I am SO excited to finally write this post!! All of the details on our mudroom (including the renderings, cost and sources for everything — linked at the end of the post!) are listed here. It feels really good to wrap up this project and enjoy the work that we’ve put in!
When we initially moved into our house, it wasn’t in the plans to move the laundry upstairs and make this room into what it is now. About a year and half ago I was struggling to figure out a use for this awkward room between our garage, main bath and kitchen — when I had the epiphany to move our washer and dryer (which was currently in the basement) into this room and make use of the space. When the house was built, this was actually a small covered porch; years later, someone enclosed it (surrounded with windows and a door to the backyard) and made it into a laundry room with an attached bathroom. When we bought it there had been a two car garage added on, which required removing all the original windows as well as the door leading to the backyard and bumped the laundry to the basement. The previous owners used this as a breakfast nook so we tried that for awhile — however, I always felt awkward sitting there as guests would use our main bath which is literally right there.
Basement Laundry: Before
“Breakfast Nook”: Before
So we got to measuring and scheming to make sure it would all fit well into the room and not inhibit flow between the garage, kitchen and bathroom. The room is small and we only had 7′ 8″ x 8′ 8″ to work with. This whole room is only 7′ x 8′! So I was so excited when we found a plan that would work the washer, dryer and storage in. After a few edits, here is what we came up with:
When building an enclosure for a washer and dryer, you want to make sure that there is enough room at the back for ventilation. The standard is allowing 40 inches for the depth of the cabinet and 56 inches for the width. When you search Pinterest there are so many different designs for how to do this–some allow a lot of extra room, others look like they’re just crammed in there. Our washer and dryer is on the smaller end, so Ty looked up what new washer and dryer dimensions would be so that we didn’t build a cabinet that only fit these smaller machines. We planned for the standard allowance at the back of the cabinet for ventilation and built the cabinet width based on standard machine sizes now, which ended up being 58″ wide.
As Ty started on the cabinetry, I did make one change to the original plans: we had planned on carrying the countertop straight across, so there wouldn’t be any different in the cabinet height between the storage cabinets and the washer & dryer cavity. But as we were standing there staring at how tall that would all end up being, I was thinking this is going to feel humongous in here. So I said to Ty, “umm I think we need to change something…” which he was a good sport about — but I felt bad! He had already built the cabinet doors but not the boxes. In the end we ended up with a right-hand door that we couldn’t use, but everything else was relatively easy to adjust.
For the cabinetry & countertop, we spent about $800. We used soft maple 3/4″ boards and 3/4″ maple veneer plywood. We built the living room built-in with oak, but Ty wanted to try out maple in here since it’s less grainy than oak and we would be painting it. Ty uses a cut list to make the most of the lumber that we use, which helps cut down on waste (and cost). Here is a look at what that entailed for this project:
To get started, last spring we moved the washer and dryer upstairs which required some plumbing, electrical and drywall work. So we sat with just the washer and dryer upstairs for about a year, but I didn’t even care because I wasn’t going into our 100 year old basement to do laundry anymore!!
So after late nights building cabinetry, painting, reworking electrical (that took an entire weekend) and a grout mishap (oy…), this room is alllll finished and I am oh so glad that this was added to our project list!
Because this is right off the kitchen, I wanted to design it in a way that flowed from one room to the next seamlessly. So we matched the cabinet paint, hardware, countertop and tile to the existing kitchen finishes.
We designed the cabinetry so that when the doors were open, they wouldn’t take up half the room (which is easy to do!). They’re bifold panels that fold nice and snug thanks to high-quality hinges — plus, you can easily get around them to the bathroom or garage when they’re open.
The cabinetry color I ended up going with is Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, and it’s this beautiful, deep inky blue that also works well as a neutral. I was on the fence about going blue but once the paint went up I was so glad I did!
Dropping the side cabinet boxes to standard counter height allowed for more space above the countertop, so I went with two small floating shelves under those cute brass sconces. More shelves to style is always a win in my book!
On the left side of the room we left open for shoes, hats, gloves, and things I need to return to other people (everyone needs a spot for those things, right?!). I found these baskets from Target that I love–the leather handle detail is my favorite.
The right side has a door that hides all of our detergent and laundry cleaners. Plus, there is an outlet in there so I can charge our Dyson out of sight.
I ordered these wall sconces back in April (while in Florida…sitting on the balcony overlooking the beach…I’m not ready for Ohio winter!!) from a random website so I wasn’t sure how they would turn out, but I loved them once I got them. I am so into disc shades right now, and that pop of brass is just the right amount.
Because the ceiling height in this room is over a foot shorter than the kitchen, the mudroom feels short just looking into the room. So I wanted to trick the eye as much as possible into thinking the room is taller than it is by mounting a roman shade onto the ceiling. I ordered this one custom from Select Blinds and it is so beautiful in person! I think custom drapery makes a room feel elevated and special.
My favorite detail in the room is this vintage piece of art that I found for 20 bucks. Seriously, it makes me happy every time I see it!
I think I love doing laundry now, and if I don’t love it yet, this little room will help me learn to, right?!
All in, this project cost less than $1,000. I am thrilled with that and give this the official stamp of totally worth it.
The mudroom took up more mental energy and time than what we had anticipated, so we are both excited to check this one off and move onto the other projects that we’ve had on the back burner for awhile. I’m moving my attention to our second story which hasn’t been a priority since we moved in. First up is our master bedroom! I ordered our new bed just yesterday and will be documenting that process as I go on Instagram.
It’s fitting that today I have baskets of laundry to wash and fold, so you will know where to find me. Happy Friday!
XO-
Lauren
SOURCES
Benjamin Moore Advance Paint in Semi-Gloss, Hale Navy // Butcher block countertop // Subway tile // Unsanded grout in Bright White // Brass wall sconces // Chrome cabinet knobs // Custom roman shade in Antique White // Leather handle baskets // Ceramic canisters with cork lid // Woven market bag // Wall clock