MBR LAUNDRY
The original door used to swing into the laundry room, taking up space. Ronda already had the replacement door; it had been donated to her son for a haunted house project and had bloody-looking handprints all over it. She cleaned it up, painted it to look old and distressed, added an antique knob and hung it on barn hardware she picked up at The Home Depot. To see DIY tutorials for features in this laundry room, check out Ronda’s blog, Batchelors Way. More: 8 Laundry Room Ideas to Watch for This Year
SaveEmail For the ironing board cabinet, she cut the back off a regular-size cabinet and recessed it into the wall. She then made the molding piece and attached it to the wall above the cabinet to make it look like a built-in unit. She built the fold-down, swiveling ironing board system herself from brackets and hardware she bought at The Home Depot.
SaveEmail The slim drawers at the top of the tower are for drying delicates. They’re lined with laundry mesh that Ronda got at her local dollar store. After a few weeks, she realized the delicates weren’t drying quickly enough, so she and Les installed a small, inexpensive fan from Walmart in the back of the box and wired it to a timer switch for better circulation. She can put sweaters and other delicates in the drawers and set the timer for up to an hour before it will shut off automatically.
Design idea: Open shelving. Why: Keeping storage open makes it easy to find what you need quickly, which can be a blessing in busy households. When this works: This works well in a home with the bedrooms and bath upstairs, so you don’t need to worry about visitors seeing your linens if it gets a little messy. If you know that members of your household aren’t likely to manage putting things away relatively neatly (and if that will bug you), it may be better to go with closed storage. Safety tip: Whenever you use a tall, heavy piece of furniture (especially if kids are in the house), it’s a good idea to anchor it to the wall. Cost: You can purchase basic bookcases for $100 and up each. Expect to pay much more for bookcases made from solid wood. Tell us: Have a good idea for organizing the linen closet? Share your tips and pictures in the Comments section.
Design idea: Glass-front cabinet in the bedroom. Why: In a home without much closet space, a freestanding cabinet can provide storage for bedding and can look good doing it. Kept in the bedroom, it also is convenient for making the bed. Extras: If you need to store more utilitarian items in a glass-front cabinet, use labeled bins to keep things neat and easy to find. Cost: Expect to spend $800 and up for a freestanding glass-front bookcase or cabinet, either new or antique — although bargains can be found if you’re willing to hunt around.
Design idea: Customized bathroom cabinet. Why: Storing towels in the bathroom is convenient, and incorporating a spot for dirty laundry and bath essentials makes the space work even harder. How: Outfit an existing cabinet with a pullout laundry bin, wire door storage and adjustable shelves. If you are planning a bathroom remodel, work with a bath designer to incorporate the features you want.
Door shoe bag for tiny stuff, color catchers, etc. Where to keep table clothes, napkins, mats, runners. Design idea: Outfit a traditional linen closet with organizers. Why: Avoid the dreaded toppling pile of linens by subdividing your linen closet using smart organizers, and find what you need without a fuss. How: Shelving, towel racks on the back of the door, shelf dividers, and storage baskets and boxes make a linen closet far more functional. Pick up components yourself at an organizing store or a home improvement store, or hire a closet designer to create the perfect linen closet for you. Planning tips: Think about the type and quantity of linens you need to store, and pare down before going shopping. A bit of careful planning will prevent unnecessary purchases. Cost: From about $200 for a bare-bones setup for a smaller closet to around $700 for a more elaborate design with help from a pro.
7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Laundry Room
Q