Over the last few weeks, I’ve received some emails asking, “Kimba! Whatever happened to your laundry room redo? You were in the process of reworking the room, but we haven’t heard anything lately.”
**Chirp***Chirp**
To be honest with you, with the end of the school year and a ridiculously busy June (WHEN will youth baseball season END???), we just didn’t have the time to finish up the projects we had in process. But last week, we finally took a huge step forward in our quest to have a functional laundry room.
From the very beginning, my goal was to finally have a laundry room that functions well. If it’s pretty, that’s great. But function is my first priority. The first step was to install the stackable washer/dryer combo. Then we painted the room a fabulous aqua color. Then we added the laundry tub that wouldn’t have fit unless the washer and dryer were stacked.
Here’s what it looked like when we started. I’m so embarrassed.
Side-by-side washer and dryer. Single shelf with a hanging bar. No organization. No practical storage.
And here’s what it looks like now now with some functional storage that we built ourselves!
This is my favorite part. Storage and hanging space!
We built the shelving tower out of MDF. It was super easy, but we didn’t take good pictures of the process. If you’re interested in building something similar, check out Ana White’s plans for a Cubby Bench. That’s basically what we did without the wheels and the extra trim on the front. Super easy.
Our tower is actually in 2 sections because the top couldn’t go all the way against the back wall since we have plumbing and electrical outlets back there.
The hanging rod (from Lowes) is just enough space to hang 1 (maybe 2) loads of laundry. And that’s enough. It forces me to actually put the laundry away rather than leaving it in the laundry room.
The little shelf above the rod is also from Lowes. The shelf was pre-finished. You just cut it to length and used L-brackets to hang it.
The baskets came from Wal-Mart and they hide all my extra laundry supplies. The bottom one is exclusively for orphaned socks. I’m not so naive to think that I’m going to carefully put away my everyday supplies, so they their own shelf. I am so excited to finally have some proper storage and a functional laundry room.
This was a pretty thrifty project. I think we spent somewhere around $90 for everything, including the baskets.
Next up? Some kind of surface for folding clothes. I’m picturing a fold-away table, but I’m not sure yet.
This post is part of a series sponsored by Electrolux as part of Homebuzz. I received an Electrolux washer and dryer in exchange for my participation. The opinions stated in this post are my own. The fiant piles of laundry are also my own.
{ 33 comments }
Kimba- how do you like doing your laundry w/ the stackable washer and dryer? We’ve been thinking about getting a new washer and dryer and it would give us more room if stacked them. I’m just not sure if I will like doing laundry with them stacked.
It looks great! How do you like having your washer and dryer stacked like that? I’ve been considering doing it but not sure how difficult it is for pushing buttons, swapping clothes, etc.
It looks great! I think everything you’ve done is super functional and I’m loving the price tag.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who clings to all those single socks!
Ps. (baseball JUST ended for us – whew!)
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Looks great!
cool! it’s looking fabulous, and definitely motivating me to do something with my laundry room
It looks amazing! I love the idea of a fold-up table – would it work to have it fold down across the sink and then store away against the wall to the left? That seems like it would work really well.
Looks great! I love th washer and dryer stacked…is it hard to get into?
Lisa
http://www.pickfair.etsy.com
I love your new laundry room! A fold-away table is perfect as a folding surface…I have it! Good luck!
Jess
Jess´s last blog ..Mutual funds for dummies!
love it!
Laundry room looks great Kimba! Nice organization
I also love your color choices! At least if you have to do laundry you can be surrounded by pretty colors!!
Love it! We are thinking of doing the same thing to make room for a puppy in August. Did you already have the plumping for the sink? Like the others I would love to know how you stacked your washer/dryer and if you like it?
Love the transformation. You’ve got lots of great storage!
I really want to redo my laundry room…but in order to do that, I’ve got to take down a bunch of wallpaper, which terrifies me! Love your new laundry!!
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It looks wonderful….I love the wall colour and the red washer/dryer is awesome!!
Kimba, I’m so glad you’re liking your washer and dryer! Electrolux was awfully smart to pick you to receive the machines. And of course your walls need to be that gorgeous Tiffany blue if you’ve got red machines!
Your tower of storage looks practical AND pretty. I love for things to look pretty, but a space like a laundry room absolutely must be practical. Yours is apparently both. Good job!
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I am so inspired for a laundry room redo. I have the plans but will probably have to make this a fall/winter project. I’m sure my husband will have hesitations so maybe it will be a surprise. I can’t wait!
Can you come redo my laundry room now? LOVE IT!
I love the stacked washer and dryer. I never thought about doing that. I hate how crowded our laundry room is right now and that would probably really help.
Looks like you are making great progress!
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ooooooo!!!!!
I just adore the red machines with the turquoise walls!
How hard was it to install the sink? Did you have plumbing for one already in place? Was that a DIY project or something that’s better left to hired professionals?
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Love your blog, but I want some updates! If you feel the need for some recipes or anything please check mine out!
this is beautiful! I love your style. it looks so wonderful. I bet that is a nice space to spend time in!
Kimba,
What a great blog you have! I just discovered it! I love it! Happy decorating & living-
Megan
http://cottagebluedesigns.blogspot.com/
The Laundry Room I ever found the most massive place in my home… !!! I so want to redo it, your blog will lend me a great hand to do this. Thanks for sharing a useful blog.
I love all the work that you have done with the house! I have been looking at lake norman luxury homes and really want to get one that doesn’t require a lot of renovation, but the laundry room always seems to be a place that needs it so much.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the laundry could put itself away. At least you have a fun space to be in, I try to be in mine as little as possible.
Kimba so good to find you! Wow I wish my laundry room looked like this!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
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Kimba,
this looks great! I love the storage and the color combo is beautiful. I was wondering if you could share with me how you hung your tobacco basket, I cant figure out how to hang mine, help please!
Girl, you have just posted my dream laundry space! In fact I was just googling stackable washers and dryers yesterday (just to see if anyone was giving them away.) : ) We have a laundry closet by our back door and I’ve long thought a stackable w / d set-up would be perfect; I could turn the other side into a tiny “mud room” with hooks and cubbies. We have no spot by any of our entrances for junk. Anyway, I LOVE what you’ve done!!! I bet it even makes laundry more fun.
That looks fabulous! When we finished our cottage rental, we put in a hanging bar, and I’ve been jealous of it ever since. Our laundry area in the basement could definitely use a remodel. I didn’t even know you could stack those full sized washer/dryers. Plus, we even though we bought inexpensive cabinets for the cottage laundry room, I can see how we could have done it for less… and still have it look great. Thanks for the inspiration!
My laundry room is very similar to your before. I’d love to stack my washer/dryer too, and we also need a laundry tub. I’d love to do what you’ve done here, have the same questions as the others about the plumbing and also the ease of use with the washer/dryer stacked.
I have sliding doors in front of my washer/dryer, so in order to get into one from the other, I have to slide the doors out of the way, very annoying!
Ok KImba spill it on the joys, pros and cons of stacked front loaders!!!
It looks great! I love the color! http://teamgeb.blogspot.com/2010/07/airing-my-dirty-laundry.html
I would like to try your ideas here.. thanks for sharing!
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