In an ideal scenario, we could simply toss all our clothes into the dryer and have them ready to put away quickly. However, the reality is that many garments require air drying. Whether it’s to prevent shrinking or safeguard delicate fabrics, air or line drying clothes is a common practice.
A frequent issue encountered while searching for a drying rack is that traditional standing racks often don’t fit well in smaller laundry rooms. Even when they can be folded and stored away, they tend to occupy excessive space when in use. Fortunately, there exists a variety of alternative clothes drying rack options tailored to the size of the space you have and the types of garments you need to hang dry. Explore the following laundry room drying rack ideas to make this task a bit more manageable.
Optimize Hanging Area
If a significant portion of your air-drying clothes can be hung up, think about installing a hanging rod beneath a high shelf above your washer and dryer. Keep it equipped with a set of durable hangers, always prepared for use. This approach is particularly beneficial if you have elevated shelves, as it doesn’t consume any additional floor space. Moreover, you can use the shelf above for storing extra paper goods. Just make sure to have a foldable step stool nearby for easy access to items when required.
Install Double Hanging Rods
With a slightly larger area available, a wall-mounted double hang rod can be an effective solution, particularly if the space is inset. Transform a narrow corner of the laundry room by affixing two compact clothing rods vertically, allowing enough room between them to hang items. This setup doesn’t utilize any floor space and keeps your items conveniently out of the way until they’re dry and ready for storage.
Utilize Vacant Wall Areas
For a laundry room with only a little bit of blank space, set up a wall-mounted accordion drying rack that can be collapsed to lie flat when not in use. When it’s expanded, you’ll have a few rows to hang your items as soon as they come out of the washing machine. Keep a few clothespins on hand to secure smaller items such as socks, tees, and sports bras.
Install a Rack Over the Door
Do you have a door that closes off your laundry room? Put it to good use by incorporating an over-the-door drying rack. These racks are often adjustable, allowing you to position them parallel to the floor or at an angle, depending on your hanging needs. Before making a purchase, ensure the rack’s width matches your door’s width and that it can be easily hooked over the top. When not in use for air-drying, you can fold the rack flat against the door.
Ladder
Don’t underestimate the potential of that vintage ladder you might find at an antique store. It can easily transform into a practical drying rack for your laundry room. After giving it a simple makeover by sanding and adding a lively coat of paint, attach it to the wall using chain links. Hang a few hangers on the ladder rungs to drape shirts and jeans. Apart from providing an eco-friendly organization solution, this approach also conserves precious floor space.
Swivel the Tiny Items
Contemplate a sleek multi-arm swivel drying rack for a minimalist touch. These racks can be affixed to a slim section of the wall and come in different configurations of arms, allowing you to choose the suitable number. Designed for smaller items, they offer adjustable arms for your convenience. If you discover a model with a lower hook, you can attach a lint brush or a mesh lingerie bag. For added functionality, consider installing a wall-mounted organizer nearby to store essential laundry supplies like stain-remover pens.
Drying Drawer
If you’re in the process of creating your ideal laundry room and wish to avoid a prominent drying rack, think about integrating one or two into your cabinetry. Customized drawers can cleverly disguise pull-out racks. When you need to air dry clothes, extend the drawer and lay the items along the bars. Once the drying is complete, simply close the drawers to save space.