When we decided that we were going to move, there were many spaces that weren’t “done” in our house and we accepted they wouldn’t be under our watch (we’re definitely not moving for “content”). But most of the spaces in our home, we had at least done something to (I call these phase 1 makeovers) and our home flowed really well, except when we got to the laundry room. The laundry room was a very clear, abrupt difference in design style. So before we sell our home, I wanted to do an inexpensive laundry room makeover.
This was the laundry room before (just a couple weeks ago)
This is how it looks now!
Runner, Lantern Pendant, Art, Basket, Washer & Dryer, Wooden Knobs
We removed the wallpaper. Skim-coated the walls (the removal did some damage). Primed and painted the walls and ceiling the same white that’s throughout the rest of our home (Sherwin Williams Alabaster). This made a huge difference because I didn’t even realize the ceiling was painted a darker gray color. Paint alone really brightened up this whole space.
We also painted the cabinets. They were two-toned and antique glazed, and we decided to modernize them a bit by painting them all one tone–the same color that we have on the trim in our bedroom (Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray. We had it color matched to a Sherwin Williams Enamel based paint in satin for a rock-hard finish.
We replaced the hardware on the cabinets with a “callback” to other hardware in our home–these inexpensive wooden knobs. I think a “callback”–a repeated color or design element–is the easiest way to unify a home. So bringing an existing paint color into this room and the wooden knobs went a long way in making this space feel like it belonged in here.
The last modernizing update we did was remove the chunky crown molding from around the wall mounted drying racks and instead trimmed it out with squared-off pine boards that we primed and painted the same color as the cabinets. The drying racks HAD to be custom made. They’re sturdy and made so well and really beautiful and with the squared-off trim, they feel like they really belong.
That’s it. That’s all we did besides a little accessorizing. And it’s a night and day difference!! (I think our laundry room now is the night version haha). The plaid runner is another repeated design element in our home and the cloud art felt like clean laundry to me. (The canisters are old and no longer sold).
I’m THRILLED with the results. With all projects, I wish we would have done it sooner. But what I wasn’t expecting was how finished it feels. I went into this project with a “phase 1” mindset. A cohesion makeover, really. But now that it’s done, there’s very little I would change even if we WEREN’T moving. I think I would change the floor tile or the tile baseboards? It’s the power of paint, once again!
We’re so so happy with it and more than anything, it’s a space I feel proud to show and share now.
Sources
Wall Color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams in Eggshell
Cabinet Color: Lamp Room Gray by Farrow & Ball in Satin
Runner, Lantern Pendant, Art, Basket, Washer & Dryer, Wooden Knobs
Did you do anything to the floor? It looks so much lighter in the after photos.
We didn’t! But the lighting and white walls really helped!
I thought I read you were going to lime wash the walls… or a similar treatment. Why did you decide not to?
We didn’t get the samples in time and decided to just keep things simple!
When you color match the Farrow and Ball did you bring in the actual pot of paint and have them match it? Or do you paint it on something first? :)
I just bring in a paint chip and they usually already have the formula.
Your laundry room looks great. I had been waiting to see how you would decorate this room especially since you have a dyson vacuum cleaner plugged in. Since you are moving I expect you will not bother to build a special cabinet for this in this location. Just wanted to see if you have a good storage solution for the vacuum cleaner.
So fresh and clean – perfect for a laundry room! Is eggshell the finish you have throughout the house?
Yes!