Nearly a year and a half since moving in, the laundry room was one of the last remaining “To Do’s” on our main-floor remodel checklist. For a room that housed the washer, dryer and dog food, it was never a priority. It functioned well enough for it’s purpose but my husband and I knew we could do more with the small space.
Admittedly, it took a couple arguments, some concessions and a complete change in the floor plan to get where we were satisfied. Not only would this laundry room be functional for washing clothes and feeding the animals, it would serve as a cleaning spot for garden vegetables to scrubbing chicken water fountains. Additionally, this room would have adequate counter space for folding clothes, placing a food dehydrator and tending to chicken first aid.
OUT WITH THE OLD
At roughly 8-feet by 9-feet-six-inches, the space didn’t look like much. It was worn, it only had cold water service and it had zero storage space.
IN WITH THE NEW
I honestly have to say that after our remodel, looking into the laundry room from the kitchen brings a smile to my face. No longer am I starring at a blank, discolored wall. It is now a clean, attractive and oh-so-functional room I wouldn’t be ashamed to show off. It literally, makes me WANT to do laundry!
Upon entry into the room, I am immediately greeted with a newly installed utility sink. My husband was adamant about having a sink of this size and depth in our laundry area. We were able to meet in the middle and chose to install this large utility sink atop cabinetry instead of having the typical, unattractive, plastic utility tub on it’s own stand.
We utilized the faucet originally installed in the old kitchen. This saved a little money and only required us to purchase the drinking water faucet and a replacement hand sprayer. Now, we can soak, scrub, fill and rinse even large sized items without having to visit the basement or use the kitchen sink.
Moving to the left of the sink we have plenty of counter space to set a hand vac charging station, dehydrator or to sort and clean garden produce. It is a wonderful extension of work space that we didn’t have previously.
The washer and dryer area is even more functional and much cleaner than the previous layout. By bumping out the lower portion of the wall we were able to inset all pipes, drain lines and dryer vents. This allowed the washer and dryer to push farther back towards the wall while insulating the water lines on this exterior wall.
By adding storage shelves with fabric bins above the washer and dryer, lightweight items such as fabric softener sheets, rags and dog leashes now have a home. The area brings height and interest to the room without closing off the upper corner the way an enclosed cupboard would have.
Perhaps what I liked most about this bump out wall is the long shelf spanning the entire length of the room. It makes for handy detergent storage, space to display a few antique bale top jars and of course dog treats!
Keeping the floor space open in front of the washer and dryer was imperative. This allows plenty of room to move and sort large loads of laundry. With this new layout, not only could I fit a dirty clothes basket in the room but also the dog food/water station.
To round out the room, I knew I wanted to hide the ugly stuff, such as brooms and mops. Doing so behind the door was the easiest way to keep things accessible, yet visually contained.
ADDED CONVENIENCES
Beyond the addition of the new sink and cabinetry, there were a few more things I needed to make this room functional year round. First on this list was a way to line dry delicates…I was tired of hanging them from the window locking mechanisms.
I actually took this retractable clothes line from our previous home. It’s placement in our new laundry area will span the entire room and allow me to line dry anything I want to in the middle of the North Dakota winter. It easily folds away when not in use and the attachment hook on the opposing wall can be used to hang a hand towel for daily use.
A fold down wall table from IKEA gives the room even more counter space when I need it. I’ve found that it works well to sort clothing as I fold them directly out of the dryer. At just $30 (purchased directly at an IKEA location), it was a steal of a deal that should stand up to light to mid-weight use for years. Amazon also has this table if you don’t have an IKEA near you – find it HERE!
This compact in-wall, swivel, ironing board was a bit of an investment but it was a great way to keep everything ‘ironing’ together. Everything folds neatly away when not in use and it stays tidy.
This unassuming, $7 gem, was another one of those Amazon buys I’m glad I found. It resides next to the ironing board to hold clothing on hangers. Whether fresh out of the dryer or hot off the ironing board, this sturdy and convenient hanger fills a need I’ve had for a while. No more draping clean clothes over a basket waiting to be hung. This guy can hold a great amount when mounted into a stud – find it HERE!
DECORATIVE ELEMENTS
If you know me well, then you also know I like my projects to be unique. I enjoy looking at things that mean something to me and have a history. As small as a singular design element may be, they all add up to making a space special to the person who lives in it.
My husband laughed at me a bit for this one. After seeing something similar while out to dinner with friends, I fell in love with this baseboard corner idea. I literally had one corner I could do this in. Since the baseboards in the laundry area were being painted the same color as the walls…I figured why not!??! Most days this monochromatic detail stays hidden behind a laundry basket, but, I know its there.
This button filled shadow box was another project most wouldn’t appreciate. I had long wanted to make my own box to store and display family buttons saved throughout the generations. A coin slot in the top of this purchased box allows me to keep adding to my collection while some of my favorites are pinned to the fabric backer board for display.
Another element my husband says is “different” are my chicken feed sack window valances. Circa 1969, these were given to me by my brother who rescued them from my grandparent’s farm house. They reflect the history of the lifestyle they lived during their lifetime and adequately mirrors how my husband and I are choosing to live our lives now.
Finally, a tie-in with the rest of our remodeled space. This pendant light matches the desk space lighting and that which is above the kitchen island in the adjacent room. Even though many of the elements in this laundry space differ from the modern, country feel of the kitchen, it still flows well.
IN SUMMARY
As basic as this laundry room may be, I feel I’ve left my mark on it. That is exactly how a remodel should work – leaving your mark, making it your own and ending up with a space that speaks to you.
A BIG thank you goes out to my husband for working hard on this room. He may not realize it, but I’m so very appreciative for his vision to switch up the floor plan AND for not backing down on his desire for a utility sink. This room ended up being more functional than I could have ever imagined – XOXO
#LifeOn25Acres
Dirt On My Plate 