“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.” – E. B. White

Gone are the days when doing laundry meant trudging down into a dim, unfinished basement. There’s nothing wrong with keeping your laundry supplies away from your living space. But main- and upper-level laundry rooms are becoming increasingly popular.

Still, it’s hard to justify devoting an entire room to doing laundry. If you live in a small apartment or home, doing so might be downright impossible. When a full-size laundry room isn’t an option, a laundry closet can save space while offering just as much (if not more) convenience.

Keep reading for tips on how to transform your favorite laundry room idea into a compact and stylish laundry closet.

1. Laundry Closet Shelving Ideas

There’s really no better way to add laundry room storage than with high-quality shelving. Shelves offer a place to stow and organize things like detergent and dryer sheets. They can also hold decorative items that will bring personality to your small laundry room.

Source: @elementsdesignco via Instagram

Source: @eleven22construction via Instagram

Source: @hargrovehouse via Instagram

Source: @serene_court via Instagram

Whether you opt for stacked or side-by-side appliances, most closets include enough wall space for at least one shelf. Leave room for a laundry basket or sink underneath, if desired, and install a rod for hanging clean laundry straight from the dryer.

Don’t forget that your shelving can double as decor on its own. While there’s nothing wrong with a set of utilitarian wire shelves, opting instead for natural wood or sleek floating shelves can make a huge difference in your laundry room design.

Place patterned wallpaper behind your shelves for an extra pop. If you’re worried about water damage (or detergent stains), install subway tile behind your laundry room shelves instead.