How to Organize a Laundry Room on a Budget

The laundry room is one of the hardest-working spaces in your home, yet it's often the last room anyone thinks to organize. Detergent bottles crowd the washer, mismatched socks pile up in corners, and clean clothes sit in baskets for days because there's nowhere to fold them. Sound familiar?

The good news is that organizing a laundry room doesn't require a full renovation or a big budget. With a few strategic upgrades and some smart planning, you can turn even the most chaotic laundry space into an efficient system that makes wash day faster and less frustrating. Most of the solutions in this guide cost under $30 each, and a complete laundry room transformation can be done for under $150.

Organized laundry room with labeled hampers, shelving above washer and dryer, and wall-mounted drying rack

What Are the Best Laundry Room Storage Solutions?

The best laundry room storage solutions combine vertical shelving, wall-mounted organizers, and sorting hampers to maximize every square foot. Over-washer shelving units ($25-60), wall-mounted drying racks ($15-35), and multi-compartment sorting hampers ($20-40) deliver the most impact for the least money. These three items alone can transform a cluttered laundry space.

The key is matching your storage solutions to the specific layout of your room. A narrow laundry closet needs different solutions than a full laundry room with side-by-side machines. Before you buy anything, take measurements of your available wall space, the gap above your machines, and any unused corners.

If you've already tackled other organization projects around the house, like your closets or garage, you know the drill: start with a plan, purge what you don't need, and then add storage that fits your space.

How Do You Set Up a Laundry Sorting Station?

A dedicated sorting station eliminates the pre-wash scramble of separating clothes on laundry day. Set up two to three sorting hampers or a multi-compartment laundry sorter and label each section: lights, darks, and delicates. Place the sorter where dirty laundry naturally lands, ideally near the entrance to the room.

Choosing the Right Hamper System

A three-bag rolling laundry sorter is the most popular option, typically costing $25-40. These carts have removable bags that you can carry directly to the washer, eliminating an extra transfer step. For tighter spaces, stackable or slim-profile hampers work better because they use vertical space instead of floor space.

If your laundry room doubles as a mudroom or hallway, consider a wall-mounted sorting system. These hang flat against the wall and fold out when needed, taking up virtually no floor space when not in use.

Label Everything Clearly

Labels are the difference between a system that works and one that everyone ignores. Use a label maker or even masking tape and a permanent marker to mark each hamper section. If you have kids, add picture labels alongside the text so even young children can sort their own clothes.

This same labeling approach works throughout the laundry room. Label shelves, bins, and containers so every product and supply has a clearly marked home. When things have a designated spot, they're far more likely to end up there. We use this strategy throughout our guide on decluttering your home room by room, and it applies perfectly in the laundry room.

Laundry room sorting station with three labeled hampers and shelving with organized supplies

How Can You Maximize Vertical Storage in a Laundry Room?

Vertical storage is the single most effective way to add capacity to a laundry room without losing floor space. Install shelving above your washer and dryer to store detergent, dryer sheets, stain removers, and extra supplies. An over-washer-dryer shelving unit typically costs $25-60 and adds two to three shelves of storage in space that would otherwise go completely unused.

Floating Shelves vs. Freestanding Units

Floating shelves offer a clean, custom look and let you choose the exact height and spacing for your needs. They require wall anchors or stud mounting and cost $10-25 per shelf. Freestanding over-washer units are easier to install since they simply stand behind the machines, but they may wobble if not secured to the wall.

For renters who can't drill into walls, tension-rod shelving systems and freestanding carts provide solid alternatives without any permanent modifications. These are also easy to take with you when you move.

Wall-Mounted Drying Rack

A wall-mounted drying rack is one of the smartest budget upgrades you can make. These accordion-style racks fold flat against the wall when not in use and extend outward to provide 10-20 linear feet of drying space. Most models cost $15-35 and mount with just a few screws.

Use the drying rack for delicates, hand-wash items, and anything you want to air-dry to extend its lifespan. Air-drying certain garments also saves energy and reduces your utility bill, which ties directly into strategies we cover in our guide on how to save money on laundry.

Door and Wall Hooks

The back of the laundry room door is free real estate. An over-the-door hook rack or organizer can hold ironing supplies, lint rollers, reusable shopping bags, or a small mesh bag for catching stray socks. Wall hooks near the machines are perfect for hanging items that need spot treatment before washing.

What Is the Best Way to Add Counter Space for Folding?

A flat folding surface makes the difference between clothes that get put away promptly and clothes that live in the basket for a week. If you have a top-loading washer, a simple shelf or board placed over the machines creates an instant folding station. For front-loaders, a countertop across both machines provides a generous workspace.

You can DIY a folding counter with a pre-cut piece of plywood or butcher block from any home improvement store for $20-50. Sand the edges, add a coat of paint or polyurethane, and set it on top of rubber shelf liner to prevent sliding.

For small laundry rooms or closets without room for a permanent counter, a wall-mounted fold-down table is the best alternative. These mount at waist height, fold flat when not in use, and provide a sturdy surface when you need it. Most cost $30-60 and are straightforward to install.

How Do You Organize a Small Laundry Room or Closet?

Small laundry spaces require a vertical-first strategy where every wall surface works double duty. Use the area above machines for shelving, the back of the door for hooks and organizers, and the narrow gaps beside machines for slim rolling carts. A 6-inch-wide slim rolling storage cart fits between most washers and dryers or between a machine and the wall, providing three to four shelves for detergent, dryer sheets, and cleaning supplies.

Laundry Closet-Specific Tips

If your laundry setup is inside a closet, every decision matters more. Remove the closet door entirely or replace it with a curtain to reclaim the clearance space the door swing requires. Install a shelf across the full width of the closet above the machines, and add a tension rod below that shelf for hanging air-dry items.

Use the inside walls of the closet for adhesive hooks and small mounted baskets. These hold lint rollers, stain pens, and other small items that would otherwise clutter your shelf space. Clear, labeled storage bins keep supplies contained and visible so you can grab what you need at a glance.

For more inspiration on maximizing tight storage areas, our guides on bathroom storage ideas for small spaces and organizing a small closet are full of transferable techniques.

Small laundry closet with vertical shelving, slim rolling cart, and wall-mounted organizers

What Budget-Friendly Laundry Room Organization Ideas Actually Work?

You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a well-organized laundry room. These budget-friendly ideas deliver the most impact per dollar spent and can be done in a single afternoon.

Repurpose Items You Already Own

Before heading to the store, look around your home. A bookshelf from another room can become a supply station. Mason jars hold clothespins, dryer balls, and sewing kits. Tension rods you're no longer using in closets can become drying bars. A magazine holder turned on its side keeps dryer sheets and fabric softener sheets neatly corralled.

Dollar Store and Thrift Store Finds

Plastic bins, baskets, drawer dividers, and hooks from dollar stores work just as well as their premium counterparts for a fraction of the cost. Thrift stores often have wire shelving units, drying racks, and storage carts for a few dollars.

The $50 Starter Plan

If you have a tight budget, focus on these three high-impact items first: a set of labeled bins or baskets for the shelf above your machines ($10-15), an over-the-door hook rack ($8-12), and a three-compartment sorting hamper ($20-30). These three purchases address the biggest pain points in most laundry rooms: cluttered supplies, nowhere to hang things, and unsorted dirty clothes.

Keep Maintenance Simple

A laundry room stays organized when the system is easy to maintain. Spend two minutes after each laundry session returning supplies to their spots and wiping down surfaces. Once a month, do a quick inventory of products and toss anything expired or nearly empty. This small, consistent effort prevents the room from sliding back into chaos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I organize a small laundry closet?

Focus on vertical storage above the machines and use every wall surface. Install a shelf across the full width of the closet, add a wall-mounted drying rack, and use a slim rolling cart in any gap beside the machines. Replace the closet door with a curtain to reclaim swing space, and mount adhesive hooks on the interior walls for small items. Clear bins on the upper shelf keep supplies visible and contained.

How much does it cost to organize a laundry room on a budget?

A basic laundry room organization setup costs $50-150 depending on what you already own. The essentials include a sorting hamper ($20-40), over-machine shelving ($25-60), and storage bins or baskets ($10-20). Adding a wall-mounted drying rack ($15-35) and door organizer ($10-15) rounds out most setups. You can cut costs further by repurposing items from other rooms or shopping at dollar and thrift stores.

What should I store in my laundry room?

Keep only laundry-related items in the room: detergent, fabric softener, stain removers, dryer sheets, a lint roller, a sewing kit for quick repairs, an iron and ironing board (or a compact steamer), and cleaning cloths. Extra bed linens, towels, and out-of-season items belong in a linen closet or another storage area. Keeping the room focused on laundry prevents it from becoming a catch-all dumping ground.

How do I keep my laundry room smelling fresh?

Good ventilation is the first step — run the exhaust fan during and after drying cycles, or leave the door open when the room is not in use. Keep an open box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb odors, or place a small dish of white vinegar behind the machines. Wipe down the washer door seal weekly to prevent mildew, and leave the washer door or lid open between loads to let the drum dry out completely.

What is the best way to organize laundry supplies?

Group supplies by function: washing products (detergent, boosters, bleach) on one shelf, drying supplies (dryer sheets, dryer balls, fabric softener) on another, and stain treatment products within arm's reach of the washer. Use bins or small baskets to corral smaller items and prevent bottles from tipping over. Decant bulk products into smaller, labeled containers to save shelf space and keep the area looking tidy.