How To Make A Small Laundry Room Look Bigger

Hey, you’ve got a laundry room so tiny it feels like a shoebox with a washer squeezed in! I’m right there with you—my first DIY attempt turned a small space into a cluttered mess. Let’s chat about tricks to make it look huge! Start by decluttering every inch; trust me, that old detergent bottle’s gotta go. Curious how paint and mirrors can help? Stick around for the magic!

Before You Start

Before you plunge into transforming your tiny laundry room, let’s hit the brakes for a sec and plan this out! I’ve jumped into projects blind before, and trust me, it’s a mess—think paint everywhere but the walls! Let’s avoid that chaos.

Start with a quick sketch. Grab paper and measure your space—every inch counts in a 5×6 foot room! Note door swings and window spots.

Key Steps to Plan:

List what bugs you most (clutter?).
Brainstorm fixes like wall shelves.
Check your budget—don’t overspend!

I’m pumped to help you nail this makeover! Let’s think smart first!

What You Will Need

Hey there, let’s dive right into the essentials for making your small laundry room look bigger! I’ve messed up enough DIY projects to know you gotta have the right stuff—trust me!

Here’s what you’ll need to trick the eye and maximize space:

Light Paint: Grab a gallon of white or pastel latex paint (about $30).
Mirror: A 24×36 inch wall mirror ($20) reflects light!
Shelves: Floating shelves, 12 inches deep ($15 each).
Organizer Bins: Clear plastic bins, 10×10 inches ($5).
LED Strips: 5-foot rolls for under-shelf glow ($10).

Get these, and we’re set to transform that tiny room—woo-hoo!

Step-by-Step Guide

Hey there, let’s transform that tiny laundry room of yours with some easy steps I’ve figured out! I’m so excited to share how decluttering the space, using light colors, installing wall-mounted shelves, adding large mirrors, and maximizing vertical storage can make a huge difference—trust me, I’ve had my share of DIY oops moments! Stick with me, and you’ll see the magic happen fast!

1. Declutter the Space

While tackling a small laundry room might feel like wrestling a bear, I’m here to help you win this fight! Trust me, I’ve tripped over detergent bottles too many times to count. Let’s declutter!

Start with a ruthless purge. Toss out old rags, empty bottles, and that broken iron you’ve ignored for years—yep, it’s gotta go!

Next, organize with purpose:

Use stackable bins (12”x10”) for supplies.
Hang a shelf (24” wide) for extras.
Store only essentials—limit detergent to two bottles max!

Wow, look at that space! You’ve got this, champ! Keep it tidy!

2. Use Light Colors

Since we’ve cleared out the clutter, let’s brighten up that tiny laundry room with some color magic! I’ve learned the hard way—dark colors make spaces feel like caves (ugh!). So, grab some light paint and let’s transform this room!

Stick with soft whites or pale grays like Behr’s “Polar Bear” for walls. Paint a 10×10 foot space with just one gallon—about $30 at Home Depot. It reflects light, making everything airy!

Also, swap dark mats for cream-colored ones. Trust me, I once tripped over a black rug—disaster! Light tones trick the eye into seeing more space. Wow!

3. Install Wall-Mounted Shelves

Now that we’ve brightened up your laundry room with light colors, let’s tackle some clever storage to max out that space! I’ve tripped over detergent bottles too many times—let’s fix this together!

Start by grabbing wall-mounted shelves. Pick sturdy ones, like the IKEA EKBY (12”x48”), under $20. You’ll need:

A drill (1/4” bit)
Wall anchors for drywall
A level

Measure 60” from the floor, mark spots, and drill holes. Secure brackets, then snap on shelves. Boom! Store baskets and supplies up high. Trust me, it’s a game-changer—unless you drop the drill like I did!

4. Add Large Mirrors

After getting those shelves up, let’s trick the eye into seeing a bigger laundry room with some mirrors! I swear, it’s magic! Trust me, I’ve spilled detergent everywhere trying this, but it works.

First, choose a spot. Pick a wall opposite a light source, like near a window, for max effect. Grab a large mirror—aim for 36”x24” from stores like Home Depot.

Now, hang it securely! Use heavy-duty wall anchors rated for 50 lbs. Mark your spot, drill carefully, and secure it tight. Wow, look at that space double! My clumsy hands did it—yours can too!

5. Maximize Vertical Storage

Hey, let’s tackle the tight squeeze in your laundry room by maximizing vertical storage! I’ve been there, tripping over detergent bottles—ugh! So, let’s use that wall space and reclaim your floor.

Start with wall-mounted shelves. Install two 36-inch wide shelves, about 12 inches apart, above your washer. Use sturdy brackets—trust me, I’ve had flimsy ones crash!

Next, add over-the-door organizers. Grab a $10 hanging rack for cleaning supplies. It’s a game-changer!

Finally, stack bins vertically. Label ‘em—socks, towels—to avoid mix-ups. Look at that space! You’ve got room to breathe now, right?

6. Choose Slim Appliances

Let’s shift gears from stacking up storage to smartening up your appliance game with slim machines! I’ve been there, squeezing into tiny laundry rooms, and trust me, bulky appliances are a nightmare! Opt for slimline washers and dryers—think 24 inches wide instead of the usual 27.

Here’s how you pick ‘em:

Measure twice: Grab a tape measure and check your space—every inch counts!
Shop smart: Look for compact models like the Bosch 300 Series (only 23.5 inches wide).

I once mismeasured and got stuck with a giant dryer—ugh! Save yourself the hassle!

7. Incorporate Glass Doors

While slim appliances can save you space, incorporating glass doors will make your tiny laundry room feel like a palace! I’ve tried this, and wow, it’s a game-changer! Trust me, you’ll love the airy vibe.

Ready to start? Grab a 36-inch-wide glass door—check hardware stores for a frosted or clear one under $100. Measure your cabinet frames twice (ugh, I learned that after a sizing flop!).

Here’s how:

Remove old doors with a screwdriver.
Install glass doors using standard hinges.
Secure with 1-inch screws.

Look at that space open up—amazing!

8. Optimize Floor Space

As soon as you’ve got those glass doors shining, it’s time to tackle the floor space in your tiny laundry room! Man, I’ve tripped over stuff in mine too many times—let’s fix this!

First, clear the clutter. Grab stackable bins (like the 12”x10” Sterilite ones) and store detergents up high.

Next, slide a slim rolling cart (under 10” wide) between your washer and dryer for extra space. I once crammed mine with socks—total chaos!

Finally, mount a fold-down shelf 36” above the floor for folding. Look at that space open up—amazing!

9. Use Reflective Tiles

Hey there, transforming your cramped laundry room with reflective tiles is gonna be a game-changer! I’ve been there, squeezing into tiny spaces, and trust me, this trick’s a lifesaver! These tiles bounce light around, making everything feel huge—wow!

First, pick the right stuff. Grab glossy ceramic or glass tiles, about 12×12 inches, from a local hardware store. They’re often under $5 a square foot!

Next, install them on a backsplash wall. Measure your space—say, 4×2 feet. Clean the wall, apply tile adhesive with a notched trowel, and set tiles evenly. Watch out for crooked lines—I’ve messed that up before!

10. Hang Floating Shelves

Before you even think about clutter taking over, let’s tackle hanging floating shelves to trick the eye into seeing a bigger laundry room! I’ve been there, juggling laundry chaos, and trust me, this works wonders!

First, grab your tools: a drill, level, and studs finder. Measure 12 inches below the ceiling for that airy feel. Mark spots every 16 inches for studs—yep, I missed one once, and crash!

Here’s how: