Narrow & Small Laundry Room Ideas That Actually Work

Designing a narrow or small laundry room can feel confusing — there’s so much advice scattered everywhere that you end up opening ten tabs and still don’t know what will actually work in your space. That’s exactly why I put this guide together.

This is a complete, go-through guide. You don’t need to jump from blog to blog or search for extra tips after this.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

4-5 smart layouts for narrow or small laundry rooms (with dimensions)

How to set up your laundry room step-by-step

Essential items you actually need (and what you can skip) So by the end, you’ll know exactly how to customize your own space — no guesswork.

Whether your laundry area is a tight hallway, a compact closet, or a small utility room, this post will help you understand what layout to choose, how much space you need, and how to organize it properly — without overcomplicating things.

If you read this post till the end, you’ll have a clear plan for your laundry room and the confidence to set it up exactly the way your home needs — no extra guides required.

1. Single-Wall Laundry Layout

Best for: Hallways, apartments, or narrow spaces

Room Size: 5 ft × 7 ft (35 sq ft)
Layout Details:

Washer: 27″ W × 30″ D
Dryer: 27″ W × 30″ D (placed beside washer)
Counter above machines: 60″ W × 24″ D
Upper cabinets: 12″ D
Clearance walkway: 36″

2. Stacked Washer–Dryer Closet

Best for: Very small homes or closets

Room Size: 3 ft × 6 ft (18 sq ft)
Layout Details:

Stacked washer & dryer: 27″ W × 32″ D × 67″ H
Side shelving: 12″ D
Door: Sliding or bi-fold to save space

3. Galley-Style Laundry Room

Best for: Long and narrow rooms

Room Size: 6 ft × 8 ft (48 sq ft)
Layout Details:

Washer + dryer on one wall: 60″ total width
Opposite wall: Utility sink (24″) + cabinets
Walkway clearance: 36″
Upper cabinets on both sides

4. L-Shaped Laundry Layout

Best for: Corner spaces

Room Size: 7 ft × 7 ft (49 sq ft)
Layout Details:

Washer + dryer on one wall: 60″
Counter wraps to side wall: 24″ D
Tall cabinet for broom/cleaning supplies: 18″ W
Overhead cabinets: 12″ D

5. Laundry Room with Folding Station

Best for: Families & daily use

Room Size: 8 ft × 6 ft (48 sq ft)
Layout Details:

Washer & dryer side by side: 60″
Folding counter: 48″ W × 24″ D
Wall-mounted drying rod above counter
Open shelves: 10–12″ D

How to set up your laundry room step-by-step?

After analyzing these laundry room layouts and understanding which design works best for your space, it’s time to move on to the most important part — how to set up your laundry room properly?