A modular laundry system comprises a laundry appliance and at least one unit horizontally arranged with the laundry appliance and selected from a group comprising a second laundry appliance, a vertical module, and a cabinet module. A laundry module for use with the modular laundry system comprises a housing defining an interior space and having a width greater than a width of a laundry appliance and a functional element disposed within the interior space and having an associated function other than storage.