Laundry Room Shelving Ideas: Maximizing Space and Style

Creating a neat and organized laundry room doesn’t have to be a drag if you use some clever shelf ideas. Whether you have a spacious laundry room or a small closet, there are ways to maximize every inch of space.

What types of shelves are good for a laundry room?

When it comes to choosing shelves for your laundry room, versatility is essential.

In a laundry room, open shelves are the most popular and adaptable option for storage. Open shelves allow you to easily see what is stored on them, ensuring that nothing gets lost in the back of a cabinet.

Consider wire shelving for a modern touch that combines usefulness and flair.

Adjustable wood shelves let you change the height and depth of each shelf. If you have limited wall space, look for freestanding shelves that can be moved or folded away when not in use.

What height should laundry shelves be?

When installing shelving in your laundry room, it’s essential to consider accessibility. Most users find that shelves set around waist height are the most comfortable to reach. The majority of experts agree that shelves should be 42 to 48 inches off the ground for the sake of accessibility and ergonomics.

When building wall-mounted shelves, aim for the bottom shelf edge to be around 24–30 inches from the floor. As a general rule, shelves should be 12–16 inches deep so that you can stack towels or store containers of supplies without worrying about them falling off. Higher shelves above the washer and dryer are ideal for storing rarely used things.

Shelf over washer and dryer ideas

Adding shelves above the washer and dryer is a great way to maximize storage space in a small laundry room. Before attaching anything overhead, ensure that the device is strong enough to support the weight. Shelves fixed on the wall with brackets are better for larger loads, while floating shelves are more aesthetically pleasing and provide more airflow. Organize the top shelf for ironing supplies, the middle for smaller laundry items, and the bottom for stacks of clean linens or folded clothes that need to be put away.

Pro tip: Allow for adequate appliance clearance underneath shelves, usually at least 4-6 inches above machines.

Small laundry room shelving ideas

A lack of room in your laundry room is no reason not to get organized. Consider every wall and nook as a chance for storage.

Add extra storage by using shelf risers with your current shelves.
Use wall-mounted drying racks that can be folded up when not in use.
Add a tension pole shelf between the washer and dryer.
Use stackable storage bins and baskets to keep laundry supplies organized.
Focus on vertical space with wall-mounted shelves rather than floor space with large freestanding units.
Narrow yet tall shelves reduce footprint.
Consider a rolling library ladder to help you reach higher shelves.
Use over-the-door racks and hooks to keep baskets, ironing boards, and other bulky things orderly.
Keep your shelves organized with under-shelf baskets that hold smaller items.

With clever wall placement, even the smallest room can accommodate all of your laundry needs.

Laundry room open shelving ideas

Open shelving is one of the most stylish laundry room ideas, and it also serves as handy storage for cleaning products, fabric softeners, lint rollers, and other items. For a clutter-free display, mount many horizontal shelves painted in a bright, cheerful hue. On each shelf, organize items by type: one for cleansers and one for dried goods such as detergent pods or dryer sheets. To keep folded towels and clothes ready to wear organized, use a few mobile baskets on shelves or the floor. Open shelving makes everything visible, allowing you to see what is in stock.

Laundry room wire shelving ideas

Get the most out of your built-in storage space by considering these options if you have basic wire shelving that is taking up empty wall space.

Roll canvas bins, wood crates, or wicker baskets into cubbies to organize laundry separates.
Hang a command hook rail at the shelf fronts to store little plastic organizers.
Mount narrow wooden boards across shelves to exhibit stacks of clean, folded clothes ready for storage.
Line shelves with contact paper in a lovely print to give them a polished appearance.

With a little imagination, wire shelves may be transformed into beautiful built-ins.

Use every inch of space

Look above, down, and all about for unused space that may be used for storage.

Don’t overlook the spaces beneath cabinets and appliances.
Add pull-out drawers or shelves on roller wheels to store detergents, softeners, dryer sheets and other bulk items within easy reach but neatly tucked away out of sight.
Floating shelves along the tops of the washer and dryer offer great display space.
Install wall-mounted racks above the appliance to neatly hang clean clothes.
Vertical shelves or racks can be added to underutilized wall surfaces above doors and windows to boost storage capacity while saving valuable floor space.

Small-space laundry closet

Your laundry closet’s diminutive size should not deter you. Shrink ordinary shelving to make it fit.

Add a hanging shelf over the door to your tiny laundry room to make the most of your limited storage space.
Choose an organizer with many shelves or baskets to keep things organized and easily accessible.
Install hooks inside closet doors to hang cleaning cloths, mop heads, and equipment.
Slim movable shelves fold neatly beneath the washer and dryer to provide extra storage that does not hinder walking area.

Conclusion

Ultimately, using creative shelving allows you to create practical storage solutions that fit your unique demands and available space in your laundry room. Whether you choose basic built-ins, versatile multi-functional furniture, or imaginative DIY hacks, these ideas demonstrate that with some creative arranging, you can create a clean and clutter-free laundry oasis. Most importantly, have fun designing your workspace to best suit your own workflow and maintain your hectic schedule stress-free.

FAQs

How do I add shelves to my laundry room?

1: Measure the Space. Measure the area for your laundry room shelf from side to side.
2: Cut Wood.
3: Build Shelf Frame.
4: Prep Wall.
5: Mount the Frame.
6: Cut and Mount Plywood.
7: Cut and Mount Front Board.
8: Sand Boards.

What do you put on open shelves in a laundry room?

Open shelves keep detergents, stain removers, dryer sheets and other laundry supplies conveniently within reach. Install adjustable shelves that can be moved to meet your family’s changing needs. Wire shelving is an inexpensive, easy-to-install option.

How do you hide shelves in a laundry room?

To hide those ugly wire laundry room shelves, simply place a scrap piece of wood to the front of the shelf! Just add some decorative baskets to hide the cleaning products and suddenly you have a clean and rustic style laundry room!

How deep should laundry room shelves be?

Laundry room shelves are typically 10-12” deep. Larger shelves may sound like a good idea to add in a lot of space but shelves larger than 15” deep typically require additional support (like a gusset bracket with a diagonal bar).