Laundry Room Dresser/Shelf

Ok, Although I am not completely done with my Laundry Dresser I am posting an update.  I don't have my doors completely done and hanged... but other than that fully functional.  I have had it in place and using it a few months now and absolutely LOVE it!  Read more about my laundry room here

Here is a BEFORE of my rickety rackety sorter and hanging space:

And an after!!!

I still need to figure out what to do on the top of my shelf... Look at all of that space!!!  I think I can fit 6 or so fabric/wicker/wood bins.  Yes I am undecided :)  I do know that I want a home for items to donate, things that need to be mended... and... hmmm what else can I store up there??  ideas anyone??  I think I want to either stay in a woodsy wicker look (nothing too dark... or go with a creamy/tan neutral color up there.

As you can see clothes are filled in the baskets an they are very sturdy! Each person in my family has their own basket now.  the 6th basket is for fabric napkins and towels.  They can hold dirty clothes... or clean, and slide in and out just like a dresser drawer. 

I ammended the Ana White Laundry Dresser plan  I built 2 dressers, however for the top piece I cut one piece (instead of 2) to help keep them together, then  I squared them up when I put the backing on.  I was going to do a ceramic tile countertop and build in the whole thing like cabinets... but then I started thinking about if we ever needed to replace the washing machine or dryer and needed to move those out of the room.... I had to keep the laundry dresser moveable too... so it is NOT attached to the wall and I left the baseboards in place :) 

Eventually I will build a sink cabinet... and replace the utility sink... I will secure that piece of cabinet in place and the dresser will butt up to it.  I had to keep this under a certain height so that my ironing board cabinet would still open and be usable :) 

So all that said I joined varied lenghs of 1x3's which I sanded an distressed.  The stain is ebony and red mahogany mixed with 2 coats of poly on top for a smooth finish.

I also added wooden brackets with a rod for my hanging area.  I came out enough to allow for hanger to hang and had to add a block of wood to the tops because I didn't account for the shelf being in the way when hanging... It works... same distressed look :) 

How about some more pictures???

For the rod I drilled a hole in my wooden brackets.  The design was free handed and then cut with a jigsaw.  I added another bracket for the end pieces that do not have holes drilled for the rod.  This was they are set in place and will not shift or slide

Close up of bracket

Close up of folding area.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my finish!!!

And I have made my doors... aside from my beadboard backing that I need to purchase and cut.  an I need to figure out the hinges.  I have bought euro hinges that hopefully will work and be hidden.  The doors will be painted glossy white like the bottom of the dresser.  and I plan to glaze them with dark walnut stain.  Which I plan to also do on my existing white cabinets that hang above my washing machine and dryer!  Here are the door frames:

I have decided to wait until my kiddos go back to school to finish the doors.  This summer I am commited to getting my oldest son moved into the bonus room (which was the playroom) and have a BED to be built!!  All 3 kiddos will be in school this year and I will have plenty of time to myself for projects!

Mini Laundry Room Redo

I am trying to start thinking about ways my laundry room can function better.  I have plans to build a set of base cabinets with a counter top for folding, and area underneath for dirty clothes and baskets.  Replace the sink, come up with storage for the cat and dog food that is more functional.  I love the colors that I painted when we built the house, but would like to add the extra touches.  I hang out a lot in here...  I really would love a comfortable chair... hmmm how can I figure out a way to fit that in there???  No, really!  The kids & hubby  usually steer clear if mommy is in the laundry room!  I envision having a cup of tea and reading a book while washing clothes.  Serenity now! HA!

Ok, well I am not doing anything major at the moment.... But I did come across these great bins a couple of days ago at my local Walmart... and guess how much?!  Set of 3 for $4.50. 

I grabbed 2 sets of them for a total of 6.  Figured I could always return them if they didn't fit or find another spot to use them.  They had them in Red, Black, & Purple...  I got black...  Now if they were chocolate brown that would have been perfect, but again for the price I thought I would try them!  Here is a little photo tour of my laundry room.

I plan to update my blog as I redo the room.  Overall I like most of it, but the functionality of the space can be better so that is my goal with it....

I was not looking for these, but when I saw them I stopped in my tracks!  Took one out and judged the size and thought it might fit perfect in the space above my laundry room cabinets... which was sorta an out of reach spot that I threw a few things up on, but heck... It's a new year and I am a lady on a mission!

Here it is... In ALL her glory...  That blue baskets sits there most all of the time and I hate it!  I fold cloths right from the dryer and put them in piles and carry to their proper rooms... I don't even use the basket except for things I am too lazy to put away at that moment.  It stays in my way...  I am constantly kicking it or moving it....  Yes it must go!

Here is a before shot of the top of my laundry room cabinets

This shows one main wall.  I have had my wonderful dream machines for a few years... Yea, I probably should reposition that picture on the left wall... But I just never get around to it LOL

This area to the right I think can be better used.... Maybe some built in shelves next to the cabinets and around the kitty crap box...  Really not sure what I am going to do with this area.... Suggestions??? Please share

The corner has a basic sink.  Pretty much the cheapest thing we could find when we were building.  Built into the studs of the wall is my ironing board cabinet.  Which I adore!  It has a few shelves to store my iron and other items, plus the ironing board folds up.  I made my shade and based my paint color for this room off of that fabric

Corner of the room.  You can see my retractable clothing line here... It hides in the corner nook next to the cabinets above the washer & dryer.  I do love my clothing line!

My retractable clothing line

This is the other main wall.  Right now I have a rickety laundry sorter.  Which works ok for it's purposes.  Please excuse my tacky boxes above.  It's better than it was :)  I did have piles of the outgrown, donate, or needs repair items up there.  I was going to purchase some pretty bins or totes, but then decided to build cabinets for the base... and I am still trying to come up with what to do for the top area.  I would like a shelf or 2 up high for storage (maybe put some pretty bins there for my donate/repair items).  I definitely want a hanging rod above as well.  And this area will have a counter top and be my new folding station!

Right now the dirty clothes area has 3 baskets.  I have 5 in my family and wash each person separate. It would be nice to have a spot for each person's dirty clothes plus an extra for delicates or linens

Here is another view of the room.

This is the wall area behind the door.  I like the broom/mop holder thing... And my Roomba's home it there... Whatever I do I need to keep access to the electrical box you can see in the left on the wall.  That said it would be nice to cover it up with something decorative so I am not staring at it :)

This wall will stay as is :)

 

Here are my new bins above the cabinets.  They just so happen to fit pretty great I think!