When Kim, the blogger behind Sand and Sisal, moved into her new home, she was psyched to have a dedicated laundry room. However, blah beige walls and zero storage meant the room lacked style and function, and Kim knew it wouldn't be too difficult (or expensive) to make the space even more helpful.
Now, the room is inviting (high praise for space dedicated to dirty clothes) and way more organized, and we're stealing all of Kim's smart ideas:
1. Hang a shelf you can use as an extra workspace.
Even if you don't have room for a cart or extra piece of furniture, you probably have space for a shelf. Even a short one hung at counter height will offer a handy extra surface for sorting, folding, or placing stuff as you load the machine.
2. Make sure there's extra storage under that shelf.
While you're in the business of hanging shelves, hang one or two more underneath the top one. Alternatively, turn the top of a sideboard or long dresser into your workspace, and make use of the drawers underneath.
3. Create a sorting station.
Under Kim's folding table, she placed a basket for each member of her family. She sorts the laundry into each person's bin and they're required to fold and put it away. Three cheers for delegating (err, teamwork?).
4. Try floating shelves.
Easy access to all of your laundry-day tools and products is key, so embrace open-shelving. Stocky, clean shelves hung in pairs will always look tidier than a wire rack or unfinished plank, and they can show off decorative vessels used to hold powders or liquids.
5. Put the ugly stuff in decorative bins.
Detergent bottles and dryer sheet boxes will fade into the background when placed into woven baskets like the ones Kim used.
6. Paint the room a pleasant color.
Decorating a utility space feels frivolous, but think about how much time you actually spend in there. A serene wall color (Kim chose Sherwin William's Rainwashed) will make you happier and more likely to keep things orderly.
Take a look at Kim's finished room:
Learn more about how Kim pulled off this transformation at Sand and Sisal.
TELL US: What do you think of this makeover?
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