Fold-Down Drying Racks
Mia is a freelance bathroom designer and writer with over a decade of professional experience. From space planning, cabinetry, storage solutions, and tile design to hardware and fixture selections, she knows a thing about creating baths that strike a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.
There are so many reasons to love a fold-down clothes drying rack. Traditional machine dryers can sometimes shrink, stretch, or be harsh on certain fabrics. A foldable drying rack gently and safely dries fabric. They’re a great space saver as they can pull out when in use and fold away when you don’t need them. Plus, using a drying rack lets you save on your energy bills and is better for the environment. Our design team gathered eight great options together for you!
Our Picks
Wood Fold Down Drying Rack
Rebrilliant
What we like: It includes two small storage cabinets with the drying rack.
What we don’t like: Difficult to assemble and install the many screws needed.
Crafted from wood with a water-resistant white finish, this understated wall-mounted drying rack is sturdy and easy to clean. Its one closed cabinet gives you extra storage for your laundry supplies.
To save space when not in use, the drying rack fully collapses under the storage cabinet. It then takes up only 7.75” of depth into your room. This makes it perfect for laundry rooms or bathrooms with tight spaces. Two sawtooth hangers are attached to the back, but as the rack weighs 15 lbs, you may want to use stronger hangers.
Outdoor Fold Down Drying Rack
Rebrilliant
What we like: It lets the sun dry and deodorize your clothes.
What we don’t like: This rack requires full assembly, including the frame and rope lines.
This outdoor wall-mounted laundry drying rack features a set of glass fiber reinforced nylon wall brackets. It has a unique patented lift and lock system. Made from sturdy corrosion-resistant galvanized steel, the brackets are powder-coated and durable. A line tensioner makes it easy to remove any slack in the rope lines.
The pull-down drying rack doesn’t come with any wall hangers. You’ll need to buy the right hangers for the type of wall you choose to install the rack on. To attach it to exterior cladding, you’ll need heavy-duty hangers, and to attach it to drywall, you’ll want to screw it into studs or make sure to use wall anchors.
$62.99
$79
Stainless Steel Fold Down Drying Rack
Rebrilliant
What we like: Made from rust-resistant stainless steel.
What we don’t like: Not suitable for heavy laundry.
The compact wall-mounted design of this fold-out laundry rack makes the most use of your area. Attaching this to your wall will give you 10 linear feet of drying space. The stationary rack includes all the hardware you need along with instructions for a simple home installation.
The width of each bar can accommodate an 18.5” towel for drying. In order to lower the rack completely, you need to lift it well above parallel to release the lock. This limits how high on the wall it can be installed and might be harder for shorter kids to lift and lower.
$33.99
$37.99
Shaker Style Fold Out Drying Rack
Dotted Line™
What we like: Attractive design style.
What we don’t like: As the rack weighs 17 lbs without wet laundry, the two wall hangers provided don’t give enough support.
The attractive design style of this fold-out drying rack gives it a country-style look with its beadboard backing and cute hooks. The manufactured wood comes in off-white with black hooks or blue-gray with stainless steel hooks. With a 10” wide top shelf, you can add decorative touches to your laundry room while your clothes dry.
The accordion style lets you extend the 10 rods only as far as needed. This drying rack gets full marks for being sturdy and heavy-duty. It provides lots of room for clothes to dry and is an attractive and useful shelf and drying rack option.
$127.99
$168.99
Pull Down Drying Rack
Dotted Line™
What we like: It folds flat against the wall — taking up only 2.25” inches.
What we don’t like: It doesn’t include hangers to secure the bottom of the rack to the wall for extra security.
Made from wood that’s painted white, this pull-down drying rack is compact in its depth and can support up to 30 lbs of wet laundry. This rack can be installed permanently against a wall or hung over a door without any hardware requirement. Instructions and all hanging materials are included in the packaging.
A thick ribbon lets you decide how far from the wall you want the rack to open. If you have a narrow space or a door that might be in the way, you can adjust the length of the ribbon to suit.
$57.99
$101.99
Fold Down Drying Rack With Shelf
Rebrilliant
What we like: Perfect for renters who can’t put screws into the walls.
What we don’t like: The top shelf permanently extends 10” into the room, even if hung over a door.
Made with rust-resistant black powder-coated metal, this fold-down drying rack has two hinging arms that lower its six bars to sit horizontally. Once the rack is lowered, it extends 20” out from the wall or door.
A sleek melamine shelf sits on top of this drying rack and can hold laundry supplies or decorative items. It’s finished in a faux wood stain and is easy to clean by wiping it with a damp cloth. It is both practical and pretty and held in place on both ends with supports that mimic the hinging arms below.
Ultimate Fold Down Drying Rack
Rebrilliant
What we like: You can use one or any combination of eight of the drying rods.
What we don’t like: The shelf extends only 15.8” wide, and it would be better if it were longer.
Available in matte silver or glossy black, this fold-out drying rack is made from rust-resistant aluminum. Each vertical side bracket measures 11.5” tall and holds four 13.2” drying rods, for a total of eight side rods. The rods can be moved independently from each other. Each can pivot 180° degrees. The six hooks attach to the bottom rail and easily slide along to be positioned at any point.
Extremely lightweight at 3 lbs, this rack is well-made, strong, and sturdy. It requires full assembly and should be installed into wall studs. If you need to install the drying rack in a place that doesn’t fit with your studs, make sure to use butterfly rather than plug anchors.
$57.99
$67.99
Over the Door Fold Down Drying Rack
Homz
What we like: Great price for a lot of drying rack space.
What we don’t like: Only comes in one color.
One of the highest-reviewed fold-down drying racks we found, this gem hangs over a door, easily pulls down, and just as easily collapses. Three hinged sections fold down to expose six bars. The coated tips ensure the drying rack doesn’t scratch the paint on your door.
When this fold-out drying rack is fully extended, it measures 39” long. At its full length, the rack will sit 8.5” away from the door. Each rod is 23.5” wide, suitable for hanging towels to dry in a bathroom. The bottom rods are low enough that kids can easily reach them.
