Have you ever found yourself staring at amazing laundry rooms online, or on pinterest?
I love looking at them.
But it’s all just a dream. Because my actual laundry room is tiny. Teenie. I can barely turn around in there.
But I do spend lots of time in there. Right?
And I HATE laundry.
I was hoping that by making it a pretty place I might be a little happier in there.
Plus, I wanted to show you that you CAN make a small laundry room both useable, AND pretty.
You aren’t gonna get a FULL pic of the room, because it’s too small to take a picture of the whole thing. See? I told you. It’s small. There are tall cabinets above the washer and dryer that have a decent amount of storage. But they are hard to get to past the first 2 shelves. Mostly because the appliances are in the way.
(Plus….can we have a group dry heave over the honey oak cabinets with golden hardware? I’ll wait. *gag motion* )
Directly opposite from the washer and dryer is one wall. I admit that I didn’t grab a FULL before pic of this corner. It was covered in one of those cheap “cage” looking shelves and a mess of cleaning supplies.
**This is the point where I admit to being JUST a director in most of this makeover. As many of you know, I have been quite sick, and unable to do a project of this magnitude. However, with the opportunity to work with Lowes on a room makeover….I BEGGED my sweet hubby for help. And he agreed. It was so amazing that he would do this for me. And I want to give him proper credit. Particularly because the color and ideas were HARD for him to agree to. But he let me do what I wanted. And I adore him. **
We started with a VERY BOLD color on the previously boring walls. I LOVE what I called “peacock blue” and am not afraid to put it in such a small room. Particularly with the very nice window on the back wall. It’s a bright area.
We used Olympic’s brand new ONE paint. We used the color “French Riveria” in semi-gloss. It went on amazing. Olympic has this paint that includes the primer. So even going from a very light butter color to this dark color….was only 2 coats.
(insert another gag about those cabinets….)
Because the cabinets are not heavily used, we decided it would be alright to try out painting them ourselves. (we’ve been SUPER reluctant because we value having them look professional) We used KILZ primer on them. A spray one on the doors, and brush on for the outer cabinets.
We also sprayed the doors with spray paint for an even coat. We used Valspar glossy white and made sure to do slow, even coats. A lot of them. We then used the Olympic ONE in semi-gloss to paint the outer cabinets.
We are VERY HAPPY with the result. Although I still think if we ever do our kitchen…we will have a professional do them.
The other awesome product that I found in my Lowes “quest for awesomeness” was Allen + Roth paintable wallpaper My hubs was SUPER leery on slathering what seemed like paper with paint. Even though I made sure to dig out the package from the garbage and point out “paintable wallpaper” on the label. (wait…..that’s a totally annoying wife thing isn’t it? Shoot. I’m annoying.)
Anyway, it is ABSOLUTELY paintable wallpaper. And when you put yummy paint on something that is super yummy to begin with….it’s freakin’ magical.
So no more stalling…..let’s get to this reveal already…..
Check out how that yummy paintable wallpaper looks on the back of these new custom built shelves that my talented brother built for me!
We measured absolutely EXACTLY enough space to get a basket against the wall, but still open the door. I’m talking about 1/4 ” clearance. I even had to buy new baskets. This is a tiny room. But thoughtful storage still makes it very usable. Plus, I’m implementing that my kiddos learn to put their clothes in here. Whites, Light Colors, Darks. So that the laundry is already sorted for me.
I also feel the key to organizing small space is to go VERTICALLY. We went all the way to the top with this one. I’m so glad. I’ve gained a TON of space to put seldom used items.
This little corner just makes me happy. Especially the picture.
I just covered an old frame in the paintable wallpaper, used spray adhesive to attach. And spray painted the heck out of it. So easy. And that cheery little welcome might make me hate laundry less. Just a titch.
And you can now stop dry heaving over honey oak cabinets. Because they have been sent to the
90 ‘s gods of rose and forest green. RIP golden cabinet handles of gagginess.
Isn’t that intense?
It went from…”Hi my home could be owned by anyone.”
To, “Hi…..Lara lives here!”
I couldn’t be happier. (well a giant for REAL laundry room with all that luxurious space might make me happier….but….eh….so what. Mine is painted a GLORIOUS color!)
I am so honored to have had the opportunity to work with Lowes to create this room. I couldn’t be more happy about it. They have SO MANY fun ideas in their “Creative Ideas” online magazine. I just recently started to subscribe….and WHAT THE HECK? Where have I been? It is AWESOME!
*Lowes provided me with a giftcard to purchase some of the supplies and materials for this room makeover. My decor decisions, product purchases, and recommendations are COMPLETELY my own*
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What a cute room! Mine is small too, no room for shelves and certainly not a window. Love the paintable wallpaper, I am thinking about using it in my bathroom.
It would be awesome! It’s my new obsession.
It turned out SO good!!!! I love the turquoise and bright yellow. It’s so happy. Beautiful job Lara!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
Jen
Thank you. I need my Jen approvals. Right? Thanks for everything you do for me. I love your guts!
HOLY WOW BATMAN! I love it!!!!! Gorgeous gorgeous color and with the yellow? Heaven! My laundry room is in our dreary basement and it needs some major help! I despise laundry too. Just moved a pile of clean clothes from my bed to the dresser…still not put away. BAH! No fun! Anyway, LOVE your whole makeover!!
XOXO, Mallory
Putting away? Why is that so hard? I hate it too. Laundry is just too many freakin’ steps…right?
You are so lucky because our laundry room is the same size but we have no window! I love that you have natural light and I love your colors.
I do think the window is awesome. I know that’s not super common. It does help.
You did a fabulous job! Love the bright colors against the bright white. And just to make you feel better, I’m pretty sure my laundry room is even smaller! Its so small I took the door off because I didn’t think there was enough room for it to open
Smaller? No way! I do love the white though. I almost did curtains….and then couldn’t because of the amazing white.
I pretty much adore this room. Good job Patrick and his nagging wife.
I pretty much adore you….so…..there’s that.
Now, it looks just like you. And that is a good thing =) It is vibrant and full of energy. Enjoy your new space. It’s spectacular!!
People always say “that looks like you”. I’m glad you clarified that it’s a good thing….because I’m never sure.
I love that color. I am making a note of it right now and I must paint something in my house that color. The laundry room looks lovely and great job, hubby!
I’m in love with it. Like not kidding. I loved it from the very first roll on the wall.
I loved it in person and I love it online. That husband of yours is a keeper…
xoxo
Tauni
Thanks. You should hug him. Just sayin’.
Love it! I might have to hire you to come decorate my new house.
I’m expensive. Are you gonna try and pay me in circus peanuts?
Hi Lara! Long time no comment (bad blogger!). Your laundry room turned out so pretty!! You give me hope for my super duper small and sad laundry room, except that I’m lacking a window. Love it! xoxo
Hi Kate!!! So nice to hear from you. I think it would still be fun…even without a window. Plus small spaces are less intimidating.
It looks SO great! It actually makes me want to do laundry.
What? Is is magical. Nothing makes me want to do laundry. Nothing.
Love the colors! Especially feeling the yellow bucket!
Seriously. That is a paint bucket. I should have mentioned that. It was with the paint stuff when I was scouring for yellow. So funny.
This is absolutely stunning! And FUN, I love the colors. This is great inspiration for me. I will be redoing my kitchen this summer after my wedding in 16 days! Thank you so much for sharing this.
Oh happy wedding! It’s always fun to start out brand new. Maybe I need another wedding….hmmm…..
LOVE this! The colors are FABULOUS together! It totally screams Lara. Now I want to paint my tiny laundry room! Awesome job!!
When Lara screams….it usually has a swear. Not good.
Love you cute girl!
Beautiful colors! Do you paint the wall paper before or after you hang it? I would think after but your pic looks like before.
I think you could do either. I did the cabinet backing before. And the frame after it was already attached. It’s seriously the most amazing stuff ever!
I love the colors! But I must say my laundry room is smaller, wait no, I don’t have a laundry room. My washer & dryer are in a closet in my kitchen…yep, hard to decorate, and absolutely no laundry storage. There are cabinets above but they are used for kitchen stuff since we have little storage in the kitchen too. Love the paintable wallpaper too. Good job!
I KNEW I’d get a closet person. I feel you. I’ve been there too. You COULD try painting it. Really. It might make a difference. I will wish for a big laundry room for both of us.
There’s hardly any wall showing so we did paint it white again when we moved in. We’ve now painted the kitchen around it twice, it is flame yellow now & the cabinet doors were crackle painted in the previous design when the kitchen was a country green & mauve. Yeah, the cabinets need painted again. Maybe this summer…:)
Wow! What a transformation! I’ve totally been crushing on peacock blue lately, too. Just not sure if I’m Laralicious enough to do it.
Right? It is the yummiest color. You can do it. I seriously just go in and touch it. I love it SOOOOO much.
Love the colors….. and the storage….. sorting made easy… still trying to get my 13 yr old on bored with the whole laundry thing. Maybe I should redo my laundry room to help motivate him… and me for that matter.
)
My kids are 5 and 9 and they are both totally signed on. I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m hoping we can just make it a habit.
ah-stinkin-mazing!!! Love it to pieces!!!
Thank you Jamie! That means a lot coming from you. I feel like you girls have flawless taste!
I am feeling that there may be hope for my tiny laundry room now! It turned out so pretty and fresh, maybe we might enjoy laundry day in a space this pretty!
Lara!!! It is fabulous
I adore those colors together. And it is SO YOU!!! Love it 
OMG that is totally a shade of blue I would use. I love it. So cool!
Wow I love your reveal. I to have a laundry room tiny – no window and the wire shelving you find in closets. Yuck! It’s one of the projects I want to complete – pull everything out. Stack the washer and dryer and put cute shelving in there and make it a happy place with a fun paint color!
Love your new happy space!
I love it. And to be honest, your laundry room is probably 3x bigger than mine. Seriously.
Love it! I have gag worthy honey oak too…congrats on getting the buy in from your husbad on it all. Looks amazing
i love the color and the painted wallpaper! i am tackling our room this weekend – building a shelving unit for baskets and i can’t wait to pretty up my space!
Lara-thanks for sharing your laundry room makeover. Earlier this year I too was on a mission to improve my laundry space, but like you don’t have the room to make the improvements pretty online photos showed. I had to go vertical as well b/c the laundry space doubles as a pantry, so I completely understand your dilemma. http://gillianluce.blogspot.com/2012/02/laundry-nook-revamp-complete.html
The space looks amazing and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the colors! My husband agreed to the grey, but the peacock blue you selected goes right to the heart!
Nice work!!
I have the exact same laundry room – same size, same window, same lovely honey oak cabinets – - and now I desperately need to paint mine peacock!
That is one awesome-Lara laundry room! Love the color! I so much love Lowe’s Creative Ideas. Did you know there’s an app for that?
It’s gorgeous! I love the peacock blue and the splash of yellow. It’s definitely a Lara room. I love it!
LOVE that teal!!!
I might move it! Just warning you!I can rest my head on the dryer sheets and be lulled to sleep while the laundry dries! Yep! It’s decided!
LOVE!!!! B that wall paper rocks!!!
Oh my frick!!! I love it – the color is gorgeous. My little laundry room/pantry area/litter box room is way too dark for that peacock on the walls but I am so loving that paint color – I must find somewhere else to use it!!!
Oh. Em. Gee! I was worried when I saw the 1st pic w/ blue. lol. But wow! I love it! God job!!
Wow!! I have the exact same laundry room layout and LOVE the way you’ve done it. I think I might steal your idea lol. Thanks for sharing.
Sooo pretty! Lucky you—an laundry room! Mine sit in part of my kitchen in the wide open-yucky valves open for all to see…
I’d LOVE to have your enclosed space! Glad you were up for the project!!! Blessings, Sharon
My laundry room is the same size, except instead of a wall to put a shelf against, I have a door going out to the garage, and no window, BUT I do have the same lovely oak cabinets :p and something you probably don’t have – a fluorescent light fixture! (REALLY? Who puts fluorescent fixtures in an otherwise perfectly nice house?!) Sooo, after seeing your sit-up-and-take-notice re-do, I’m determined to liven up my room this summer! I just ordered some great vinyl from House of Smith’s and I AM GOING TO MAKE MY LAUNDRY ROOM PRETTIER!!! btw, I like doing laundry. If I lived close by, I’d come do yours just for fun.
I love that Peacock blue. I would have been afraid to use that color in a small room but it looks awesome. To be Honest I think at some point my half bath may have been that color. I can faintly see that color behind the toilet tank. I hope to make my laundry room inviting and more organized one day. Thanks for sharing.
Great makeover! I LOVE the colors.
I love it! It’s so bright and beautiful!
I LOVE it! The colors are perfect!!
What a gorgeous renovation Lara! I have been eyeing that paintable wall paper for awhile now and I think you’ve got me convinced to bite the bullet!
I might actually want to do laundry in a space like this!
I color choice was great! We have an awful and small laundry PLUS pantry. It sucks. The paintable wallpaper give it such great texture. Wonderful!
Absolutely LOVE that color. It makes it a whole new room!
I absolutely love this makeover and your use of bright colors. I’m about to work on ours, so this is great inspiration! Found you through TT&J. I’d love for you to to link up to my party: http://lovingthiscrazylife-melissa.blogspot.com/search/label/POC%20LINKY%20PARTY
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
This looks amazing!! Combining the bright yellow with that shade of blue is genius! Also LOVE that paintable wallpaper!! Really great job:)
I’m co-hosting the link party with Lines Across and I would love it if you would stop by and share, if you haven’t already! Hope to see you there!
Barbara @ Chase the Star
http://chase-thestar.blogspot.com/2012/05/co-hosting-cure-for-common-monday-linky.html
Beautiful re-do! It’s encouraging to see someone transform a small laundry room, because you’re right, when I see the ones one Pinterest I just scroll on by. My room is probably about the same size as yours, and we try to shove shoe and sock baskets in there…. it’s not working out too well. So thanks for the inspiration.
Also, the “90′s gods of rose and forest green” cracked me up!