I’ve been trying to get control of my laundry room, so I’ve done a bit of remodeling in the space. In the process, I’ve learned some things. The biggest question to ask yourself is: How does the space need to work for me? It’s totally fine if you want it to be a catch-all room, just make sure it’s a functional catch-all room where you can find things and use them.

• Do you want to sort clean laundry fresh out of the dryer, or do you prefer to do that in another room? What about making a basket for every family member, and sort their clothes directly into the basket when they’re dry?

• Do you like to hang damp laundry to finish drying? What about hanging a retractable line above your workspace to hang clothes on hangers?

• Where do you iron? Where do you store your ironing supplies? A fold-out iron can be a wonderful, space-saving solution.

• Where do you like to fold your laundry? Would a counter – or the tops of appliances – be a useful “staging” area for clean laundry?

• How tall or short are you? Can you reach all of your supplies? Are countertops at a convenient height?

• Are you under-using “hidden” space? I saw a great product that looked like a kick-plate at floor level…it was actually a flat drawer that held a stepladder.

Those are just a few things I’ve thought about. How do you use your laundry room? What innovative solutions have you found for clutter-busting in this catch-all space?