The Best Laundry Room Upgrades Under $100

A laundry room doesn’t have to be fancy to work well. Most of the time, the space feels chaotic because there’s nowhere for stuff to go and nowhere to set anything down. The good news is, a few simple upgrades under $100 can make the room feel bigger, calmer, and easier to use without touching the appliances.

Here are small changes that actually earn their keep every week.

1. A wall-mounted drying rack that folds flat

A fold-down drying rack gives you a place for delicates, gym clothes, and “do not tumble dry” items without taking over the hallway.

Look for one that folds flat against the wall when you’re not using it. Mount it above the washer, next to a window, or over a utility sink. Suddenly, you’re not draping damp clothes over chairs and doorframes, and air-drying stops feeling like a whole production.

2. A simple countertop or shelf over the machines

If your washer and dryer are side-by-side, adding a board or counter over the top instantly creates a folding surface and keeps socks from falling behind.

You can use a pre-made countertop, a sealed piece of plywood, or even a sturdy shelf board cut to size. As long as it’s level and not blocking any vents, it turns wasted space into a work zone. Even a narrow surface is better than nothing when you’re sorting or folding.

3. Matching hampers or baskets for quick sorting

Random baskets and bags make sorting harder than it needs to be. A set of simple, matching hampers labeled “lights,” “darks,” and “towels” or “kids” and “grown-ups” makes laundry day go faster.

They don’t have to be fancy. The goal is consistency and clear categories. When everyone knows where their stuff goes, you spend less time hunting through piles on the floor.

4. Wall hooks for hang-dry items and bags

Hooks are an easy, low-cost upgrade that get a lot off the floor. Add a row of hooks for hangers, mesh bags, reusable grocery bags, or a small drying rack.

Hang them on any free stretch of wall or the back of the door. That way, items that need to air dry or “hang until someone puts this away” have a designated spot instead of landing on top of the dryer.

5. A small cart that fits between or beside machines

A slim rolling cart can slide between the washer and dryer or tuck beside them. Use it for detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets, and cleaning supplies.

Because it rolls, you can pull it out when you need something and push it out of the way when you don’t. Everything you use most stays in one spot instead of scattered across shelves and counters.

6. Clear jars or bottles for everyday supplies

You don’t have to decant everything, but putting your main detergent, boosters, or dryer balls into a few simple jars or bottles instantly makes the space feel more pulled together.

Choose containers that are easy to lift and fill. Label them if it helps other people know what’s what. You’ll still keep backstock in the original packaging, but your daily items look cleaner and are easier to grab quickly.

7. A simple shelf above the washer and dryer

Even a single shelf mounted above your machines can change the room. Use it for extra detergent, cleaning supplies, or baskets of smaller items.

Make sure it’s high enough that you can still reach comfortably and low enough that it doesn’t interfere with doors opening. A row of baskets on that shelf keeps bottles from tipping over and helps you group like items together.

8. A lint bin or small trash can right by the dryer

Lint, tags, dryer sheet wrappers, and little bits of trash always end up on top of the dryer if there isn’t a trash can nearby. A small lidded bin or dedicated “lint” container solves that instantly.

Mount a small bin on the wall or set a compact trash can in arm’s reach. Empty it when you take the regular trash out. It keeps your surfaces clearer and makes it more natural to actually toss lint instead of letting it pile up.

9. Better lighting over the work area

A dark laundry room feels more cluttered than it really is. Swapping in a brighter, warm white bulb or adding an inexpensive plug-in light over the machines makes a big difference.

You see stains more clearly, find socks faster, and the room feels less like a cave. Even a simple battery-powered light under a shelf can help if you don’t want to mess with wiring.

10. A stain-treatment station in one small bin

Instead of chasing stain removers all over the house, corral them in one handled bin. Include spray, bar or paste, an old toothbrush, and a small scrub brush.

Keep the bin where you pre-treat—on a shelf, by the sink, or on top of the washer. When something comes in dirty, you grab one thing and have everything you need in front of you. It cuts down on “I’ll treat this later” piles that never happen.

11. A rug or mat that actually fits the space

A washable runner or mat in front of the machines makes the room feel less like a utility closet and more like a useable space. It also saves your feet and catches lint and drips.

Choose something low-pile and easy to wash. A well-sized rug helps define the laundry area and makes it feel lighter and more deliberate, even if the room is tiny.

12. Simple labels so everyone can help

Label baskets, bins, and even shelves with plain words: “towels,” “cleaning rags,” “kids’ clothes,” “stain kit.” Labels are cheap, and they keep the system from living only in your head.

When things are labeled, other people can actually put stuff away in the right spot. That alone makes the room feel calmer and keeps you from being the only one who knows how the space works.