Laundry Room: Part 1

Now that summer is over and we are finally into the groove of going back to school I finally started doing a few projects around our home. I have a hard time doing inside projects in the summer time- I tend to want to save everything for the dreaded winter months, somethings to keep my busy. But I couldn't put this project off any longer. With the kids starting to wear jackets and backpacks everyday this teeny tiny laundry room/coat and shoe closet was really driving me bonkers! 

Here is what it looked like before...

The walls were a creamy yellow and very drab- I hated the color. . The shoe cubby was basically the only thing in this room that was working! I put that in there a year or so ago and it has done wonders for our little family. Everyone has a basket- everyone knows where their shoes are. I also have a extra basket for hats/gloves/scarves. 

Then behind the door I had a small hanger for coats that was about to pop out of the wall! 

 Although I love having the lovely white quartz countertop over the washer and dryer is really tends to be covered with all the miscellaneous items I don't know where else to put! And the kids backpacks took up most of the space. 

 The best part about this room was that there is a door- and I could close it! Out of sight- out of mind. Ok, for most people- but not really for me. 

Since The Man is in the peak of Landscaping season and rarely ever home I decided I would just do it- and do it on my own! I mean, if he could do it why can't I? Right?! 

My first thing was emptying the room completely. This was fairly easy since the room is the size of most closet spaces! But, my kitchen did look like a episode of hoarders for a few days! Once everything was out of there I had to figure out what I was going to do with the space to help with storage- mainly for coats and backpacks. 

I had a idea. 

I only have one wall in the laundry room that I could hang things on, so I needed a bit more wall space, hence the hallway from the garage entrance across from the laundry room... 

I needed some hook space. 

It was a VERY simple task. I cut 2 1x2s the length to fit snug between the door and growth chart. 

Glued the backs then nailed them to the studs... yes, I used a stud finder! 

Then patched the nail holes, used some caulk around the sides, and painted the existing wall color. (I wanted them to blend in as much as possible.)

I then screwed into the 1x2 the hooks that I already had. 

 I put a bigger/stronger hook on top (Macks backpack is usually pretty heavy!)

 And then the smaller ones below- for the girls. 

 This little addition was free and very simple- I used what I already had and took about 2 hours- mainly waiting for paint and caulk to dry. So far the kids love having their own hook and its nice to get those backpacks off the floor- or dryer! 

 I then did the exact same thing inside the laundry room, behind the door. 

I attached a 1x2 with liquid nail glue and some staples in the studs. 

Then filled the nail holes and caulked- then painted. 

I then attached these hooks right into the 1x2.

 I added little stickers above the hooks because the kids were fighting over who's were who's!

Now I'm not worried that the hooks will come crashing down at any minute! And they are already filled with jackets. 

 The Man had a crazy week last week and didn't make it home until late each night, so Friday night I put the kids to bed early and started cutting boards.

I debated on whether to do tile or do some planking- planking was free, so it won! 

I had left over pieces of plywood from when I did the stairwell HERE. 

Anyway, its a pretty simple process if you have the right tools. 

(Hint: I buy .25 inch plywood from Home Depot- then have them cut it into 6" strips. This saves TONS of time and their cuts were pretty dang straight!)

I first measured out that little light switch- then I was able to fill in the spaces. It's just like putting a puzzle together. Measure twice- cut once. I added liquid nails glue to the back of each piece then secured them each with my nail gun. 

*Note- This is not a project that you want to do if you plan on changing it in a few years! Once those boards are glued and nailed they will stay there forever! Unless you want to re-sheetrock! The glue will tear the texture from the sheetrock if removed! So make sure this is something you want to live with before you dive in!* 

Once I got the hang of measuring, cutting, glueing, stapling- it went pretty quick. (It took about 3 hours) 

 As far as the spacing, I just eyeballed it! I wanted the grooves to really show so I made sure and leave a good 1/8 inch gap between each board.  I filled the nail holes with speckling and then did some light sanding for a smooth surface. 

Then I went to bed. 

 Saturday morning I woke up and had to run to Home Depot to get some quarter round trim for the edges. It helped finish the back wall and left it looking nice and clean. Then I primed the plywood and painted the other walls. 

The paint color is a light minty green/blue color- It's from Scotty's, EasyCare paint called Pine Mist. (I really love it!) 

I also wanted to share a little trick for painting those planked walls- the paint gets in the grooves and can seal them or leave little bubbles, you don't want that! So after a coat of primer I simply took a tiny mechanical pencil tip and ran it through the grooves. It really made the lines crisp! 

 After 2 more coats of Basic White paint the planking was finished- it makes a big difference and adds a lot of texture to a once flat wall! (It will look even better once those cabinets are white!) 

I didn't actually get the room put back together until Sunday afternoon. 

Once everything was cleaned, walls were touched up, and everything was put back into its place it felt glorious! 

 I walk in this room 100 times a day so it's a nice surprise to see it so fresh and clean. 

But I'm not done. 

I still plan on painting the cabinets- Gasp!! Yes. I am. 

And I've thought about putting a fun light in there, but The Man thinks thats a little overboard. After all, I am really the only person who actually goes in this room and cares about what it looks like!

But- I think that is why I should do these things, 

if it makes me happy then its worth it! 

(Even if no one else sees it!)

Today I'll be doing laundry all day- which is actually kind of enjoyable. For now. 

I'll be back with Part 2 soon!