Laundry Rooms...Would I love a big room to wash, dry, fold all in one place? A laundry "room" to paint, decorate and make look like my dining room? Absolutely!! I love all the laundry rooms I see online filled with baskets and beautiful glass jars filled with your cleaning essentials.
However, I have a laundry closet and I love it just as much! I sooo appreciate that my laundry closet is upstairs right off my kitchen. Would I love it in my master bedroom closet...YES, but that's not happening any time soon either! So when you have ordinary like me...make it FUNCTIONAL and ORGANIZED!!
Here she is in all her glory! Our washer broke down so we bought a new one. Then the dryer went 6 months later. They changed the design of the set in that 6 months, so now they don't match :(
In the past it would have bothered me, but now all I care is that they wash and dry for me!! LOL
Here's a little walk through. Maybe you can use a few of the ideas in your laundry space! Notice I said "space" not room.
The shelf on top holds all those things you looks for in the basement or the "Junk Drawer". The far left has plastic storage boxes and the middle has wooden wine bottle boxes.
The boxes hold all different kinds of things...labeled so everyone can find stuff.
All different lengths of extension cords...
Batteries...buying batteries to my husband is like buying fabric to me!
Phone accessories and computer cords...
mouse traps / ant cups and timers...
The wooden wine bottle boxes hold flash lights, surge bars and bug sprays.
I also added a small piece of peg board. Did you know they come in pre-cut smaller pieces at the hardware store?
The peg board holds all the little tools that you might need for small projects, but don't want to go in the basement or out in the garage to get them!
One tip...for tools that don't have something to hang them with...just add a string or zip tie. Hangs easily from the peg board now!
Every square inch is used. Added small shelves to the sides to hold soaps, bleach etc.
The under the shelf basket is for...you guessed it...the missing socks! What is up with that?? Where do they go? I can't throw them out either, because I keep thinking they'll turn up in some one's drawer, under their bed or in their gym bag!
The other side hold dryer sheets and the light bulb boxes. Again, my husband's other buying habit...light bulbs.
Well, it's not a room, it's not pretty, but we know where stuff is and our clothes are clean!! LOL
How's your laundry room, closet, area doing?
Happy organizing if you get the chance,
~Karen~
However, I have a laundry closet and I love it just as much! I sooo appreciate that my laundry closet is upstairs right off my kitchen. Would I love it in my master bedroom closet...YES, but that's not happening any time soon either! So when you have ordinary like me...make it FUNCTIONAL and ORGANIZED!!
Here she is in all her glory! Our washer broke down so we bought a new one. Then the dryer went 6 months later. They changed the design of the set in that 6 months, so now they don't match :(
In the past it would have bothered me, but now all I care is that they wash and dry for me!! LOL
Here's a little walk through. Maybe you can use a few of the ideas in your laundry space! Notice I said "space" not room.
The shelf on top holds all those things you looks for in the basement or the "Junk Drawer". The far left has plastic storage boxes and the middle has wooden wine bottle boxes.
The boxes hold all different kinds of things...labeled so everyone can find stuff.
All different lengths of extension cords...
Batteries...buying batteries to my husband is like buying fabric to me!
Phone accessories and computer cords...
mouse traps / ant cups and timers...
The wooden wine bottle boxes hold flash lights, surge bars and bug sprays.
I also added a small piece of peg board. Did you know they come in pre-cut smaller pieces at the hardware store?
The peg board holds all the little tools that you might need for small projects, but don't want to go in the basement or out in the garage to get them!
One tip...for tools that don't have something to hang them with...just add a string or zip tie. Hangs easily from the peg board now!
Every square inch is used. Added small shelves to the sides to hold soaps, bleach etc.
The under the shelf basket is for...you guessed it...the missing socks! What is up with that?? Where do they go? I can't throw them out either, because I keep thinking they'll turn up in some one's drawer, under their bed or in their gym bag!
The other side hold dryer sheets and the light bulb boxes. Again, my husband's other buying habit...light bulbs.
Well, it's not a room, it's not pretty, but we know where stuff is and our clothes are clean!! LOL
How's your laundry room, closet, area doing?
Happy organizing if you get the chance,
~Karen~
Do you make house calls?!
ReplyDeleteWow it looks great. Thanks for a few ideas I need to utilize in my own laundry room.
ReplyDelete...can you come by my house after you visit Ann?
ReplyDelete:)
Great organization... *making notes*
Great space! I love how you have everything organized and in easy reach. Lots of ideas I am going to steal from you! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love your organized laundry room!! I think it DOES look pretty, it is neat adn clean..YAH!! Thanks for sharing, you have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteYou sure can organize...It would take my hubby about 5 minutes to destroy this...LOL
ReplyDeleteLove How you have organized laundry room. Looking good!
ReplyDeleteWe're moving and will be downsizing into a 1500+ square foot patio home. Though we don't yet have a house, I'm certain we'll have a very small laundry room. Your tips will be the basis for organizing my new space. Thank you SO much for sharing this! Your ideas are wonderfully creative, ingenious, and thrifty. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy question is, where is the laundry? That is one super organized space! My SIL would love it. Glad you have your space just like you need it. That makes work so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a laundry room, either. Mine are in the basement where my husband says they belong. After my son working as a forensic engineer for a couple of years I have to agree. I do wish my husband would agree to close them off into a room but he strongly resists. Given our lifestyle (farmers/hunters and general dirt collectors) I know I never want it upstairs. We have a direct entrance to the basement and that keeps a lot of dirt out of the house.
I have shelves of stuff my family refers to as "Mary-Mart". It is organized by "department". Someone asks and I can tell them, "That is on third shelf in the hunting department." Or, "Look behind the bug spray in the hardware department and you will find the mouse traps." Not your sense of organization but works for us!
A basement laundry would be wonderful!! I work in a green house and come home filthy!! Not to mention my 3 yr old twins who go to work with me everyday! But, alas, we live in 950 sq ft and have no garage, so we too have a laundry closet. Thanks, Karen, for showing a laundry space that is my reality! But I have to agree with Mary.... where IS the laundry? We store ours in baskets on top of the washer and dryer... not too attractive, but very practical!
DeleteTina
I've taken the outlook of organized is not always pretty, it's if you can find what you need fast. Pretty is nice, but like cars, it it doesn't work, it doesn't do much good.
Deletethere are certain men who focus on batteries and light bulbs, I know, I married one too. You have certainly used your space wisely. I dream of a Sarah Richardson style laundry with beautiful custom cabinetry, a marble tile floor and counter top, fresh flowers and a wine fridge. That is probably not ever going to happen, but I can dream!
ReplyDeleteI have a laundry closet, too, and will definitely rethink that space.
ReplyDeleteThe wine bottle rack is a great idea, but I'd add labels/or write on the spray can lids to ID them.
Keep these great ideas coming!
Thanks so much for this!! Love all these organizing tips!! Now I'm off to buy peg board and clear tubs!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
P
Very nice organization, but you are missing three very important things - a smoke alarm, a easily accessible fire extinguisher and a CO monitor if that's a gas dryer.
ReplyDeleteI went to a quilt retreat and one of the attendees was recovering from a fire that was the result of lint buildup around the motor (not the dryer vent). Luckily, she was in the area when the fire started. As she was calling 911, she tried the kitchen fire extinguisher, only to find out it had been discharged and not replaced. The fire was put out fast so there was limited fire damage. But there was lots of smoke damage because of the stuff that was stored above the dryer, like the spray can of fabric waterproofer. So check what is stored above the dryer for combustibility.
When I came home from the retreat, I did check my dryer vents and motor. I'm adding "check the extinguishers" to my semi-annual chore of changing the batteries in the smoke alarms.
Liz
labeling...YEP...SO important! I used to think that having a "see-thru" container was enough. Nope. After one of my daughters said that I HAD to put labels on everything...I found it was SO much better!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your great ideas!
hugZ,
annie
I keep my sewing room pretty organized but the laundry and work rooms are a different story. I never thought about using the same kind of ideas for those areas too. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Guess what i'll be working on this weekend ☺
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful organization.
ReplyDeleteFor orphaned socks: When you give up on finding their mates, they make wonderful erasers for dry-erase boards. (And a piece of card stock in a page protector makes a wonderful dry-erase board.)
I love your blog posts!
Our washer and dryer don't match either. I couldn't see spending money on a new washer just because the dryer kicked the bucket. It is almost comical because the dryer is a big front loader on a pedestal and the washer is regular size. HA!
ReplyDeleteYou say it's not pretty; however, I beg to differ...it's Beautiful! I am fortunate enough to have an upstairs laundry room and LOVE it. You have given me a couple organization ideas...thanks Karen!
ReplyDeleteUm, organized = pretty in my book. I'm quite impressed. My laundry room could use some TLC.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I have the same laundry "room"...I had a big beautiful laundry room at my last house, it even had a sink...so when we moved to our new house and got the bi-fold door laundry "room" I thought I would die. It was the only draw back to the new house, oh except for all of the ugly wallpaper. I love what you've done...I definately might copy some of your ideas. What do you do with all the laundry? Mine ends up piled in the hall in front of the doors, which I hate!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you've done a great job of mastering your space! It's beautifully organized. I had a similar space in our previous house, but the closet also housed the hot water heater. When our washer needed replacing & the dryer was on it's last leg, we opted for Energy Star stackables, & that really freed up some space. In our new home, I actually have a laundry room; one of those small ones that is the gateway to the garage, but it has built-in cabinets & a utility sink (love that). We now have the washer & dryer side-by-side with a countertop on top. I'm really enjoying that little room a lot!
ReplyDeleteCAS
Reminds me of my sewing closet. Very small yet functional!
ReplyDeleteI am an organizing freak, so I love reading your posts. I just reorganized my laundry room. It's long and narrow, but I am fortunate that I have plenty of cabinet space and a sink. So I'm not complaining given what I had before.
ReplyDeleteFor those who need a space for laundry (LOL), try this idea if you are crafty or have a crafty husband. You put these under the washer and dryer, and they house your laundry baskets. Right now mine are on my top shelf, but this is my next project for my laundry room.
http://www.sweetpickinsfurniture.com/2011/02/ana-white-plans.html
Be sure to check out the picture on her side bar.
I only have a laundry closet as well, so some of your ideas are really going to come in handy. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI realized when I moved into my own house that your missing socks have secretly morphed into pony tail holders of every variety! I find them in my dryer almost as often as I find single socks... sometimes not even of a variety that I'd ever use! :)
ReplyDeleteI need to do that 'box organizing' thing! My laundry area is really a laundry hallway in the downstairs. And it's laundry/pantry with a half-bath and the heater room off of it. It really needs to be redone, but it works well!
ReplyDeleteWe are always running out of batteries and light bulbs, so there's a big plus to having a husband that keeps them stocked up! We are a family of seven, mostly males, so I have an extra sock BASKET in the laundry room. I don't feel bad about that -- at least they are all in one spot. I need to copy your clear, labeled containers. I keep all that stuff in my hall closet, which is in desperate need of organization.
ReplyDeleteI love how organized this is...my wish for my whole house! I will try...especially the batteries, lights etc. That would really help. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteSo while you are scanning the hardware aisles for TTT, your husband is buying light bulbs and batteries, lol. I used to have a laundry closet, mine had the sliding doors, what a pain slide to the left empty the washer, slide to the right stuff in dryer, that did not last long. Since I was renting, I took the doors off the track and hung a curtain, the doors were louvered so I put them against the wall in my Florida room as a wall treatment.
ReplyDeleteI recently got a shelving unit in my laundry room, small room, I would also love a counter top to fold clothes on etc, but I had to settle for the 5 shelf chrome rack, I have 3 baskets, one for whites, darks, and colors. Prior to doing this I always had clothes piled on the floor waiting to be washed. I love it!! Oh the other 2 shelves have my soaps, backups and trash bags.
I like your peg board idea for tools though, my tools always end up being snagged by the men in my house and never get returned. I have asked for a locking tool box, but Santa still has not bought one, lol.
Nan
super organised! Our machines in Britain look totally different - all front loading x
ReplyDeleteAside from being in the basement and laundry collecting on the second floor, my biggest problem is my dryer door swings to the right rather than the left so it opens toward the washer. Since it's 22 years old, I guess I'll just hang in there for a while longer. I love the boxes for light bulbs. Mine are jumbled on shelves on the back porch - but not for long!!!
ReplyDeleteMy drier is the same age! My husband says there is no reason for a drier to ever be replaced. He takes it apart once a year to maintenance and clean it. BUT...double check, even a drier that old should be able to have to door moved to the other side. I know mine can.
DeleteNow I have some great ideas for my laundry closet. I am solo not creative at organizing small spaces
ReplyDeleteThanks sooo much, your closet looks great. You gave me so many ideas, WOW! Your so efficient, I need your expertise. Thanks again for the inspiration. ;-> Toni Anne
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, Such beautiful organization! Can you come to my place and help me with my craft/etsy/sewing/shipping room?
ReplyDeleteNot beautiful?? It's amazing! I'm green with envy over here. If only I had even a closet (and a dryer for that matter) in our tiny Japanese apartment. Our washer sits in our bathroom, right by the sink, and just in front of the bath! You're closet looks luxurious to me. :o)
ReplyDeleteNow that is organization..great ideas Karen, Love the peg board idea, I'm always looking for those things that could hang up. My hub also has a thing about batteries, must be a man thing!
ReplyDeleteJulia ♥
Great job! I have a laundry closet just like yours. Well, except for being organized. Where do you keep extra clothes hangers? Blessings, Marlene
ReplyDeleteWOW great ideas and you used every little space - really well organized. My hubby has a thing for batteries and light bulbs lol - never worry about running out.
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks a lot!!! (sarcasm) Now I have to get mine (it is a room) organized. Sometimes I wonder why I come to your sight. It always makes me have to work. HaHa. I love you Karen.
ReplyDeletewow!!!! inspiring...organized AND beautiful!!! does your hubby have a brother???
ReplyDeleteZip ties are my thing. I like the "bucket-o-zip ties" you can get at Target. Love the organization.
ReplyDeletethere's no doubt about it: any small tools on the wall above my washer and dryer would be under my washer and dryer. lindielee and i must have been separated at birth. besides, everything in your laundry space has a function. where's all the junk that's in my laundry space?
ReplyDeleteVery nice space, Karen. I am going to use the labeled plastic bin idea for cords and light bulbs which are currently tossed in printer paper boxes. The pegboard is nice, but for me also, it would not be long before it were bare due to items dropped behind or "borrowed". I'm glad it works for you though.
ReplyDeleteTo those who are waiting for Santa to bring you a toolbox - go get one. Sometimes Santa doesn't think you're serious.
Good Morning! Perfect timing today is...FIND a FRIEND day...and I found you and your blog! I LOVE your site and the linky parties you offer too! I love how clever you are! I found you through Pinterest and just wanted to pop in and say Thank You for all your hard work and ideas! I became an email subscriber too so that I won't MISS any of your posts now! Keep up the good work!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy visiting this blog for the simple ideas and creative ways I find to 'clean up the clutter' and the insperation I get to 'get it done'!!! I love the laundry area - and some of the ideas I am going to consider for my 'wasted' space. I do have a laundry room, but it's not working the way I wanted it to..... yup, going to be making some changes here this spring/summer........ Laundry room, sewing room and storage room, look out!!!
ReplyDeleteThank You!!
Zip Ties...brilliant!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would be dropping things behind the appliances, so as I saw your set-up (which is A-maz-ing, by the way!) I thought of all those times I've seen people using gutters for things (gardens, etc). I wonder if you could attach a gutter at the bottom of the peg board to prevent things from falling behind. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Very cool - just one tip I would add - Use the wine bottle racks for... wine! A cheeky tipple whilst doing the laundry is a good way to make it go faster!!
ReplyDeleteKaren, This is great! I am inspired to do something with my little area in the half-bath where my washer/dryer combo is. I live in a small apartment. My washer/dry is an apartment size up/down unit. The only real free space I have is above the dryer unit on top. I have hardly any space. I have my towels on top, but would love to incorporate ideas to make it more serviceable. Do you have any ideas you could pass along? Perhaps someone else has the same problem. Thanks Karen. I really enjoy your blog. Such a great service to us all. Betty
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog, via Pinterest. I'm all about organizing, so I will be spending lots of time checking your posts! I have a suggestion for you regarding the lost socks...Sock Locks! They have been a lifesaver in our family. Each family member gets a different color. You put your socks in them before throwing them in the hamper. You wash, dry, and put away the socks while still in the sock locks...no sorting of socks necessary! They are wonnnderful. Here's the link: http://www.sock-locks.com/
ReplyDeleteFound you on Pinterest. I hope you don't mind if I say ... You are my hero! These are things I can do! I can never figure out how to actually make it happen. You have great ideas that I can put into action. Wow! Thanks for deciding to blog and share. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love this organization and you used such simple items to do so! i must say, out of it all, my fav. thing is the lost sock basket haha. i have all mine in a bin. I keeep them cuz even though they don't come back around, a similar pair is bound to obtain a hole or something and i just replace it with one from my lost sock bin =p.
ReplyDeletehttp://chitownandallaround.blogspot.com/
I love your blog btw!! i am getting "sew" many cool ideas for my new home I am about to purchase!! SO THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the peg board and I am totally that type to whip out my dymo label maker and label stuff as to where its supposed to go!! I was thinking that to add to the "glam" of your laundry space you could paint the peg board a fun color so its not just brown and blah! I have also seen on pinterest, people have been spray painting their washer and dryer so it might be a fun way to decorate your washer and dryer since the models no longer match! :) (my models dont match either! haha)
keep blogging because i am absolutely in love!!!
Caity