...because home doesn't happen overnight.

It’s Feature Friday!  On Fridays, I’ll be featuring one room in my house in its current condition even if there are some things I’d like to change about it.  If I do happen to improve something later, I can always revisit it when the time comes.  Plus, I’d kinda feel dishonest if I only focused on “finished” rooms in my house.  And if what they (the professionals) say is true, a room is never really finished anyways…you’re always tweaking it.  Concentrating on just one room weekly should give me some time to tidy it up a bit, too.  At least, I can throw all the toys into another room!

We’re staying upstairs this week and taking a peek at the laundry room.  Yup, our laundry room is on the second floor and I love it.  It kind of forces me to put clean clothes straight away after they’re folded.  I don’t mind doing laundry…the separating, washing, drying and folding I can handle.  But when it comes to putting washed clothes away…that’s where I get lazy.  You may remember my laundry room makeover here.  If so, here are some laundry room shots with the new camera.  If not, then welcome to where skidmarked Lightning McQueen undies and muddy socks eventually end up in our house.

To the left…

To the right…

The walls are painted in Glidden (Home Depot’s) Gentle Tide.  It’s the same color as our mudroom.  This room is small so storage above the washer and dryer is a must.  Handy Hubby added IKEA hardware to the builder cabinets. 

The seagrass baskets on top of the cabinets hold a light bulb surplus.

I sewed and stenciled the curtains to hide plumbing and electrical uglies out of sight.

Just behind the door are hooks for drying delicates, swim suits and swimming trunks. 

The patterned ironing board cover was an Etsy find.

The trio of mirrors came from Goodwill.  They were initially gold.  I spray painted them white.

Layne made the artwork.  I think I should switch it out soon for something more ‘current’.  Layne recently said, “I made that when I was, like, 4.”  He’s 5.  Butterflies and flowers are so last year.

You may think that the wicker laundry baskets are just for looks but they’re not.  I use them to carry clean clothes to their appropriate room.  They also hold a supply of mismatched, outgrown baby socks that I throw in my front loading washer to balance out loads that are made up of mostly larger items (i.e. sheets, blankets, tablecloths, slipcovers, etc.).  Works like a charm.

Finally, the IKEA stepstool that I stained and poly’d props open the washer door to ward off any mildewy smells that can sometimes occur with front loaders left shut.  It has also come in handy when transferring clean, wet clothes to the dryer.  I happily pop a squat to load the dryer and my back thanks me.  The rugs were $3 each from IKEA.

For a little room, this guy packs a big punch.  Thank goodness.  Our boys sure know how to get dirrrty.  Speaking of which…I think I have some laundry to tend to.  Happy weekend!

11 Comments

27.August.2010

You have a beautiful laundry room.

28.August.2010

I use those same IKEA rugs as bath mats – just wash and hang to dry when I need a fresh one. I like their flatness better than a plush bath mat, and they absorb just as nicely, since they are all cotton.

29.August.2010

Mandi – What a great idea to use them as bath mats! I like their low profile, too. It seems our interior doors are cut close to the floor so these IKEA rugs have no problem slipping right under them when the laundry room door gets opened or closed.

31.August.2010

…just lovely! the overall effect is so soothing and calm..very inspiring to work on my own laundry room

01.September.2010

love it. simple and pretty! thanks for sharing. I’m taking with me the idea of the little mirrors, white cabinets, and framed art.

[…] I’m showing you the bathroom that our boys and guests use.  It sits between the laundry room and guest/play/craft room.  It doesn’t have a window (I wish it did!), so I had to brighten […]

21.January.2011

I absolutely ADORE your home. So happy to have discovered it on Apartment Therapy on the “Quick Media Reorganization” posting! Thanks for giving us such vivid glimpses into your personal home.

02.May.2011

A tip on how I solved my smelly washer issue. Try using powdered detergent instead of liquid or add some borax in with your liquid detergent.

06.June.2011

Love the room!! We have an offer in on a house wth a HUGE laundry room, so I’m enjoying gathering ideas. It will probably end up being a laundry/mud/storage room, so believe me, I scoped out your “mud room” and pantry, too!!!
I love it that you (prettily!) hid the electrical stuff–fabulous! I love the white mirrors, too–clean and simple. Thanks again for the inspiration!

14.January.2012

Thanks for the great ideas-think I might use the hiding the elecrical,etc.. I also like your cabinets.

26.February.2013

I love your cabinets and the mats!