Can a laundry room be beautiful?
How about just a laundry closet?
Can a space that is just utilitarian exude charm and fit in perfectly with the
rest of a cottage style home?
And can you get that charm with less than $500?
Yes, you can.
Today it is all about that ugly ducking turning into a beautiful elegant swan.
Not that my laundry room is elegant.
I would need a crystal chandelier that is much larger in the closet for that.
😉
But seriously.
Yesterday, I shared the laundry room ‘before- before’ and the ‘in between before’ which really wasn’t any better. But today it is all about the ‘after’.
When Angie’s List reached out to me and asked if I wanted to makeover my laundry room on a big time budget… I was hesitant.
Number one- I just didn’t think that $500 would make a razzle dazzle difference.
But, since the state the laundry room was in at the time was oh so lovely-
I decided I really could do almost anything and improve it.
I browsed Pinterest for inspirations.
Noted what I wanted, what I didn’t
and just what it would take to get this space refreshed.
And then I went to Lowe’s and we got busy.
My son Cullan and I worked on this makeover together
He is a handy guy I tell you.
And we did this makeover in about 2 days start to finish
and came in under budget.
I will delve into all the details like the design plan
the cubbies,
how we tiled those uneven boards
put the cupboards up
and adding that pretty little clothes rack bar
in a separate post.
put the cupboards up
and adding that pretty little clothes rack bar
in a separate post.
Here is what we changed:
A pair of vintage french doors will be perfect for closing off that laundry room when needed.
But I have to tell you- we pretty much enjoy looking at it with the doors open all the time now.
But I have to tell you- we pretty much enjoy looking at it with the doors open all the time now.
New Cupboards
Out with the old shelves- and in with the new cupboards.
We picked up two RTF cupboards at Lowe’s and also added a center section to put in between them to be able to add a hanging rack and more shelving/storage.
The center cubbies are open – which is perfect for my favorite brown bottles of soap and conditioner waiting to be used- as well as rolled up towels.
And behind the cupboard doors- liquid detergent, cleaning supplies
and tools that aren’t as pretty but that we seem to need on a weekly basis.
And behind the cupboard doors- liquid detergent, cleaning supplies
and tools that aren’t as pretty but that we seem to need on a weekly basis.
Backsplash
Simple subway tile was perfect- and it fit our cottage era and style.
We had wood plank walls in the closet before- and they are there- but they were not the best cuts and were uneven with a few gaps. Probably because it was a closet at one point- so they didn’t care as much about putting full length boards inside.
So, we knew we wanted to cover them with something crisp and clean.
So, we knew we wanted to cover them with something crisp and clean.
Wood Countertop
Bye bye old weird laminate with sound insulation underneath-
and hello butcher block goodness.
We used a recycled piece of wood butcher block for the counter and it was perfect for warming up the space while doing double duty for folding clothes.
A place for everything
Between the cupboards for tucking toilet paper, bleach, tools, etc. inside of,
to the open cupboards for storage of towels and bottles,
to the gold closet rod for hanging clothes to dry-
there is a place for everything.
Which. makes this space so.much.more. organized.
As well as the top of the cupboards where there is a long shelf to place baskets for extra bits
and things that we don’t need all the time- but do need on a more than once a week occasion
for various projects.
So here you have the cluttered, catch all, close the doors and hide it
‘before’
‘before’
and the I feel Pretty… oh so pretty….
After
After
All for under $500.
I have to admit that I am in love with how it turned out-
and cannot believe I waited so long to tackle this easy, inexpensive 2 day project.
and cannot believe I waited so long to tackle this easy, inexpensive 2 day project.
So… there you have a little budget renovation laundry closet Cinderella story.
What do you think of it?
What do you think of it?
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Great job, Courtney and I voted.
Courtney says
Thank you Kim!!!
ANNE says
What a beautiful space! Nicely done!!
Courtney says
Thanks so much Anne!
Decor To Adore says
I voted! It's truly a lovely, well thought out space. Great job!
Courtney says
I appreciate it!! Thank you!
DeAnna says
Pretty laundry room! I voted for you!
Courtney says
Thank you DeAnna!
Okio B Designs says
Now that's what I call a laundry room. =)
Jeanine
Courtney says
Aww thanks so much!
cat says
voted – it's lovely!
Courtney says
Thank you!
Unknown says
Done! It's beautiful. It *almost* makes me want to do laundry!
Courtney says
Thanks Julie!! It was a super simple update but made such a difference!
Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog says
It looks wonderful! Very inspiring!
Courtney says
Thanks Deanna!
Pam says
Just voted! Looks fantastic!
Courtney says
Appreciate it Pam!
œuvres d'art originales says
The clapping you hear is from me, Courtney. Your laundry room is just like you and the rest of your home, beautiful. Cheers, Ardith
Courtney says
Thank you Ardith!! I appreciate that!!
œuvres d'art originales says
Oh, yes, I did vote for you, too. Cheers, Ardith
Unknown says
I have laundry room envy. That is really pretty! If you put stretch panels on the inside of the french doors, it would soften it a bit as well as give you an extra sound baffle for the washing machine and dryer. Beautiful!
Courtney says
Yes, you definitely could line the doors for a bit of privacy. We actually thought about building doors to just cover the machines- but decided on french doors for that vintage closet feeling.
Candy says
Great job!
Courtney says
Thanks Candy!
Unknown says
Well done. You have my vote.
Courtney says
Thank you!
Unknown says
It was easy voting for your room…it was the best!
Courtney says
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
Joanie McLaughlin says
You are winning by a landslide, as you should be. Your laundry makeover is adorable.
Courtney says
Thank you Joanie! The contest goes for another week… fingers crossed.
LORY says
Wonderful job! I voted too. It was an easy choice… 🙂
Courtney says
Thank you Lory!! You are always so kind!!
Unknown says
My what a difference two days and $500 makes! I love the new look. You and your son did a wonderful job. I voted because yours is the best too!
Courtney says
Thank you Lin! My son is a super handy guy- trying to talk him into going into business for himself- he is super good at building.
Helsbels says
Another beautiful room in your beautiful home and again, made to look effortless! And yes, I voted too!x
Courtney says
Thank you so much!!
Jeannine520 says
Well done! What a difference.
Courtney says
Thank you!
Shannon Fox says
It looks so beautiful! And so "you".
Courtney says
Haha!! Thanks Shannon!! 🙂
Unknown says
Nice job Courtney and Cullen! It turned out great!!! I voted for yours as well because it was the best on Angie's List too! Now I am inspired to do something with mine which will be a greater overhaul.
Courtney says
Thank you so much- we appreciate it!! I thought this would be a super big job- and it was simple to update. Good luck with yours!
michele says
Courtney! You're a genius! You have my vote!!! Beautifully done, and, duuuuude, I'm thoroughly inspired. xox
Courtney says
Aww thank you Michele!! On a side note- I saw a pillow at Target recently that said Hello Lovely and thought of you! Hope all is well!!
Schan says
Beautiful job! Enjoy 😉
Courtney says
Thanks Schan!
Unknown says
Lovely… what a huge difference! We are just now doing our laundry room as well,yours is inspiring me to get our finished up!!
Courtney says
Thank you Sandra! It will feel so good when yours is wrapped up!!
Shannon @ Belle Bleu Interiors says
Courtney, you did a beautiful job on you laundry room. You have inspired me! I voted too!
Courtney says
Thank you so much Shannon!!
Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says
Very pretty! I'm in the process of making our laundry room look pretty!Love the wood countertop in your space!
Courtney says
Thanks Pam!! It was a happy coincidence that we found this piece and it fit – and was perfect for the space.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Looks amazing!!!…what a fabulous transformation!!…Off to vote!!
Hayden says
Courtney, I LOVE your renovated laundry room. The difference is amazing. We have a laundry closet that almost looks identical to the before pictures. Is there a post where you go over the details of installing and sources? Thank you!!
Courtney says
Thank you!! 🙂
I shared a bit more detail here:
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2017/01/laundry-room-renovation-step-by-step.html
An Organised Home says
What an amazing transformation. I absolutely love the subway tiles.
Dana says
Where did you get the Tension rod?
Courtney says
I believe it was just at Lowe’s