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
