Friday, November 19, 2010

My New Laundry "Room"

Actually....it's more of a closet...but now it makes the most of every inch!

In our house plans, our laundry was originally placed right inside the back door.  So you would walk by it every time you came in from the garage.  That was the first problem...the second problem was that there was no pantry.

So I opted to move my laundry upstairs into the "loft" area and leave the space open downstairs to build in pantry cupboards (which I did back in 2007).

I have DREAMED of doing this built-in laundry system for all the years that we have lived here.  Once we had our 5th child, it really became important to me.  The biggest obstacle was that I would have to buy new machines: Front Loaders.  When I found a pair in the online classifieds for a great deal, I knew it was time to get this project done!  I bought the cabinets (IKEA), the sheets of MDF (Home Depot), and the paint (Sherwin Williams)...then just waited for the countertop to be installed.  That was the one thing I couldn't do myself!

I love how the countertop turned out.  It is Formica "Smoke Quarstone" and it has the Radiance Finish...which means it has tiny spots that reflect light almost like fish scales....I love it and I love how it sets off the blue walls.


Here's what it looked like before: ( just so you can appreciate the difference!)



I found this divided tray at TaiPan Trading.  I fell in love with it and actually had NO idea what I would use it for...but it became the inspiration for the whole project.  I put my Spray and Wash in the clear spray bottle and my Ajax Orange dish soap (it works wonders on stains!!) in the glass bottle.  I use the other cubbies for the random things that come out of my children's pockets.... ; 0

I also have this little sign that I found at Hobby Lobby.  I love it because it reminds me of why I have SO much laundry to do...and that it really is a great blessing! ; )

And here's what it looks like IN REAL LIFE...each of my kids has their own cubby.  I have ALWAYS wanted cubbies so my kids can put away their own clothes and most of all, so that laundry NEVER has to be moved to another part of the house!  I LOVE it!

The silver bins are used for a garbage bin, a recycling bin, and to store plastic bags.  I have a plastic bin inside one cupboard for lonely socks...it brings me such joy to find them each their match! ; )

18 comments:

  1. Wow!! I have been thinking about putting cabinets above our washer and dryer in our "laundry closet" and I think your post finally convinced me that it was a great idea! I love it!! It just makes everything look so much more simple and clean than when it is on open shelving. Great job!! I would love it if you would link up to "Simplify for the New Year" over at A Home Made by Kiki!! I am your newest follower now!

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  2. lovely lovely lovely - I'm soooo very jealous

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  3. Very nice! This is a similar set up to my laundry arrangement - I love the counter top. Did you install it yourself? If so was it easy?
    Jo-Anna

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  4. I did not install the countertop. It was custom made because it had to have a finished opening in the back for the washer hoses. I found a company nearby that did it for a great price. He made it look easy, but obviously he's a pro!

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  5. I love it! That's exactly what I want to do in our small laundry room, so I'm glad to see it looks so good : )

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  6. Hey! I just wanted to let you know that I chose your laundry room post as one of my favorite posts that was linked up to Simplify for the New Year at A Home Made by Kiki! It is featured on the blog today. Thanks for linking up!

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  7. I was wondering if you could tell me what the name of those cupboards are called. I have been looking on IKEAs website and can't seem to find them...

    Thanks,
    shaunna

    shaunna.page@nebo.edu

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  8. Oh, I like it! I think I'm motivated to start on mine!!! Newest follower!! Would love for you to follow back at http://ponytailsandcowlicks.blogspot.com/

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  9. Oh my gorgeous! My laundry closet is hanging it's doors in shame. I'm hosting We're Organized Wednesday through Saturday and would love for you to join the party.

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  10. I am envious of those with an actual laundry room until I see a transformation like this! I LOATHE our little laundry closet but have high hopes for it. Thanks for sharing and giving me a little inspiration and motivation to make it pretty!

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  11. I'd love to see a pic with the doors shut (outside view). Please?

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  12. Can you tell me what these cabinets are called? I have a set up similiar to yours but I would like to have those shelves. Thanks

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    1. The actual cabinets are from IKEA...they are called STAT. But the shelves in between the cabinets were just built out of MDF board. They were fairly simple. I just put the cabinets up first and then nailed cleats to the wall and then nailed the shelf to the cleat and nailed into the side of the shelf through the inside of the cabinet. Good luck!

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  13. What a great inspiration for my upcoming Laundry Room makeover. Love this!

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  14. You are probably so sick of talking about this amazing closet...would it be possible for you to give me the dimensions of your closet? My husband and I are debating whether or not we have room for the cabinets within out closet or not. Also did you take the doors off the closet? Or are they still there?

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  15. you can also email me at Eburt227@gmail.com. Thanks! Erin

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  16. I noticed that you do not have a place to hang clothes anymore. What are you doing with that? My laundry room is about the same size. I wish you lived close by so I could borrow youto help me out. Thanks for giving me a bit of inspiration.

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