10 Laundry Room Updates Under $100 That Will Make Wash Day Easier (and More Enjoyable)

Add a Sorting Station

Your laundry routine moves more efficiently when the clothes are pre-sorted. It's quicker to throw in a load that's ready to go, and you won't miss that single white undershirt accidentally loaded with the darks.

"Having a laundry sorter in the laundry room can make laundry day go much more smoothly because the sorting is already done," says Naeemah Ford Goldson, a certified professional organizer. "You'll have to make sure the family is on the same page, and they know what colors go in which compartments. This can also help the kids get involved with sorting laundry at an early age by showing them where their dirty clothes go."

Decant Into Dispensers

Improve the look of your laundry space by trading mismatched containers for sleek, clear pourers. Reducing the visual clutter makes your space feel calmer—and knowing exactly when you need to replace your products prevents you from running out of soap unexpectedly.

"You can purchase fun and fancy containers to store laundry detergent, fabric softener, and more," says Goldson. "You'll have to make sure you replenish the containers often to keep the aesthetic appeal, but doing this will definitely add a level of efficiency to your laundry room."

Add Shelving

If your laundry area is short on storage, make the most of the walls above, behind, and next to your appliances with floating shelves. "The good thing about floating shelves is that you can use them to maximize the vertical space on your walls," says Goldson. "So if you have blank wall space, you're creating more shelving to store the items that are necessary to have in your laundry room."

Install Hooks

Whether you're drying bathing suits, sports jerseys, or spot-cleaned backpacks, adding extra over-the-door hooks increase your hanging space. "Every laundry room should have a space to hang dry clothes that aren't made for the dryer," says Goldson. "If you don't have the space for a drying rack, a less expensive option would be getting a set of hooks that go over the door."

Add Bins

Organize cabinets, shelves, and other storage spaces by keeping like items corralled in coordinating bins. "Maybe you have a bin for detergent and fabric softener, then you might have a bin for sewing needles and buttons," says Goldson. "I love throwing items in a bin to give the space a neat look."

Invest in Matching Laundry Baskets

Identical laundry accessories reduce visual clutter—and make your space work more efficiently, says Jeffrey Phillip of Interiors for Organized Living. "Visual clutter is created by various size bins, mismatched patterns, and non-uniform hangers; this can often make a space unsettling and more stressful to work in," he says.

"If your laundry baskets sit out in your laundry room (or any room in the house), upgrading these to something visually appealing that coordinates with your home and is uniform will feel immediately more satisfying," he says. "Plus, if they are uniform in size and shape, they should be able to stack, which will save space when they are not in use."

Add a Wall-Mounted Drying Rack

A wall-mounted drying rack lays flat when not in use and expands to offer space for lingerie, sweaters, and blouses. "Wall-mounted drying racks that pull out and collapse are a great way to keep the floor clear and keep the drying rack easily accessible," says Phillip. "Another great option for hang-dry items is to install a closet rod. The rod could run across the room, depending on the width, between cabinets, or even on a diagonal in the corner of the room.

Build a Countertop

Building a countertop—or installing a pre-made version—above your washer and dryer lets you create a valuable folding and storage spot in otherwise wasted space. "This can be something simple and inexpensive, like a piece of sanded and stained wood," says Phillip. "If adding a countertop isn't an option, or if one already exists, consider a fold-down table that is installed on the wall."

Stack Your Appliances

Free up floor space by stacking your washer and dryer, suggests Phillip. Most stacking kits are specific to a certain brand, so this is an option if you have matching appliances from the same line (and obviously, they'll both need to be front-loading). "Stacking kits are inexpensive, and the added floor space may help improve how you can work within your laundry room," says Phillip.

Clear Out Unnecessary Items

"Laundry rooms are often viewed as a closet (and perhaps they actually are a closet)," says Phillip. "This means they can become a catchall for miscellaneous items. To improve the function of the space, spend some time editing and organizing what is in the room." Think about both what makes sense to store in the laundry room and what actually fits—it might make sense to store your ironing board there, but if it blocks you from opening the dryer, you'll need to find another spot.

"This process may take some time and patience (and could likely involve organizing another space to make room for new items), but it will have a huge impact," says Phillip. "Plus, it is probably the least expensive thing you can do to improve the function of the room."