Redesign Your Laundry Room and My DIY

Last Updated on July 5, 2021 by Ellen Christian

Most of the upkeep around the house falls to me.  While I am generally too busy taking care of what needs to be fixed or replaced, sometimes I would love to redesign a room to make it look and function better.  The laundry area is one part of my home that I would love to redesign.  I have tons of ideas I’d like to implement so I thought I would share a few tips from Jenny Komenda, decorator and blogger at The Little Green Notebook with you in case you would like to redesign your laundry room too.

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Redesign Your Laundry Room

Redesign Your Laundry Room with These Tips

Tip #1:   Dealing with a dark, cave-like laundry room is a chore in and of itself! By taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you’ll open up the space and create a place to store baskets. In this laundry room, we assigned baskets for every member of the house, which makes sorting a breeze!

 Tip #2: Why not decoupage or paint insides of cabinets for a fun pop of color? It’s a guaranteed smile each and every time you reach for your detergent.

 Tip #3:  Don’t like the cabinets, floors and countertops in your laundry room? Every surface can be painted or resurfaced! For less than $30 in materials, the outdated linoleum, brick pavers and old, dark cabinets were updated in this laundry room with paint and with a concrete overlay product.

 Tip #4  A rolling laundry butler can be your best friend, doing triple duty with a hanging bar, a rolling basket and a drying rack. It’s the perfect choice for a laundry room with limited space that hasn’t been updated in a few decades.

 Tip #5:  Don’t neglect your laundry room walls! Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and more “homey”. Suddenly those 400 loads of laundry most of us will do this year might actually be enjoyable!

 Tip #6:  Use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of the washer/dryer units to create a folding station and to prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances.

We have a very small laundry area in the bathroom so I don’t have cabinets or room to add extra accessories.  I headed off to Home Depot to see what I could do.  The Home Depot is your one-stop shop for finding everything you need for your laundry room, including great cleaning products, appliances, organizing, storage and decorating items.To celebrate the #BrilliantHEClean campaign, Home Depot is offering a $100 gift card with the purchase of a Maytag Powerwash machine & 150 oz. Tide.

Redesign Your Laundry Room

I decided to give the top of my washer/dryer all in one unit a different look.  We have been using a folded towel on top which isn’t the look I was looking for. The people at Home Depot in Rutland, Vermont were very helpful for answering my questions and helping me find exactly what would work for me.

Materials:

  • 24″ x 24″ 3/4″ thickness medium density fiberboard (MDF)
  • 4 stick on tiles in “Gray Marble” design
  • 1 small tester size paint in Rolling Pebble

Technically, if you want to do this “right” (as my Father says), I should have cut the MDF to 26″ x 26 1/2″ which is the exact measurement of my washer/dryer all in one unit. BUT that would mean that I would need to then cut the stick on tiles with a straight edge to make cover the entire surface since the tiles only come in 12″ squares.  Honestly, I don’t have time for that & I like the way this looks. If you want to do it “right” order your materials the exact size and cut to fit.

Directions:

Redesign Your Laundry Room

 

Redesign Your Laundry Room

  • Paint the back, sides and about 1″ of the front of the MDF in the color of your choice.  I had my daughter do the painting.
  • Let it dry.

Redesign Your Laundry Room

  • Peel the backing off the tiles and very, very carefully stick them in place.

Redesign Your Laundry Room

 

420 thoughts on “Redesign Your Laundry Room and My DIY”

  1. i guess i am behind the times, i just have a regular washer and dryer, and i learned that you had to use that special detergent like tide he in the newer washers
    Reply
  2. I learned that you can use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station
    Reply
  3. I learned it is not expensive necessarily to redo your laundry room and give it a more pleasant, welcoming look. Paint and a cement overlay can cost less than thirty dollars.
    Reply
  4. I would redesign my laundry room by adding the little folding top likw you made & I would love to redo my shelfs . I only have two & I can hardly rach the first one!
    Reply
  5. I learned most families on avg do 400 loads of Laundry a year! That sound about right to me. 365 days a year that's 1 load a day & at least two on the weekends!
    Reply
  6. Dealing with a dark, cave-like laundry room is a chore in and of itself! By taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you'll open up the space and create a place to store baskets
    Reply
  7. I like this idea: A folding station makes all the difference. Use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station that also prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances. Thanks for having this contest.
    Reply
  8. I learned that if you hang art or mirrors you can "elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier."
    Reply
  9. I learned that it's easy and economical to update a laundry room with paint and new hardware for the cabinets. Also, inexpensive counter tops would add a new look.
    Reply
  10. I don't even have a laundry room - our washer and dryer are in the garage. It would be nice to have a separate laundry room.
    Reply
  11. I learned about A rolling laundry butler can be your best friend, doing triple duty with a hanging bar, a rolling basket and a drying rack, I really need one of these.
    Reply
  12. I learned that taking off your cabinet doors and adding baskets, looks really good and is a great way to organize the laundry room!
    Reply
  13. I never thought about using a rolling laundry butler. I also never knew the average family does 400 loads of laundry a year. I feel like we double that on some days but that does seem about right!
    Reply
  14. After visiting the site I learned that the average family does 400 loads of laundry a year. With two little boys in my home I know I do at least that many lol would love to spruce my laundry room up a little with a couple of the tips since so much time is spent in there :)
    Reply
  15. Steam helps remove stains and 99.9% of household bacteria Read more at https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/2013/07/redesign-your-laundry-room-with-these-tips-and-my-diy.html#H4VJiBf9MO0PmSuy.99
    Reply
  16. I love the idea for the top of the washer. Definitely going to do it! I'm always looking for space saving ideas that help make life simpler & this is one for sure. Thank you!
    Reply
  17. I would love to put up some rods so that I can hang shirts right in the laundry room before putting them away because any clothes that hit the laundry baskets always look wrinkled.
    Reply
  18. Load after load, meal after meal, Maytag appliances are Better Built with powerful parts and features for the performance you need year after year
    Reply
  19. I learned that the average family does 400 loads of laundry per year. That means that my family is FAR above average! ;) Love Tide pods...
    Reply
  20. My laundry room is so small that there's not much I could do but tear the house down and build a bigger one with a huge laundry room! Wishful thinking! 
    Reply
  21. Don't neglect your laundry room walls! Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier. Suddenly those 400 loads of laundry most of us will do this year might actually be enjoyable!
    Reply
  22. I learned to use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station that also prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances. What a great idea!
    Reply
  23. Utilize all the space you have, even the inside of your cabinet doors.  This is something I will keep in mind when we redo our kitchen and eventually have a real laundry room.  Right now we just have our washer and dryer in the basement, no actual room though. boylaneely at hotmail dot com
    Reply
  24. I like the idea of taking off the cabinet doors and placing baskets in there and also painting the insides of the cabinets
    Reply
  25. Don't neglect your laundry room walls! Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier
    Reply
  26. By taking the doors off the cabinets it really opens up your laundry room and using baskets makes it pop annabella @ centurytel dot net
    Reply
  27. Don't neglect your laundry room walls! Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier. 
    Reply
  28. If I could redesign my laundry space I'd paint it a relaxing green color and add lots of shelving with a rack to hang clothes on that I didn't want to run through the dryer.
    Reply
  29. I learned that the average family does 400 loads of laundry a year!  I guess I'm not the only one who has to do a lot of laundry each week!
    Reply
  30. I learned that a little paint, open cabinets and colorful baskets will make my laundry room look so much better. jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
    Reply
  31. I learned a tip don't neglect your laundry room walls because hanging interesting are and photos makes the room look less utilitarian.
    Reply
  32. I figured that steam would remove the bacteria but I didn't realize it removed 99.9% of the bacteria! I also seen a cool idea that I'm going to use in my laundry room!
    Reply
  33. I would love to have a laundry room instead of a garage with laundry in it.  I would definitely take off the cabinet doors at this point to open up the room :)
    Reply
  34. I learned how HE detergents suspend the high level of soil concentration in the water for HE washing machines. I did always wonder why there were special detergents for these machines.
    Reply
  35. My laundry area is very small - I would open it up and put a counter where I could fold clothes. I would also add shelves for suplies
    Reply
  36. I've had issues with my washing machine twice this year and one issue with my dryer. I'm thinking that a new Maytag washer and dryer wouldn't have nearly as many problems as my old set!
    Reply
    • Also, my boyfriend (aka The Carpenter) recently put up new cabinets in my laundry room, replacing the old wire shelving. Now all I need to do is patch some holes and paint to complete my re-do!
      Reply
  37. I would love to paint my laundry room lavender or lilac. I have an antique drying rack and an antique ironing board to hang on the walls. I think I would like to do a plank wall treatment on one wall and a counter across the machines to touch all three walls so nothing else can fall down in there ever again.
    Reply
  38. Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier. I haven't done a single thing to make my laundry room better than the way it was bilt.
    Reply
  39. Oh I loved tip #3  Don't like the cabinets, floors and countertops in your laundry room? Every surface can be painted or resurfaced Our laundry room is in the basement with little light and those cement blocks for walls!  I am going to try to paint them and brighten it up!
    Reply
  40. I would redesign with more organization and with shelving. I would also make it more comfortable instead of just a laundry room with bare walls and floors
    Reply
  41. I love the idea of putting a board over the to of the washer/dryer to create a folding space and keeps socks from falling inbetween.
    Reply
  42. By taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you'll open up the space and create a place to store baskets
    Reply
  43. Pingback: Making a Home - Homemaking Linky - Linda's Lunacy
  44. The average family does 400 loads of laundry a year......  No wonder I feel like I'm constantly chained to the washer/dryer. 
    Reply
  45. I learned that by taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you'll open up the space and create a place to store baskets.
    Reply
  46. First thing I learned was they are having a sweepstakes and I entered. Next, I like the way they put cork board inside the cabinet doors. Think I will try that.
    Reply
  47. I learned that a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units creates a great folding station.
    Reply
  48. I don't necessarily have a laundry room, but more of a laundry area.  I'd move my chute the other direction, paint, and put up shelves.  I recently renovated, so my basement isn't exactly functional quite yet. 
    Reply
  49. I learned A rolling laundry butler can be your best friend, doing triple duty with a hanging bar, a rolling basket and a drying rack. 
    Reply
  50. A folding station makes all the difference. Use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station that also prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances!
    Reply
  51. I learned that you can win $5000 for a new laundry room and they also have redesign tips to help you perk things up :) 
    Reply
  52. The dryer uses steam-enhanced cycles that penetrate fabric fibers to effectively relax wrinkles and refresh clothes. I need these!!
    Reply
  53. To redesign my space I would love to actually flip the machines to the other side of the wall, so they are in my little pantry area vs. in the hallway where people enter my house.  I would also love to add a utility sink.  I have so many plans, but no funds! lol  
    Reply
  54. I love the idea about the corkboard inside the cabinets.  I would also love the folding station, but unfortunately I have a top loading machine. :(  Plus I learned that on average we do 400 loads of laundry a year.  Yikes!  No wonder it feels like my machine is always going!  Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
    Reply
  55. It looks really good! So much nicer than my laundry room! :-) Great DIY project. Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty.
    Reply
  56. i would add some color... it's so blah!! And baskets to organize everything. It usually all ends up misplaced and falling over on my shelves 
    Reply
  57. Your redesign of your laundry was fantastic and very economical. I too, have a dark laundry room... I'm going to use some of your tips to try and change that fact.
    Reply
  58. I knew that steam did a lot of good things for different reasons - but, I did not know that it killed 99.9% of household bacteria.
    Reply
  59. I learned: Why not decoupage or paint the insides of your cabinets for a fun pop of color? It's a guaranteed smile each and every time you reach for your detergent. Also don't ignore the door. Adhere some cork panels on the inside of the cabinet doors and create a space to pin all those stain removal tips.
    Reply
  60. i learned that they feel a year's worth of laundry soap is 4 150 oz bottles!  LOL, maybe 4 months!  thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    Reply
  61. I learned that the HE washing machines and detergent allow for considerable water savings over time! Entered the rafflecopter as "Wild orchid" Thanks for the chance to win! wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
    Reply
  62. The average family does a butt-load of laundry and steam is a magical mystery tool against the fight of stains and bacteria!! :D
    Reply
  63. I really like your idea about making the washer topper.  I also like the idea "uncaving" your laundry room.  Mine is in the basement so it's never been decorated.  I'd like to now.
    Reply
  64. I would redesign my laundry room by making it wider or not being the pass through from the kitchen to the garage.  It never fails that when I am in the laundry room taking the clothes out or putting them in the washer (front loader) my husband is coming from the garage.  He can't see me behind the door so there is always a collision.  
    Reply
  65. That you need to use Tide HE in front loaders because of the soil to water ratio and the Tide HE suspends the dirt.  
    Reply
  66. I seriously need more working service area in my laundry area.  I love your idea and simple solution.  But I would need to build it on the shelves next to the washer and dryer as mine are the older models that opens on top and not the side. :)   amy [at] utry [dot] it
    Reply
  67. I learned one tip- Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier.
    Reply
  68. We need cabinets and a place to hang...our laundry room is a mess!! Plus our washing machine broke a couple months ago and we haven't been able to replace it yet!
    Reply
  69. I'd move it! it's currently in the completely detached garage so I have to go outside and down the stairs in what ever weather we are having
    Reply
  70. I learned a helpful tip: a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted MDF on top of washer/dryer units can be used to create a folding station!
    Reply
  71. Well of course I entered the laundry room makeover sweeps.  But I also learned that you can tips on how to do your own redesign on their website.
    Reply
  72. I would paint the room add more storage area so I can hide the detergent, bleach and dryer sheets. Get a more efficient and updated washer and dryer. 
    Reply
  73. I Would Re-Design My Laundry Room By Adding A Folding Table, Shelves For Better Organization, And New Laundry Baskets!
    Reply
  74. It is good to know that the dryer has an extra-large 7.4 cu. ft. capacity so I'll be doing fewer loads each week.
    Reply
  75. The steam feature is awesome! plus it would be great for those crazy Sunday mornings getting ready for church, not having to fight over the iron!
    Reply
  76. I learned: The Maxima X Front Load Steam Washer with the PowerWash Cycle has an extra-large 7.4 cu. ft. capacity.
    Reply
  77. I learned that the Tide HE is specially formulated to combat the higher level of soil to water ratio caused by the design of the washer.
    Reply
  78. I learned that the HE washing machines use less water than my standard machine. I really need one of these, because my water bill is outrageous. Thanks for the review and opportunity.
    Reply
  79. if i could somehow turn my laundry closet into a room, that would be great, a closet is not enough for storage and hamper space.
    Reply
  80. I would redesign my laundry room by adding a flat surface area where I can fold clothes! I'd also add more cabinet space!
    Reply
  81. adding mirrors in your laundry room will fool you into thinking it's bigger  -something my laundry "closet" could relaly use!
    Reply
  82. I learned that I can enter their website sweepstakes and that sweepstakes ENDS AUGUST 19, 2013.  WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2013.
    Reply
  83. I actually just bought a rolling laundry sorter to separate out my clothes. It beats throwing them on the floor. I still have a ways to go with my laundry area before I'm happy with it. Thanks for the tips.
    Reply
  84. Steam helps remove stains and 99.9% of household bacteria, I would like to have a washer that does that. Thanks for the great giveaway
    Reply
  85. get a new washer and dryer and also the cabinets would not be for family antique dishes and leave us more room to more storage to use. also take the freezer out to put a clothing sorter there. 
    Reply
  86. Hanging up some artwork or mirrors can help make the laundry room feel a little bit more homier and a place that is more welcoming.
    Reply
  87. I would redesign my laundry room by adding more accessible storage.  At only 5'2", those shelves above the washer & dryer don't do me much good!
    Reply
  88. I learned that steam removes 99.9% of household bacteria - I seriously had no idea!  Now I need a steam washer :)
    Reply

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