Wednesday, September 18, 2019

41 Our Laundry Room Today

First, I want to thank you for all of the great feedback on the sweet and simple nightstand drawer before | after post. I am excited that those smaller projects are just as fun for you as they are for me! I have a few more small scale organizing projects up my sleeves that I can't wait to tackle and share.

Today, I wanted to give you an update on our laundry room!



In my last laundry room update a few years ago, I excitedly shared a peel-and-stick wallpaper that I had just installed. Shortly after that, a funny thing happened. I was so in love with it when I found it, but then I became stuck. I attempted to source finishing touches for the room and it all seemed to compete with the paper. Just because I loved the colors and design of the wallpaper, doesn't mean it was right.




How to Save Peel and Stick Wallpaper

But I waited on it. I lived with it for awhile and really tried to make it work and be sure I wasn't acting impulsively. I felt that guilt we all do when we invest in something and don't want to be wasteful. I refused to remove the paper until I could find a way to save it to reuse or pass on. Peel-and-stick paper usually comes packaged on a glossy paper backing, and after some digging, I found a wide freezer paper that is plastic coated. Turns out the freezer paper is the perfect way to take down the adhesive paper from the wall, roll it up, and save it to be reused in another way. In fact, our laundry room paper has already been repurposed in my niece's bedroom lining a bookcase and we all couldn't be happier about that.

So with that, let's look at where our laundry room is today. It has truly become a room that I look forward to going to and gives me this warm and fuzzy happy feeling.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

After some searching, I came across a Farrow and Ball Lotus wallpaper on eBay for a really great price. Two full rolls for $100 less than the typical cost of one single roll. And being that I was only doing one wall, two rolls would be plenty. I pulled the trigger because it just felt so much more in line with my ultimate vision for the room. The last paper was colorful with an extremely busy pattern. I still wanted pattern and color but now knew that a tonal option would probably give me a similar effect without overwhelming me this time. It would still offer visual interest, but wouldn't compete with all of the other elements in the room.

We installed the new wallpaper about five months ago now and I still get butterflies every time I walk into the room. It feels so much more refined and timeless while still offering something interesting and beautiful. (We followed this wallpaper installation tutorial here.)

After that, things very slowly started to fall into place. And although the rest of the changes we made were not big ones, they were still impactful.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

For example, I realized that the open glass doors of the paint cabinet were visually competing with the open glass cabinet doors over the sink. Having multiple door styles in the room really created a weird imbalance, especially because the space is small and windowless. I initially tried to add a frosting to the inside of the glass, which helped, but eventually just primed and painted them so that the cabinet could just sort of fade away and hide the clutter behind the doors (I wouldn't normally do something like that on a nice piece of furniture, but this cabinet was DIY'd by us years ago and serves the purpose of storing all of our paint supplies, so it was a nice fast fix in this instance). There is a lot of white in this space which is good being that there are no windows, but I have been keeping my eyes open at thrift stores and on FB Marketplace for an interesting old cabinet to bring in another layer of character.

When we first DIY'd our built-in wall, we partnered with Home Depot to come up with some custom storage for our laundry room. We have never stopped loving the storage that the entire wall offers; we use it for cleaning supplies, beach gear, seasonal items, sewing supplies, laundry hanging, and now even for feeding our pups. We modified it a while back to add some decorative shiplap backing and laundry baskets, which gave it a fresher look. Five plus years in it had become clear that we could have initially used a better method for making the cabinet doors. The doors we originally constructed were quite heavy, built from MDF, hung with external hinges, and weren't perfectly square. So this summer we built all new doors!

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The new doors are infinitely better. They cleaned up the look of our built-in and the panels are now truly inset (I plan to share how we built them soon). We also installed concealed hinges which makes such a wonderful difference. At that same time, the entire unit received a fresh coat of paint, trim, caulk, a new acrylic hanging rod, and a built-in feeding station. Yes, yes, and yes!

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

Isn't that hanging rod lovely? I have been so inspired by my friends Grace from A Storied Style and Kristin from The Hunted Interior, and their use of acrylic for hanging rods, handles, window hardware, etc.., that I had to find a place to do the same. I found an inexpensive piece of acrylic on Amazon, as well as the mounting hardware. We added three total brackets to be sure the rod could hold the weight of our clothes, and so far so great!

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The counter is a piece of butcher block that is extremely solid and ties to the floating shelf above the washer and dryer.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

For the pup feeding area, we researched the best eating height for our dogs and installed a pull-out shelf that we cut to insert their bowl inside (we used a basic white laminate shelf paired with these drawer slides). The bowl is just floating in there so it can easily be removed and washed at the nearby sink after feedings.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

Originally I wanted to store their food in the drawer below, but pet food really should be stored in its original packaging, or an airtight container that can be easily cleaned between refilling. So now the drawer just holds all of their supplies, which also works out really great! Their food is sealed in a rolling bin in the tall cleaning cabinet.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The wire baskets continue to function really well for our family. We use them when the clothes come out of the dryer to bring the folded/hanging clothes back to our rooms to be put away. The larger woven basket is for linens for delicate wash items.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

As we continue around the room, I added a pair of really pretty brass hooks to hold towels and beach/summer gear. I use hand towels all over this room for cleaning the feeding area, drying the bowls after washings, wiping down the washer door, and of course for general hand drying. Multiple hooks are a must!

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The art above the hooks is a print from Juniper print shop; the colors are so great and it reminds me of many scenic drives that we have taken over the years.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The room is all white so that the wallpaper can be the star. But the back of the door was begging for something, so it received a coat of Benjamin Moore's Newburg Green. It is a stunner of a color and I want to use it again and again. I also added an over-the-door organizer for the iron and ironing board. We still need to change all of the hinges to black throughout the entire lower level.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

Our washer and dryer are Maytag and they have been workhorses for us for over ten years now. As a family of five, we do laundry every single day so we couldn't be happier about the amount of use we have gotten out them so far. We lowered our hookups and built them in a few years ago and it was one of the best things we could have done. The folding counter has been such a game-changer to my laundry routine; I absolutely love all of the space there is to spread out and fold piles of towels or to layout my sweaters to air dry. Being that the units are now built-in, I am a little nervous for the day the washer/dryer goes out and we have to upgrade. I will be sure to share what that process looks like should that happen down the road (no jinxing it!).

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The counter we selected is holding up great, no bowing or wear and tear from the daily use. Of course, I would have loved to have installed solid surface counters, but these were so much more budget-friendly and serve us perfectly well.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

Laundry detergent and whitener are stored in lidded glass canisters...

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

While the smaller essentials such as dryer balls, delicate wash, stain remover, and a lint brush, are all stored in a handy wire basket.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

I continue to be a superfan of the deep stainless sink; it has been used for dish washings, mop bucket fillings, stain soakings, and paint supply cleanings. It cleans up so nicely and is everything I could ask for.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

As far as the faucet goes, although there is a pull-down nozzle, there is very little spraying power so that will probably get swapped out at some point. The faucet itself is of high quality and a really beautiful option.

Sidenote: Aren't those flowers absolutely beautiful? They are the prettiest colors and I clipped them straight from our yard. #staysummerforever 

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

I shared the organization of the sink cabinet here, and how we installed a decorative toe kick here. That decorative toe kick still makes my heart race; little details are so important.

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

The cabinet above the sink holds all of our frequently used home maintenance items; lightbulbs, extra paper products, sewing boxes, puppy linens, stain remover, etc...

IHeart Organizing Laundry Room Storage Organization Wallpaper

Last but not least, how sweet is that little wooden rail of hooks? That is another DIY and I will share that tutorial soon as well. It was incredibly easy and inexpensive and it turned out to be one of my favorite accessories in the entire space.

Bit by bit, one project at a time, our laundry room has evolved and changed so much over the years. This room is used multiple times per day so it is nice to have it fully functioning and feeling more complete. Chores are definitely more enjoyable when you are feeling good in your surroundings!





Laundry Room Wall/Built-In Color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
Laundry Room Door: Benjamin Moore Newburg Green

41 comments:

  1. Love the new wallpaper; it's much more peaceful and calming!

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  2. Looks gorgeous! Seriously. Glad you switched the wallpaper--it was beautiful, but it's no good to have a space that gives you a pit in your stomach! Awesome that you were able to repurpose it, and the new wallpaper is just heart-eyes all around.

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  3. I love this for so many reasons!! Of course it’s so beautiful, but it’s also such a good reminder that rooms take time to evolve and sometimes there are setbacks. Definitely a reminder I could use with some of my projects ;)

    Thanks as always for sharing!!

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    1. Thank you! And cheers to rooms evolving and embracing it! ☺️

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  4. Well done! Question: brand of your ironing board and ironing board cover? It appears larger sized (which I prefer) but without the metal ironing board holder attached (which I prefer too)! :) I actually iron on the large side of an ironing board and it. saves. so. much. time. Thanks for sharing! Carla

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    1. Hi Carla,

      I iron the same way! My ironing board is probably over ten years old now, I honestly can’t remember when or where I purchased it from. I found the cover at HomeGoods, that was a couple years ago also. They always use to sell the best covers, but I haven’t looked there for awhile. Otherwise, Amazon is probably a good place to check for both.

      Jen

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  5. Beautiful and so functional, love it! I have a pass through laundry going from the kitchen to the garage...thankfully it has great storage above the machines! But I would love a laundry/mud "room". :)

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  6. We are about to embark on making a cabinet door - I can't wait for your tutorial! The laundry room is beautiful and so functional. I definitely know the guilt and stomach-pit feeling that comes along with realizing you made the "wrong" choice, sometimes it paralyzes me from making a change in the first place! Thank you for showing that its okay to try something and change your mind.

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  7. Ahh Jen this is amazing!! I have always loved your laundry room and love seeing all the happy updates along the way. Looks like it's working very well for you all now. So happy to see you back to posting, I love everything you share!

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  8. I'm not an accomplished amateur decorator with a highly developed sense of designing intuition, but I am truly perplexed by the amount of angst this wallpaper was giving you.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, it is interesting that is the perception that I gave. It’s not that the wallpaper was causing me daily distress or angst, maybe I should reword if it is coming off as dramatic. But I did try to fight it and make it work. It was also considered to be art by a fellow creative, so I also carried some of that. And it was money spent which I am always sensitive to. It isn’t something I dwelled over daily, I just felt a weird guilt tearing it down and I didn’t want to be wasteful.

      Jen

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    2. What details were 'fighting' with the original paper? Was it the floral print you hung? Everything else seems white, clear or brass, which would not compete. Thanks!

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    3. Hi Linda,

      I personally felt like anything I brought into the room was a competing element. The paper on its own demanded all the attention. Just having everyday laundry items on the counter made the room feel extra busy, and at the time I had a different light fixture, rug, and I hadn’t painted the glass doors of the center cabinet. So bringing in any art, greenery, etc, only added more visual interest and my eyes had nowhere to land. After I put in the new paper I felt a sense of calm, so I knew it was the right move for this particular space. I have seen designers do amazing things with busy wallpaper (some have a skill of layering so well). Just didn’t work for me.

      I simplified a lot of the other accents and finishes when I swapped the paper (repainting cabinetry, adding a solid rug, putting in a basic light, making sure all the hardware was the same, etc...), so I am sure that all played a part in taming things down and pulling it all together also. But now I feel I have more creative freedom in the space without having to worry about fighting busy patterns or colors. ☺️

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  9. Newburg Green is one of our favorite colors, it is my front door color, on a light green house, it is BEAUTIFUL and I'm so glad we went for it!

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  10. Love your laundry room and the changes you made! Such a fresh look! It looks like the color of your wallpaper might be Pavilion Blue. Is that right? I am considering ordering for my laundry room but wanted to verify. Thank you for sharing your updates!

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    1. Yes! That’s the color. ☺️ Lotus BP 2051 (Pavilion Blue). I would love to see how it turns out if you end up going with it.

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  11. Stunning, as usual!! 💕💕 still my #1 favorite blog. You showed me that things can be functional AND beautiful. It does matter. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. This might sound strange, but I would love to hear your tips on caring for and maintaining your washer! We've had 2 front loaders now, and I'm about ready to give up and return to a top loader. I leave the door open, clean the seal, etc. but they still got the black mold stain and my current one has started smelling awful!

    I can't imagine yours is doing that if you are still happy with it after 10 years. Maybe there's another trick or two I can try!

    The laundry room looks lovely!

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    1. I have heard that tossing a washing machine cleaning tablet (like an Alfresh) can help, once a week or month? Because I don’t usually purchase too many household cleaners from the store, I actually do a few different things:

      Our clothes are washed with powder detergent in the drum, I will occasionally add washing soda also. In the dispensers I will use hydrogen peroxide when washing lights, and vinegar for everything else.

      I sprinkle washing soda in the drum and mist it with rubbing alcohol and run a sanitary wash once every week or two. This seems to really deodorize it. I also use some Castile soap and baking soda to scrub the inside of the rubber lining quickly at the same time with an abrasive sponge. I then wipe it dry and leave the door cracked.

      I also wipe down the door and leave it cracked before bed every night.

      Sounds like a lot but it really is pretty quick and easy. ☺️

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    2. Thank you so much! I'll have to give some of these a try!

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    3. Thanks so much for these tips, I'm going to try them out as well! Just to clarify, I'm not familiar with 'washing soda'. is that the same thing as baking soda? thanks!

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    4. Washing soda is a natural water softener, laundry detergent booster, and odor eliminator. I find it works really well against stains and is great at adding some extra power behind my everyday cleaners.

      Here is a link to the product: http://bit.ly/2oGRkVp

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  13. Your laundry room is beautiful and I can understand why you enjoy spending time in there! I love all the little details, like the toekick and artwork. I was wondering how you clean your stainless sink? I recently got one in my kitchen and have been searching for the best cleaning method. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous space!

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    1. Hi Sara,

      That is a great question! I have done a couple of different things over the years, here is what I have found to work best.

      To remove rings, water spots, and general cleaning, I prefer soft scouring cleaners. Either create a paste from baking soda and water, or use Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser (http://bit.ly/2mLXrXf), or Mrs. Meyer's Baking Soda Cream Cleaner (http://bit.ly/2mLFTuk).

      With a non-scratch abrasive sponge (similar: http://bit.ly/2mLGZpW), clean the stainless with the grain. Don't use anything steel to clean the sink as it could scratch and cause rusting.

      Rinse with hot water or vinegar. Use a soft, microfiber rag to dry sink and prevent additional water marks.

      Using a soft rag with a small amount of olive oil will really make it shine (again, always go with the grain of the stainless). I have also heard club soda has a similar effect, but I haven't personally tried that yet.

      Also, anything that can trap moisture onto the sink for longer periods of time (rags/sponges, rubber mats/suction cups, large pots/pans, etc...), can cause the stainless to dull.

      ♥️ Jen

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    2. Thank you so much!! I look forward to making my sink shine!

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  14. Oh my heart, it’s gorgeous!
    I have to admit while reading “feeding station” followed by “Yes, yes yes!”, my first thought was that you were announcing to us that you were expecting a baby! LoL!
    Great job as always on your projects, I love all your posts!

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    1. Just our fur babies! Ha!

      And thank you for the kind comment. 💓

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  15. I really enjoyed hearing the story of your laundry room. It's so helpful to hear what worked, what didn't, and the changes you've made.

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  16. I love everything about your laundry room. Your honesty is so refreshing and don't get me started on the organizing because I love organizing so much that I can't stop talking about it! lol

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  17. Such a lovely laundry room! I love every single details and I admire all of the hard work you put into it! Looking forward for more updates on your beautiful home!!!

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  18. Beautiful. Clean, fresh, stylish! You have a lovely style Jen.

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  19. Coming back to this post so I can pin it- thanks for the tour and inspiration! We are in the planning phase for a garage conversion that will hopefully have a mudroom/laundry space- would you mind sharing the rough dimensions of your laundry room? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Stephanie,
      Our laundry is 8 ft (washer/dryer wall) x 10 ft.
      Best of luck with your conversion project! Sounds amazing!

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  20. Your laundry room project is really inspiring. The wallpaper is beautiful, and I love all the details of the functional storage ... you even thought of integrating the feefing station (so clever !!). I will be inspired by your tips for my future projects. https://www.ingrid-martin-decoration.fr/

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