Transforming your laundry room from drab to fab can be easier than you think. Simple additions like shelving can drastically improve organization and aesthetics. Let’s explore some inspiring laundry room shelf before and after ideas to ignite your creativity and help you revamp your space.
Floating Shelves with a Pop of Teal
Before: Bare walls and cluttered countertops. After: Sleek floating shelves painted a vibrant teal against a crisp white backdrop. This modern minimalist look utilizes open shelving to display neatly folded towels, laundry detergents in matching containers, and decorative elements like potted plants or woven baskets. The teal adds a refreshing splash of color, popular in both US and EU design trends, while the floating shelves maximize space and create a clean, airy feel. Consider incorporating natural wood accents for warmth and texture.
Rustic Charm with Reclaimed Wood
Before: A dark and cramped laundry room. After: Open shelving crafted from reclaimed wood planks, paired with black metal brackets, instantly adds rustic charm. This trend, popular in farmhouse and industrial-style homes across the US, brings warmth and character to the space. Utilize wire baskets for storage, mason jars for detergent, and vintage-inspired labels. Incorporate warm lighting and a neutral color palette of grays and whites to complete the look. This style emphasizes sustainability and the beauty of imperfection.
Modern Farmhouse with Shiplap and Open Shelves
Before: Builder-grade wire shelving and bland walls. After: Introducing shiplap walls painted a soft white and installing open shelves with a contrasting dark stain creates a stunning modern farmhouse aesthetic. This style blends rustic charm with contemporary clean lines, a trend gaining immense popularity in both the US and EU. Decorate the shelves with glass jars filled with laundry supplies, woven baskets, and greenery. Adding a vintage-inspired rug and a galvanized metal laundry basket completes the look.
Sleek and Minimalist with Black Metal and Glass
Before: Cluttered and disorganized space. After: Installing black metal shelves with glass panels creates a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, perfect for contemporary homes. This trend, prevalent in urban settings across the EU and US, emphasizes clean lines and functionality. Use clear glass jars to showcase laundry essentials, creating a visually appealing and organized display. Add a black and white striped rug and minimalist artwork for a cohesive look. Consider incorporating LED strip lighting under the shelves for a touch of modern elegance.
Bold and Bright with Yellow and Gray
Before: A dull and uninspiring laundry room. After: Painting the walls a soft gray and adding bright yellow floating shelves creates a cheerful and energetic space. This bold color combination is a rising trend in modern interior design. Use gray storage bins and white laundry baskets to balance the vibrancy of the yellow. Incorporate geometric patterns and metallic accents for a touch of sophistication.
Scandinavian Simplicity with White and Natural Wood
Before: A cramped and cluttered laundry area. After: Transforming the space with white walls and open shelves made from natural wood creates a serene and functional laundry room. This Scandinavian-inspired design emphasizes simplicity and natural elements. Utilize woven baskets for storage, and add pops of color with green plants and pastel-colored towels. This aesthetic promotes calmness and functionality.
Industrial Chic with Metal Pipe Shelving
Before: Basic and uninspired storage. After: Installing industrial-style metal pipe shelving adds a unique and edgy touch to the laundry room. This trend is popular in loft apartments and industrial-style homes. Combine the metal shelving with reclaimed wood shelves for a mixed-material look. Use vintage-inspired storage containers and add Edison bulb lighting to complete the industrial aesthetic.
Glamorous Laundry Room with Gold Accents
Before: A plain and functional laundry space. After: Incorporating gold accents, such as gold brackets for floating shelves and gold-trimmed storage containers, transforms the laundry room into a glamorous and stylish space. Pair the gold with a rich color palette like navy blue or emerald green. Add a luxurious rug and a chandelier for a touch of opulence.
Bohemian Rhapsody with Woven Baskets and Macrame
Before: Lack of personality and storage. After: Adding open shelves and decorating them with woven baskets, macrame wall hangings, and potted plants creates a bohemian-inspired laundry room. This style embraces natural textures and earthy tones. Use a variety of baskets in different sizes and shapes for storage. Incorporate a patterned rug and colorful towels to enhance the bohemian vibe.
Coastal Calm with Blue and White
Before: A dark and dreary laundry area. After: Transforming the space with a fresh coat of white paint and adding open shelves with blue accents creates a calming coastal-inspired laundry room. Decorate the shelves with seashells, starfish, and other nautical-themed decor. Use woven baskets and glass jars for storage. Incorporate a blue and white striped rug to complete the coastal look.
Hidden Laundry Room with Pocket Doors and Shelving
Before: An exposed and cluttered laundry area. After: Installing pocket doors to conceal the laundry area and incorporating built-in shelving within the hidden space creates a clean and organized look. This is a popular trend for maximizing space in smaller homes. When the doors are open, the shelves can be styled with baskets, jars, and decorative items, while closing the doors hides the laundry area completely.
Laundry Room Wallpaper Feature Wall with Shelving
Before: Plain walls and minimal storage. After: Creating a feature wall with bold patterned wallpaper and installing floating shelves in front of it adds personality and visual interest to the laundry room. Choose a wallpaper that complements the overall design style of your home. Use the shelves to display decorative items and practical laundry essentials.
Vertical Shelving for Narrow Laundry Rooms
Before: Limited space and inefficient storage. After: Utilizing vertical space by installing tall, narrow shelving units maximizes storage in a small laundry room. This is a practical solution for narrow spaces. Use baskets and containers to organize items on the shelves. Consider adding a pull-out drying rack for added functionality.
Corner Shelving to Maximize Space
Before: Untapped corner space. After: Installing corner shelves utilizes often-overlooked space and provides additional storage in the laundry room. This is a great solution for small or awkwardly shaped laundry rooms. Use the shelves to store laundry supplies, cleaning products, or decorative items.
Built-in Shelving Around the Washer and Dryer
Before: Unused space above the washer and dryer. After: Building custom shelves around the washer and dryer maximizes storage and creates a cohesive look. This can involve creating a cabinet with open shelving above or installing floating shelves above and beside the appliances. This built-in solution provides ample storage for laundry essentials and keeps the space organized.
Pull-Out Laundry Hampers with Shelving Above
Before: Bulky laundry hampers taking up floor space. After: Installing pull-out laundry hampers beneath a countertop with shelving above combines functionality and storage efficiency. This utilizes vertical space and keeps dirty laundry hidden while providing ample storage for detergents, fabric softeners, and other laundry supplies.
Ladder Shelving for a Unique Look
Before: Standard shelving lacking visual appeal. After: Using a leaning ladder as shelving adds a unique and decorative touch to the laundry room. This trend adds a touch of rustic charm or bohemian flair depending on the ladder’s material and finish. Display folded towels, plants, and decorative items on the ladder shelves for a stylish and functional storage solution.
Open Shelving with a Pegboard Backdrop
Before: Limited wall storage and organization options. After: Installing open shelving against a pegboard wall provides versatile storage and organizational possibilities. The pegboard allows for hanging baskets, hooks, and other accessories, creating a customizable storage system that adapts to changing needs. This is a practical and visually appealing solution for keeping laundry essentials within easy reach.
Mirrored Backsplash with Floating Shelves
Before: A small and dimly lit laundry room. After: Installing a mirrored backsplash and adding floating shelves creates the illusion of a larger and brighter space. The mirrors reflect light and visually expand the room, while the shelves provide much-needed storage. This is a great solution for making a small laundry room feel more open and airy.
Under-Shelf Lighting to Enhance Ambiance
Before: A dimly lit and uninviting laundry room. After: Adding under-shelf lighting creates a warm and inviting ambiance in the laundry room. LED strip lights are a popular choice for under-shelf lighting as they are energy-efficient and provide bright, even illumination. This simple addition can transform the mood of the laundry room and make it a more pleasant space to work in.
