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Laundry Room Makeover

 

laundry room

 
Bonjour mon amours!  Now this post is for all of you people who only have a dime and a laundry closet to your name.  I would love to have my laundry room look like a spa, but that will have to wait until my next home…or lifetime.  This is all I had to work with, so I worked what magic I could.
 

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a Before picture of my closet doors.  Imagine drab, cheap looking doors with mustard-poop-brown knobs.  Those knobs were one of the first things I vowed to change when we moved in.  I hated them but didn’t want to spend any money on replacing them either.  So, here’s what I finally did.  I spray painted the knobs black and then used some liquid nails to glue on that little oil-rubbed bronze center thing.  (Those center things were about to be thrown out by our contractor because they didn’t fit on our kitchen cabinets.  I rescued them knowing that I’d find a good use for them, and I HAVE-all throughout my house.)

 
 
I saw the cute laundry sign in the Ballard Designs catalog and have been on the search for one at T.J. Max. When I couldn’t find one, I decided to spray paint some $1.19 letters from Michaels instead.  But a can of spray paint is so expensive, you say.  Not if you buy it for $1.80 at Big Lots.  Tip: If you have a Big Lots near you do not be afraid to go inside.  They have fantastic deals. But spray painting letters seems like a messy-pain-in-the-butt, you say.  I just threw these letters into an empty diaper box, sprayed them, and closed the box and left them to dry.  And no, I did not bother with the time and expense of priming them first.  The letters did require two coats, however, so if you consider spending another 30 seconds of spraying a pain-in-the-rear, then yes, this project isn’t for you.
I bought those little frames below from Target years ago.  I have seen them pop up in the $2.50 section several times since–so be on the lookout.  I bought mine when they went 50% off and have been holding onto them forever without a clear vision for their purpose…until now.  They come in a pack of three, so you could even splurge and buy them at full price if you so choose.  I found the scrapbook paper not-too-long-ago on clearance at Michaels for $.29 a sheet.  Again, I wasn’t sure how I would use it but it spoke to me.  The “French Milled Soap” sign and other little fleur de lis graphics were obtained from Google images.  I simply copied them into Word, sized them down, and hit print.  Wa-la!
Okay, so below is what the inside of my laundry closet looked like Before.  Very boring and uninspiring.
And…drum roll please….here is the AFTER!

Isn’t is cute?  Doesn’t it almost make you want to do some laundry?  Okay, now let me take you for a tour of all the little details.  The basket on the left was sitting on the floor of the boys’ bathroom closet with no real purpose, so I purposed it on the shelf.  I had already planned on buying another laundry basket because the one we have is always in use (if not filled with laundry then as an airplane, race car, or boat).  I found the big, brown beautiful basket at Big Lots for $15.  (I wonder how many of you will be headed to Big Lots after this post?  Wish I worked on commission. 🙂 Target sells a similar basket for $25 which was way more than I cared to spend.  The little lamp was a wedding gift from my cousins and I’ve never found a great place for it.  Tip: Be sure to shop your HOUSE before heading to the store.  You probably have great things in the basement, closet, pantry, etc. just waiting to be given new life.

The cute soap box was in my master bath, and I rehoused it here.  If you were really thrifty, you could obtain a crate from your local market and stencil some letters on it.  I’m not that patient….so I bought mine awhile back at Gabriel Brothers.  I stuck a full sheet of scrapbook paper with some chocolate ribbon (10 yds for $1 at Big Lots) in the center to cover up the ugly cords.  The frames are again the ones I had from Target and those little circles on the nail heads are again those saved knob thingies that were almost thrown out!

 

Oh, and I almost forgot to show you this below!  I cut strips of the scrapbook paper (no measuring allowed) and wove it through the grate.  Then I took some grosgrain ribbon I had lying around and did the same.

Oh boy…Asher just got home from school and apparently threw up on the bus, so I need to go! At least I have a cute laundry room to look at while I’m trying not to barf myself!

I have envied Sarah’s laundry room sign for a long time and was so excited to learn that one would soon be mine!  My laundry “room” is actually a small closet.  There wasn’t much wall space for the decal, and besides, I’m starting to feel selfish with my vinyl.  If we move, I want to take it with me!

Here’s what I did (at 1am nevertheless because I was working on my freakin’ STAIRCASE until then!  PAR-TAY tonight starting at 10pm people.  Be there…ready to stare. :):
I rummaged in the basement and found an old piece of MDF. I spray painted it metallic bronze…because I had it on hand and I wanted a dark base.


Next, I used my free Glidden paint in Marshmallow White, a sponge brush, and this doo-dad on the left that I bought 8 yrs ago when I was going to try and “stain” a white door faux wood.  I never used it because I was still in my 20’s and seriously lacking in DIY confidence.  Hello beautiful 30’s!  I’m not scared of you Mr. Doo-dad faux Woodmaker Thingy.  Bring it.
I put a thin coat of paint on the MDF and then rocked the doo-dad back and forth while pulling it across the paint.  I let this coat dry and then took a paper towel to sponge on some paint to fill in the gaps.
Once the paint dried, I rubbed on my vinyl.
Isn’t is cute?  I love the way the “wood grain” turned out.  I think it adds some interest and texture to the sign.
laundry sign

laundry2

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Comments

  2. Great before and after transformation!! Love the color scheme and the small homey touches. My laundry room was similar to you before picture too and I tackled it with success. One thought – add another shelving unit below the one you have – adds amazingly more space!!!
    THANKS

  3. My laundry closet is the exact same. I am FINALLY inspired to do something with it. I was always afraid of decorating the outside since its in the hall leading to a bathroom, but hey-I can’t help that’s where MY laundry room is! Thank you! P.S. I found you through another blog on FB by accident and am glad. This project is def. something a beginner can handle and doesn’t need expensive or fancy one of a kind items.

  4. Love the price of this makeover! You are so right- should your house first and then go buy anything supplemental. I too have so much stuff I have bought without a plan for its beauty- and I am inspired by your post to glam up my laundry room. Thanks!

  5. Oh I am so glad that I found this post! I have a laundry closet much like your "before" and hopefully I can make it cute like your "after"!

  6. I love the area. I'm totally going to decorate my shelves w/ scrapbook paper and/or ribbon today while my toddler is napping. I love crafts that I can do w/ stuff I already have.
    Thanks for the inspiration, I needed it 🙂

  7. I just read your guest post on "Just A Girl", so I came on over…and I'm hooked! I have a laundry closet just like this and I HATE it. This definitely gives me a little inspiration to try something new!! Thanks!

  8. Love the colors! Mine laundry room is in the dungeon of the house (no windows for me) so this has given me some ideas!

  10. Very cute–I love all the details.

    Thanks for the "tutorial" on spray painting letters–I never would've thought of Big Lots or using a diaper box. Fabulous!

    (Found you on Thrifty Decor Chick's Before-&-After Party, btw!)

  13. Too cute!! I envy you girls with cute laundry area's – mine is in an unfinished part of our basement – not worth trying to make it look pretty 🙁

    LOVE the colors you used too!!

    ~TidyMom

  15. Cute redo! Pretty colors. You might even be inspired to do laundry…well, maybe not if someone has thrown up on it!

  17. So cute and much more exciting than my blah, lint riddled room! Tell Pastor Dustin to check out his Home Depot for these clever little things called FELT PADS!!!!

    Love- your big sis whose off to do 6 loads of laudry…begrudgingly!

  18. You’re nuts 🙂 (this is me trying not to be envious and yet… being so 🙂

    You are SO coming to visit me once we get our place— Iwill pay u in love, coffee, good cooking, and lots of girl time 🙂

    Tina

  19. from a man’s point of view…i just want to know how you will keep that lamp from scratching up the top of the dryer??? But – nice touch – looks good.

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