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Our Laundry Room Makeover: Taking Shape

Transforming Our Laundry Room: A Journey of Style, Function, and DIY Charm

Hello everyone! It’s time for a much-anticipated update on our laundry room makeover. A few months have passed since I first shared the initial stages of this project, which began last summer, and I’m thrilled to report on the latest advancements. This humble space in our bungalow has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis over the past four years, and witnessing its evolution into a truly beloved part of our home brings immense joy. What started as a purely utilitarian area is blossoming into a vibrant, multi-functional room that perfectly embodies our style and meets our practical needs.

Before we dive into the exciting new details, let’s take a moment to revisit where this transformation began. Understanding the “before” truly highlights the significant journey this room has taken.

Before: Original state of a cramped laundry room with a water heater, showing the lack of organization and dated appearance. Before: Another angle of the old laundry room, emphasizing the limited space and the need for a comprehensive renovation.Before: A third view of the laundry room showing its original condition and the potential for a dramatic makeover.

Embracing the Philosophy of Slow Decorating

I have always been a staunch believer in the concept of “slow decorating”—allowing oneself the crucial time to truly inhabit and understand a space before embarking on major changes. While some design decisions can be made swiftly, others truly benefit from thoughtful consideration and lived experience. It’s only by living within a room for a period that you can truly discern its specific demands and how it needs to function optimally for you and your family. In the years since moving into our charming bungalow, every intentional change we’ve made has been geared towards maximizing our limited square footage. Our laundry room’s evolution is a perfect testament to this philosophy, carefully crafted step by step.

My vision for this space was clear: I wanted it to be bold, fun, and so inviting that it would actually make doing laundry a more pleasant task – or at least, less of a chore! Beyond its primary function, I also envisioned it as a versatile area for indoor gardening and plant propagation, a true green sanctuary within our home. The initial steps of removing the bulky water heater, installing captivating wallpaper, adding character with new Dutch and French doors, and upgrading the lighting and blinds laid a magnificent foundation. Each element was chosen not just for aesthetics, but for how it contributed to the overall functionality and atmosphere of the room.

Laundry room in progress after initial renovations: new wallpaper, French door, and updated lighting. Another view of the renovated laundry room, highlighting the cheerful wallpaper and the improved layout. Close-up of the laundry room showing the new Dutch door and elegant bamboo blinds, adding warmth and style.

Custom Shelving: Maximizing Storage and Greenery

One of the long-standing items on my improvement list, crucial for significantly enhancing the room’s functionality, was the installation of custom shelving. I planned for two key shelving units: a robust set in the nook where the water heater once stood, transforming a dead space into valuable storage, and a smaller shelf under the sink, dedicated to housing my beloved plant collection and serving as a mini-propagation station.

Empty nook in the laundry room, ready for custom shelving to be installed.
The area under the sink, awaiting a custom shelf to hold plants and gardening essentials.

A Simple Yet Effective DIY Project

Creating and installing these shelves proved to be a remarkably easy and budget-friendly DIY project, utilizing readily available materials. We sourced common pine boards and corner braces from Home Depot, demonstrating that impactful improvements don’t always require expensive custom solutions. While I didn’t extensively document every single step of the process, the method was straightforward. I had the pine boards cut to precise measurements directly at the hardware store, which saved a significant amount of time and effort. For those with the tools, this could easily be accomplished at home with a miter saw. Following the cuts, I meticulously sanded each board to achieve a smooth finish, applied a rich stain, and then sealed them with a protective poly top coat.

Pine boards cut to size, ready for sanding and staining before shelf installation.

My objective for the stain color was to find a warm, inviting tone that wasn’t overly dark and would harmoniously complement the existing hues in our bamboo blinds. After careful consideration, “Golden Oak” emerged as the perfect winner. Its rich, honeyed tones add warmth and a touch of rustic charm, without overpowering the delicate pattern of the wallpaper or the natural light filtering through the blinds. This careful selection truly tied the various elements of the room together.

Close-up of the stained and finished Golden Oak shelves, showcasing the warm wood tones.

The Aesthetic and Practical Impact of Our New Shelves

I absolutely adore the final look of these shelves, but more importantly, I appreciate their incredible practicality. The new shelving in the water heater nook now provides ample space for laundry essentials, cleaning supplies, and other utilitarian items, keeping them organized and easily accessible. The shelf beneath the sink has become my dedicated sanctuary for plants – a vibrant display of greenery that brings life and freshness into the room, fulfilling my vision of a dual-purpose space for both laundry and indoor gardening. This thoughtful integration of shelving has transformed formerly wasted areas into highly functional and aesthetically pleasing features.

Newly installed Golden Oak shelves in the laundry room, beautifully decorated with plants and decor.Another view of the functional shelves, showcasing organized items and thriving greenery.Detail shot of the plants and small decor pieces on the laundry room shelves, adding to the room's character. Laundry room shelves from a different angle, demonstrating their capacity for both practical storage and decorative display.

Infusing Personality: Art and Decor

To truly complete the aesthetic, I integrated some abstract art by the talented Monica Lewis. I had a particular piece in mind that I felt would be absolutely perfect for this space, and I was right! The tone-on-tone purple hues of the artwork create a sophisticated and cohesive look with the overall color scheme of the room, adding depth and visual interest without overwhelming the space. Monica also creates beautiful note cards, and I am eagerly looking forward to ordering some to bring more of her artistic touch into our home. The thoughtful inclusion of art, alongside other decorative elements like unique baskets, a charming mirror, and elegant lighting, further personalizes the laundry room, making it feel less like a utility area and more like a cherished part of our home.

Monica Lewis abstract art hanging above the shelves, complementing the purple tones of the wallpaper. Detailed shot of the framed artwork and a plant on the shelf, highlighting the blend of art and nature.

The Vision Continues: Our Remaining To-Do List

I couldn’t be happier with how this space is continuously evolving. It now truly reflects my personal style and brings a smile to my face every time I step in. While significant progress has been made, as with any home project, there are always a few more items on the to-do list. I’d love to say they’ll all be completed in the next few weeks, but who am I kidding? The joy is in the journey, and the anticipation of these final touches makes the process all the more rewarding.

A comprehensive view of the refreshed laundry room, now bright, organized, and featuring new shelves and art.

Here’s a look at what’s still on the agenda, detailing our plans for continued enhancement:

  • Paint the Dutch door trim and French door black: This will create a striking contrast and add a touch of modern sophistication, framing the beautiful doors and making them pop against the wallpaper.
  • Install a clothes drying bar from the ceiling: A practical addition for air-drying delicate garments, optimizing vertical space above the window without obstructing light or flow.
  • Replace floors: This significant upgrade will be synchronized with our kitchen floor replacement, ensuring a cohesive and fresh look throughout these interconnected areas. We envision a durable and stylish flooring that complements the room’s new aesthetic.
  • Add wood for a folding surface on top of the machines: A custom-cut wooden top will transform the often-underutilized space above the washer and dryer into a convenient and attractive folding station, greatly enhancing the room’s efficiency.
  • Consider plexiglass for the side wall next to the sink: While we haven’t experienced any issues without it so far, a custom-cut piece of plexiglass would provide an extra layer of splash protection, maintaining the pristine condition of the wall over time. We’re still weighing the necessity versus the aesthetic impact.
  • DIY sink skirt: This is a project I’ve definitely decided to undertake! A charming fabric skirt will conceal the plumbing under the sink, adding a soft, decorative element that enhances the cottage-core vibe and provides hidden storage.
  • Replace closet door knob with glass: A small detail, but swapping the existing knob for a sparkling glass one will elevate the room’s elegance and reflect light beautifully.
  • Better-looking organization for cleaning supplies: I’m thinking of lining our copper wire baskets with fabric to cleverly hide their contents, creating a cleaner, more organized appearance. Additionally, I’d love to invest in elegant glass vessels for laundry detergent and other supplies, transforming mundane items into decorative accents.
  • Find a rug: A carefully selected rug will not only add warmth and comfort underfoot but also help define the space, tie all the design elements together, and introduce another layer of texture and color.

A Space That Truly Feels Like Home

This laundry room makeover has been a journey of discovery, patience, and creative problem-solving. It’s a testament to how even the smallest, most utilitarian spaces can be transformed into areas of beauty and joy with thoughtful design and a little DIY spirit. The satisfaction of walking into a room that not only functions perfectly but also resonates deeply with my personal style is truly unparalleled. It reinforces the idea that every corner of your home has the potential to be a source of happiness and inspiration. Thank you for following along on this evolving transformation. Until next time, friends, keep creating and making your spaces truly your own!

Project Sources & Inspiration

Dutch door & French door – Local store: The Window and Door Shop

Wallpaper – Hygge and West (Aja Periwinkle)

Bamboo Shades – Blindster

Glass Door Hardware – Emtek (Old Town Clear Knob) via The Window and Door Shop

Starburst Mirror – Jungalow (Ida Mirror)

Baskets – c/o The Dharma Door (Seafarer Basket Medium)

Chandelier – Lucent Light Shop (Cerro Flush Mount Sputnik)

Prayer Beads – Fredericks and Mae (Worry Bead Small)

Hanging Planter – Holistic Habitat (Weathered Clay Hobnail Planter with Macrame Hanger)