We’ve been in our new house for ten months now, and in that time we’ve really been able to zero in on the pain points of each room. The top offender on our list: the laundry room. From the layout to the lack of storage, it just hasn’t been working at all for us.
As annoying as it’s been to deal with for this long, I’m glad we gave ourselves time to see how we use the space and figure out what was needed to function the best for us. And what better excuse to initiate the first makeover of the new house than a dysfunctional room that is such a vital part of the home.
The Before
Let’s take a look at what we’re up against, shall we.
Yikes! There’s a lot going on in this room. Not only is it the laundry room, it’s also a (sort of) mudroom and a food storage overflow with the extra refrigerator. The long shelf at the top is not optimal for the shorter people of the house (ahem, me), not to mention the aesthetically displeasing view of all the cleaning products.
Now, let’s be fair and give the room some credit for the positives. The nine foot ceiling and crown moulding are definitely working in her favor. The wood shutter is a nice touch, too.
The Design Plan
With accessible, hidden storage as the main need in this space, I got to work dreaming up functional yet visually appealing solutions.
The cabinets will be great for hiding away all of the ugly cleaning products. The shelf above the washer and dryer is a handy and pretty place to store things like our glass vinegar dispenser and a basket for kitchen rags. A wooden peg rack on the wall will hold the mop and broom, etc.
Now, let’s talk pretty! We’ll be adding vertical paneling to the walls and a richly stained plank wood ceiling. The crown moulding is staying and we’ll also be adding some chunkier baseboards. The whole room will be color drenched in a dark, dusty blue, with the exception of the ceiling.
I love the brass accents in the cabinet hardware, laundry hanging rod and gallery rail on the shelf. And for the cherry on top, a new light fixture to brighten up the room. Last, we will add in some accessories like moody art and greenery.
Make it Pretty
I’m sure there will be some tweaks along the way, but for now this is the direction we’re headed in. What do you think? I can’t wait to get cracking on this one!
