The Lazy Hack That Turns Your Laundry Room Into A Closet

Creating a functional laundry room is all about smart storage. While the space is, of course, primarily used for washing and drying clothes, it can easily be transformed into way more. Indeed, you can save precious time by creating a laundry space that doubles as a closet thanks to an array of handy bins and baskets. As mom of four Brittany Wallace shared on TikTok, her "lazy" hack may not be for everyone, but it's perfect for busy parents or others who are always on the go. Realizing that it was simply taking too much effort to fold her kiddos' clothes and organize them in each respective room, she decided to store them right in her laundry room.

After setting up one Brightroom Decorative Coiled Rope Basket ($15) from Target for each little one, Wallace simply takes their clothes from the dryer and throws them into the correct bin. While nicer pieces that need folding or ironing are still hung in their bedroom closets, everyday clothes that can be a bit wrinkled are segregated into the baskets. That way, once old enough, the kids can simply head into the laundry room each morning and easily pick out their own outfits from whatever is clean. The bins can be placed right on the floor for easy accessibility or hidden away in cubby holes for a sleeker aesthetic. The method worked so well that Wallace was already planning on how to upgrade it, enthusing, "My next house will have a giant laundry room with cabinets/drawers for each kids clothes!"

This hack is all about saving time and energy, but there is another bonus: it allows children to become a bit more independent. Rather than sorting through various drawers or struggling to reach hung-up pieces, kiddos can quickly peek into their bin and pick out whatever makes them happiest. What's more, this method is totally customizable to your needs and aesthetic. While you can assign one basket per family member, if you just want to utilize this hack for yourself, separate clothes by type like tops and bottoms.

The storage baskets themselves also offer plenty of flexibility. Add visibility and help everyone see what's inside by opting for clear containers like the CONTROL KITCHEN Extra Large Clear Plastic Storage Bins, which cost under $50 for four. Alternatively, match the storage to your decor by choosing a unique material like wicker, patterned fabric, or felt. You can even get your family involved and turn each basket into a DIY project, allowing them to decorate it with their name, drawings, stickers — the sky's the limit. You could also have some fun and create them from scratch, using fabric scraps to craft beautiful bespoke decor baskets. Or save some cash by DIYing affordable storage bins using toilet paper rolls.

One final tip is to consider keeping certain items in their own smaller bins, like underwear and socks that easily get lost. Brittany Wallace stores her kids pajamas and underwear in bins in a separate cabinet within her laundry room, so her kids know exactly where to go depending on the time of day.