With laundry rooms moving outside the basement, this key utility room is finally getting some much-deserved TLC. No matter where it’s located in the house, a good laundry room combines practicality with pleasant surroundings. Here are 7 fresh ways to help you make the most of yours.

1. INSTALL SMART STORAGE
Make use of your vertical space by installing shelving. The HomeFree Series Customizable Closet Kits have telescoping hang rods and expandable shelves to fit any size space. Bonus: it will keep cleaning products out of reach of kids and pets.

2. CAPTURE THE CLUTTER
A stack of All Access Organizers is perfect for storing towels, bottles of detergent and cleaning supplies - the clear, drop down door lets you easily see and access what is stored inside. For another elegant laundry room look, dispense your detergent into an airtight canister. And keep track of clothes pegs, stain removers and bleach pens by keeping them in a 1.5-gallon Easy Find Lids container.

3. STASH & STOW SAFELY
Toting a load – or two – of dirty laundry is less of a chiropractic nightmare when you’re using the comfortable yet heavy-duty Hip-Hugger Basket. It’s curved to rest on your hip for easier carrying. The smaller, though similarly smooth-moved Flex’n Carry laundry basket, is designed for easy, one-handed carrying.

4. CHOOSE A PRETTY PALETTE
Hey, it’s your house, not your college-era laundromat: paint your laundry room walls a color that you love: cheerful lemon yellow, serene blue, energetic red, chic mocha. It’ll make the folding go by faster!

5. KEEP YOUR IRON ON CALL
This handy and space-saving ironing organizer has a hook for your ironing board, as well as a special heat-resistant nook for your iron (and room to wind its electrical cord).

6. KEEP A BUCKET READY
Whether you need to soak a stained garment or do some mopping, a big bucket is a laundry room must-have.

7. GRAB ANY GARBAGE
Throw your non-recyclables into the garbage. This stylish trash can is one you won’t want to hide. It’s the perfect match for today’s colorful front-loaders.