This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The International Housewares Association. All opinions are 100% mine.
So, we are basically just sitting on our hands over here, waiting to start building this dang house.
I don’t do waiting very well.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some projects around here that we should be working on before housebuilding becomes our sole focus. One of those things is the laundry room.
Our new laundry room is legit tiny. It shares a tiny little room with all the house’s utilities and the dogs’ kennel.
Unfortunately, the amount of laundry I’m doing on a daily and weekly basis hasn’t changed. (Bummer, right?)
I like our new washer and dryer (we sold the old set with the house), but the space is ugly or impractical.
So, I’ve been trying to find ways to make the space work better for us – and that means a little extra pretty and some organization.
I’ve picked a paint color to paint the walls – which will be a really fun project since the space is so tiny.
Then, I’ll work on organizing the space I do have. Here are a few things I’m considering:
Establish zones
In our laundry area, we need space for laundry, cleaning supplies and ironing. By knowing what we need to store, we can plan accordingly.
Make it pretty
I’m much more likely to maintain some order when it’s pretty. The laundry room can be very utilitarian, but using pretty storage containers (like these glass push-top jars) can be a great way to make a space beautiful and functional. (The jars would be great for detergent, laundry balls and more.)
Find a hanging solution
Our laundry area doesn’t have room for a full rod, but this hanger holder is perfect to hang a few shirts to dry – without taking up too much valuable real estate.
Use the walls
Because of the lack of floor spaces, walls have to work extra hard.
I love that this ironing board holder and storage stores everything you need to press clothes. And it doesn’t take any extra space.
Cleaning made easy.
The laundry room is a hardworking space, so this stand-up broom and dust pan allows you to have your sweeping supplies close-at-hand.
Any other tips I could use for our laundry area?
Check out Inspired Home for more ideas.
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amy says
I’m totally in awe of your absolutely lovely home! I’m having a blast and getting inspired while pouring over every nuance of your adorable little place! When it comes to our laundry room…well, it might make you feel better to know that we don’t actually have a designated laundry space at all. Not even little closet. No, the builders (in their infinite wisdom) chose instead to place both the oil burner AND the washing machine in our TINY little bathroom (Honestly, we’re talking small, here…probably about the size of yours, which is a good size…if you don’t throw in two massive appliances in there as well!) So, where’s the dryer, you might ask? Ah, that would be in the garage. And let me tell you how enjoyable that is, having to throw on shoes (and a coat in the colder months) and carry wet clothes out into the dirty, stinky garage where my husband insists on using the top of the dryer as another work/storage space. I end up holding the basket so it doesn’t have to lay on all the grossness. Ugh. Anyways, I suppose we all have our burdens. I digress, though. I should really remember to count my blessings. At least we have a dryer. And a house! Anywho, just wondering, how much did the house cost to build and furnish, all told? And how did you decide on the sqft that you used? Also, do u feel that having that barn/garage area helps it feel less claustrophobic there/helps with storage? Thanks!
Kim Woodward says
Thanks for the comment – I really couldn’t even begin to guess a price for the barn. We did it over two years and were also concurrently working on our old house. Probably $20k would be a good guess, but that wouldn’t include our well and septic, which were done as well but will be utilized by our house, too.
As for deciding on square footage, we used the attic of the existing barn, so it was sort of decided for us. And the barn/garage definitely is the main reason we can make it work in a small space. I’ve talked a lot about this on these posts – https://newlywoodwards.com/2015/01/letting-go-stuff-things-thought-needed-really-dont.html and https://newlywoodwards.com/2015/01/living-small-not-really-downsizing.html
Amber @ Wills Casa says
Laundry is the worst! I do however love the pretty things you found for it. Confession I fold my laundry in the kitchen.
Gretchen says
I love clever storage solutions :). Our laundry room is pretty big, but really narrow, so it’s hard to work with. For now I close the door and ignore, but eventually I’m going to need to pay attention to it!
Emily @ imperfect says
We redid our laundry room (bigger than this, but no more functional) over Christmas and it was a huge game changer. Can’t wait to see what you do.
Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says
I’m right there with you sister. I mean, I’m working with a little more space, but the lack of organization is there.