Laundry Room Reveal Pt 1
Are you all ready for a laundry room reveal? I know I am, finally! Before we embarked on the basement renovation, we weren't too dissatisfied with our laundry room: it was large, it wasn't too creepy, we didn't have to rewash clothes if they fell on the floor, and it even had a sink.
This was the Before. Pretty typical for a laundry room in an older home - which begs the question, why are so many of us satisfied with having mediocre laundry spaces? Why can't they be more comfortable and rooms we actually enjoy spending time in?
The plan was to do just that, make the room pretty and efficient. We don't live in a large house so we really had to make this oversized space multifunctional. The green tape marked the walking area for the new smaller laundry room. Basically, we'd split the existing rectangular room in two to create an L-shaped storage room on the outside wrapped around a galley style laundry room on the inside. You can see our plans here (that we drew up two years ago! Geez, we're slow). One more look at the laundry room from the hallway...
and the same view now...
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| Left side view |
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| Right side view |
A few other details which make this room happy... the Jar of Lost Socks and Jar of Found Coins sitting on the countertop, a prettified ironing board (held up with an Ikea towel hook!), and the Laundry decal which always makes me smile.
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| The view from the other end of the room. |
On top of the countertop, we put even more kitchen cabinets. One stores household supplies and the other one holds pantry items. We also hung some hooks to hold a hand towel (handy after washing up at the sink), and our reusable grocery bags (which never seemed to have a home. Now they do!)
We actually had just enough leftover handles from our kitchen renovation and used them on the cabinets. Love love love them still (they're the Studio line from Hickory Hardware) - even though Chloe thinks they are like rock-climbing steps and tries to climb up them. Ah, 3 year olds!! Other fun stuff: my laundry symbol art and the Nuheat in-floor heating thermostat. Yes, the laundry room floor is heated. Don't go hatin' now ;)
But one of my other favourite room features is the mirror and rod...
So that's it. Our little laundry room that packs a big punch. I'll be writing another post showing more of the details and sources and some of our lessons learned, but if you have specific questions, leave them in the comments and I'll be sure to answer them.
Is it too early to be making predictions for 2013? Because I'm calling this one... the laundry room is the new kitchen. How else to explain that I want to hang out in this room, even when there's no laundry to be done :).
81 comments
Just beautiful :) I especially love the countertops and the gorg tile!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The laundry room is actually "wrapped" by an unfinished storage room so all the plumbing pipes are pushed into the storage and we were able to push the machines flush to the wall.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a beautiful room! You give me hope for mine. One day...one day :)!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! Great transformation!
ReplyDeleteWow! I clicked over here from Bower Power and I'm so glad I did. I majorly love your new room. Where does that second door go? In your original photo, it looks like you might have added a door, where your old ironing board was sitting?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! If it helps, I totally have mudroom envy. We just have our muddy boots in a pile on the stair landing down to the laundry room ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the color of the tile? I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome transformation!
ReplyDeletewowsa-- i am having major laundry room envy! our laundry room is also our mudroom (right as you enter from the garage) and i've always debated about moving it down into the basement but i've wondered if i'd be annoyed by going down an extra set of stairs every time. if it looked like THIS, i don't think i would even care! nice job. seriously-- it's amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow! beautiful! How did you hide all of the wires/pipes/etc? Are they in the cabinets?
ReplyDeletewow!! this is amazing...the tile is beyond!!
ReplyDeleteI am obsessed with this! So gorgeous! Bravo!!
ReplyDeleteI think I might actually look forward to folding laundry in this room. For now, I avoid folding by restarting the dryer (my dirty laundry secret)! Great job!
ReplyDeleteCan't decide if I hate you or want to marry you. Or maybe it's the laundry room I want to marry. Going into my faves file for SURE.
ReplyDeleteStunning laundry room! So, so, so impressive!
ReplyDeleteI need to know, where did you get your art/prints above the sink? They are fantastic. Thanks!
The art prints were from a vendor at Soutworks Antiques mall in Cambridge, Ontario.
ReplyDeletethis might be the cutest laundry room ever!! i love the glass tiles, but the door is my favorite! with laundry on it. to die for!!
ReplyDeleteMy gosh! I just saw this comment now Joni - I am a HUGE fan of your blog. Glad you liked it :)
ReplyDeletehooray! looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteJen!! This is absolutely stunning! Love the aqua hint on the glass tiles and how well that pop of orange via vintage print works with aqua. Stainless steel top looks amazing in the space and I so agree with the dropped sink decision. OMG just looks so good.
ReplyDeleteMy fav is also the mirror wall behind the dry hanging area. Just adds extra sparkles! LOVE!!
OH MY GOODNESS. I have such crazy laundry room envy right now. those tiles are such sparkly goodness, and with the mirror and stainless countertop, I feel like we need sunglasses - in the BASEMENT! Bravo you guys!
ReplyDeleteNew addition to the laundry room: sunglasses for guests. LOL. Thanks Lisa!
ReplyDeleteJen, it is amazing! I think this is your best project yet! As always you and husband's level of detail is impressive! I think my favorite detail is the stainless steel counters. I am curious how you find time to do the work? Do you work after Chloe goes to bed? Lately I can't seem to find to do anything beyond the basics.
ReplyDeleteUhm, you caught the part where we drew up these plans two years ago, right? ;) Things are much easier now that Chloe can play by herself so while we're working in the laundry room or basement bathroom she's down there with us, colouring in her craft area. That and we try and do reno blitzs on the weekend when one of us can play with her while the other one works.
ReplyDeleteYour laundry room is to die for. There isn't one detail I'm not in love with. I'd buy your house just for the laundry room. I love the jar of lost socks, the pretty ironing board and the TV is amazing. I'd do laundry all the time if I had a TV in my laundry room. Fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteHa, I keep telling HandyMan the same thing. Kitchens & bath might sell houses, but in this house it will be the laundry room ;)
ReplyDeleteAh! This is the kind of laundry room before & after that I've only seen in Sarah Richardson's beautiful homes! Well done. So lovely!!! :)
ReplyDeleteEeks, she's my idol! Glad you liked it Rosa :)
ReplyDeleteWowzers, the room turned out so amazing I can't believe it's the same space! I'm loving the jar of lost socks by the way, ha! And the heated floors? sigh.
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! I am totally having laundry room envy. My laundry closet (literally) just does not compare. This is so, so gorgeous Jen! Fabulous work.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of door is the ikea hook attached to? I would love to do this in my laundry room but my door is MDF, so I don't know if this would work.
ReplyDeleteSWOON. Um, can I please move in to your laundry room?
ReplyDeleteWoah! This before and after are awesome! I wish I had a space like this to do laundry in- my poor apartment basement laundry room is so gross it freaks me out, what I would do for a space like yours!!
ReplyDeleteThis room would totally make me want to do laundry! It is so shiiiny and pretty! You guys nailed it, as usual.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best laundry room makeover I've ever seen!!! I'm so inspired - my laundry room is on the hit list next year.
ReplyDeleteWOW! It's so incredibly gorgeous - I have to say I'm jealous!! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOOOOOOVE THIS!!! i think the room for the rod is especially genius because I'm always ironing and then once the clothes get up to their hangers they need to be re-ironed it seems. This totally solves this and also provides extra storage! Great job you two!
ReplyDeleteIt is so so beautiful! I want to come and do laundry at your house! Congratulations on yet another gorgeous room!
ReplyDeleteWow. Your laundry room looks amazing. I love the use of Ikea cabinetry.
ReplyDeleteIkea was perfect for the job!
ReplyDeleteReally, really nice. I am very jealous....I think I need a new tv room too. Oh wait, laundry room!! Such a bright and inviting space.
ReplyDeleteYes, you do need that :)
ReplyDeleteWow! The space looks amazing. All of the planning and details really shine.
ReplyDeleteBravo!
Can I bring my laundry over to fold? TV and heated floors - perfection!
Michelle
You are welcome anytime Michelle! Just knock on the side door, ha!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD!
ReplyDeleteI guess you like? :)
ReplyDeleteIt turned out so special , I just love the tile it is such a nice pop of colour. Well worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it would make me want to spend time in our laundry room just because it was pretty but having a proper counter and sink really does make me feel differently. I will use it for flower prep now also and maybe even gift wrapping.I have always dreamed of a pretty laundry room , it is a real plus to have one to keep me organized.
So true. I definitely keep this laundry room organized than the old one!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jen, your laundry room looks great! So bright and light and cheerful, and super-functional too :-) Love that you took the glass tiles right up to the ceiling. And the TV is a great idea - we have a small TV in our kitchen (hubby's idea), and I use it ALL the time when I'm in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteYour new laundry room looks amazing, Jen. Great job! I'd want to hang out in the room all day just looking at different elements again and again.
ReplyDeleteHa, that's exactly what I've been doing Michelle :)
ReplyDeleteWOWZA! Amazing space. I love it when a dark and dingy space turns all bright and sparkly like yours!
ReplyDeleteThe buzzing overhead fluorescent lights in the Before space didn't help any! So glad they're gone.
ReplyDeleteDang!!! I know you said no hatin, but I can't help but be sick with jealousy!! Our laundry room looks like a crime scene. I'm so impressed with your beautiful renovation, it is indeed the 'new kitchen'!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
~ Sara @ Russet Street Reno :)
Thanks Sara! And I'm jealous of your dressing room so I'd call us even ;)
ReplyDeleteVery Nice! Love it! Ample storage space, beautiful finishing, attention to details, budget friendly and functional! Well done!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jen! It looks AMAZING! So clean and bright and man alive...all that storage! Job well done:) Love that you added that mirror.
ReplyDeleteThat is so luxe!! I love all the details (especially the hanger for the ironing board - genius!) Pop by my blog for a little giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazingly beautiful! I wish it were mine.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Love the tiles and the mirror is so unexpected in a laundry room but is so effective. I'd be happy doing laundry in there any day!
ReplyDeleteWowee zowee! It looks SO GOOD - total inspiration for our future basement makeover. Great job!
ReplyDeletethis room really looks like a million bucks! Great job as always!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cow!! So fabulous. So cohesive. so finished. so totally decadent! Stellar job Jennifer!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping over Cindy! Always fun to find other Ontario bloggers :)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome! I'm from Peterborough, not too far away. I'll pop back again.
ReplyDeleteA new laundry place looks incredible... Great job! I'd would like to hang out within the room throughout the day just investigating different elements all the time.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! It all looks so perfect. You will be one of the features tomorrow at Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and pick up a feature button for your blog. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse:disqus
ReplyDeleteLove your laundry room! Visiting from "Just Beachy". I am in the process of wrapping up my laundry room, and I agree, it is like the new kitchen of 2013.My space is so small, and I must say, it is so amazing what you can do. I am also an Ontario girl/part time blogger.
ReplyDeleteCindy
waaahhhh!! I want a laundry room like that! (soooo amazing! it's like a fantasy come true! way better than 50 Shades :))
ReplyDeleteI haven't read 50 Shades - but I can see how a laundry room with a heated floor and TV can elicit a similar reaction, lol.
ReplyDeleteFunny how that worked out. The previous laundry room was big but barely had any folding space! Glad to see you can comment now ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I'd use the TV, but its fun to have it down there especially now that my office is in the basement too. Small comforts!
ReplyDeleteI want to put a small TV in my craft room, but it won't have a PVR so I won't be able to watch the Food Network - now I'm reconsidering!
ReplyDeleteUm, can you come and plan my laundry area for me!?? That's pretty much EXACTLY what I want to do! :) Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love this room, great source for inspiration too. I love the dropped sink, I noticed that detail and saw that you were debating on whether or not to raise it up, good choice to leave it:) I really like the colour of the backsplash and the way it works with the room.
ReplyDeleteI love it! It looks gorgeous! A tremendous amount of thoughjt and planning clearly went into the details and it paid off! Not that I would expect anything less :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, just gorgeous. I love the tile backsplash and the mirror and even the ironing board cover. It all goes together so well - a perfect blend of form and function. I can see why you will be hanging out in there a lot.
ReplyDeleteThis is the type of laundry room I want to hang out in! Love your gorgeous design especially the beautiful glass tiles, the stainless steel countertop, the sink, the storage area, the "Laundry" decal! You thought of everything! You did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteJessie
www.mixandchic.com
Dang Girl! This is the prettiest laundry room I've ever seen. I love how the whole room is put together. It doesn't feel like its in the basement AT all. You and handy man did an amazing job! Kudos to you guys :)
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic!!! Love the stainless counters and the mirror behind that hanging clothes. Every detail just sparkles!
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