Thursday, June 16, 2011

Laundry Room Details for all of my DIY Friends

I'm still overwhelmed by the response I have received from this makeover. You've blogged, facebooked and tweeted about my laundry room. I know I love it, but I'm so happy to hear so many of you love it too!

So, I have had many questions about sources, materials, colors, etc. First off, the room dimensions are about 8 1/2' x 9 1/2' with one window and one door to the patio, one door to the mud room/back entrance.

I had researched cabinets but the costs were about $2000 and they weren't the style or height that I wanted (42" high). So, my husband built the boxes. And we purchased the doors. My husband is working on a technical how-to post for his blog, The Honey-do Chronicles.




  • Wood for cabinets and trim - $250
  • Stain-grade wood panels (find them here) for countertops and wood for legs - $188
  • Stain for countertop - Minwax English Chestnut
  • Tile floor, glue and grout $150
  • All of the above from Lowe's Home Improvement 
  • Electric radiant heat for tile floor from Electric Supplier $238 (but sooo worth it!)
  • Cabinet paint color - Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
  • Wall paint color Benjamin Moore White Dove 
  • MDF Cabinet Doors (including european hinges and shipping costs) -                                                                                                      Naked Kitchen Cabinet Doors - $266 
  • Light fixture - home made for under $10 - see this post
  • Sink and faucet from Lowe's $200
  • Cast Iron Handles from my shop $3.50 each





My favorite trick - concealing the "dirty laundry". I have 6 tall laundry bins from Target for all of my sorting under the long counter. And to hide everything - a simple painter's drop cloth curtain for about $20!

I put in a tension rod with a support in the middle to prevent sagging. Then, I bought a couple of packages of ring clips. Here is a closer pic (sorry it's a little blurry). The rings are great because they just slide so easy. I didn't do any sewing for this - just folded over the top till I got the length I wanted. Although there is a raw edge (which I know I will have to sew before it goes in the wash) at one end because I did cut off a piece to make a separate curtain under the sink.


We didn't replace the window (although I wanted to!) but we did purchase a new door painted in a fun new color.






  • Door and hardware from Lowes - $200
  • Paint color Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144


Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144



I was so happy to get the huge calendar off the fridge and out of my kitchen! Notice the dish of lavender (keeps me calm while I look at the crazy schedule).


  • Mammoth Grid Calendar (necessary for a family of 6) from Calendars.com $15.99
  • Burlap lampshade from Target $9.99
  • Bird Box for mail from Michaels Craft Stores $11.99
  • Rusty Enamel clips holding up the calendar from my shop $3.50 each

  • Stone Flower Pot holding pens - from my shop - $7.50
  • Cast Iron dish from my shop $13.00

My dog food pail was a big hit. I purchased the pail at Ikea for $25. Lettering is vinyl and was cut from one of those craft cutters by a friend of mine. You can find custom letters on Etsy if you don't know anyone with one of those machines. Or if you don't want to make it yourself - Ballard has the dog and cat food pails here.


The machines are what triggered this project. My old ones died, boohoo, I swear I never overstuffed them! So, we had to shop for new ones and had to wait 4 weeks for delivery. We though this was the perfect time to start gutting the room.




  • LG washer and dryer from Sears $1,254
  • Nestled in the Branches Ironing Board Cover from this shop on Etsy $24
  • Dog Treat jar from Homegoods $5.99
  • Embossed planter from my shop $23.00
  • Bird plate from Christmas Tree Shops $1.99
  • Drying rack over ironing board from Ikea $30

Leftover drop cloth from another project made the perfect swag curtain.

  • Iron grill over window from an Antique Shop in Cape May, NJ $20
  • French Ticking ribbon tie back from my etsy shop $3/yard
Ok, so I think I covered just about everything. We have spent about $3,000 total on this whole room renovation, not bad. Of course that's doing all of the labor ourselves. So, if you have any other questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Many of you told me you want to or have already begun a laundry room renovation. I hope you will let us know when you are ready to share it!

Good luck and have fun!

See PART 1 of the laundry room.





9 comments:

Wanda said...

Love the new room, all the bird theme touches are so darling, and the dog food can brilliant, cute and functional. TTFN

Kathy said...

Wow this is awesome, love the iron board cover and I am going to check that out, also everything is just so perfect...love your blog!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I can't even say what I like best about this room -- I like it all!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You did a fabulous job in here, Dawn! I love the paint color. It is very open, airy and bright and I would definitely not mind spending some time in here!

Kristin said...

What a gorgeous room renovation! I used the same fabric that you used for your ironing board for curtains in my den. LOVE that beautiful french bird print :-). If you're hiring a maid to do your laundry in your new space, I'm available! lol

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Just came across your blog and love it....Love the laundry room.....especially the window treatments. Can you send me info on making these? I would love for you to visit my blog at chestercountycottagegirl.blogspot.com.

Have a great day! I am now a follower.

Anonymous said...

Found this just in time, I am remodeling my laundry room right now. What great ideas you have here.

Love the dog food pail! I can't seem to find it online at Ikea, do you have a link?

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Hi CMT
Here is the link for the pail.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60045656

Seems it is only available in stores. Hope you have one in your area! Or you can try a hardware store. Even if the just come in metal, you can spray paint them.
Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
Dawn

arrielle_p said...

Nice photos of this laundry room. Wish my home is bis so that I can put a laundry room too.

Philippine properties