Monday, June 21, 2010

Laundry Room Update on a Budget

We've lived in our house for three years now. Designed it from the ground up, we did. Not everyone gets that lucky in their lives, I know, so I tried to put as much thought into little details as my quick-thinking brain permits. I've mentioned before that my personal mantra is this: "If a decision can't be made in 20 seconds, then it's not worth making,"right?  That's a good/bad characteristic when building a house, I can attest to it.

One of the things I knew I wanted in this house was a double washer/double dryer. When you're building, one of the luxuries is prioritizing where you want to spend your allotted budget. Fancy windows? No. Expensive kitchen cabinetry? No again. Daily convenience of having a laundromat under my own roof a roof that shelters nine people? Now we're talking. So much of my upstairs was configured around this desire.
Like I said earlier, we've lived here for three years, and I've never taken the time to really make my laundry room "cute." It's uber-functional, that's for certain, but cute definitely was missing. I've seen a few great laundry room makeovers online recently, so I was spurred out of inactivity into a creative frenzy.

Here are a few before shots:
Nothing makes me happier or makes me feel more productive than when I walk in there and all four machines are alive with productive little green lights and watery swishing noises.
Sad little laundry hamper.  Time for a new home.

I did initially try half-heartedly to decorate it a little. It was painted this fabulous green by the builder, and can you see the neglected plastic plant in the corner?  Not good.

My goal in this room was to spend as little money as possible, mostly using things I could steal borrow from other rooms in the house. 

I was pretty successful.

Here are the after glamor shots:
First, I removed the doors on the corner cabinets to add a little decorative space that wouldn't interfere with the folding counter.  That made a huge difference to the feel of the room. I wanted a black and white toile curtain, and I knew just the place to find the fabric--from a leftover bedspread in my cupboard.  All I did was edge it in black grosgrain ribbon and cut holes in the top for the red ribbon ties.

Then I searched the house for accessories. I used the same red ribbon from the valance to tie around stacks of pillowcases on the shelves, to give them a punch of color.  And I found a green polka-dot ribbon to spice up a basket above the pillowcases.
I bought the antique rug beaters and dustpans at an auction years ago, and they had been collecting dust in the back of a closet.  They were the perfect jumping off point for the accent color: red.  I was thrilled to find the perfect place to hang my Grandma Olsen's boot pincushion--over the sink.

I had bought these dotted red plates from the Pottery Barn online clearance section for $1.99 a plate, then never really found the best spot for them.  They add just the right punch of color.
I knew the corner needed something, so I pulled out my button collection, filled an IKEA jar with them, and added them next to the detergent.  This tray was originally a distressed black, but a quick spray with a can of spray paint and now it fits great in its new home.  I filled the oil and vinegar set with laundry necessities:  bleach and stain treater, labeling each with a Sharpie.  I don't know how long the rubber seals will hold up to the harsh chemicals, but they work great--much better than their original dispensers.

What did I buy for this room?

The two matching chandeliers were $29.99 each on overstock.com and I love them!  I love the mix of silver and black, which was perfect in here.  Brad installed them for me.  He's a man of many talents, that one!

The rug was on clearance on some rug website for $100.  This was the big splurge of the room.  But it fits great.
I bought the oil and vinegar set, the button jar and the white sticks in the basket above the ironing shelf all at IKEA for less than $30.
Black curtain rod is from Target--$9.99; and the red and green and black ribbon was all less than $6 at a local ribbon store.
Don't forget the two plate hangers at Home Depot for $2.99 apiece.

I'm thinking about adding some vinyl lettering above the washers and dryers--laundry room rules or something--but the more I live with the room, the less I like the idea.Now I'm thinking more along the lines of a pedestal under the machines and a counter across all four of them.

And that was it.
What do you think?
Personally, I can't believe it took me this long to get around to it.
My laundry's never been such a high priority!

Linking up to Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia.










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47 comments:

  1. Wow, it looks AWESOME!!! What a killer laundry room you have! I would love to have one that big and so pretty like yours. Great job, love everything you did!! xxoo

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  2. Looks fab girl! I especially love the rug and chandeliers. And look at you and all your fancy shmancy picture taking. LOVE IT!
    I totally need to get over there stat for my jam, and for my tour of the room in person. Only a few more days of workshop left, then I'm free as a bird. woo hoo!

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  3. Taking the cupboard fronts off...brilliant. Love the rug beaters and polka dot plates. It really looks great, job so well done!!
    I've been putting my laundry room off forever, it is bare drywall that needs painted. I'm thinking fall would be a good time...:)

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  4. sheesh, I have never been so jealous of a laundry room in all of my life.

    I should seriously post a picture of my laundry room so we can all laugh REALLY hard. It is so pathetic and old and dark and scary. love it

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  5. LOVE your laundry room. Your updates are adorable. Heck, your before shots are pretty awesome! I will admit to being a wee bit jealous. We live in an old house with a scary cellar (even basement is too nice a word). That's where my laundry is.

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  6. Oh I LOVE a great room re-do on a budget!
    It looks awesome.
    Love the corner cabinets, the rug and the chandeliers the best i think. It must be so much more fun to do laundry now right??!:)
    Enjoy the day

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  7. BRAVO! I love every aspect of it. The floor, the green walls and the pops of red. I also love the fact that you built a window into your laundry room, I think that is the first time I have ever seen that. And what's that cute little container that's holding the sponges? it looks antiqu-ey (if that's a word?). Sincerely love it all!

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  8. major laundry room envy right now. i really don't mind doing laundry at all...i would have a party in there. LOVE the colors you've got going on in there!!

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  9. Now that is a laundry room I would actually not mind using! You did a fabulous job! What a difference. Great idea to take the doors off the cabinets. I cannot do much with my itty bitty laundry "room." It is actually not a room at all, it is a closet off the mudroom where the previous owners installed the necessary stuff to place a washer, dryer and hot water heater. Can you say CRAMPED - we are not talking walk-in closet! Someday I may post about it. I am in the process of trying to make it more appealing.

    ~ Tracy

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  10. This is such a great simple makeover in a place everyone really doesn't like to be in the house...just love it and the organization! Would you please share this on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

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  11. Whoa Nellie! (I say that when I'm out of words!)
    Sweet laundry room! Let me just say you have more cabinets in there than I have in my kitchen!
    Besides the fact that I am totally wanting (coveting, which is bad!) the entire thing, you did a fabulous job. The colors and all the cute decorations look great!
    Well done!

    I was out of town..and haven't seen the package yet. Maybe it will come today. My neighbor picked up my mail for me so I'll ask her too. Yours is finally on the way today! Sorry for the delay. I really should get in touch with this anti-procrastination party.
    Have a great day!

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  12. It looks great! A pretty laundry room has to make the job more fun! :)

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  13. YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB! ok i'd kill for ur laundry room! that room makes me WANT to do laundry!

    we did put extra hook ups in the garage...i don't know what i'd do w/o 2 washers and dryers either!!!!

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  14. It looks great! Now we'll all be heading out to fix up the least-glamourous room in the house. Good for you for sticking to a budget - that's the best!

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  15. SWEET! It makes such a difference when the decorating has such whimsy, the colors are punchy, and you have some elegant touches as well! I mean, I would love to do laundry in there! My favorite things (well, besides the FOUR machines) are the chandeliers (I'm a sucker for them) and the green on the walls with touches of red. Great job!
    Oh, and the wedding? I haven't even BEGUN. Hang on to your seat because it was a wild ride.

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  16. I love it. Very nice. It's simple but it really makes a difference. I'm completely jealous of the space. We don't even have one dryer, let alone two. No room. Britons live in little houses. Still, less to clean. And we only have two people living here. Plus, I kinda like hanging the laundry on an outside line.

    Loving the room, though. I'm impressed yet again!

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  17. Wow! I love that room. That is an inspiring and encouraging project! Thanks for showing us :)

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  18. I.Heart.It! The removing of the corner cabinet doors=GENIUS! Amazing what a little time and very little money can do to a room.

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  19. Really cute. And if you do the vinyl lettering, how about "Laundry is as laundry does?"

    (Sorry, I don't know where that came from...)

    =)

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  20. Wow! I ditto all your other comments! Love the green color, your floor, your space! I would have never thought to remove the two cupboard doors...but how cool does that look! I would be doing laundry with a smile on my face in that room! Great job!

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  21. LOVE IT! (Your green paint is very similar to the color in our house.) I remember loving that tile when I walked through your house before it was even finished. Genius idea taking off the cabinet doors, makes an amazing difference! Can't believe you keep your laundry products in such cute containers!

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  22. Oh it is fabulous!! I want this room whenever I have children! LOL For real though, I would like to have a bunch of kids! And how nice would it be to have TWO sets of washers and dryers!! All of the decorations look nice too!! Wonderful job!

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  23. I am so very jealous of your double washer/dryer. . .but not quite willing to have two more kids to get it:)

    I had to leave my front loaders behind at our old house and went about 9 months with the old kind. . .I was so happy to get new front loaders and on Valentine's Day! It sure makes a difference when you can stay on top of the laundry, instead of always having a mountain in the laundry room!

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  25. Beautiful! You've got a great talent there. That really makes me want to fix up my poor ugly laundry room!

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  26. Oh it's beautiful, Jen! How clever of you to have planned ahead for all the storage. I'd love to hear more about how you designed the house... please?

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  27. Wow Jen, in my next life I want a laundry like yours. Mine is in a pokey cupboard in the kitchen with the dryer wall mounted over the washing machine - I am sooo jealous. And two sets of machines - I'm missing out. The makeover looks great and I'm sure it gives you pleasure in any otherwise boring repetitious task. Catherine

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  28. Jenny, you are so talented! Will you decorate my house someday? I love the red accents, and black and white toile has always been one of my absolute favorite things in the world! I wanted black and white toile curtains for my apartment next year, but my cousins vetoed me and we're doing black and gold now.

    I'm back in Mesa now, by the way. Maybe someday soon I'll have to come see your laundry room in person! :)

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  29. Oh my gosh, you know me too well! I couldn't click over here fast enough to check out your "new" laundry room! TWO washers and dryers is enough. You're rhe belle of the ball with those. That being said, it's such a cute space! I love the colors!

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  30. I love, love, love your laundry room. Really makes me want to do an overhaul on my laundry closet. My husband got me a new washer and dryer last year and they are wonderfull, but when they got installed we discovered that they were too big for the closet and sticks way out. So we had to take the closet doors off. Now when you go into our second bathroom all you see is the washer and dryer sticking out with all their mess. Actually it is the babys changing station and closet.
    Mmm, maybe I can paint in there?
    Thank you for letting us in on your makeover.

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  31. Love the laundry room Jenny! So smart to take the doors off those corner cupboards--it changes the whole feel. Plus the chandeliers--who says laundry can't be fun?

    I bet every time you walk down the hall you glance in and smile! Don't you love it when you can do that? It gives you renewed energy in all your "cleaning" chores when you change it up a little and add some sparkle.

    Love it!! Kristin

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  32. Hey! I got the goods! In one piece!Yummo! Thanks so much!

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  33. Shoot, I would go in there to hide out! Yes, it is that fabulous.

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  34. I just broke a commandment- I covet your laundry room, a lot even. I'm not sure if I have it in me to repent of that either. It's so pretty and the folding counter *sigh*
    You did a marvelous job on the room update!

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  35. Wow...two washers and two dryers? I can't even think of having that much laundry to do :)
    Great job changing things up to make it more enjoyable doing that miserable job!

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  36. I am absolutely in LOVE with your laundry room. If I ever visit you (I'd have to meet you first), can I sleep in THERE? I promise to keep the room clean :)

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  37. I am "green" with envy. Absolutely beautiful and cheery!

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  38. That is the most awesome laundry room ever. No matter what it looks like.

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  39. I can not even express how much....I'm in LOVE with you laundry room!!! = )

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  40. Wow! I absolutely love what a difference a few lovely accessories made! And removing those doors, well that was genius! Thanks for sharing:)

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  41. Love it! We spend so much time in the laundry why not make it a happy place:-) I think the jar of buttons is a really nice touch!
    Tracey

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  42. Beautiful!! Those chandeliers are gorgeous - I can't believe you got them for such a great price!

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