Bathrooms that double as laundry spaces are increasingly popular, especially in smaller homes and apartments where maximising space is essential. Integrating a laundry into a bathroom can be a smart way to save space, but it comes with challenges. The key to making it work lies in custom cabinetry that keeps everything organised, functional, and stylish. With thoughtful design, you can create a space that seamlessly combines both bathroom and laundry functions without compromising on aesthetics or usability. Here are some creative custom cabinet ideas to help you optimise a bathroom integrated with a small laundry.
Concealing the Laundry Area
One of the main challenges of a bathroom-laundry integration is keeping the laundry equipment discreet. Custom cabinets can provide a solution by concealing the washing machine, dryer, and other laundry-related items behind stylish cabinetry. These cabinets can be designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of the bathroom, ensuring the space feels unified and uncluttered.
You can opt for custom cabinetry with sliding doors, bi-fold doors, or hinged doors, depending on the layout and your needs. These doors hide the laundry appliances when they’re not in use, helping to maintain a clean and streamlined look in the bathroom. For a cohesive appearance, match the materials and finishes of the laundry cabinets to the rest of the bathroom’s cabinetry.
Creating Multifunctional Vanities
When space is limited, multifunctional furniture is a must. A vanity that combines both bathroom and laundry functions is an excellent way to maximise the usability of a small space. Custom vanities can be designed to include built-in storage for laundry essentials such as detergent, fabric softener, and washing machine accessories, alongside more traditional bathroom storage for toiletries and grooming tools.
Consider a vanity with a built-in laundry basket that can be pulled out like a drawer. This keeps dirty laundry tucked away and prevents clutter from building up in the bathroom. Alternatively, a vanity with additional storage underneath the sink for laundry hampers or cleaning supplies can help keep everything organised without taking up extra floor space.
Incorporating Laundry Bins and Hampers into Cabinets
Laundry bins and hampers can take up valuable space in a small bathroom. Custom cabinets that incorporate hidden hampers or pull-out laundry bins provide a practical solution for managing dirty clothes without creating clutter. Tilt-out hampers are a particularly useful feature for small bathrooms, as they allow easy access to laundry while keeping it out of sight.
Custom cabinets designed to fit your specific needs can include dedicated spaces for sorting laundry. For example, you can have multiple pull-out bins for separating whites, colours, and delicates, streamlining your laundry process while keeping the bathroom tidy and organised.
Vertical Storage Solutions
In small spaces, vertical storage is crucial. Tall custom cabinets that stretch from floor to ceiling make the most of vertical space, offering ample room to store bathroom and laundry essentials. These cabinets can be designed to include shelving, hanging storage, and pull-out drawers, providing space for everything from towels and toiletries to laundry detergent and ironing supplies.
Vertical cabinets can be installed in narrow spaces between the washing machine and dryer or beside the vanity. These tall cabinets not only add functional storage but also draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of a larger space.
Folding Stations Hidden in Cabinets
Laundry folding can be tricky in a small bathroom, but with custom cabinetry, you can incorporate a hidden folding station. A pull-out or fold-down countertop, built into a cabinet, provides a convenient spot for folding clothes after they come out of the dryer. When not in use, the station can be tucked away inside the cabinet, saving space and keeping the bathroom neat and tidy.
This kind of hidden folding station can be combined with other laundry-related storage, such as shelves for laundry detergent or a pull-out drawer for storing an ironing board. By integrating multiple functions into one piece of cabinetry, you can maximise both space and efficiency.
Open Shelving for Easy Access
Open shelving is a popular trend in bathroom design, and it can also be a great option for laundry spaces. Open shelves allow you to store frequently used items like towels, toiletries, or laundry supplies within easy reach, while also adding a decorative element to the room.
When designing custom open shelving, consider using baskets or containers to organise smaller items. This not only keeps the space tidy but also adds a stylish touch to the bathroom. Open shelves can be installed above the washing machine and dryer, or alongside other cabinetry, making it easy to grab what you need without cluttering the space.
Compact Washer and Dryer Cabinets
If your bathroom has limited space, compact washer and dryer units are a great option. Custom cabinets can be designed to house these smaller appliances while providing additional storage above or around them. For example, a cabinet above the washer and dryer can offer space for laundry supplies, while side cabinets can be used to store cleaning products or linens.
Custom cabinetry for compact appliances can also include ventilation solutions to ensure that your laundry equipment runs efficiently without overheating. Proper ventilation, combined with smart storage solutions, can help make the most of a small integrated bathroom-laundry space.
Pull-out Shelving for Laundry Supplies
Pull-out shelves or drawers are a practical solution for storing laundry supplies in a small bathroom. These can be installed within a custom cabinet next to the washer and dryer, providing easy access to detergent, fabric softener, and other essentials.
Pull-out shelves ensure that even deep cabinets are fully usable, as you won’t need to reach into the back to grab what you need. These drawers can be divided into sections for different supplies, keeping everything organised and within reach. Some custom designs even incorporate pull-out drying racks, which can be tucked away when not in use.
Hidden Ironing Boards
Ironing boards can be cumbersome and difficult to store in a small bathroom-laundry space. Custom cabinets that incorporate hidden ironing boards are a clever solution. A fold-out ironing board can be built into a drawer or cupboard, allowing you to easily access it when needed and tuck it away when not in use.
These built-in ironing stations can also include storage for irons, steamers, and other laundry tools, keeping everything in one place and freeing up valuable floor space. By integrating the ironing board into the cabinetry, you maintain a clean, clutter-free bathroom.
Matching the Cabinetry with Bathroom Aesthetics
To ensure a cohesive look, it’s important to match the design of the laundry cabinetry with the rest of the bathroom. Custom cabinets allow you to choose materials, finishes, and colours that complement the overall aesthetic of the space. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look with glossy white finishes or a more traditional style with natural wood tones, custom cabinetry offers endless possibilities.
Seamless integration is key to maintaining a unified design. You can match cabinet hardware, countertop materials, and even door styles to create a bathroom that feels harmonious, even with the added laundry functionality. By coordinating the laundry cabinets with the rest of the bathroom, you can ensure that the space remains both functional and visually appealing.
Smart Storage for Small Items
In both bathrooms and laundry spaces, small items can quickly create clutter if not properly organised. Custom cabinets with built-in organisers and dividers help keep these items under control. For example, a vanity with a drawer that includes dividers for toiletries or grooming tools can keep everything in its place, while a cabinet with built-in compartments for laundry essentials like stain removers or fabric softener sheets keeps the laundry area tidy.
You can also include pull-out bins or baskets within the cabinetry for storing small items like sponges, cleaning cloths, or even laundry pegs. By keeping everything organised and accessible, you can reduce clutter and make your bathroom-laundry space more efficient.
Stackable Washer and Dryer Cabinets
For those with limited floor space, a stackable washer and dryer setup is a great option. Custom cabinets can be designed to house these stacked appliances, keeping them discreetly tucked away while maximising vertical space.
Stackable washer and dryer cabinets can also include additional storage around the appliances, such as shelves for laundry baskets, drawers for cleaning supplies, or even a pull-out shelf for folding clothes. By incorporating multiple storage solutions into one area, you can make the most of your small bathroom-laundry space.
Ventilated Cabinets for Drying Clothes
In small bathrooms with limited space for drying clothes, custom ventilated cabinets can provide a practical solution. These cabinets are designed with built-in airflow, allowing you to hang clothes inside to dry. This eliminates the need for bulky drying racks that take up floor space and ensures that your clothes dry efficiently in a well-ventilated environment.
Ventilated cabinets can be designed to match the rest of the bathroom’s cabinetry, ensuring a cohesive look while providing a hidden drying solution. You can also incorporate pull-out drying racks or bars within these cabinets, making it easy to hang clothes when needed and tuck the racks away when not in use.
Conclusion
Integrating a small laundry into a bathroom can be a challenge, but with thoughtful custom cabinetry, you can create a functional and stylish space that works for both purposes. From concealed laundry appliances and multifunctional vanities to pull-out hampers and hidden ironing boards, custom cabinets offer a range of solutions for maximising space in a compact bathroom-laundry setup.
By incorporating smart storage solutions like vertical cabinets, pull-out shelving, and hidden folding stations, you can keep both your bathroom and laundry essentials organised and accessible. Matching the cabinetry with the overall bathroom aesthetic ensures a cohesive, polished look that makes the most of your available space. With the right design, a bathroom-laundry integration can be both practical and visually appealing, making everyday tasks easier while keeping the room clutter-free.
FAQs
How can I conceal laundry appliances in a bathroom?
Custom cabinetry with sliding, hinged, or bi-fold doors can be used to conceal laundry appliances like washing machines and dryers. This keeps the laundry area discreet and helps maintain a clean, streamlined look in the bathroom.
Are compact washer and dryer units a good option for small bathroom-laundry spaces?
Yes, compact washer and dryer units are ideal for small bathroom-laundry spaces. Custom cabinets can be designed to house these appliances while providing additional storage above or around them for laundry supplies and other essentials.
Can I include a folding station in a small bathroom-laundry space?
Yes, a pull-out or fold-down folding station can be incorporated into custom cabinetry. This allows you to have a convenient space for folding clothes, which can be tucked away when not in use, saving space and keeping the bathroom tidy.
What materials work best for custom cabinets in a bathroom-laundry integration?
Water-resistant materials like high-quality laminates, moisture-resistant plywood, or even natural wood veneers with protective finishes are excellent choices for custom cabinets in bathroom-laundry spaces. These materials are durable and can withstand the humidity of a bathroom environment.
How can I create a cohesive look between bathroom and laundry cabinetry?
Choose materials, finishes, and hardware that match or complement the rest of the bathroom’s design. This will ensure that the cabinetry blends seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, creating a cohesive and polished look even with the added functionality of a laundry space.
