Next Up is the Laundry Room

I’ve been doing a ton of work outside lately, but it’s time to move on to the interior again. Hey there, laundry room.

Wait, that’s from 2013 when we moved in. You want a more recent photo? It’s just as sad, but this time with a washer and dryer!

Look at me with that cute tin up there like it’s helping the decor.

We’ve made some changes to the house’s systems over the years. The commercial natural gas account was merged into the residential line and one meter was removed. We replaced the hot water tank with a newer, more efficient model. The previous owners had a coin-operated washer and dryer set (from the home’s days as a 3-flat) that did not convey with the sale, so we added the front-loaders when we moved in.

There’s no getting around the fact that this is the basement of a home that was built in 1891. The ceiling height is low. There are pipes that are best left exposed for easy access. It’s a functional space, but I’ve never attempted to make it lovely (ba dum bum), and it’s time!

A list of work to be done in skimmable bullet points…

• A drop ceiling is a good choice in this case and it’s staying, but some or all of the tiles will be replaced.
• Keeping the can lights in the ceiling, adding sconces.
• The pipes will be painted to blend in with the walls.
• I’ll be using the same octagon and dot tile that I added to the laundry room in our last house.
• The fridge in our kitchen is small and a secondary fridge in the basement has been useful. The one that came with the house is dying but it will be replaced by a new, similar model.
• A new washer and dryer set with added functionality! I’m VERY excited about this. TWO LOADS AT ONCE.
• Cabinets! Storage!
• The plastic utility tub is being replaced by a cabinet and deep utility sink, plus a pretty faucet.
• I’ll be sewing a curtain/shade for the single window.
• Laundry rooms need art, too!

All of that is pretty much set. I’ve already done all of the planning and I have 90% of my supplies. I’m ready (and eager!) to get started. I haven’t decided on the paint color for walls and cabinets yet though, or chosen the counters.

• I’m using stock cabinetry with simple white shaker doors, and I’ll add antique brass hardware.
• The cabinets would look great in white, but an almond/greige or green would work too. Walls will probably either be creamy white or green.
• Counters will likely be laminate. Something that looks like marble or soapstone? I feel like it’s kind of overkill to do the real thing in this space, but it’s not like I would need that much.

Here’s a quick look at the differences. Minor changes, and nothing that will hold up work right now.

Here’s what is giving me pause. How can I minimize our time without a washer and dryer hooked up? And can I tile under the water heater by propping it up? (I know the answer to that is probably no. I need to disconnect it.) I’ll be the one doing all of the labor, and I’m trying to time it for the least possible disruption in our lives.

Wish me luck!