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Make this chore a bit more bearable with an organized work area.
Doing laundry is a tedious task, even if you don't mind all the sorting, folding, and hanging. It's one of those inevitable chores that must get done—yet as soon as you finally put your clean clothes away, you somehow have another load to do. One thing that can make this task a bit easier is creating a stylish laundry area. Whether your washer and dryer have their own room, closet, or corner, what matters most is how you organize this space. We've curated a list of designer-approved laundry room shelving ideas that'll help you contain your clutter and streamline the storage, all while looking great.
High or low, open or closed, narrow or wide, the best laundry room shelving ideas blend aesthetics and accessibility. If you already have a lot of cabinetry in this space, you probably don't need rows of shelves lining your wall; a couple could suffice to visually break up the space. And for a laundry room that's on the smaller side, building up with open shelves can help ensure the space doesn't feel too cramped while still providing you with the storage you need.
Whatever style of laundry room you're working with, there are shelving ideas below that should help this space feel less hectic. Keep reading to find some inspiration that works for you.
Additional copy by Kate McGregor.
This laundry room by designer Marie Flanigan is proof that this space can still look beautiful, all while being extremely functional. One of our favorite details is the open laundry room shelves—they're backed by a charming neutral wallcovering that helps break up some of the darkness from the teal paint color.
In this intriguing laundry room by Studio Sven, designer Lauren Svenstrup chose to use the space above the washer and dryer as an open shelf. If your machines are already sticking out and taking up space, you might as well get creative and carve out a nook for them with an open shelf up top.
Designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett used warm wood to make this laundry room feel more like a room and less like a utility space, and the vintage shelf above the counter really adds to that coziness. It's a darker tone than the rest of the cabinetry, making it stand out even more against the white walls.
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Opposite the same space as above, Smith-Shiflett carved out a little laundry room shelf area in the cabinetry. Not only does it add dimension to the space, but it's also a great place to fold clothes. Because it's built into the cabinets, it feels cohesive.
In our 2021 Whole Home, designer Stephanie Sabbe designed a laundry room that doubled as a dog-washing station and storage area. To amp up the organization, she installed a narrow shelf along the walls in half of the room, creating the perfect spot to hold detergent, fabric softener, and other washing items.
Above her washer and dryer, blogger Eden Passante installed some basic wooden shelves in this converted closet. They're wide enough to hold her storage baskets and other essentials. The wallpaper backing adds a pop of interest as well.
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If you have enough storage space in your laundry room already but want something to add to the walls, hang a shelf simply for decoration. In our 2024 Whole Home, ID.ology Interiors added an open shelf above the laundry room sink to display a single piece of art.
When there's not room (or a budget) for professionally installed shelving, opt for an easy to place table for both folding space and laundry basket storage, like Leanne Ford did in this laundry closet. It's simple yet efficient.
If storage isn't what you're looking for, use the narrow surface on the top of crown molding or a coat rack to display art or family tchotchkes. Designer Dee Murphy added even more color to her laundry room this way.
There's nothing worse than a wasted blank wall. Play Tetris with your space, and carve out nooks for everything that needs a place to go like designer April Tomlin did here.
For easy to grab items the whole family needs access too (even little hands), choose ground level shelves and coordinating baskets. In this laundry room, Annie Selke also made sure to have enough counter space up top for all of her dog necessities.
To break up a busy backdrop, designer Joy Cho added an eye level shelf to create an easy drop zone and display surface.
To prevent open shelving from appearing cluttered and chaotic, fill each one with a matching basket—like this petal pink, pressing station. Designer Betty Lou Phillips also put this laundry room by the linen closet and bedrooms to save some steps.
Not all storage solutions have to be elaborate and custom. In this laundry room by Dina Bandman, a pair of bracketed shelves allow for a clutter-free worktop for folding clothes.
If room allows, opt for a combination shelf and hanging bar to store both clothes and various linens all in one spot. Designer Gil Schafer was able to put both in this laundry room, giving it a more farmhouse feel with the neutral tones and wallcovering.
Rather than a myriad of floor hampers and baskets, this laundry room by Eric Olsen features extra deep shelves to keep the floors mess free.
Rather than having to open and close a cabinet door every time you need to toss a shirt in the hamper or reach the detergent, allow for a few door-less cabinets for your most used items. It also visually breaks up the cabinetry—designer Dina Bandman did so here.
To break up a room of closed cabinetry, place a few open shelves for quick grab items like extra towels or dryer sheets. The team at Studio McGee painted these lower open shelves in a darker gray to add dimension.
Make use of every corner by adding shelving between the end of your upper cabinets and the wall. When painted the same shade as everything else, like in this bubblegum laundry room by deVOL, you'll hardly know it's there.
By placing a pair of shelves on either side of the washer and dryer, designer Emily Henderson ensured that items are much easier to access than having to reach over the appliances every time you need something.
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