Ikea storage pieces that look custom in a laundry room

Laundry rooms work hard—so should the storage. You don’t need custom cabinetry to make the space feel tailored. Ikea’s modular systems let you build exactly what you need, then dress it up so it looks built-in. I’ve installed versions of these in hall closets, garages, and the world’s tiniest laundry nooks, and they hold up.

BOAXEL wall system for airy, adjustable storage

BOAXEL rails let you float shelves, baskets, and drying rails without a full cabinet run. It’s perfect above a washer and dryer where doors would bang. Start with two uprights, a couple of shelves for detergents, and a hanging rod for drip-dry.

Because it’s open, you’ll naturally keep only what you use. Add a couple of the wire baskets for lost-sock purgatory and delicates that need to air without becoming clutter.

PLATSA boxes for a built-in look on a budget

Stack PLATSA frames to the ceiling and add doors for a clean front. You can cut a countertop to span the washer and dryer, then butt it into the PLATSA tower so it reads like one piece.

Use the deeper cubes for bulk paper goods and pet food, and the shallow drawers for dryer sheets, stain sticks, and sewing odds and ends. Matching knobs or leather pulls take it from flat-pack to finished.

KALLAX laid on its side for a folding station

A 2×4 KALLAX on its side with a finished top becomes an instant folding bar and storage base. Add KALLAX door inserts or baskets to hide visual clutter.

Slide laundry baskets into the lower cubbies—one per person or per category. When loads switch, everyone grabs their bin and puts things away without a scavenger hunt.

SKÅDIS pegboard to tame tools and bottles

Mount SKÅDIS above the sink or folding area. Hooks hold lint rollers, brushes, and scissors; cups corral clothespins and stain sticks; small shelves keep oxygen powder handy.

Pegboard keeps damp items from mildewing in drawers. You’ll actually use the tools you can see, and it’s simple to rearrange as your routine changes.

KUNGSFORS rail for drip-dry and hangers

A simple stainless rail with S-hooks gives you a place to hang wet dishcloths, delicates, or tomorrow’s shirts. Pop a few clip hooks on there for socks that can’t go in the dryer.

Mount it over the sink or above the washer so drips fall where they won’t cause trouble. It’s the difference between “stuff everywhere” and “this has a lane.”

BROR shelving for heavy storage

If your laundry room also stores paint cans, tools, or pantry overflow, BROR’s steel shelves are workhorses. They’re deep, strong, and height-adjustable.

Line shelves with inexpensive peel-and-stick vinyl to make wipe-downs easy. Label shelves by category so you’re not stacking soft goods under solvents.

KUGGIS and VARIERA bins to hide visual noise

KUGGIS lidded boxes are lifesavers for seasonal linens, extra toiletries, and craft spillover. VARIERA bins are perfect for under-sink zones where you need a handle to pull things out.

Stick to one color so everything reads cohesive. A wall of the same bins looks custom even when it’s budget plastic doing the work.

NISSAFORS utility cart as a rolling caddy

Tuck a NISSAFORS cart between machines or beside the sink. Top tier gets stain removers and scoops, middle for mesh bags and dryer balls, bottom for cleaning rags.

When it’s time to mop, roll the whole kit out. No more juggling bottles with wet hands or digging behind the washer.

BJÄRNUM folding hooks for vertical space

These slim flip-down hooks mount to studs and disappear when not in use. Perfect for hanging a steamer, ironing spritzers, or a robe while you switch loads.

Use a row of them to create a temporary drying line on busy days. When laundry’s done, flip them closed and the room goes back to calm.

HÅLLBAR recycling bins for towels and sorting

The stacking HÅLLBAR bins make a tidy sorting station: lights, darks, towels. The top flips open, so you can toss things in with one hand.

Label each bin and stick with it for two weeks. Once everyone learns the system, you’ll spend more time folding and less time re-sorting.