Upper cabinets never make it into this laundry room. instead, Imgur user Dtownola Covered the entire wall behind the washer and dryer with a floor-to-ceiling slate feature, then added open shelving for storage.
Plywood sheets, trim boards, stain, paint, and a pair of shelves transformed the empty space into a custom storage wall. Dark “Midnight Dream” paint highlights vertical slats, while stained wood surfaces tie together countertops and shelves throughout the space.
A washer and dryer occupied the entire niche
Front-loading LG appliances sit between two side walls and have no storage above them. Wall space extending all the way to the ceiling.
Laundry supplies compete for room on top of machines, leaving little room for folding clothes or organizing essentials.
A continuous countertop connects both machines
A wood countertop extends from wall to wall above the washer and dryer. The new surface created a dedicated workspace for folding, sorting and temporary storage.
Covering the top of the appliances gave the laundry area a built-in look.
A dark stain changed the look of the countertop
A few coats of stain and protective finish transformed the plywood top into a rich wood surface.
Warm wood tones balance the gray appliance finish and offer contrast against the light walls.
Blank drywall disappeared behind the plywood panels
Large plywood sheets were cut to fit the entire back wall from countertop to ceiling.
Covering the drywall established the foundation for the feature wall and created a solid surface for the next phase of the project.
Narrow battens form a vertical slat pattern
Trim boards were installed at regular intervals over the plywood, creating long vertical lines across the wall.
Consistent spacing gave the installation the look of custom millwork rather than a plain plywood backdrop.
Midnight Dream paint covers the entire wall
After installation, the wall received multiple coats of “Midnight Dream” paint, the color chosen for the project.
Dark paint emphasizes the shadow lines between the battens and unifies the entire wall into one feature.
Floor-to-ceiling panels became the focal point
Once painted, the slate wall changed the look of the room.
Vertical lines draw attention upwards while the dark finish creates contrast against the surrounding walls and ceiling.
Golden shelf brackets replaced the upper cabinet
When the paint dried, the base of the shelf was spray-painted gold before installation.
Instead of an upper cabinet, two long wooden shelves provide storage for baskets, containers, detergent and laundry supplies while keeping everything visible and accessible.
Open shelves finish the storage wall
The shelves were stained and finished using the same process as the countertop. According to the builder, a thickness of at least half an inch helps prevent excessive flex.
Finished shelves, gold brackets, stained wood, and a black slate wall turn a basic laundry room into an organized workspace without relying on traditional upper cabinets. The result added storage, preserved open wall space, and gave the room a custom built-in look.
All image credits go to Imgur user:@DtownNola.
