I want to share the very first major project tackled in our home. When we started this endeavor we had our laundry machines in a different room. My husband was actually the one that thought it would be easy enough to move our laundry into the room it sits now.
We were honestly a little crazy to make this a DIY. Looking back we definitely took on more than we anticipated. However, I love our new laundry/mudroom space and I am so grateful for the functionality it brings to our home.
So, let’s get to the juicy stuff!
Alright, let me introduce you to the room we were working with.
Not a terribly small room to start with so, I was confident we could improve the functionality of it. On the electrical panel, this was labeled the “sewing room” and it sits at the end of a small hallway where you have a garage, a powder bath, and a long utility room where the laundry was originally located.
When we purchased the home we didn’t know what would become of this space, it was essentially a place to keep a few random things and it became our dog’s room. You can even see his dog bone in the corner of the first photo and the dog food is in the second photo.
As I mentioned earlier, we took on a bit more than we thought. Up until this project, we had previously remodeled our master bathroom in another house, did a small refresh in a guest bathroom, and laid some floors. Outside of those projects and some painting and swapping out fans, our DIY repertoire was limited.
You may be wondering “why did you tackle this alone?” Truthfully, we are always looking to do things ourselves to save money. We also purchased the house a week before welcoming our first child! Money wasn’t nonexistent, but we also needed to spend wisely.
It Started with a Plan
Before we got started, we decided on a budget and a plan. Then we began with the demolition.
We had to rip up the existing laminate and we tore open two of the walls. We had to run plumping and we needed to get a dryer vent installed.
It felt like we made very little progress those first weeks, but a lot of work took place behind the walls. Once we could move past the electrical and plumbing, it was putting walls back and painting. Again, tearing things apart without really seeing much progress. However, once the walls were painted and floors were in, it was a milestone in our home.
From the first photo to the one above, 6 weeks passed. Like I said, a lot of work and time goes into just getting the room ready for its transformation.
Constructing the Mudroom Part
At this stage, we started on the “mudroom” part of the space. I knew I wanted a light and bright feeling.
My husband got to work building the bench and the upper cabinets above our hooks. Knowing I wanted a place to fold clothes, I convinced my hubby to let me sell our perfectly good top load washer and the dryer for a front load set. Of course, I was only able to convince him because I found the set I wanted on Facebook Marketplace for $500!
So let’s take a look at how this room came together and talk budget.
Money wasn’t super tight, but we didn’t want to go nuts. We budgeted a total of $4,000 for our transformation. Now, you would be surprised by how much materials cost. If we didn’t use a second-hand washer and dryer, we were going to be over budget. Materials were definitely expensive and this took place at a time when lumber was astronomical in price.
Washer and Dryer – $500
Ceiling Light – ~$180
Tile and Grout – $456.19
Paint – $156.22
Door – $180
Lumber & Trim- $859.89
Assembled Cabinets -$228.96
Accessories – $167.32
Hardware -$30.12
Miscellaneous Materials (vent supply, plumbing, etc.) – ~$450
Total – $3,208.70
The cabinets directly above our washer and dryer we bought off the shelf at Home Depot and painted. Everything else was built by my husband so we could make the dimensions we needed work.
The Selections and Sources
Okay, it wouldn’t be a true reveal if I didn’t share the details on sources and selections made. Links to my exact purchases or something similar are below:
Tile | Home Depot Cabinets | Drawer Pulls | Cabinet Hardware | Hooks | Canisters | My “Trash” Can | Pillow | Area Rug | Laundry Basket
There you have it! Our laundry and mudroom renovation. If you want to have one of your remodels featured, send over your photos and perhaps get an entire post featuring you and your lovely space!
From the time I was a young child, I have loved interior design and beautiful things. Ten-year-old me would create “floor plans” on notebook paper and design the dream homes of my siblings. We would have an initial meeting and after jotting down their wish list, I got to work creating the home of their dreams.
After designing the layout, I would take the Sunday newspaper ads (are those still a thing?) and cut out pictures of furniture, lamps, and accessories to create mood boards for each room in the home. When I was all done, weeks and weeks later, I would showcase my work and pitch my design ideas to a sibling.
If you too enjoy beautiful things and the process of turning a vision into a reality, welcome! If you love watching homes transform, but just don’t know how to start or have the resources to buy everything you like, stick around. I love finding affordable and practical design solutions to give YOU a gorgeous home you can be proud of.
Together, let’s reveal what’s possible.
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