Laundry Room Update

Updated Basement Laundry Room

Like so many of us, do you have the "pleasure" of a laundry room located in a damp, dark, sometimes smelly basement?    My own is actually currently in my damp, light, and sometimes smelly 1/2 bath, but it WAS previously in my basement and just *being* there was a chore, never mind the laundry itself.

Would you prefer this:

Or this?:

Photo Courtesy of Country Home

I've compiled a quick list of Cheap Frills for updating your basement laundry room.   Even just a couple of these little tricks can help transform it into a space that's a bit more tolerable.   I know if my laundry room was this after photo, I would find excuses to do more laundry.   Okay, maybe not.    Anyways, here we go:

• Determine exactly how much space is YOURS.  And yes, unless you have others helping you with the laundry - it is most definitely YOURS.

• Section out at least that much room - If you feel particularly ambitious, the floor COULD be covered with some stick on tile.   I am neither ambitious in general, or particularly handy, so I would opt for this option:  PAINT.   That's right - right below you on the concrete floor.  Even go really nuts and paint your section of wall(s).   I would recommend choosing very light colors - even just plain white for the entire thing.   Add an inexpensive throw rug or mat for some warmth and color.

• For a great counter top area to fold laundry, try using a craft table or a folding card table.  Heck, even a pair of sawhorses and a piece of plywood would do the trick.   Paint that baby up too~!  Or simply cover with some pretty fabric, which brings my to my next tip:

• Cover the opening that will be underneath this New Masterpiece with a pretty skirt.   No, not a skirt like you would wear.  More of a bedskirt.   But in this case, a table skirt.  Which probably has a fancy "designer" name that is escaping me...... Nope!  I just checked.  It's a Table Skirt.  Premade drapes would do the trick (try cafe curtains for the correct legnth)  Or even a pair of drapes that you can shorten.   However, another great idea would be to do a custom treatment (or should I say MIS Treatment??- Thank you Nester) and pick out a lovely fabric that you just can't live without.   Sew (or even just glue) a quick hem and use a springy style curtain rod to hang.   No need to even install any hardware!  This will cover up all that storage space you now have without showing off the clutter.  
• A little footnote to the above would be the suggestion that Outdoor Fabrics would be best as they are made to resist water and mildew.

• The use of the pendant lighting is another nice touch as well.  I'm not sure offhand how difficult or pricey this would be, but being the Cheap Gal that I am, I'd probably opt for a couple of inexpensive, BATTERY OPERATED mini lamps.

• Hanging fabric along the walls can really soften the room as well - I love the cheery yellow used here.

• The Ironing Board is even a lovely touch.  When not in use, drape it with a pretty tablecloth or any other fabric that may catch your eye!

• Here's another idea I came across and really liked:   Have a hanging space above your washer & dryer with a bar for hanging *fresh out of the dryer* laundry.   Courtesy of Home Improvement Online:
  

Of course, shelving above would be a marvelous touch as well.   And don't just store your laundry "notions" there!  Accessorize the shelving with some personal touches - family photos, etc...   
Maybe a pretty wreath or other wall hanging on your newly painted walls and this could become a place that you look forward to being in.   Until you turn the corner of course............

But we'll tackle that another day.....................

.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal