Custom Designed Spaces for Laundry
- Why Custom Laundry Storage Is Worth the Investment
- Start With How You Actually Use the Space
- Ergonomic Countertops: Designed for Your Height
- Custom Drawers: A Dedicated Place for Everything
- Hidden Hampers and Sorting Systems
- Drying, Hanging, and Ironing: Built-Ins That Make Tasks Easier
- Creating a Zen-Like Laundry Experience
- Style and Color Choices: From Serene to Statement
- Maximizing Small or Unusual Laundry Spaces
- How Custom Laundry Storage Adds Value to Your Home
- Bringing It All Together
Transforming your laundry room from a cluttered catch-all into a calm, efficient workspace is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make—especially in a home where every square foot matters. With custom built-ins, you can design a laundry area that truly works for the way you live: ergonomic counters at the right height, drawers for every category of storage, and thoughtful details that make the space feel almost…zen.
Below is a comprehensive guide to customizing your laundry storage, whether it’s in your primary residence or a second home.
Why Custom Laundry Storage Is Worth the Investment
Laundry is one of those chores that never really ends. That’s exactly why the space where you do it should feel as effortless and supportive as possible.
Thoughtful custom cabinetry and built-ins can:
- Save time by keeping everything you need within arm’s reach
- Reduce visual clutter, which lowers stress in an already task-heavy space
- Protect your back and joints with ergonomic countertop heights and layouts
- Add real value to your home or second home, appealing strongly to future buyers
- Turn a purely functional room into a retreat, with beautiful finishes and lighting
When designed well, your laundry room becomes more than a utility area—it becomes a quiet, organized “reset zone” in your home.
Start With How You Actually Use the Space
Before choosing colors or hardware, look at your real-world habits and needs:
- Do you fold in the laundry room, or on a bed or sofa?
- Do you line dry delicate items? Where do they usually end up?
- Do you sort laundry by family member, color, or type (athletic wear, linens, etc.)?
- Does this room also double as a mudroom, pet care area, or cleaning supply hub?
- Is this your primary laundry room, or one in a second home that sees seasonal, high-volume use?
A good custom design will map storage zones around your actual routines. Once you identify how you use the space, you can plan built-ins that support that flow instead of fighting it.
Ergonomic Countertops: Designed for Your Height
One of the most underrated luxuries in a laundry room is a countertop that’s the right height for you.
Finding the Right Height
Standard countertop height is around 36 inches, but that’s not ideal for everyone. With custom cabinetry, you can:
- Adjust height for your stature
- Taller homeowners often prefer 37–39 inches
- Petite homeowners may feel better at 34–35 inches
- Work with front-load appliances by building a continuous counter above them
- Accommodate top-load washers with lowered or split counters nearby for folding
An ergonomic counter means less bending and less strain on your back and shoulders—especially important if you’re doing multiple loads on a regular basis or managing laundry for guests in a second home.
Counter Depth and Layout
For a truly functional folding station, most people appreciate:
- Deeper counters (24–30 inches) so piles of folded items don’t topple
- A continuous surface running above side-by-side appliances
- A landing zone next to the washer for damp clothes, detergents, or stain treatment
You can even create a wraparound or L-shaped counter if the room allows, giving you separate zones for sorting, folding, and air drying.
Custom Drawers: A Dedicated Place for Everything
Drawers are the secret weapon of a well-organized laundry room. Unlike open shelves, they hide visual clutter but keep items close at hand.
Smart Drawer Ideas
Think in categories, then design storage around them:
- Laundry essentials drawer
- Detergent pods, dryer sheets, stain sticks, delicates bags, spot brushes
- Stain treatment + “emergency” care drawer
- Stain remover sprays, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, sponges, old towels
- Cleaning supplies drawer
- Microfiber cloths, dusters, extra sponges, small cleaning tools for the room
- Pet care drawer (if applicable)
- Leashes, lint rollers, extra towels, grooming wipes
- Sewing & mending drawer
- Needles, thread, buttons, lint shaver, fabric glue
Consider adding:
- Deep pull-out drawers for bulk detergents and tall bottles
- Divided drawers to keep smaller items from sliding around
- Soft-close hardware, which adds a sense of quality and calm to the space
When you design drawers with clear purposes, you eliminate the “junk cabinet” and make it easy for everyone in the household (or guests in a vacation home) to find what they need.
Hidden Hampers and Sorting Systems
If you want a space that feels truly calm, visible piles of dirty laundry have to go. Built-in hampers and sorting systems are game-changers.
Built-In Hampers
Integrated hampers can be:
- Tilt-out hampers behind cabinet fronts, with removable bags
- Pull-out hampers on full-extension glides, allowing you to see and lift contents easily
You can customize them by:
- User (his/hers/kids/guests)
- Type of laundry (lights/darks/delicates/towels)
In a second home, this makes it easy to handle guest bedding and towels: a hamper just for linens, another for clothing, etc.
Drying, Hanging, and Ironing: Built-Ins That Make Tasks Easier
A truly functional laundry room gives you a spot for everything you do in the space—not just washing and drying.
Hanging Space
Consider:
- A hanging rod over the counter for items that come straight out of the dryer
- Pull-down rods that tuck away when not in use
- Valet rods for planning outfits or hanging items to steam
Drying Racks
Skip the clunky portable drying rack and opt for:
- Pull-out drying racks neatly built into cabinets
- Wall-mounted drying systems that fold flat when not in use
- Ceiling-mounted hanging racks in rooms with enough height
Ironing and Steaming
Make ironing less of a hassle with:
- A fold-away ironing board that tucks into a tall cabinet
- Dedicated space for your iron or steamer, with nearby outlets
- Heat-resistant surfaces or pull-out shelves for safe cooling
These built-ins make the space feel considered and complete, instead of a patchwork of temporary solutions.
Creating a Zen-Like Laundry Experience
Even though laundry is a chore, the environment doesn’t have to feel utilitarian. A custom design lets you infuse calm, comfort, and even a bit of luxury.
Lighting and Atmosphere
- Layered lighting: overhead ambient lighting plus task lighting under cabinets
- Warm temperature bulbs for a softer, spa-like feel
- If you have a window, consider soft window treatments that diffuse light
Sound and Sensory Details
- Quiet-close drawers and doors keep the room from feeling noisy and chaotic
- Integrate a small speaker shelf or hidden outlet if you like music or podcasts while you work
- Use baskets or soft bins to “soften” the look and sound of the room
Visual Calm
- Minimize visual clutter with closed storage for most items
- Use consistent containers (matching baskets, jars, or canisters) if some items are stored on open shelves
- Keep decor simple: a small plant, a piece of art, or a clean-lined rug can make the room feel intentionally designed
The goal is a room that feels like a quiet reset—somewhere you don’t mind spending 15–20 minutes at a time.
Style and Color Choices: From Serene to Statement
Your laundry room can echo the style of the rest of your home or be a place where you take more design risks.
Cabinetry Style
Popular choices include:
- Clean shaker doors for a timeless, transitional look
- Flat-panel (slab) doors for a more contemporary or minimalist feel
- Inset cabinetry for a high-end, furniture-quality appearance
Design details like paneling, trim, and hardware will push the look more traditional, modern, or somewhere in between.
Color Palette
Think about how you want the space to feel:
- Serene and spa-like
- Soft whites, warm creams, pale greys
- Muted blues or greens that feel fresh and clean
- Warm and cozy
- Mushroom tones, taupes, greige, and wood accents
- Bold and joyful
- Deep navy, forest green, or rich charcoal cabinets with contrasting hardware
- Patterned tile floors or a colorful backsplash
If your laundry room is in a second home, consider colors that reflect the setting: soft, airy tones for a mountain or lake retreat; deeper, cozier hues for winter-heavy or ski homes.
Countertops and Backsplashes
Materials to consider:
- Quartz: durable, low-maintenance, and available in many colors and patterns
- Natural stone (like marble or granite): beautiful and unique, but may require more care
- Butcher block: warm and inviting, great for folding areas, but needs sealing
A backsplash behind the sink or along the counter can make the room feel finished and protect your walls from moisture and splashes.
Maximizing Small or Unusual Laundry Spaces
Not every laundry room is a spacious, dedicated room. Some are in narrow hallways, closets, or nooks—especially in older homes or compact second homes.
Custom built-ins are especially powerful in these situations:
- Stack appliances and create vertical storage above and beside them
- Use shallow cabinets for detergents and cleaning supplies without crowding the walkway
- Add slide-out work surfaces that tuck away when not in use
- Integrate pocket doors or barn doors to close off the area when you’re done
With thoughtful design, even a tiny laundry closet can feel tidy, efficient, and surprisingly beautiful.
How Custom Laundry Storage Adds Value to Your Home
Well-designed laundry spaces consistently show up on buyers’ wish lists, particularly in higher-end markets and vacation or second-home areas.
Custom cabinetry and built-ins can:
- Signal overall quality: buyers see custom work in the laundry room and assume the home has been thoughtfully cared for
- Increase functional square footage: a highly efficient laundry room can make the entire home feel more livable
- Stand out in listings and showings: photos of an organized, beautiful laundry room help your home stand apart
- Justify higher price points in competitive markets, as buyers appreciate not having to tackle these projects themselves
Even if you don’t plan to sell soon, you get to enjoy the everyday benefits now, knowing the investment will still pay off later.
Bringing It All Together
Custom laundry storage is about far more than just adding cabinets. It’s about designing a space that:
- Fits your height, your habits, and your routines
- Gives every item a logical place, from detergent pods to guest linens
- Makes chores more efficient and less stressful
- Reflects the style and quality of the rest of your home
- Adds real, visible value to a primary residence or second home
With tailored built-in drawers, ergonomic countertops, hidden hampers, thoughtful drying and hanging solutions, and a calm, cohesive aesthetic, your laundry room can become one of the most surprisingly satisfying spaces in your home—a place where everything has its spot, and even everyday tasks feel a little more enjoyable.
