Home Is Where My Story Begins

The Laundry Room – Checking it off the “To Do” List

The laundry room can finally be checked off my To Do list! It’s been a long process. We do a little project and then wait for the money tree to grow. Then we do another small project and wait some more. We moved into our house five years ago and I think I’m finally done with all of my little projects for the smallest room in the house.

When we moved in, we had the old top load washer and matching white dryer, from Sears. They were a wedding present from Great Grandma, back in 1995. We brought them to our new house with us, because they were in fine working condition. Well, I can’t say I was too sad, two years ago, when the washer went, “CLUNK!” and stopped working forever.

We started shopping and found the great set, above, but they were so big that we had to have the plumbing moved so that we could reorient the washer and dryer. The old set was along the right wall. Once the plumbing was moved, we could place the new set along the back and actually have room for a mini-mudroom. It was a dream come true! We finally had a place to hang coats, right where we walk in the door. Is this the perfect mudroom? No. Is it really big enough for the entire family to use? No. But, it does add enough space for the kids’ coats, most of their shoes, and a place to throw their backpacks after school.

Since we moved the washer and dryer, space planning was a big issue. I wanted to be able to maximize storage in this tiny space. We had California Closets come out to give us some ideas of how to best use this space. Ultimately, I loved their plan, but couldn’t afford their price tag. My sister had used a company called Space Plus. Judy came out and came up with the perfect plan. It allowed for basket storage above, a place for coats, and a shoe cubby below.


I had a really hard time finding the perfect wicker baskets to fit this space. After buying and returning three expensive sets, I finally settled on cheap plastic. It doesn’t look too bad. It’s durable, practical, and the price was right.

I LOVE to organize things in labeled bins. So, out came the scrapbook paper and laminator. I think the labels may be my favorite part of the room.


Next came new floor. My husband wouldn’t let me do it myself, so we hired it out. That was installed just a few weeks ago.

All that was left to do was a curtain. One day I was thinking about what to put on that window. (I spend a lot of time just looking around my rooms and thinking. Thinking. Thinking. Not doing. Just Thinking.) Finally, I was fed up. I went to the craft room to see what fabric I had on hand. I have been thinking about using paint drop cloths as drapes in my family room and I just happened to have the small one in my craft room… perfect. Perfect size. Perfect color. I didn’t even need to cut the fabric. One line of stitching across the top and it was read to hang.

A little twine from the gardening box made the perfect, rustic, tie-back.

I’m thrilled to have the laundry room done and move on to other projects. I just wish it looked this clean and organized every day! I guess that old saying is right- Take a picture it will last longer…

Here are a few parties I like to link to:
http://becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com/p/linky-parties-i-like-to-participate-in.html

Leave a Comment

The Comments

  • glg
    March 16, 2010

    Love those baskets with tags. Looks like you're off to a great start with your blog. I looked around and love the black window screen you hung. Also, love the header picture for your blog. I'll be back!
    Gina@3ringcottage

  • kim
    March 16, 2010

    Your laundry room looks so nice and organized. Nothing here is organized. My washroom is on the small side and has the litter box and cat food and mops, ironing board, etc. Just not very neat. I need to re-work it someday.

  • Lori
    March 16, 2010

    That is the second paint cloth curtain I have seen used. Great idea and love the twine tie back.

  • Vintage Remixed
    March 16, 2010

    It looks great and darn organized. Wish I could say the same. 🙂

  • FrouFrouBritches
    March 16, 2010

    OH WOW! I am soooo jealous! Your laundry room is gorgeous! Mine is a pit!

  • abnsigoslady
    March 17, 2010

    What a wonderful job. I love the baskets with the tags. Laura@the mansion

  • Leanne
    March 17, 2010

    Great job on your laundry room. It looks beautiful and organized. I wish I would have bought the red or black washer and dryer. I just got white. Congratulations on finishing it.Thanks for visiting!

  • Caroline
    March 17, 2010

    I love how organized everything is! Great job!!

  • Cami
    March 17, 2010

    My laundry room so could use this makeover! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Cami

  • Annikke
    March 17, 2010

    This looks great! We just did a small makeover in our laundry room – nothing this good though!!

  • Jess
    March 17, 2010

    I love your laundry room! Mine is still on my "to do" list…unfortunately, I don't have a lovely window-how beautiful!

  • Lanie Ree
    March 19, 2010

    I love the black baskets! They don't look cheap- not with those tags!

    Thank you for linking this up to A Little Craft Therapy, with Life in the Pitts.

  • Lanie Ree
    March 19, 2010

    I'm including this in today's feature!

  • Kelli
    March 19, 2010

    Very good job! I love the labels on the baskets.

  • Gay Vaughan
    March 20, 2010

    Looks great! Doesn't it feel nice when things have a place to go? Great job!
    ~Gay~
    itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com

  • Emily {Frilly Details}
    March 20, 2010

    What a fantastic space! So clean and organized. Great job!

  • Andi's English Attic
    March 20, 2010

    Your laundry room looks fab. Mine will always look cluttered no matter how organised I am – there are too many things that need to be stored in there.
    Tell me, is your family like mine – only mum puts the shoes actually IN the cubby holes? xx

  • Wendy
    March 20, 2010

    Looks GREAT! So fresh and organized!

  • Mandi @ Finding Home
    March 20, 2010

    Love the organization! We are redoing our laundry room too – and had to redo all the plumbing to accomodate the front loaders. What a mess. My hubby is a plumber though. We have a long way to go but seeing your space gives me a lot of hope for what is to come! Thanks for sharing!

  • Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden
    March 20, 2010

    What a great job you did organizing. It looks functional as well as pretty. I love that you have a window in your laundry room. Mine is like a dark cave!

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden!

  • TidyMom
    March 21, 2010

    WOW Becca I LOVE it!! What GREAT use of your space!! and I LOVE the black plastic baskets…I bet the will hold up better than wicker any way – and the tags are ADORABLE!!

    Everything is just perfect!!

    Thanks for linking up and sharing!

  • PaperFlora2
    March 22, 2010

    Great post..
    I'm your newest follower. Stop by my blog and take a look

  • The Katzer Family
    March 22, 2010

    Ahhhhhh…..THIS is the room…..my bins….my bins….

  • Noelle @ Mesa AZ Photography
    March 25, 2010

    This turned out wonderful. How nice to have a room completely done. I like your baskets too, and they look just fine as plastic. No harm done.

  • Carla
    March 30, 2010

    I love the black baskets. Where did you get them at? I have been looking for baskets also. I did have a wicker set and after a couple years they are breaking apart. Your laundry room looks great.

  • Christine
    July 10, 2010

    Hi…Your lovely laundry room caught my eye. Congratulations, I don't think I've ever used lovely and laundry in the same sentence! Thanks for the invite to link up, I'm delighted to!

  • Organize with Sandy
    December 24, 2010

    Ok..yes.. I officially love your blog. lol The baskets up high to organize…the shoe cubbies down low. Oh yeah!! Beautiful job.
    Please… link this to my Organizing Mission Monday link party!!

  • Comeca Jones
    April 26, 2011

    Love the tile in your laundry area.