Renting or owning settles a lot of this list: a freestanding shelving unit over the washer needs no drilling, while built-in shelving and a counter above the washer and dryer assume you can change the walls.
The ideas run from a weekend of matching baskets and glass jars to built-in shelving that takes longer and costs more.
One detail holds across all of it: the maker of the freestanding style rates each of its 3 layers at up to 50 kg, so check the weight rating on whatever you hang or stack.
1. Floating Shelves
Open shelves on the wall above the machines keep everyday supplies within reach, and wood gives a white laundry room some warmth.
Glass jars hold the small stuff like clothespins, dryer sheets, and stain sticks, and a woven basket hides whatever you’d rather not see.
2 shelves is plenty. A third starts to crowd the wall and turns the space into a display instead of storage.
Mount into studs or use proper anchors before loading them with full jars.
2. Built-In Shelving
Built-in shelving runs cabinets and open shelves together, so the whole wall reads as one piece of furniture. Light wood keeps a built-in shelving wall calm beside white appliances, where a darker stain would feel heavy.
I like the mix of closed cabinets below for bulky things and open shelves above for baskets and folded towels. Whatever looks messy goes behind a door, and the rest stays easy to grab.
Expect it to cost more and take longer than loose shelves. For a rental, skip it.
3. Pull-Out Shelves
A pull-out hamper drawer slides out from under the machine, so sorting happens at waist height without bending over a floor pile.
This suits a tight room where a standing hamper eats floor space. Measure the opening before buying, and allow room for the drawer to travel fully out.
The trade-off: it’s fixed in place, so plan the layout first.
4. Freestanding Shelves
Renters get the most from a freestanding metal unit that straddles the washer, because nothing gets drilled into the wall.
Choose one with adjustable tiers so taller bottles fit. The maker of this style says each of its 3 layers holds up to 50 kg, which is more than most laundry shelves will ever carry.
Keep the heaviest jugs on the lowest tier.
5. Matching Baskets
Four identical wicker baskets on open wooden shelves turn mixed laundry clutter into one tidy row. Matching size and weave is what does it; the contents can be a mess inside.
Buy the set in one go, since baskets from different lines rarely match. Label each by category, such as dryer sheets, stain treatments, and spare cloths, so you aren’t digging through all four.
Baskets are cheap, which makes this a good first weekend fix.
6. Adjustable Shelving
A slatwall panel lets you move the storage instead of the supplies. Wire baskets, a hanging rod, and hooks can all be shifted up or down as your routine changes, which suits a room that has to serve many jobs.
I prefer this to fixed shelves when you’re unsure what you’ll store. Put the baskets you reach for most between shoulder and chest height, and hang the broom on a hook.
Check each accessory’s weight rating before loading it, since slats vary.
7. Glass Jars for Detergent and Pods
Clear glass jars with wooden lids turn loose powders into one matching set. Pour detergent, stain remover, and softener into identical jars, label each one, and the shelf reads as a single piece.
A wooden tray keeps the group together and catches drips, and it lets you lift everything down at once for wiping. Pick jars with wide mouths so a scoop fits inside.
Buy all the jars in one batch, since lids and glass vary between lines. Fill them from the original boxes, and keep a marker nearby for relabeling.
8. Hanging Rod Below Shelves
A wooden rod mounted under a shelf puts a hanging spot in dead space. Shelf above, rod below, and you get storage for bins and a place to hang small clothes on the same stretch of wall.
I like it for air-drying kids’ clothes and delicate items right on hangers, so nothing piles up in a basket. White hangers keep the row looking tidy.
Hang the rod far enough below the shelf that hangers swing freely. Keep it clear of the machines’ tops and lids, and check that the shelf bracket can carry the added load.
9. Counter Above the Washer and Dryer
Laying a wooden countertop across the washer and dryer gives you a folding surface exactly where clean clothes come out. Towels move from dryer to counter with no trip to a bed or table.
It also hides the machine tops, which tend to collect clutter. Measure the full width of both machines and leave a gap behind for hoses and vents.
Wood warms up a white laundry room.
Seal it well, since spills and damp loads will land on that surface sooner or later. Shelves above the counter use the wall too.
Organizing Tips
Start with a written list of what annoys you in the room right now. Cramped folding space, no spot for detergent, and clutter on the machines are common ones, and each points to a different fix.
Room size sets your options. A large laundry area leaves plenty of freedom, while a small one needs every inch used, so expect to try some unusual ideas.
If the room also works as a mudroom or storage area, plan for that too. Storage cabinets can run along one wall with appliances facing them, or a fixed bench with hooks keeps mudroom items separate from the wash zone.
Clear out what you don’t use first, then size your storage to match what stays.
Budget-Friendly Storage Hacks
Budget storage starts with what you can pull from your own kitchen. Mason jars hold detergent pods, and moving them out of the bulky packaging frees up shelf space right away.
For bins and baskets, check Dollar Tree, HomeGoods, or Marshalls. Thrift shops usually price shelves and baskets lower than that.
Check Marketplace or OfferUp for used corner units and over-door organizers.
No cabinets? Several cheap options fill the gap:
- Tension rods adjust to fit and come out without leaving holes
- Pegboards and wall hooks
- Rolling carts
- Baskets that hook under a shelf or slide onto the edge
- A ladder shelf
- Drawer dividers
- Wall-mount racks that fold down when you need a drying bar or extra surface
I lean on tension rods and fold-downs first, since they cost little and come down without a trace.
Stylish Storage Options
Pick function first, then add style. Color-coordinated bins and rattan baskets hide supplies and still look good, and a designer hamper can be the one standout piece.
Cabinets with doors make a room look streamlined and clutter-free, if space and budget allow. Paint them one color, and swap the knobs for ones that suit your taste.
A fun cabinet color, like a bold green, does a lot. Wallpaper or blue paint on one wall can lift the room too.
An industrial-style clothes rack adds drying space and looks intentional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good laundry room storage organizer?
Matching baskets and clear glass jars work best. Matching wicker baskets lined up on open shelves hide a messy pile behind one uniform front, and a set of identical jars does the same for loose powders and pods.
Label each one by category so you never dig through all of them.
How do I build a shelf in my laundry room?
The easiest route is floating shelves mounted into wall studs, or into proper anchors if no stud lines up.
Use a stud finder, or a small magnet, to locate the studs, and check that each shelf is level before loading it.
Renters who can’t drill can skip the wall entirely: a freestanding metal rack that spans the washer stands on its own legs.
