Laundry room update? Don’t mind if I do. To recap, we already replaced the washer and dryer, removed window shutters and cluttered shelving, frosted the door, filled ceiling cracks, and painted the room Benjamin Moore’s Sesame—the same color as the kitchen. Now we’re ready for the next step.
Here’s the current look:
Since the laundry room is only 3.5′ wide, the narrow footprint limited appliance placement and storage options. Because doors wouldn’t swing open if the washer and dryer sat on the opposite wall, we knew we had to make the most of every vertical inch. The plan was simple: add built-in shelving next to the stacked washer and dryer to gain functional storage without encroaching on the small floor area.
We wanted shelving that was deeper where the appliances allow it, but shallower above the window so it wouldn’t block light. That led to a split-depth design: the bottom section matches appliance depth while the top section is flush with the window. To figure out cuts and dimensions I sketched the layout and measured carefully.
We used whitewood boards with 1×2″ poplar trim where needed. For the vertical divider I joined two 1×12″ boards side-by-side for strength and used a trimmed 1×10″ for the middle shelf. Additional 1×12″ boards became the shelves and extra 1×2″ pieces served as trim.
The middle shelf sits flush with the window sill, so I added 1×2″ trim to create a notch and test-fit the placement before final assembly.
I fastened the bottom divider to the plywood subfloor (we have a plywood platform under the appliances for stability) and secured it into the middle shelf using a Kreg jig. Because I forgot to factor in the added trim, the divider hung over the plywood slightly, which I later corrected with another 1×2″ floor trim piece.
To allow access to washer and dryer connections, the vertical divider doesn’t run entirely to the back wall. I installed blocking on the back and side walls for shelf support so the divider could stop short while still giving strong support for the shelving.
We also replaced the old flexible aluminum dryer duct with a rigid, all-aluminum transition to reduce fire risk. The swap was straightforward: remove the old duct, clamp in the new section, and fasten the wall connector.
The top divider was installed similarly, set back to line up with the window. The resulting two-tier profile uses the full available depth without obscuring the window.
We wanted the shelves to be adjustable and removable so we could customize the spacing and still access the back of the machines if necessary. I installed metal shelf tracks and clips—four 6ft lengths trimmed to size—and reinforced the space between the divider and the wall with extra 1×2″ blocking so the tracks screwed into solid wood rather than drywall.
Painting everything in place would have been difficult, so I removed the pieces and painted them in the sunroom. I used two coats of Kilz No-VOC primer and two coats of Olympic Premium No-VOC semi-gloss white on the framing to ensure even coverage and prevent wood stain bleed-through. The shelves received two coats of paint without primer and still turned out fine.
To help the built-in read visually as one unit, I painted the side wall white and left the back wall painted in the room color for a pop of contrast visible through the shelves.
Once reinstalled, I nailed the metal tracks in place, added the shelf clips, and tested the shelving. On the bottom shelves I added a small back lip to keep items from sliding into the gap behind the shelves, while still allowing easy removal of shelves if needed.
Here’s the finished built-in:
The 2″ gap between the appliances and the shelf was intentional to prevent items from rattling when the washer is in a spin cycle. Functionally the adjustable shelves give us flexibility to store both short and tall items without wasted space.
When empty the unit isn’t the most elegant, but once styled with baskets and everyday items it becomes a practical and tidy storage hub. Sherry added baskets, magazine files, a scalloped bowl, and a jar of clothespins to make the shelves useful and attractive.
We’re considering using part of the shelving as a drop zone for mail, coupons, and miscellaneous items, which feels practical for a small transitional space.
Cost breakdown:
- Wood: $59
- Metal shelf tracks and clips: $15
- Primer and paint: already owned
- Baskets and accessories: already owned
- TOTAL: $74
The aluminum dryer transition duct was an additional $10.
Progress so far has transformed the room from a cramped utility space into a much more functional laundry nook:
Remaining items on the laundry room to-do list include replacing hinges and knobs on the upper cabinets, installing a new light fixture, adding a window treatment, creating functional storage near the door for shoes and pet gear, and hanging art to brighten the space and disguise the fuse box. We also have plans for a smart ironing board storage solution—details to come once it’s tested.
We’d love to hear what storage solutions you’re using in your laundry space. Do you have clever cabinet setups, collapsible drying racks, built-in ironing board storage, or a dedicated laundry sink? Share your favorites and inspire ideas for small-space laundry storage.