Laundry Room Refresh Part 2

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Back in September I posted about my laundry room update…Part 1.  Well, it took me some time to get to part two. Life tends to get in the way of all good project intentions.  After making the signs and doing all the work, I realized that there were a few more things that I wanted to do and we're on to Part 2. 

For the last few months I went out on a hunt for a few more items that had purpose and also had the look I wanted for the room.  I ended up making most of the items myself.  I added a valance, ironing board, and a new light fixture.

I made actually made the ironing board cover back in October.  I used the same fabric from the project for the valance over the window.  A full size board wasn't necessary since I rarely iron as we have a steamer.  It's hung on the wall with a hook that easily attaches to the built in hook on the ironing board.

I honestly wanted to purchase a window treatment, but never found what I liked, but making the valance was just too easy. I followed the tutorial from Life.Love.Larson. to aid me in the process, but I actually used my sewing machine instead of just using the ironing tape.  Either is a good option.  I ended up using the leftover fabric from the ironing board project.

The light fixture is my ultimate favorite item in the whole room…well, the washer and dryer are to be honest.  I have wanted a drum light fixture for a while, but didn’t have the need for one until the current fixture broke when changing the bulb. Oops!  I didn’t cry at all.  Score for me and fulfilling my need for a drum light fixture.  This Portfolio Chrome Pendant Light was on sale at Lowe’s for $98 and I used a coupon for 10% off. Winning!  I wish I could say that installed it, but I’ll give all the cred to Jeff.  I blame a bum shoulder as my excuse.

So, the room is complete until we make a counter to go over the washer and dryer.  It totally isn't a needed item, but if the granite matched the granite from the sink that is already in there…even better.  I know that is a long way in the future, but a girl can dream; anything to make doing the laundry a bit easier.

<3 mk

DIY Ironing Board Pad / Cover

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DIY Ironing Board Cover

This ironing board cover was totally made out of frustration because I was unable to find the cover I really wanted for my small ironing board.  The search went on for a few weeks and I did find a few good options but wasn’t willing to spend $20+ bucks on a cover that would cost more than the actual ironing board! So, I decided that I would DIY my own cover.

This  DIY project was not an original thought either. The complete tutorial is from Desiree from The 36^th Avenue blog. Her tutorial made me want to make my own to save money and also pumped me up to take another chance to improve upon my weak sewing skills.  She is totally right, don't say you can't sew until you actually take a chance. 

For this project I decided to use the same fabric I chose for another project you will see soon that also was made for the laundry room. The process was pretty easy and it took just a short amount of time (about 20 minutes) compared to the amount of time I spent actually searching online and in stores.  I left the original cover on the ironing board because it had the cushion attached to it. Check out Desiree' blog for all the steps.

Just a hint, make sure you leave enough room on the sides for the fabric to really wrap under the ironing board so when you pull the sides tight with the elastic it will grip underneath.  If you don’t give yourself enough overlap, the cover won't hold onto the actual board. 

This is totally a DIY for a larger board as well.  Of course it will take longer, but totally worth it. Look how much cuter my ironing board looks now!  Just make sure you use thicker elastic.  You might want to use two pieces of elastic and have two sections where it is pulled taught instead of one like on my smaller board.

Is your ironing board boring?  Make a new cover and make it fancy.

<3 mk

Laundry Room Refresh - Part 1

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Who loves to do laundry?  Not me!  So, I made my laundry room a much nicer place to be.  If you are the one that does the laundry for your family, you know how it's.. loads of fun!  Why not make it more visually and organizationally appealing. 

I'm lucky enough to have a room dedicated for laundry in our new house.  In our last house, the laundry was done in the unfinished basement area that we used for storage, tech area, and a gym. It was gloomy and cluttered, which made it even worse.  I was inspired by people posting pictures (see below) of some of the projects that they had done and wanted to make my boring laundry room a nicer place to be.

Inspiration

I didn’t really need to create storage because the previous owner already had plenty of cabinets and a sink put in when they built the house.  However, I needed a space to hang up the clothes that couldn't go in the dryer and I wanted to make it look more appealing to the eye.

Drying Racks

Our funny sounding Grundtal IKEA drying racks

I had been using a standing drying rack and any piece of furniture or workout machine I could in our last house.  It pretty much looked like the dryer blew up clothes all over the basement.  The drying rack is still in use and I put in outside once in a while to get that “smell like the sun, but feel like a piece of cardboard” look.  That rack also took up all the space in the room so I couldn't access the washer and dryer. 

Inspiration - Source

I had posted wall drying racks (see above) right when I joined Pinterest over a year ago.  I really wanted them in our last place, but I never actually found what I wanted.  The wall racks were a must in the new laundry room and I owe it all to one of my fave stores…IKEA. 

Grundtal

These racks are called Grundtal and make me so happy. I know, I sound like a dork, but honestly they collapse and allow me to hang most of the laundry in a space that would regularly be left empty, the wall.   Best of all, they are $20 bucks! We bought two because two were needed, and we also have the wall space. 

When mounting them, make sure you are screwing them into the studs or are using molly screws or toggle bolts on the spots that don't have joists.  Home Depot or Lowes sells either of those and they're relatively easy to use.  Wet laundry can get heavy and you don’t want holes torn in your wall when the rack falls off full of your clean clothes.  Make sure to measure twice so they are even and straight.

Our funny sounding Grundtal IKEA drying racks in use

These guys are the ultimate because they collapse and they hold almost two loads of the shirts and unmentionables that I usually hang up.  My husband wears t-shirts quite often they almost never go in the dryer, so I always have the t-shirts and most of our workout clothes on the rack.  The hooks that aren't being used can also hold hangers.  I bought a clip that I use to hold my underwear.  

Wall Decal

I really wanted these decals I found on Etsy, but I was a little cheap when going to purchase because the size I wanted would be more expensive than the listing price.  My hesitation was rewarded because I ended up finding this decal at Hobby Lobby, my new favorite craft store, for $11 on sale.  I would add a comment about the decal being sarcastic, but the sarcasm is obvious, and great. 

It was easy to adhere to the wall.  Just make sure the wall is clean, dry, and use a measuring tool.  It's great that if you get bored with it, it can easily be removed.

Wash / Dry Décor

Wash / Dry Laundry Room Signs

I wanted to make something that was similar to my personalized subway sign, but not as involved as that project.  I decided to purchase a small canvas and some letters to make quick and easy signs.  Originally I was going to glue the wooden letters on, spray paint, and then paint the sides black, but  a pattern was necessary so I went with the chevron/zig-zag.  It was easy to do.  

Use painters tape to make the zig zag pattern, spray paint, dry, and tear off.  When spray painting the canvas, I also took care of the letters. Make sure to sand and clean the letters before painting.  Then glue on the letters with some wood glue.  It took very little time and cost less than $10 to do per sign. 

Rug

IKEA Roholt Rug

I really wanted a little bit more to add and didn’t want the walls to be distracting so I looked at the floor and made a decision.  A runner was needed.  Again, IKEA to the rescue with the Roholt rug.  It adds a  basic pattern and don't forget the skid tape underneath.

I still want to add a decorative window shade and a place for the ironing board, but that will come in the future.

Project Price Break Down

Drying racks - $20 each

Rug -  $10

Decal - $11

WASH & DRY sign - $10 each

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Total Cost - Approximately $81.00

Overall, it wasn't a huge re-do project, but when I walk in the room, the laundry still isn't loads of fun, but the room is much more pleasing to the eye.  As far as the costs go, that's just one dinner for two at a nice restaurant!

<3 mk