The Do's and Don'ts of Laundry Room Cabinets
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Choosing the right configuration of laundry room cabinets is one of the smartest ways to create a more organized, functional space. Custom laundry cabinets provide better storage and make your laundry room look more polished and easier to use.
However, not all laundry cabinets are created equal. From selecting the right materials to maximizing usable space (especially if your laundry room is small), there are important choices to make and common mistakes to avoid. Here’s a practical guide to the essential do’s and don’ts of selecting and designing the best laundry room cabinets for your home.
The Do’s of Laundry Room Cabinets
Do #1: Maximize vertical storage with upper and lower cabinets
In most laundry rooms, floor space is limited. That makes vertical storage one of your most valuable tools. You can double your storage capacity by installing upper and lower laundry room cabinets without crowding the room. Tall cabinets allow you to store bulk detergent, cleaning supplies, and seasonal linens, while lower cabinets provide easy access to daily essentials.
Good ways to maximize vertical storage include:
- Tall upper cabinets for less frequently used supplies
- Lower cabinets with pull-out hampers for dirty clothes
- Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to utilize wall space fully
Do #2: Choose moisture-resistant materials
Laundry rooms become humid when washers and dryers are running. Choosing moisture-resistant materials helps protect your cabinetry from warping, swelling, or deteriorating over time. Invest in quality, durable cabinets to ensure your storage system meets daily use and the environment.
When planning your materials, consider the following:
- Commercial-grade wood composites or laminates
- Water-repellent finishes to prevent swelling
- Rust-proof hinges and drawer pulls for longevity
Do #3: Include hidden storage like pull-out hampers and drawers
Hidden storage helps reduce visible clutter and makes the space feel cleaner. Features like pull-out hampers, deep drawers, and tilt-out bins keep dirty laundry, cleaning products, and loose supplies tucked neatly away behind closed doors.
Smart hidden storage options include:
- Built-in pull-out laundry hampers
- Deep drawers for detergents, dryer sheets, and supplies
- Tilt-out bins for sorting whites, colors, and delicates
Do #4: Plan space for a folding station or countertop workspace
An organized laundry room should not only store supplies, it should also make daily chores easier. Planning space for a folding station gives you a dedicated surface for sorting clothes, folding laundry, and treating stains. Incorporating a countertop above lower cabinets adds efficiency without using extra floor space.
Effective folding station ideas include:
- Durable countertops that resist moisture and stains
- Fold-down tables or built-in work surfaces
- Countertop space located near washers and dryers for easy access
Do #5: Customize shelving to fit your laundry habits
One of the advantages of custom laundry room cabinets is the ability to tailor shelves, drawers, and compartments to your household’s specific needs. Adjustable shelving allows you to store different-sized items more efficiently and change configurations as needed over time.
Examples of customizing shelving include:
- Adjustable shelves to fit tall detergent bottles
- Dedicated cubbies for laundry baskets and sorting bins
- Open shelving for frequently used supplies
The Don’ts of Laundry Room Cabinets
Don’t #1: Waste wall space by underestimating height
Leaving large gaps between your cabinets and the ceiling is a missed opportunity for extra storage. Taller cabinet designs make better use of available wall space and give you more options for storing bulk supplies and seasonal items.
Ways to avoid wasted space include:
- Designing upper cabinets that extend to the ceiling
- Adding crown molding for a finished look
- Using stacked cabinet designs when ceiling height allows
Don’t #2: Choose cheap materials that warp with humidity
Saving money upfront by choosing low-cost particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) may seem appealing, but these materials often warp, swell, or deteriorate quickly in a humid laundry room environment. You can protect your investment and improve long-term performance by choosing higher-quality, moisture-resistant materials.
Signs of quality materials to look for:
- High-density laminate or moisture-sealed wood composites
- Water-resistant finishes and adhesives
- Solid hardware built for utility room conditions
Don’t #3: Forget about ventilation for enclosed storage areas
Proper airflow matters, especially when you’re storing cleaning chemicals, damp laundry, or linens. Poor ventilation can lead to trapped moisture, musty odors, or mold growth inside your cabinets.
Ways to improve ventilation include:
- Incorporating louvered cabinet doors for airflow
- Using moisture-wicking cabinet liners where needed
- Ensuring your laundry room itself has good air circulation
Don’t #4: Overlook lighting above or around cabinet areas
Poor lighting can make even the most beautiful cabinets hard to use. Adding lighting under cabinets, inside deep cabinets, or above workspaces helps you see clearly when loading machines, folding clothes, or finding supplies.
Popular lighting additions include:
- Under-cabinet LED strips for work areas
- Motion-activated lights inside tall or deep cabinets
- Overhead task lighting above countertops
Don’t #5: Assume one-size-fits-all cabinets will maximize your storage
While pre-fabricated or modular cabinets may seem like a quick solution, they rarely fit your laundry room layout perfectly. Wasted corners, awkward gaps, and poorly sized shelves limit your storage potential and can leave you frustrated and the space underutilized.
Custom laundry room cabinets can solve these issues by:
- Designing around your appliances, windows, and outlets
- Offering fully optimized cabinet heights and depths
- Tailoring every feature to match your laundry habits
Why Custom Laundry Room Cabinets Are Worth It
Following every design tip in the book still won’t maximize your laundry room’s potential if the cabinets don’t fit your space properly. Custom laundry room cabinets ensure that every inch of available space works harder for you – from personalized shelving to built-in hampers and folding stations.
With custom cabinetry, you get:
- Moisture-resistant materials built to last
- Smart layouts designed around your real-life habits
- A polished, seamless look that elevates your entire laundry space
Instead of settling for a laundry setup that is “good enough,” consider installing custom cabinets that allow you to build a room that’s more functional, more attractive, and easier to maintain.
Schedule Your Complimentary Laundry Cabinet Consultation
Your laundry room deserves the same level of thought and quality as the rest of your home. Custom laundry room cabinets provide smarter storage, better organization, and a more pleasant space to tackle everyday chores.
Contact Closet Designs & More today to schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll help you design a personalized, efficient laundry room storage solution that makes life easier, one load at a time.