Laundry / Mudroom Plans – $100 Room Challenge

I’m so excited to finally create the laundry and mudroom of my dreams!  I actually started this project a couple of years ago, but alas, life got in the way and I never brought my plans to fruition.  But now that I’ve signed up for another round of the $100 Room Challenge, it’s a go!  Now, let’s take a look at my Laundry / Mudroom plans.

If you’re not familiar with the $100 Room Challenge, you can learn more about it HERE.  Erin, from Lemons, Lavender and Laundry, created this challenge several years ago and she graciously hosts a group of bloggers who join her each September and January.  This will be my second $100 Room Challenge.  I gave my front entry a makeover last January.

When we bought our house, the laundry room had those boring, metal wrapped in white plastic shelving units above the washer and dryer.  Unfortunately I don’t have a photo, but you all know what I’m talking about, right?  We had our handyman take them down and install these wooden shelves.  That itself was a huge improvement.  He also made this butcher block cover for the top of the washer and dryer.

He sealed it with a coat of poly, but I plan to sand it and stain it with a darker stain and then re-seal.  As you can see, there’s no organization on the shelves.  The laundry room had become a drop zone for clutter.  It was easy to stash stuff away in there and shut the door.  I actually had to clear off the top of the butcher block before I took this photo!

I plan to use my budget to purchase baskets for the shelves.  I’d also like to find (or make) some artwork  to pretty up the area.

Across from the washer and dryer is a bench and two matching storage towers that I bought at The Christmas Tree Shop.  I had big plans for these that never got fulfilled 🙁  Staining the butcher block will also help to unify the space.

Look at all those drawers!  My plan is to create a family command center where I can keep track of our schedules and paperwork.  Of course, I want it to look pretty, too.  There will be pillows on the bench and maybe a lamp on one of the towers.  I envision something like this:

Photo via Pottery Barn

There’s a shelf above the bench for hanging coats and backpacks.  I just need to add some hooks.  I’ll also be able to decorate the shelf with artwork, books, plants and tchotchkes.

I currently have my beloved vintage barkcloth drapes hanging from the window.  Since I have extra fabric in the same print, I plan to make a matching cushion cover for the bench.

I’d also like to add an area rug, so to stay on budget I’ll need to go thrifting, but you know I don’t mind doing that!

The laundry room is right off the garage, so it’s the perfect place to take off shoes and go through mail.  I’ll add a boot tray and a place to sort mail.

So that’s it for my laundry / mudroom plans!  The largest tasks will be sanding and staining the butcher block and sewing the cushion.  The rest is mostly fun stuff like shopping, organizing and decorating.

I can’t wait!  Stop back soon for an update of my progress.  And don’t forget to check out all of the other $100 Room Challenge projects from my blogger friends below.

See you soon!

Rebecca