Laundry guide
Best Laundry Room Shelves for Small Laundry Rooms
Last updated: October 8, 2026
In a small laundry room, the floor is already taken by the washer and dryer. The storage has to come from the wall above them or the narrow gap beside them. That's why the right shelf depends less on looks and more on three things: how wide your machines are, how much wall you're allowed to drill into, and how deep the gap beside the machines is. We compared four options — one over-the-washer unit, two wall-mounted shelves and a slim freestanding rack — using the specs their manufacturers list.
Quick comparison
| Product | Type | Size | Weight rating | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golpart Over Washer and Dryer Shelves | Freestanding over-the-washer unit | 58.25 W x 15.75 D x 72 H in | 600 lbs total | Side-by-side machines | Check price on Amazon |
| Laundry Room Shelves Wall Mounted with Wire Baskets | Wall-mounted shelf with baskets and hanging rod | Not listed | Not listed | Baskets above the washer | Check price on Amazon |
| ThreeHio Expandable Laundry Room Shelves (2-Pack) | Wall-mounted expandable shelves with hanging rod | Not listed | Not listed | Adjustable wall width | Check price on Amazon |
| Sakugi 5-Tier Metal Storage Shelves (Set of 2) | Slim freestanding racks | 18.4 W x 12.6 D x 57.4 H in (each) | Not listed | The gap beside the machines | Check price on Amazon |
Golpart Over Washer and Dryer Shelves
Size: 58.25 inches wide, 15.75 inches deep, 72 inches tall. Fits over machines up to 27.5 inches wide each.
Weight rating: up to 600 lbs total, 100 lbs per shelf, 80 lbs on the hanging rod.
Build: rust- and humidity-resistant coated metal. Includes four wire shelves, a wire basket, a hanging rod, a rotating hook, leveling feet, an anti-tip device and a wall anchor. Shelf heights are adjustable.
Pros
- Highest weight rating in this guide by far — 100 lbs per shelf
- No drilling needed for the main frame (only the small anti-tip wall anchor)
- Hanging rod rated for 80 lbs lets shirts air-dry right above the dryer
Cons
- 58.25 inches wide — it needs the full width of a side-by-side washer and dryer
- Machines wider than 27.5 inches each won't fit underneath
- The listing doesn't state the clearance height under the lowest shelf; check that your washer lid can open (top-loaders especially)
Laundry Room Shelves Wall Mounted with Wire Baskets
Build: wall-mounted shelf with wire baskets and a hanging rod for drying clothes; wood and black metal finish.
Pros
- Wire baskets keep detergent pods, dryer sheets and small items contained instead of loose on a shelf
- Hanging rod gives you a spot to hang shirts straight out of the dryer
- Wood-and-metal look suits a laundry nook that's visible from the hallway
Cons
- Needs drilling into the wall — check your lease before you buy
- The listing doesn't state the weight rating or exact dimensions
- Fixed width, so measure the wall above your machines first
ThreeHio Expandable Laundry Room Shelves (2-Pack)
Build: two wall-mounted metal shelves that expand in width, with a hanging rod, designed for above the washer and dryer.
Pros
- Expandable width lets the shelves fit walls and alcoves of different sizes
- Two shelves in one pack — stack them for two levels of storage
- Hanging rod adds a place to hang clothes as they come out of the dryer
Cons
- Wall-mounted, so it needs drilling
- The listing doesn't state the expansion range or weight rating
- Open metal shelves let small items slip through or fall off; add bins for pods and small bottles
Sakugi 5-Tier Metal Storage Shelves (Set of 2)
Size: 18.4 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep, 57.4 inches tall — per rack, and you get two.
Build: metal, five tiers, adjustable leveling feet for uneven laundry room floors.
Pros
- 12.6 inches deep, slim enough for a gap beside a washer or a narrow wall
- Two racks in one set — use one per side of the machines, or one in the laundry room and one elsewhere
- No drilling; leveling feet help on uneven floors
Cons
- 18.4 inches wide, so it won't fit the narrowest gaps
- The listing doesn't state a weight rating
- Freestanding at 57.4 inches tall; don't overload the top shelves, and consider securing it to the wall
How to choose laundry room shelves for a small space
- Measure your machines first: an over-the-washer unit like the Golpart needs the full width of both machines (58.25 inches) and fits machines up to 27.5 inches wide each.
- Check the lid: if you have a top-loading washer, make sure the lid can open fully under the lowest shelf.
- Renting? Freestanding options (the Golpart and the Sakugi racks) need little or no drilling. Wall-mounted shelves need drilling and permission from many landlords.
- Use the gap: a slim rack like the Sakugi (12.6 inches deep) turns the space beside the machines into storage.
- Weight: detergent jugs are heavy. If a listing gives a weight rating, keep the heavy bottles on the lowest or strongest shelf; if it doesn't, store them lower.
- Humidity: laundry rooms get damp. Coated or rust-resistant metal holds up better than bare steel.
Wall-mounted vs. freestanding
Wall-mounted shelves keep the floor completely clear and sit right above the machines, but they need drilling and you're limited by what your wall can hold. Freestanding units need no drilling, can be moved when you move out, and in the Golpart's case carry far more weight — but they take up floor space or need the full width of your machines.
Final recommendation
If your washer and dryer sit side by side and you can't drill, the Golpart is the strongest option here: 600 lbs total, 100 lbs per shelf and a hanging rod. If you can drill, the wall-mounted shelf with baskets keeps small items tidy above the machines, and the ThreeHio pair adjusts to your wall. And if your problem is the gap beside the machines, the Sakugi racks are only 12.6 inches deep.
Related reading
More small-space inspiration from Compact Home Finds:
- slim laundry hampers for small apartments
- over the door drying racks for small laundry spaces
- foldable clothes drying racks for small apartments
- narrow storage carts for small spaces
- narrow storage cabinets for small spaces
- under kitchen sink organizers for small kitchens
- small-space laundry guides
- small-space storage guides
- compact kitchen guides
- all Compact Home Finds guides
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best shelves to put over a washer and dryer?
- If you can't drill or need to store heavy items, a freestanding over-the-washer unit like the Golpart (rated for 600 lbs total) works well. If you can drill and want a cleaner look, wall-mounted shelves with baskets keep the floor clear.
- How high should shelves be above a washer?
- High enough that a top-loading lid can open fully and you can reach the controls. Measure from the floor to the top of the open lid before you choose a shelf height.
- Can I put shelves in a laundry room without drilling?
- Yes. Freestanding options like the Golpart over-the-washer unit or the Sakugi slim racks need no drilling for the shelves themselves, though securing tall units to the wall is safer.
- How deep should laundry room shelves be?
- Shallow enough that you don't hit your head when leaning over the machines — around 12 to 16 inches is common. The Sakugi racks are 12.6 inches deep and the Golpart is 15.75 inches.
- What should I store on laundry room shelves?
- Heavy detergent bottles on the lowest or strongest shelf, small items like pods and dryer sheets in baskets, and hanging space for clothes that need to air-dry.