My never before seen laundry room is decidedly one of the most boring, least functional rooms of the lot. But it is just a laundry room and nobody ever sees it but me. (And by nobody, I’m totally including Honey and the littles.) That being said, I’ve lived the last four years with my detergents and stain sprays on the floor while I tried to figure out what to do with the space. Shelves? Cabinets? Shelves and cabinets? Knock the wall out to the attic and make a laundry palace? (A girl can dream.) More than anything, though, I’ve been moaning and groaning over wanting a laundry sink. You should just see some of the dirty, grimy clothes my littles bring in this house. ew.
The little room has some depth, but pretty much locks us in to having the washer, dryer and new sink all on this one wall. Sooooo, realizing that a laundry sink is my top priority, I did a little research on the internet and ordered a $25 stacking kit from Best Buy to stack my current extra large capacity front loading washer and dryer, aaaaannnnddd free up space for said sink. Honey and his pal did the deed this weekend and I’m already giddy with excitement.
The next step is getting the plumber here to set up the pipes and install the utility sink. (Just the word “utility” makes my skin crawl.) After enough research to make me go blue in the face, I ordered this sink from Home Depot and this faucet from Amazon. And while it ain’t gonna be pretty, it is going to be an amazing feeling to be able to brush my teeth without first having to remove a pair of red clay caked baseball pants from my bathroom sink, however!!!
Now, I know y’all aren’t going to be surprised by the fact that I entirely intend to skirt the sink, hang some nice shelves (I think) and change out the light. While I haven’t put a second’s thought into the fabric, I did scope out these great lighting options at Home Depot… I’m leaning towards the top right.
So with any luck, I’ll have this thing all put together by the end of April. It will feel SO good to knock something off the to-do list that’s been a hanger-on for five years.
xoxo
PS. To all of those that inquired as to where to get a Diet Coke Frost, right now it is nationwide, but only at 7-11s. Will be everywhere in May!!! I’m a Co-cola classic drinker myself, but that slushie is seriously delish!!!!
I would hate doing laundry in there. My husband does most of the laundry. Our laundry room is a pit. Congratulations on your BHG gig!
Amanda,
It's going to be so much better when you get finished with it. I'm a fairly new follower and also live in Atlanta. I just adore your coastal style and Mother's mad sewing skills!
Have you thought about doing the ORC and showcasing your work?
I love the idea of a skirted sink and you could easily velcro it to the sides. Just in case it gets dirty too!
Looking forward to following the transformation!
Betsy
West of the Square Designs
I can't WAIT to see what you do with this space. I know that's crazy, but sometimes I love to see what people do with a room that looks like nothing can be done with it. When we moved into our old house I pulled a cabinet out of the kitchen and hung it over my washer and dryer and installed a wire shelf, too. It made things SO much easier. Can't wait to try the Coke Frost. Mmm…Perfect for summer!
I have wanted to stack my washer and dryer too, but wondering: how to you reach the dials on the very top of the dryer?!
Sarah
I'm 5'1" and can reach it no problem!! I was a little worried about that too but it works!
Excited for you to have your laundry room the way you need it. I know that is something that I would like to do. My question is,the top appliance seems high up,will you have to have a step stool?
This should be a fun project. We have the exact same sink in our laundry room and I have been putting off skirting it forever. Last week I actually did a "practice skirt" with an old piece of fabric before I cut up the buffalo plaid I plan to use. I am actually attempting to do this the no-sew way and I may have to cave and sew at least some of it! I am using velcro to hold it onto the sink and hopefully I can create what I picture in my head. With the way my project is coming along, yours will be finished before mine! Oh well, love the light by the way!
-Shelley
It will be fab when you get finished! A laundry sink is a dream of mine – baseball pants as well – but alas, I have cabinets above my machines & no room to stack them! Can't wait to see the completed project! xo
Oh this is going to be great having the sink. Great idea to stack the washer and dryer. Hugs, Marty
I feel a before and after coming on! Looking forward to it.
You know I'm going to say a cute vinyl design on the front of the washer & dryer will make it more inviting! You know my thoughts on laundry!
I do like cabinets (want to add them in mine as well) cause you can always "hide" things inside. Make sure you do have a place to "hang" clothes you want to line dry.
Can't wait to see it!! HKL
I love it! I was going to say put a skirt on it, but you already are! And, yes to the light! Maybe you can find fabric that mimics the light pattern??
Oh you lucky to have a "back sink"…..yes! to stacking you are a genius!
Enjoy! Oh, and yes to shelves!!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Ha, I see someone else already asked if you could reach! I know your honey is tall, but I knew you were pretty tiny!! Our laundry is tiny as well. Our builder had installed what he called a "slop" sink (you thought utility was bad), but when it came time for us to move in and put the washer and dryer in place, they wouldn't fit! So, out came the sink. I got an extra cabinet and a bar size sink instead. Ok, since I have girls and not a ton of messy, red clay caked clothes. We did at a "utility" sink to our basement and I LOVE it. No more washing paint brushes, dirty gardening hands, and dog bowls in my kitchen sink (ewww). can't wait to see what you do with it!
i highly recommend the wall mounted drying racks from ballard design.
Being only 3/4 of an inch taller, I am glad to know it is reachable as I have thought about stacking ours. We have only a lovely laundry closet and it definitely needs an upgrade. It has no doors since purchasing front loaders (can't open washer door with the bifold doors so they had to go. I want to stack ours, add a closed door cabinet over a soaking sink (I don't care for utility sink either) and somehow make it pretty as it is directly across from the powder room. Luckily it is on a back hall! Can't wait to see what magic you make in this room!
Can't wait to see what you do with the laundry room! Ikea also has a wall-mounted laundry drying rack that pulls out when you need to extend it and you can push it back to the wall when not in use. I don't know about your budget, but I scoped out the Ikea one when I decided that the Ballard's one was a little pricey. I don't know if you ever find anything you need at Ballard's Backroom in Roswell. Everytime I have gone in there, most of the stuff was broken or damaged, but I know of others who have scored some nice things in there. I always LOVE reading your blog:)
I contemplated removing our utility sink when I revamped our mud/laundry room last year. My very wise cousin with older sons told me that once my boys were older I would be kicking myself if I got rid of it. J starts baseball in the May so we'll see how much of a workout that sink gets…for now it is a catchall for items that need to be returned.
Love that your space is dedicated just for laundry though.
That is going to be wonderful for you. I use my laundry sink all the time and it is especially great with little kids.
Wouldn't you know-there is not a 7/11 anywhere in the Midwest that I know of. Darn it!!!! xo Diana
I had to makeover my laundry room when I moved into my current home 4 years ago. There were nice upper and lower cabinets and a spacious sink but only room for a stackable washer and dryer. We thought about removing some of the cabinets but they were really nice custom cabinets and there wasn't an easy way without a complete redo. So we purchased a $25 stacking unit at Lowe's to house our front loaders based on the recommendation of a sales associate. It's the exact same thing they use for the floor models. Anyway, just wanted to share that I've had this system for 4 years and I've had no problems at all. I had to get used to opening the washer door to the left and the dryer door to the right but it's not a big deal. It's really worked well for me and I do laundry every day:)
Most newer machines can be adjusted to open in either direction. Check your manual.
I have that same light in my laundry room :) LOL.
blessings,
nancy
I can't believe you have gone this long without a sink. I have 3 boys and the baseball dirt and football grass stains are aplenty! You will love this new addition-I have the same sink and it ain't pretty but it gets the job done!