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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