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The holiday season arrives quickly, and with guests, beach days, family events and Christmas hosting, your laundry can either support a smooth, stress-free summer – or become the most chaotic room in the house. Pre-holiday laundry organisation helps you stay ahead of the festive rush, keep the home feeling calm, and avoid last-minute clutter piling up.
Whether you’re preparing for visitors or refreshing your home for the new year, these practical laundry storage solutions, decluttering methods and home prep tips will help you transform the space quickly and affordably.
Explore BDW’s full range of laundry cabinets, tubs and accessories here.
Quick pre-holiday laundry checklist
Use this fast, simple list to get your laundry under control before the festive season begins:
- Clear the benchtop and remove anything that doesn’t belong in the laundry.
- Sort detergents, stain removers and cleaning supplies; toss empty or expired items.
- Create zones: washing, drying, folding, storage, cleaning products, pet items.
- Add practical laundry storage solutions such as overhead cabinets, slim cabinets and baskets.
- Free up floor space by wall-mounting hooks, ironing boards, brooms or hampers.
- Pre-wash guest towels, linen and beach gear.
- Prepare a “holiday essentials” basket for hats, swimmers and sunscreen.
- Do a fast laundry declutter at the end of each week to stay organised.
Step 1 – Declutter your laundry before the festive rush
A cluttered laundry is overwhelming any time of year, but especially leading into Christmas. Decluttering early helps set the tone for the entire home.
Start with a rapid laundry declutter
Begin by pulling everything out of cabinets, baskets and tubs. Group items into three simple categories:
- Keep – everyday detergents, stain removers, pegs, cleaning cloths
- Donate – duplicate baskets, ironing tools you never use
- Toss – expired detergents, broken hangers, leaky bottles
This frees up space instantly and gives you a clear view of what storage you actually need.
Make everyday items easy to reach
Place your most-used items at eye level or within easy reach. Seasonal items – winter blankets, heavy cleaners, spare bottles – can be stored up high or in deeper cabinets you don’t need daily.
Eliminate benchtop clutter
The laundry benchtop should be a working space, not a drop zone. Keep only:
- A basket for incoming laundry
- A detergent dispenser
- A small tray for cloths or pegs
Everything else should be stored behind closed doors or inside labelled containers.
Step 2 – Upgrade your laundry storage solutions
If your laundry feels messy no matter how much you declutter, you likely need better laundry storage solutions. Smart storage is the secret to keeping everything under control, especially when guests are staying over.
Hide clutter with cabinets and tubs
Closed storage instantly makes the room feel tidier. Consider:
- Laundry sinks with built-in cabinets
- Tall slim cabinets for mops, brooms and vacuums
- Under-bench cabinets for detergents and cleaning supplies
- Laundry tubs with drawers for easy-access storage
Explore BDW’s range of laundry cabinets and tubs designed for Brisbane homes.
Use your walls: overhead cabinets, shelves and hooks
Vertical space is often the most wasted area in the laundry. Installing overhead cabinets or open shelves gives you:
- Extra storage for linen, towels and bulk cleaning products
- Space to hide visually messy items
- A clutter-free benchtop during the busy holiday season
Hooks and rails help organise:
- Brooms
- Dustpans
- Ironing boards
- Wet bags or reusable totes
Choose doors and drawers to conceal mess
Open shelves can be useful, but during holiday hosting, closed cabinetry keeps the room looking polished. Door-front cabinets hide:
- Spare gifts and wrapping supplies
- Guest linen
- Random “home admin” items that tend to get dumped in the laundry
Step 3 – Make your laundry work harder for holiday entertaining
Your laundry can be more than a utility room – it can become a functional support space for holiday hosting.
Create simple working zones
Divide your laundry into functional areas so everyone in the house knows where things go:
- Washing zone: detergents, soakers, stain-removal tools
- Drying zone: clothes airer, dryer, hanging space
- Folding zone: benchtop or dedicated area
- Storage zone: linen, cleaning products, guest essentials
Zoning keeps the room organised even when the house gets busy.
Use baskets and labels for stress-free organisation
The easiest way to stay organised all summer is by using multiple labelled baskets:
- Guest towels
- Sports gear
- Beach items
- Cleaning products
- Pet items
When everything has a name and home, the room stays tidy even during the festive rush.
Step 4 – Coordinate your laundry and kitchen for a cohesive look
If you’re updating cabinetry before the holidays, consider aligning your kitchen and laundry so your home feels cohesive and well-designed.
Match cabinet profiles and colours
Popular combinations include:
- White Shaker-style kitchen cabinets with matching laundry cabinets
- Timber-look cabinets for a warm, coastal feel
- Matte finishes for a modern, clean aesthetic
View BDW’s full range of kitchen cabinets to coordinate both rooms.
Choose hardware and benchtops that tie everything together
Consistent handles, knobs and benchtops can instantly elevate both spaces. Consider using:
- The same laminate benchtop
- Brushed nickel or matte black handles
- A similar splashback design
It’s a small detail that creates a unified look across your home.
Build consistent habits across kitchen and laundry
Keep the same organisational logic in both rooms:
- Labelled containers
- “One in, one out” rule
- Weekly 10-minute tidy
- Clear surfaces for daily tasks
This prevents clutter buildup during the intense holiday period.
Pre-holiday home prep tips that start in the laundry
A few thoughtful habits help your home run smoothly when guests arrive.
Pre-wash guest towels and linen
Get them washed, dried and folded before visitors arrive so you’re not scrambling last minute.
Make a “holiday essentials” basket
Keep it in the laundry for quick grab-and-go access:
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Swimmers
- Beach bags
- Reusable shopping bags
Plan a post-holiday reset
Once guests leave:
- Wash and store spare bedding
- Declutter any leftover holiday mess
- Reset your zones
- Revisit your storage and adjust if needed
This helps you start the new year organised.
FAQs: Laundry organisation before the holidays
How do I declutter my laundry quickly before the holidays?
Start by removing everything from benches and cabinets, then sort items into keep, donate and toss piles. Store only essential detergents and tools within easy reach. This creates instant space and gives you a clearer view of how to set up the room before guests arrive.
What are the best laundry storage solutions for small spaces?
Slim tall cabinets, overhead shelving and under-bench storage work best in compact laundries. Using wall-mounted hooks, labelled baskets and concealed cabinets helps maximise space while keeping benchtops clear – essential during the busy holiday season.
How can I keep my laundry organised when guests are staying over?
Create simple zones for washing, drying and folding, and keep essentials like detergent and stain removers in closed cabinets. Label baskets for guest towels, beach gear or cleaning supplies so everything has a home, even when the room is used more frequently than usual.
How do I stop laundry clutter from building up?
A quick weekly reset helps control clutter: empty the benchtop, restock cleaning supplies and return items to their zones. Using closed cabinetry, labelled storage and a “floor clear” rule makes it easier to maintain order throughout the holiday period.
Can I match my laundry cabinetry with my kitchen?
Yes – using similar cabinet colours, profiles or benchtops in the laundry creates a cohesive flow throughout your home. Many homeowners choose matching finishes so both rooms feel consistent, especially when completing pre-holiday refreshes or renovating.
What should I prepare in the laundry before holiday guests arrive?
Wash and fold guest towels, clear benchtops for folding space and stock essentials like detergent, cleaning cloths and spare linen. Setting up simple baskets for beach items, pet supplies or guest washing helps keep the room organised during the festive rush.
Conclusion
A well-organised laundry can make your entire home feel calmer, cleaner and more enjoyable during the festive season. With the right laundry storage solutions, smarter zoning and a quick pre-holiday declutter, you can transform the room in just a weekend.
Explore BDW’s full range of laundry cabinets, tubs and accessories here and get your home holiday-ready.