Above all else, laundry rooms need to be functional; however, it can be a big ask, considering they're often found in the smallest spaces in our homes. It turns out that Martha Stewart has encountered similar problems in her world, but in true Martha style, she found a solution.
In an archival video, she addressed small laundry room woes by demonstrating a clever shelving system – with built-in hooks – that makes use of every inch of precious wall space.
'It’s no secret that I love homekeeping, and I love doing laundry. In fact, I wrote a book called The Homekeeping Handbook [available at Amazon], and we got a lot of questions about laundry rooms,' Martha says. One such question: How do I make my small laundry room more functional?
'You can greatly expand the usability of your space by just installing some of these great shelving units, and these shelves are my entryway shelves from the Home Decorators Collection,' Martha comments. Since the footage now is 11 years old, it appears the exact shelves are no longer stocked. However, we've found some alternatives that are almost identical – and just as functional as the ones Martha uses in her room.
'This is fantastic – they have shaker pegs, which are also like hooks on which you can hang brooms, laundry bags, and clothes pins. They also have very nice deep shelves on which you can put your laundry soaps, your stain removal kit, your brushes, all the things, paper towels, extra toilet paper, and hand towels. This is a great laundry room now,' Martha says.
Shop small laundry room shelves
Perfect for small laundry rooms, mudrooms, and entryways, this shelf includes three metal hanging hooks, designed to keep bags, keys, and other miscellaneous items safe. It's designed to prove that storage and display don't have to be complicated, and if the style is good enough for Martha, it's good enough for us.
This shelf elevates the aesthetic appeal and increases storage space in any room (though we suggest starting with the laundry room). You can use it as a cat shelf, a place to store jars or your favorite indoor plants... the combinations are endless.
The Brennan wall unit is made to bring sophistication and function to your compact entryway or laundry room. It has an open shelf for storing hats, umbrellas, and/or laundry bags, for easy access. It's also available in 3 finishes, so you can find the perfect one for your room.
Next, Martha addresses the question of which laundry essentials you should keep on hand (yes, even in the smallest of spaces).
'Always keep a stain removal chart… right in your laundry room. Keep a little kit with all the ingredients: the alcohol, the acetone, the vinegar, and the mineral oil. All of these items will help you remove any tough stains. Just follow the directions on the chart,' Martha says. Bringing order to your laundry room, whatever the dimension, has never felt simpler. Despite being over a decade old, we're incorporating her advice at the first opportunity. Will you follow suit?
