Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Laundry Room HELP!

While cruising the DIY genius over at ASPTL last night (my favorite weekly activity!) I learned that Amanda over at Serenity Now will be hosting a Decorating Dilemma Party tomorrow.


This is perfect timing for me.

Normally, I begin my room re-decoration projects with a pretty clear idea of what I want. My vision often changes throughout the process, but I do normally have a vision.
Not so this time.

I'm tired of my laundry room.
so. very. tired.

When we moved into this house (3 years ago) the laundry room thrilled me. On the main floor, right off the garage, with a mud room aspect to it, it was a MASSIVE improvement from the "laundry room" of our old house - which was actually more of a deep, dark hole in the basement.
I celebrated by purchasing this gorgeous washer/dryer set. Front load, high efficiency...so pretty!


I also bought a "stacking kit" which allowed us to put the dryer on top of the washer.
I thought this would give me a lot more room in the laundry room - allow us to use it more as a mud room..
It did...and it's been fine for the past few years...but suddenly I'm tired of it.
I think it's all Lorie's fault (over at Be Different, Act Normal.) She kept showing off pretty laundry rooms, and they got me thinking. Thinking is so dangerous for me.

I kicked the idea of a laundry room re-do around in my head for a few days.  Then yesterday, when I was feeling lazy and tired and trying to avoid a workout I said to my husband "what would it take to unstack the washer dryer?" and he said "not much. You want them side by side now?" and I said yes, and proceeded to empty the laundry room.
One of Matt's best qualities is that he never asks too many questions, and he never tries to talk me out of anything. Instead, he pulls the washer/dryer stack away from the wall and says "can you get me a phillips head screw driver?"

So yesterday began the laundry room makeover...
which has no clear direction.

Help!
I know I want to put a counter in over the washer/dryer. I know I want shelving or cabinets of some sort on the wall.  I know I want a cute drying rack, and a pretty paint color...but I need some suggestions!
The room is small. To be honest, it's not nearly the cause for rejoice now that it was 3 years ago, but it's still a decent laundry room.
There's a large coat closet that I'm planning to put shelves in, but I also need to put some type of laundry sorter in there. Ideas???

Here are the Before Pictures (it's a complete 360)









13 comments:

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Hi there. Thanks for linking up. :) Please go ahead and edit your link so that it goes directly to the party:
http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2009/10/decorating-dilemmas-partyround-3.html

I am soooo envious of your front loading machines. I think going with a countertop over the washer and dryer is a great idea, and you could always add a skirt in front to pretty it up.

Adding more open shelving or cabinets would help your storage situation. Maybe go bold with your color and make it fun. Melissa at 320* Sycamore has a beautiful green LR, as does Rhoda at Southern Hospitality.

I'd use the bottom section of that closet for laundry sorting bins...make it easy for the kids to remove them so they can help too. :)

Thanks for linking up!

Brittany at Mommy Words said...

I took mine apart and I put them side by side and did built ins around them and I am SO happy I did! I even did doors in the front so they are hidden when not in use. Great ideas you will NOT regret it!

Brittany at Mommy Words said...

Oh now following!

Nadir @ Hodgepodge said...

Hi! I'm visiting from Amanda's blog. I love you washer & dryer & since they're white there's lots of color you could play with on the walls, perhaps using 2 different tones or painting the ceiling & also adding a little area rug or floor mat to cozy the space up? Shelves & I'm sure cabinets would help with storage & maybe you could attach some hooks to the bottom of the cabinets or shelves to use for hanging damp clothing until you find a drying rack that you like. Hope this helps! Take care.

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

You have beautiful machines to start off with and that can ONLY help. There are so many great laundry room makeover photos floating around the blogosphere so I'm sure you'll glean lots of good ideas. Can't wait to see your "afters".

Anna said...

I'm jealous of your washing machine and drier! I think I pale blue or green on the walls would be nice and some cabinets for hidden storage, then maybe some shelves for baskets and display items. One thing I put in my laundry room is a cute lamp for a little low lighting so I don't have to just rely on the flourescent lights. Good luck!

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

I think it would be awesome to get kinda of a dramatic paint color, like a deep plum or chocolate color and paint everything including the ceiling that color. It gives it a wonderful effect!! Just a thought. It can be very scary painting a ceiling. :)

Kristy said...

If you're looking for a custom drying rack, especially one that folds up, here is a great idea:

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/07/diy-laundry-room-drying-rack/

Or, looking at the one on your sidebar, could you construct that using one of those stand-up drying racks?

Blue Creek Home said...

I am delighted that you came to visit me!
I did my laundry room make-over this summer (mostly cosmetic - did add an extra shelf up high. And added some cute things.
The only thing that i didn't do that I still plan on doing is getting a pretty light fixture to replace the ugly fluorescent light box.
You are going to gain some wonderful counter space!
Rhonda

Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful said...

Sorry I'm so late to comment! Sounds like you already have this underway! I love the board and batten idea- can't wait to see how it turns out! I'm considering a similar treatment to cover the ugly tile on my fireplace!

Julie said...

HAve you seen the home made Ballard Design shelves that so many bloggers are making? those would be great above you washer and dryer!!! good luck!

Atticmag said...

Another visitor from Amanda's party!

Hmm, I'm liking Linda's suggestion of a pretty plum color. I would put some cubbies above the w/d, maybe half shelf/half cubbies you could put some nice wicker baskets in for all the loose odds & ends.

As far as the closet/turned laundry sorter area, that's where I chicken out and go straight to places like The Container Store to see what ready-made set ups are available. Some things were just meant to be shopped for ;)

Thanks for visiting! Jane

Keisha Lynn @ Project Campbell said...

I love your finished laundry room!!! I happened to stumble across your blog. I'm in the begining stages of putting together a plan for my LR! We just added an extra cabinet last night, now colors... Cabinets and walls. Keep checking in with me to see what we end up with! It was nice finding you in blogland, I will become a follower.

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