Ironing Board Alternatives That Save Space

An ironing board is big and bulky. If you don’t have a laundry room, it can be a pain coming up with a suitable place to store it. Some people store it in their closet, but I don’t have the space for it in mine. Right now, I just leave it leaning against the wall in a narrow gap between a cupboard and side wall. It works for me and the ironing board seems hidden from view. But for many people, there is just no such space available. Even if there is, the ironing board could be partially jutting out because of its size which looks ugly. So, are there any ironing board alternatives that you can use if you wan to save space?

The short answer is yes. But bear in mind that the alternatives will not offer the same convenience and user experience as the best ironing board can give you. They will work but there will also be shortcomings that you will have to make do with.

Ironing Blanket

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An ironing blanket is the simplest to store. Fold it up and you are done. You can also get in various sizes depending on your needs. Just lay it out on a flat and hard surface and you can do your ironing. You can do this on a table, kitchen countertop, washer or dryer. A blanket is also highly portable. Unlike an ironing board which is heavy and bulky, a blanket is so much easier to store and carry. It is also possible to pack it for traveling.

However, I find it to be a little difficult to iron with a blanket. An ironing board has a pointed or straight end that you can make use of to iron certain parts of a shirt or pants. This makes it easier to do the task. A mere blanket has none of that. So, it will take some getting used to if you have been using an ironing board all this while. But the upside is, there is no big item to store and an ironing mat is much cheaper to buy.

Foldable Tabletop Ironing Board

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If you still prefer the shape of an ironing board rather than a piece of blanket, the next alternative would be a mini version of a regular standing unit. You can get a mini ironing board with short folding legs that you can tuck underneath the board for storage. You just need to set it on a table during use.

Because it is small and the legs are short, storage becomes much easier to handle. It will fit into most closets and any small spaces. You can also use it as a mini table for your laptop or snacks when you are sitting on the floor or on your bed. It is a versatile piece due to its size.

Personally, I have only used a tabletop ironing board once which I borrowed from a friend. I find it to be too small to my liking. I have always used the big ironing board and to make do with a mini version is difficult because the ironing surface can hardly fit the size of a shirt. Moreover, the best steam irons tend to have fairly big soleplates. With a mini work area, the iron hardly has the space to move.

But it is better than nothing if you need an ironing board alternative that is also space-saving. If you don’t have a heavy ironing load, you can probably make it work for you. But I don’t think it is practical for heavy users. An ironing blanket might be a better choice for a bigger pile of laundry because of its larger size. Otherwise, you can also take a look at other ideas for the best small ironing boards which could fit your living space.

Laundry Sorter With Ironing Board

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If you use a laundry sorter, you can combine it with an ironing board top. So, this will help you to save space without the need to buy a separate ironing board which is difficult to store. A combo unit is always practical for those living in a small apartment.

If you have a 3-bag laundry sorter, the board will be of a reasonable size too for you to do your ironing. The working area will not be as confined as the mini ironing board above.

However, it still won’t be as user-friendly as a traditional ironing board because there is no pointed end for you to make use of. There is also no holder at the side to rest your steam iron. Thus, if your iron is sitting on the board, you will need to remove it first each time you lift the board up to dump your clothes into the sorter bags. On top of that, a laundry sorter usually has wheels and it may not be as stable as a non-skid ironing board.

But on the upside, it can be a laundry center where you sort your clothes before washing and then use it to iron as well as fold your clothes after they are removed from the dryer. The whole process can be done in one place using a single unit. It can save you both space and money. It is a great ironing board alternative when you don’t want to deal with a big and bulky item which you have to take out and store each time you want to use it. On the other hand, if you really want to get rid of the need for an ironing board altogether, you can also consider getting a handheld steamer like the Rowenta X-Cel Steam for your wrinkled clothes.