functional and can serve many purposes.
I took my creativity a step further by using chalkboard labels and a chalk marker from Michael's to label each section so that I know exactly where the clothes should be deposited. Since I have four sections, I created a label for each section: towels, delicates, lights and darks.
To bring forth some laundry inspiration, I found a cute laundry sign from Hobby Lobby to add to my nook. I don't know about you, but there’s something about words that can breathe life into a space or serve as motivation. If a full hamper isn't a cue to do laundry then a little sense of humor can also serve as a prompt to take action and do laundry. I applied 3 Jumbo Utility Command Hooks to the wall which was purchased from Target. The purpose of these hooks are to hang up my outfits for the upcoming week. I like that they're very sturdy since they can hold up to 7.5 lbs!
I also added a $3 basket from Target to hold laundry items such as dryer sheets, clothespins, and laundry bags. I was lucky to find this basket on a whim while browsing Target's clearance section - which is actually the first place I go to as soon as I arrive. I've used this basket in other areas in my space but it really seemed to get the job done within my laundry nook. If possible, I always encourage you to maximize your space by utilizing vertical storage like this empty wall space. I added some inspirational signs that I created to promote living simple and being a conscious shopper. A conscious shopper means that I buy only what I need, not what I want. When you're conscious about the items you purchase you can eliminate the amount of clutter your space can accumulate. You can read more about that here.
And of course, I used my favorite and most affordable tool, Command Hooks, to hold up the basket. I used two of the Command Clear Large Hooks to provide extra security.
Here's the final look!
Don't you just love when a vision comes together? I'm really happy with how it turned out! I achieved a nook that was simple, efficient, and organized. This system allows me to simply discard my dirty clothes in their designated sections concealed by the closing flap. The sign brings life to the space and takes away the feeling of doing laundry as a chore. If you live in a small space, don't be discouraged, a little creativity can take you a long way!
