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My Laundry Room Makeover!

Aug 31, 2015

Have you ever said to yourself, “What was I thinking? When we added on to our home more than 12 years ago, we moved the laundry — which was right off the kitchen — to the back new part of the home. I was trying to save both money and a tree, so I decreased the size of the room to half of what was specified.

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Distressed beams by Segreto Finishes

After finishing so many laundry’s I wanted to give mine the character and charm that this one has.  With a built-in coffee bar and custom tiles from ADR, builder Patty Barnett and client did such a wonderful job with the design!  We took new beams and applied a finish to make them feel reclaimed!

 My Laundry Room Makeover -Segreto Secrets Blog

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With only a 6×10′ space, I was never going to have a dream laundry room like these! Before this recent renovation, my washer and dryer were side-by-side and there was about one foot of folding/counter space and very little storage! I felt as though baskets of clothing were everywhere!!

My Laundry Room Makeover - Segreto Secrets Blog

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I found this laundry room on Pinterest to illustrate the size of mine — because I failed to take “before” photos. Originally, I was going to move my washer and dryer to the back wall like the configuration above, but that left me with even less workable space. So, we took out all of the existing cabinetry and rebuilt in the most efficient way possible!

My Laundry Room Makeover - Segreto Secrets Blog.

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Starting from scratch allowed me to include as many ideas as i could fit! See my Pinterest board for all my many laundry room (and mudroom) inspirations!  I definitely wanted to incorporate baskets into the cabinetry rather than having them sitting on the floor. Tip: buy your baskets first before the carpentry begins so your sizing works!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

An ironing board in the wall — awesome!!! Previously, we were ironing in the hallway and blocking access the exercise room and my home office! After searching the web for all sorts of space-saving ironing boards, I settled on this one from Iron-A-Way. Although I bought the brand, I found it cheaper on other websites. I purchased it fully loaded, including the iron (which fits in the shelf), the outlet, and the built-in light. In using the ironing board, I found the light to be so bright and hot that we disconnected it. Do your due diligence: How much space does the ironing board it take up when fully extended? Are you ironing right- or left-handed?  Our ironing board did not fit where I intended it, but I found another spot that worked!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

I saw this idea at a client’s home: cleaning storage in the space on one side of the refrigerator!  I thought this would be awesome next to my washer and dryer, giving me floor-to-ceiling storage on both sides!  Unfortunately, my laundry room was too small; maybe you can use this idea in your next redo!!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

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With little surface space, I thought having an extra shelf in between the washer and dryer was ideal!!  But I found this feature is not available for all washer and dryer models. My existing appliances — too good to replace — have an accessory that allows them to stack but not a shelf accessory to go in between.  We contemplated building boxes around the washer and dryer with a wooden shelf in between; however, city code does not recommend this!

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We used to hang drying clothing on our window casement and laundry room door: so beautiful! Ha. Ha. I was not going to forget this small detail this time!!

My Laundry Room Makeover - Segreto Secrets Blog

 

I really liked the concept of using a commercial hamper that we could roll in and out for dirty clothes. This one that I found this on Re-Modelista by Whitmor was heavy duty (suitable for commercial use). When I looked at the hamper’s dimensions in my limited space, I had to forgo this option. However, I built a hamper into the cabinetry (photo coming up)! And so, the construction begins!!!!

My Laundry Room Makeover-Segreto Secrets Blog. Goodchild Builders.

Well, you can see I was checking the progress after work — look at the wine glass!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog.

All built and ready to paint!  I used Taj Mahal quartzite for the counters and a concrete tile back-splash from Materials Marketing. I originally bought these tiles for my kitchen, but decided to use them in my bar and laundry instead.  I have a lot left over — any takers?! With the washer and dryer stacked, I gained so much more area to fold!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

 The ironing board was built into the back wall!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Pull out laundry bin for darks and lights!

Now I have a pull-out hamper — much like a hidden trash can in a kitchen. It is divided into two sections: one for light clothing and one for dark clothing!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Built-in drying rack!

I also designed this cool drying rack into one of the drawers. This is new to me, so I’ll let you know if I actually use it!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Cabinets glazed by Segreto Finishes.

I love all the finish colors together!!  I painted my cabinets SW 7043 and then glazed them, adding silver leafing to the small bead detail and a gray inking to all the creases. I am loving the hardware I purchased from Acero Bella.

Stenciled Wall

The walls are plastered and then stenciled!!  I love this fun Wallovers stencil design; to it we added a silver highlight in some places to give the pattern more dimension!!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Now, how to get the most usable space inside the cabinets?  Trusted organizational guru, Hilda, was up for the task! These lazy susans and labeled containers from The Container Store were perfect space-gainers and allowed much easier access to all items. See Hilda’s tips on my closet organization blog and pantry redo blog.

Laundry Storage

For a renovation of a small space, I know I now have so much more room to sort, fold and iron. Thanks to Goodchild Builders for helping me create a beautiful and better organized laundry room!!

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The redo certainly didn’t make me love washing and ironing, but I do enjoy it more!! Send me a comment on what is your favorite feature in your laundry room!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog!

Acessorizing with things from The Segreto Boutique,  I chose this wonderful clock, basket from Aidan Gray, and these pomegranate vases.

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Segreto Boutique & Gallery!

My Laundry Room Makeover- Segreto Secrets Blog

Segreto Boutique and Gallery!

If you are near by, do come by Segreto Boutique & Gallery! We would so love to see you and there are so many new items Have a great week!

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18 Comments
  • Design Chic
    Posted at 08:07h, 31 August Reply

    I went to put clothes is the dryer just before reading this and I couldn’t be more depressed…I now want to redo every square inch of my laundry room and buy a stackable washer and dryer…yours looks amazing! The tile backsplash and countertop are gorgeous and of course, the stenciling and cabinet glazing make the space! Please come do mine!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:52h, 01 September Reply

      I am there!! xo Mine were not stack-able and I bought an attachment that changed them. Only works for front loading though! Have a great week my friend!

  • Nicole Gill-Ottinger
    Posted at 10:43h, 31 August Reply

    A few brilliant, thought out ideas at work here! Making me wish: “Why didn’t I think of that”. The biggest problem for me is the ironing board. I do like a large 18″W x 64″L Ironing board, the reason being I iron and starch my bed linens. But I love the customized storage and stackable washer/dryer combination – makes doing laundry a breeze.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:50h, 01 September Reply

      HI Miss Nicole!!! Goodness I wish I had the energy to iron my sheets! I would love them so much better!!! Thanks for reading! xo

  • South Shore Decorating Blog
    Posted at 15:21h, 31 August Reply

    Leslie the stenciled walls are spectacular!! I have a laundry closet, so I am jealous!
    Stacy

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:49h, 01 September Reply

      Hi Stacy! Hope you are doing well! I love your home!! I love stenciling too!! My husbands keeps saying no more!!! xo

  • Karena
    Posted at 15:38h, 31 August Reply

    Leslie, you have so many incredible and inspired ideas for a great laundry room !! Brava!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Featuring Sharon Santoni

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:47h, 01 September Reply

      Hi Sweet Karena! I hope you are doing well! I love the new space! xo

  • Joyce
    Posted at 18:45h, 31 August Reply

    Hi!
    Your new laundry room is well planned and gorgeous! You are a lucky gal!

    My laundry is located in a closet in my kitchen, very organized with a side by side top loading washer
    where I wipe the top clean and fold our clothes. Then I walk up 5 steps to our bedrooms and put our clothing away. The closet is lined with shelves and labeled bins. The bi-fold doors close when laundry is complete or to neaten up when the door bell rings. I never have baskets of dirty laundry sitting because I do small loads every other day or so. I wash our sheets weekly and make the beds daily. Since I am in the kitchen frequently each day, the laundry is easy peasy. By the way, this is the third move for our laundry in this house. It was in the garage when the house was built. It was in the family room when we purchased this house. I asked my husband (he is a carpenter) to move it to our kitchen and make a closet. It has worked very well for us.

    I just have a question. Do those of you with front loading washing machines have problems with mildew
    and damp odors? Our married daughter hates her front loader because water does not completely drain out after her load washes-:-(.

    Leslie, enjoy your new laundry room!
    Joyce

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:47h, 01 September Reply

      Hi Joyce! I would love to see pictures of your space!! I do think I liked my top loading better but I don’t have the problems your daughter had. If you purchase look at all ratings! Best to you! xo

  • Joy Alpha
    Posted at 22:55h, 31 August Reply

    Lislie, love how much you ended up with in your utility room. Nice placement! I also love the tile, you said you had some left? Would love to know how much you have and if it is still available!
    Joy

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:45h, 01 September Reply

      Hi Joy! I need to count how much I have left. My cost was 30$ per square ft. How much do you need?

  • Shirley@Housepitality Designs1
    Posted at 22:09h, 02 September Reply

    You have a most beautiful laundry room….epitomizes beauty and function….and I love the built in drying rack…genius!…The room is so bright and cheery, thus making laundry not so much a chore!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 07:30h, 03 September Reply

      Good morning Shirley!! Thanks so much!! Big change for a small room!!! Have great Labor Day Weekend!

  • lauren
    Posted at 06:47h, 03 September Reply

    I, too, was having problems with a “smelly” front-loader. I now use plain white vinegar in the
    bleach dispenser for almost every load I wash. It has helped tremendously.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 07:28h, 03 September Reply

      Great idea!! thanks for sharing!!! Have a great week!

  • Taylor Greenwalt
    Posted at 22:45h, 03 September Reply

    Love it…ill take one just like yours!

  • michele@hellolovelystudio
    Posted at 20:05h, 06 September Reply

    it’s so fabulous, leslie–so many thoughtful details that are going to add efficiency to your days. and the tiles are perfect. thanks for sharing all these tips for laundry design. peace to you.

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