The Hardworking Laundry: Make Room for Hampers and Baskets
See 11 clever design solutions for collecting and sorting your laundry
Most of us have to make every inch count in the laundry room. But if possible, being able to collect and sort those dirty clothes in there makes laundry day much easier. And let’s give bonus points to the systems that allow for presorting. Hamper systems work better for laundry rooms located on the same floor as the bedrooms or in a home with a laundry chute, while portable baskets are better if you have to head to another floor to do laundry.
2. Baskets under the machines. These portable laundry baskets fit right under an 18-inch-high shelf that supports the appliances, making it all fit into a laundry closet that’s just 5½ feet wide. They can be removed to gather up the laundry around the house and then stowed here. Another bonus to this design is not having to bend over to load and unload the washer and dryer (though you may have to get a duster extender to dust the top of the machines).
3. Pullout hampers. This kind of cabinetry works just like a trash-recycle pullout cabinet, but with hampers for sorting clothes rather than garbage.
4. Between machines. This slim cabinet is just wide enough to house a pullout or tilt-out hamper. Note the placement of the machines — the washer opens on the left side, making pulling laundry out of the hamper to the left of it and tossing it into the machine as easy as possible.
5. Full-extension basket drawers. Also placed between machines, these two drawers open all the way to accommodate baskets. The choice to use removable baskets makes the laundry easy to collect around the house. You could use both for baskets for sorting, or use one for hamper storage and the other for detergents, stain removers and dryer sheets.
6. Rolling hampers that tuck under the counter. These rolling hampers are great because not only are they easy to tuck under a counter, but they can be rolled around the house to collect the laundry.
Hampers: Steele, Crate & Barrel
Hampers: Steele, Crate & Barrel
7. Borrowed space in a recess. If the previous photo made you drool with envy over the laundry room’s square footage, you may still be able to fit a rolling hamper into a tighter space — sometimes space for a hamper might be hiding right near your laundry room. To accommodate a rolling hamper next to the machines, the architect transformed a linen closet into storage recesses. The linens are stored on the shelves above, while the hamper rolls into a small alcove that’s right next to the machines. This hamper has different sections for presorting.
8. African basket. This hamper is a lovely design accent in the laundry room. You’ll need a little bit of extra room in your laundry room for it. I have a very tight laundry room, and I place a similar hamper next to the dryer. The door doesn’t open quite all the way without hitting it, but it certainly opens wide enough for functionality. And you don’t have to use an African basket — choose whatever fits your style, be it an antique wicker hamper or a streamlined rattan hamper. Heck, I’ve even seen a darling elephant-shaped hamper here on Houzz.
9. Wire shelves and baskets. Stackables make room for sorting in this laundry closet that is just 54 inches wide. The homeowner customized a wire shelving system designed around laundry basket size. This system can be used to sort colors and delicates, or for everyone in the family to keep track of and do their own laundry.
10. Slim cabinetry. Similarly, a tall, slim cabinet fits in next to these stackables. Because the washer and dryer are located in a bathroom, coordinating cabinet doors helps the laundry supply area fit right into the room. The lower cabinet houses a pullout hamper.
11. Skirted coverage. This room off a kitchen serves as a butler’s pantry, a home office and laundry room.
A cheerful-patterned fabric conceals the washer, dryer and shelves that accommodate the laundry baskets.
Tell us: Are you a hamper type or a basket type? What kind of system works best for you on laundry day? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments.
Browse more stories about laundry rooms
Browse more stories about laundry rooms
Hamper basket: Rev-A-Shelf, Amazon