Laundry rooms tend to collect clutter when there is no clear place for everyday items like jackets and boots.
Adding storage that fits the way people actually move through the space often makes the room feel more practical right away.
Layout matters most.
I have found that starting with open floor plans and then adding wall mounted options helps avoid the cramped feeling that comes from poor placement.
Ideas like these give me a few practical ways to test new arrangements without starting from scratch.
Build Storage Into A Laundry Room To Create A Mudroom
A narrow laundry room can quickly become a dumping ground for shoes and bags when there is no other place to put them. Adding a bench with open cubbies below and hooks above turns the same space into a spot where things get put away instead of left on the floor.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry room sits near an outside door. Keep the unit simple and sized to the wall so the machines stay easy to reach. Baskets and hooks then handle the rest without crowding the room.
Add Built-In Storage To A Small Laundry Room
The main improvement here is wrapping the washer and dryer with custom cabinetry that adds both closed storage and open cubbies. A single wall shelf and basic countertop gave way to upper cabinets, divided shelving, hooks, and pull-out bins that keep supplies sorted and off the machines.
This idea works best in narrow rooms where floor space is limited. Measure around your appliances first so the cabinets sit flush without blocking doors or vents. Mix closed doors for everyday items with open sections for baskets and hooks, and keep the countertop clear for folding. The result feels more like a proper utility area instead of leftover space.
Build Mudroom Storage Into A Laundry Room
Stacking the washer and dryer opens up floor space right next to the machines. That freed area can then hold a simple bench with shoe cubbies below and hooks plus shelves above, turning the room into a spot for both laundry and everyday entry items.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry room sits near a back or side door. Keep the bench depth shallow so the walkway stays clear, and match the wood tone to nearby trim if you want the new storage to feel like it belongs there.
Add Built-In Storage To A Laundry Room
A laundry room often stays basic because it only needs to hold the machines, but adding built-ins changes how the space works day to day. Upper cabinets keep supplies out of sight, while a bench with open cubbies and labeled bins below creates a place to sort clothes and store everyday items without clutter on the floor.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry room sits near an entry or garage door. Measure the wall space first and keep the cabinet depth shallow so the machines still have room to open. Focus on simple white or painted wood finishes that match the rest of the house rather than trying to match the appliances exactly.
Add Mudroom Storage To A Laundry Room
A laundry room with long counters often ends up as a catch-all for bottles and supplies. Adding open shelves, wall hooks, and a low bench with cubbies gives the same space a second job as a drop zone for coats, shoes, and everyday items.
This idea fits homes where the laundry sits near a side or back door. Start with hooks and one bench to test the layout, then layer in baskets or shelves only where they get regular use.
Add A Bench With Cubbies To Organize The Laundry Entry
A laundry room next to the back door often ends up with shoes scattered across the floor. Adding a low bench with open cubbies and hooks on the wall above gives shoes and coats a clear spot without taking up much space.
This idea works best in smaller homes where the laundry room also serves as the main entry. Keep the bench shallow enough to leave walking room and choose a cushion that can handle dirty boots. Start with the storage pieces before worrying about the floor or walls.
Add Mudroom Storage To A Basic Laundry Room
A simple laundry room often ends up holding coats, shoes, and everyday clutter because there is nowhere else to put them. Adding a low storage bench with cubbies underneath and a set of wall hooks above it gives those items a real place to land. In this case the change turned an open floor with loose baskets into a spot where things can stay off the ground and out of the way.
This idea works well in homes where the laundry room sits near an entry door. Keep the bench shallow so it does not block the machines, and use the same wood tone on any open shelves so the new pieces feel like they belong together. Start with the storage pieces before worrying about paint or flooring.
Add Built-Ins To Turn A Laundry Room Into A Mudroom
A plain laundry room with just machines and a folding table can feel unfinished and hard to keep organized. Adding a wall of built-in storage with hooks, shelves, and a bench gives the space a clear purpose so coats, bags, and shoes have a place to land.
This idea works best when the laundry area sits near a back door or garage. Keep the bench height practical for sitting and the cubbies open so the room stays easy to use without extra doors or hardware getting in the way.
Add Built-In Storage To Create Mudroom Function
The laundry room had an open wire shelf that left supplies and random items scattered across the top. Adding a tall wood cabinet on the left with hooks and a base shelf, along with solid wood shelves above the machines, gave the space dedicated spots for coats, keys, and baskets instead of leaving everything exposed.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry area sits near a back door or garage. Keep the cabinet narrow enough to leave walking room, and match the wood tone to nearby trim so the storage feels like part of the room rather than an add-on.
Hide Laundry Machines With A Sliding Door
Adding a sliding barn door over the laundry closet keeps the machines out of sight while the hallway stays neat. The door also gives the space a more finished look without taking up floor room that a swinging door would need.
This works well in homes where the laundry sits near an entry or main hallway. Pair the door with a simple bench and hooks so shoes, coats, and bags have a place to land right there. Keep the bench shallow if the hallway is narrow, and match the door style to your trim so it blends in.
Add Built-In Storage To Make A Laundry Room Double As A Mudroom
A laundry room often collects baskets, brooms, and shoes in one messy pile. Adding a row of tall labeled cabinets plus a bench with shoe cubbies underneath gives every item its own place and keeps the walkway open.
This idea suits homes where the laundry area sits near a back or side door. Start by measuring the wall space for cabinets that reach the ceiling, then add a simple bench with divided storage below so wet or dirty items stay contained.
Add Built-In Cabinets To Combine Laundry And Mudroom Storage
One practical way to improve a laundry room is to close off open storage and add a dedicated mudroom spot at the same time. The loose bottles and hanging coats get replaced with upper cabinets and a bench that includes shoe cubbies, which keeps the machines usable while hiding the daily mess.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry area also serves as a side entry. Focus first on covering the supplies with cabinet doors, then add a simple bench below the coat hooks so shoes and jackets have a place to land without taking over the floor.
Add Built-Ins To Create A Mudroom In The Laundry Room
A plain laundry room often ends up as just a spot for the washer and dryer with a basic shelf above. Adding a long bench with lower cabinets and a row of upper storage turns the same wall into a drop zone where coats, bags, and shoes can stay organized instead of piling up on the floor.
This setup works best in homes where the back door opens straight into the laundry area. Keep the bench height comfortable for sitting and use the cabinets below for things like pet supplies or cleaning tools. The upper open cubbies and hooks keep daily items visible so nothing gets lost in a closed cabinet.
Enclose Laundry Appliances With Built-In Cabinets
The biggest change here is hiding the washer, dryer, and open shelves behind a row of gray cabinets. This turns a cluttered laundry space into a clean storage wall that also includes a bench and cubby for shoes or bags. The result feels more like a mudroom than a utility room, which makes the area easier to keep tidy day to day.
This idea works well in small homes where the laundry room sits near an entry. Keep the cabinet color simple so it blends with the walls, and add just one open section if you still need quick access to baskets. The bench gives a place to sit while putting on shoes without taking up extra floor space.
Add Built-In Storage To Make A Laundry Room More Useful
One simple way to improve a laundry room is to add built-in shelves and a bench so the space can handle both laundry and everyday items. The before version had only a basic wire shelf and open walls, while the after version uses a wood unit with cubbies, baskets, and hooks to keep things organized and within reach.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry room sits near a back door or garage. Keep the bench cushion simple and choose baskets that match the size of the cubbies so everything has a clear spot. Avoid filling every shelf right away, since leaving a little open space makes the room feel less crowded.
Add Built-Ins To Combine Laundry And Mudroom Storage
Laundry rooms often collect coats, shoes, and daily items because they sit near an entry. The before photo showed the typical result with piles on the machines and coats hung on the wall outside. The after added a simple built-in unit that hides the machines behind doors while creating shelves, hooks, and a bench for organized storage.
This idea suits homes where space is tight and the laundry area already sits close to the door. Label a few bins for hats and gloves, add hooks at different heights, and use baskets under the bench for shoes or bags. Keep the layout open enough to load the machines without moving anything.
Add Built-In Storage To Turn A Laundry Room Into A Mudroom
Many laundry rooms end up as catch-all spaces because there is nowhere to put the everyday items that come in from outside. The before photo shows a basic setup with machines and open counters, but no real system for coats, bags, or shoes. The after photo shows how adding a row of tall cubbies with baskets and a built-in bench creates a clear drop zone right next to the machines.
This idea works best in homes where the back door or garage door opens near the laundry area. Measure the longest wall first, then plan for both upper and lower storage so nothing feels cramped. Keep the bench cushions simple and use baskets that are easy to pull out. The goal is to give everything a spot without crowding the path through the room.
Add Built-In Storage To A Laundry Room Entry
A small laundry room often ends up as a catch-all for boots, brooms, and cleaning supplies. The simple fix is to add a bench with open cubbies underneath and a pegboard above it. This gives everything a set place instead of leaving it scattered on the floor.
The bench works best in a narrow walkway between the door and the machines. Keep the seat shallow so people can still walk past easily, and use the cubbies for tall items like boots or baskets. A pegboard keeps smaller tools off the floor without taking up extra space.
Build Mudroom Storage Into A Laundry Room
A plain laundry room often ends up with one long empty wall that never gets used well. Adding a tall built-in unit with hooks, open cubbies, and a bench gives the space a clear job as the spot where shoes and bags get dropped the moment someone comes inside.
This idea works best when the laundry room sits near a back or side door. Keep the unit narrow enough to leave walking room and match the finish to any existing cabinets so the whole room feels like one planned space instead of two separate areas.
Add Storage Around The Washer And Dryer
A simple way to improve a laundry area is to add a wall-mounted counter above the machines and build storage on one side. The before photo shows the washer and dryer sitting alone with clothes stacked on top and just a cushion on the floor. In the after photo, a wood counter gives a folding surface while the new unit adds cubbies, hooks, and baskets that keep shoes, bags, and coats organized in the same space.
This idea works well in smaller homes where the laundry room also serves as the main entry from the garage or yard. Keep the counter depth shallow so it does not block the machines, and use open cubbies at the bottom for items that get used every day. The key is to measure the height above the appliances first so the new storage fits without crowding the room.
Add Built-In Storage To Turn A Laundry Room Into A Mudroom
A plain laundry room with exposed pipes and one floating shelf can feel more like a utility closet than a usable space. Adding a row of built-in cabinets, open cubbies with labeled baskets, and a bench with hooks gives the room a clear purpose for both laundry and daily drop-off items.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry area sits near a back or side door. Measure the wall first and build around the washer and any pipes so the storage fits without blocking access. Keep the bench height comfortable for sitting and use simple hooks that hold coats or bags without taking up floor space.
Add Built-In Storage To Turn A Laundry Room Into A Mudroom
A plain laundry room often ends up with laundry baskets scattered around and nowhere to put coats or bags. The simple fix shown here is to add a long bench with open cubbies below and cabinets above. That one change gives the space a clear purpose and keeps daily items off the floor.
This idea works best in homes where the laundry room sits near an entry door. Keep the bench height comfortable for sitting and label the cubbies so everyone knows their spot. Use the upper cabinets for less-used items and the hooks for everyday coats or bags.
Add Mudroom Storage To Your Laundry Room
Many laundry rooms sit right next to an entry and end up holding coats, shoes, and bags along with the usual detergent and baskets. The simple fix is to replace some upper cabinets with open cubbies and add a bench with hooks on one side. This turns the space into a working mudroom without needing a separate room.
The same layout works well in homes where the laundry area is near a back door or garage. Keep the lower cabinets closed for hidden storage and use the open spots for baskets that stay easy to reach. A bench also gives people a place to sit while they pull off boots or shoes.
Add Built-In Storage To Turn A Laundry Room Into A Mudroom
A plain laundry room with open shelves often ends up cluttered and underused. Stacking the machines and adding a low bench with cubbies, hooks, and labeled bins gives the space a clear purpose while keeping everyday items off the floor and within reach.
This setup works best in homes where the laundry room sits near an entry or garage. Measure the wall first so the bench does not block the machines or door swing, then choose bins that match what you actually sort. A simple coat of paint on the bench helps it blend with the room without much extra work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my laundry room is too small for built-in mudroom storage? A: Focus on wall-mounted hooks and slim shelves above the machines. These take up no floor space but give you spots for coats and bags. Add a narrow bench that folds down only when needed.
Q: How do I choose storage that holds up to constant dirt and moisture? A: Pick sealed wood or metal units that wipe clean easily. Avoid anything with fabric or open grain that soaks up spills. A quick coat of waterproof sealant on wood works well too.
Q: Can I combine laundry folding space with mudroom drop zones? A: Install a countertop that runs along one wall for sorting clothes and dropping keys. Keep baskets underneath for shoes and sports gear.
