Sometimes, the laundry room gets the short end of the design stick. It’s not fair, but it happens. Tucked away in corners, basements, or squeezed into hallways it’s the underdog of the home. But what if that little room could actually spark joy? Yes, Marie Kondo-level joy.
Let’s dive into 22 laundry room cabinet and shelf ideas that’ll make you want to fold towels with a smile and dance between the rinse and spin cycles.
1. Floating Shelves with Rustic Charm
You’ve seen ’em. The wooden planks that float mid-air like magic. They’re not just pretty. They’re brilliant for holding jars of detergent, rolled-up towels, and cute little plants you forget to water.
2. Over-the-Washer Cabinets
Dead space above the washer? Turn it into gold. Cabinets up there keep things outta sight and way organized. Plus, no more detergent boxes falling into the abyss.
3. Open Cubby Storage
Open cubbies are basically shelves with commitment issues. And that’s okay. They’re great for baskets, folded linens, and all the random socks that appear outta nowhere.
4. Slim Slide-Out Shelf Units
Ever seen that tiny gap between the washer and wall? That’s real estate, baby. Slide-out shelves can squeeze in and hold everything from fabric softener to dryer sheets. Absolute genius.
5. Farmhouse Sink Base Cabinets
Who said you can’t go a little bougie in the laundry room? A big ol’ farmhouse sink with custom cabinets beneath adds charm and space. Wash your delicates like royalty.
6. Glass-Front Cabinetry
Want to show off your neatness? Glass-front cabinets let you display your color-coordinated storage bins like a boss. It’s like open shelves, but posh.
7. Corner Shelving Systems
Corners are weird. But shelves can tame them. Install triangle-shaped units or custom-fit shelves to use that awkward corner for something useful for once.
8. Fold-Out Drying Racks
It’s like a Murphy bed but for clothes. Mount a drying rack inside a cabinet that folds out when you need it. When you’re done? Tuck it away and boom—instant clean look.
9. Cabinet Laundry Hampers
Hide your dirty secrets. Built-in hampers inside cabinets keep the mess contained. Out of sight, out of nose.
10. Pull-Down Ironing Boards
This one’s a game-changer. A hidden ironing board that folds down from a cabinet? It’s the kind of magic trick every laundry room deserves.
11. Ceiling-Mounted Shelves
Yeah, look up. That ceiling’s doing nothing right now. Hang some open shelves from above to store less-used items. Just don’t whack your head.
12. Two-Tone Cabinet Designs
Add a little drama. Two-tone cabinets—like navy and white or sage and wood—give the space depth and character. Because beige is just so… beige.
13. Vertical Cabinets for Brooms & Mops
Tall and skinny ain’t just for models. Slim vertical cabinets are perfect for hiding your Swiffer and broom so they stop falling on your foot.
14. Under-Sink Cabinets with Pull-Out Trays
Under the sink is like the Bermuda Triangle of storage. Pull-out trays make sure you can actually reach that one bottle of cleaner from 2012.
15. Matching Baskets and Labels
Okay, not technically cabinets, but hear me out. Matching baskets with cute lil’ labels on open shelves bring order to chaos. And they look fab on Instagram.
16. Custom Cabinets for Pet Supplies
Got furry friends? Dedicate a cabinet or two to their stuff—leashes, food, shampoo. No more digging through the pantry for the flea comb.
17. Industrial Pipe Shelving
Metal pipes, raw wood, and a little grit. Industrial shelving makes your laundry room look cooler than your living room. Unexpected win.
18. Mirror-Front Cabinets
Surprise twist—mirrors in the laundry room. Mirror-front cabinets reflect light and make tiny rooms feel bigger. Also, check if you have toothpaste on your shirt.
19. Hidden Trash Compartments
Nobody wants to see lint traps and dryer sheet trash. Hide it all in a tilt-out trash cabinet. Thank me later.
20. Built-In Folding Station
Give yourself a spot to fold that mountain of laundry. A built-in counter above your washer/dryer does the trick. Add a stool and suddenly it’s your new coffee nook, too.
21. Multi-Functional Mudroom Combo
If your laundry room pulls double duty as a mudroom, make it work. Add cabinets with hooks, shoe cubbies, and shelves to tame the mess from both worlds.
22. Chalkboard Cabinet Doors
Yes, really. Paint cabinet doors with chalkboard paint. Write notes, laundry instructions, or doodle badly-drawn cats. It’s fun and functional.
Final Thought
Look, the laundry room ain’t just where socks go to vanish. With the right cabinets and shelves, it can be a space you actually like being in. Maybe even love. Or at least not dread.
Get creative. Get a lil’ weird. Mix materials. Hide the junk. Show off the cute.
Whatever you do, just don’t settle for bland. Laundry’s a chore—your room doesn’t have to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best material for laundry room cabinets?
Moisture-resistant stuff is key. Think MDF with laminate, melamine, or even marine-grade plywood.
2. Can I install cabinets over a stacked washer and dryer?
You sure can. Just make sure you measure right. And leave space for vents or plugs.
3. How deep should laundry room shelves be?
12 to 16 inches works great. Go deeper, and you’ll lose stuff forever back there.
4. Is it better to use open shelves or closed cabinets?
Why not both? Use open shelves for things you grab often. Cabinets for the not-so-pretty stuff.
5. How do I make my laundry room look less cluttered?
Label everything. Use baskets. Hide the ugly in cabinets. And keep the floor clear. Easy win.
