Stylish laundry hanging rails that I wish were mine
Laundries are kind of boring places. Lets face it, no one wants to spend too much time in there, unless they have to.
When I’m designing one I say to myself, “this is mainly a functional space, it’s a utility room actually. How am I going to make it an enjoyable space to be in?”. I’m always up for the challenge.
Yes, I could select some nice finishes to spice up the decor...
Here’s a brilliant idea (you might want to steal this one, I'd love it if you did!), instead of using a stock standard chrome rod for hanging clothes on, choose an interesting and stylish one that you’d really enjoy using. One that would put a smile on your face every time you enter that wicked little room.
Natural materials looking very inviting in this laundry. Custom timber rod and shelf with woven baskets. | Kyal and Kara
Laundry Rail: here - similar
Handwoven Storage Basket: here - similar
Drying laundry inside the house
For me, a fixed hanging rail in the laundry is a must. However, some people don’t like drying laundry inside the house and don’t even want one. In Australia, we’ve got mild weather and there’s usually lots of room outside to hang things.
In fact, installing hanging space in the laundry’s a relatively new concept for us. Many of us grew up with the Hills Hoist washing line and wouldn’t dream of hanging things inside the house. As a kid I was more interested in swinging on it like it was a piece of playground equipment. It was great fun (sorry mum!).
It was only in the dead of winter, if you were desperate enough, that you’d get out the folding clothes horse, dust off the spider webs, and hang a few things. But that’s about it.
Sensational gold and leather hanging rail above a generous bench for folding clothes. | Norsu Interiors
Now I prefer to go the lazy route and use the dryer and indoor hanging rail combo, all year round. Often I let things finish drying on the hanger, after being in the dryer, then I simply gather them up and move them to the robe. I find this reduces ironing too.
I know, I know, my electricity bill is ridiculous because of this method. I think it’s worth it though.
More and more people are living in bigger houses with smaller back yards, and looking for convenience. I get the feeling I’m not alone in my methods.
A fresh, Hamptons style laundry with ample hanging space. Notice the clever strip lighting above. | Janey Larsen Design
Look, even if you prefer not to use a dryer, a hanging rail is a really convenient place to hang your lighter delicates as soon as they come out of the wash. If there’s a sink below your hanging space, they can drip dry.
Also, if you’re doing the ironing in your laundry, you’ll need a place to hang the garments, right? Otherwise they end up hanging off door handles or the backs of doors.
I’ve curated several photos of laundry rooms with stunning hanging rail ideas. I hope they inspire you. I certainly wish I had one of these… maybe I’ll upgrade my sad aluminium hanging rail one day (sigh).
TIP: When you’re designing the space for a hanging rail, don’t forget to allow enough room for clothes to hang. One metre minimum.
Brass hanging rails
Cute, little brass rod with leather straps. Very functional too. | Vintage Revivals
Brass hanging rod across the window between two overhead cabinets. | Soda Pop Design Inc
Brass Rod Set: here - similar
Black hanging rails
Stylish black hanging rail and great lighting in this modern laundry. | Minosa Design
Level up your standard laundry hanging rail with a nice black one. | Cantilever Interiors
Black Pipe Expandable Rod: here - similar
Bainbridge Curtain Rod from Anthropolologie can certainly be used as a stylish hanging rail for clothes.
The black hanging rail matches the door knobs and tapware. | Makings of Fine Kitchens & Bathrooms
Who says you can’t put a stylish, designer hanging rail in your laundry? This one’s a compact wall-mounted rack that can be used with hangers.
ferm LIVING - Pujo wall coat rack: here
Timber hanging rails
There’s something very appealing about a simple timber rod for hanging laundry. | Shootfactory
This laundry’s got great hanging space, using a custom timber rail. | Maddy Evennett
I’m not sure how this timber rod doesn’t roll right off?! But it is beautiful and would also be perfect in a hallway, by the front door.
Finnish Design Shop - Georg rack 115, oak: here
Leather hanging rails
Nude leather and oak rod, hanging from the ceiling, Australian designed product. | H&G Designs
It also comes in matte black and leather.
pulley clothes dryer
Also known as the Sheila Maid Ceiling Airer or Creel. It’s a clothes horse that’s raised and lowered with a pulley and cleat system. It was very popular in Victorian times where they would suspend it in front of their fireplace or stove to take advantage of rising heat. It’s also a great way of getting clothes out of the way and making the best use of space.
Pulley & cleat clothes dryer and shiplap walls, perfect. | Jean Stoffer Design
The deVOL de-luxe Laundry Maid looking fabulous in this nostalgic vintage setting. | deVOL Kitchens
This Victorian house in west London has a pulley clothes dryer in the utility room | House & Garden
Sheila Maid Clothes Airer: here
Tilt out timber drying rack
Fabulous use of colour and timber in this retro style laundry, featuring a tilt out drying rack. | Brave New Eco
A classy laundry room with everything you’ll ever need, including a tilt out drying rack. | Alice Lane Home
Quality tilt out timber rails on the laundry wall. | Humphrey Munson Kitchens
Steel folding wall racks
You could do some serious laundry drying in here with these steel fold out drying racks. Try not to poke your eye out though. | Maple Leaf Custom Homes
Several wall mounted drying racks in this Scandinavian laundry room are very practical. | image source: Bolig Magasinet
Shelf and rail units
Shelf and rail all-in-one unit over a custom stainless steel bench with integrated sink. It’s certainly a laundry with high quality features. | Claire Stevens Interior Design
INDOOR Wire clothes line
A compact, wire hanging line with shelf above is perfect in a small laundry nook. | By Bruno
A classic washing line for the indoors. The brass fittings and harlequin floor looks superb in this Scandinavian laundry. | Kvanum
Drying rack drawer
I like the idea of a drying rack drawer below a hanging rail in the laundry. It’s a great German design. | Schuller
Stylish hanging spaces
You’ve almost made it to the end, thanks for being here. I wanted to finish off with some pictures of laundry rooms that have fairly standard hanging rails. However, they’ve dressed up the area in general, to make it a very stylish hanging space indeed.
Aren’t these scalloped fish scale tiles lovely? A tall hanging space above the bench is an opportunity to feature some impressive tiles. | Provincial Kitchens
A laundry with moody colour palette and glorious strip lighting. | Minosa Design
I adore the use of plants in this laundry, especially the terrarium hanging from the clothes rail! | Archiblox
