Quick answer
Use the narrow gaps beside the machines for a slim rolling cart, the back of the closet door for detergent and supplies, and a tension rod or shelf above for hanging clothes to dry. Don’t block the dryer vent, the water valves or the outlet, and keep a clear path to the controls on top.
In this guide
Many apartments fit laundry into a closet in the hallway or the kitchen: a stacked washer and dryer with a few inches on each side and a door in front. It’s convenient, but there’s rarely anywhere to put the detergent, let alone a basket.
The space is small, but it has a few spots you can use.
Know what can’t be blocked
Before adding storage, find these and keep them reachable:
- The dryer vent. It’s usually behind the dryer and runs to an outside wall or a ceiling duct. Never squash it or cover it. A crushed or blocked vent traps lint and heat, which is a fire risk.
- The water shutoff valves for the washer. You need to reach them if a hose leaks.
- The electrical outlet for the machines.
- The controls, which on stacked units are often on the top machine, up high.
Stacked machines also need some space around them for air and vibration. Check the clearance listed in your manual, often an inch or so on the sides and a few inches behind.
Measure the gaps
Most stacked pairs are about 24 to 27 inches wide. In a closet that’s 30 to 36 inches wide, that leaves a few inches on one or both sides.
| Gap beside the machines | What fits |
|---|---|
| Under 4 in | Not much. Keep it clear for air |
| 5 to 7 in | A slim rolling cart for bottles |
| 8 in or more | A cart with deeper shelves, or a narrow hamper |
Measure the depth too. A cart that’s deeper than the machine will stick out and might stop the closet door from closing.
The slim rolling cart
A rolling cart made for narrow spaces is the best use of a side gap. It holds detergent, stain remover, dryer sheets and a lint brush, and it slides out when you need something.
Pick one with a lip on each shelf so bottles don’t fall when you pull it out. Keep heavier things like big detergent jugs on the lowest shelf.
The back of the closet door
If the closet has a regular hinged door, the back of it can hold:
- An over-the-door rack with baskets for supplies.
- Hooks for a mesh laundry bag or a lint roller.
- A folding ironing board holder.
Bifold and sliding doors won’t work for this, since anything on them blocks the doors from folding or sliding.
The space above
Stacked machines usually leave room above the top machine. A few ways to use it:
- A tension rod across the closet for hanging clothes straight from the dryer or air-drying shirts. It has to span between solid walls and stay well within its weight rating.
- A shelf, if there’s already one there or your landlord allows adding one. Keep it high enough that the top machine’s door and controls are easy to reach.
- A lidded bin for backup supplies, if there’s a shelf to put it on.
Don’t stack anything on top of the dryer itself. Vibration can knock things off, and you’ll be moving them every time you use the controls.
Where the baskets go
A laundry closet rarely has room for a hamper inside. Options:
- A slim hamper in the gap, if it’s 8 inches or more.
- A collapsible basket that folds flat and hangs on a hook.
- Separate hampers in each bedroom, and carry the load to the closet on laundry day.
Folding without a counter
With no folding surface, people end up folding on the bed. That’s fine. If you want a spot near the closet, a wall-mounted fold-down table needs screws, but a small folding table or a cart with a flat top can work and gets put away after.
Keep it safe
- Clean the lint filter every load.
- Don’t store anything flammable, like spray cans or rags with oil on them, near the dryer.
- Check the area behind the machines now and then for lint buildup or leaks.
- If you notice a burning smell or the dryer takes much longer than usual, stop using it and tell your landlord. A blocked vent is a common cause.
Common mistakes
- Squashing the dryer vent by pushing the machines too far back. Leave the space your manual lists.
- Storing things on the dryer. Vibration moves them, and heat can damage some products.
- Over-the-door racks on bifold doors. They block the doors from folding.
- Big detergent jugs on high shelves. They’re heavy and awkward to pour from up there. Keep them low.
A sample setup for a 32-inch laundry closet
- A stacked washer and dryer, about 27 inches wide, centered.
- A 5-inch slim rolling cart in the side gap for detergent and stain remover.
- A tension rod above the dryer for hanging a few shirts.
- An over-the-door rack with baskets for dryer sheets, a lint brush and spare hangers, if the door is hinged.
- A collapsible basket hanging on a hook inside the door.
FAQ
What can I put beside a stacked washer and dryer?
A slim rolling cart, if the gap is at least 5 inches. Leave the minimum clearance from your manual and keep the vent and valves clear.
Can you put things on top of a stacked dryer?
It’s better not to. Vibration can shift things, and the controls on stacked units are often on top.
How do you hang clothes to dry in a laundry closet?
A tension rod above the machines works for a few shirts. For more, use a folding drying rack in another room.
