What would you use the wicker baskets for? If their primary purpose is to spruce up the room, make certain you are not depriving yourself of prime storage and utilitarian space.

A large one (wicker basket) to put on floor next to washer-light in color to tie in with light drying rack.

Any ideas on storage behind the washer and dryer that wont make the space too crowded?

I would put in a shelf that has a rod or similar as part on it to hang anything you want to hang-clothes out of the washer that are not supposed to be machine dried or clothes fresh out of the dryer. The shelf itself may be useful. The cost should not be much at all.