My laundry is in a closet off the front entryway, and I'm able to stand their and fold it. I don't know why you can't stand at your dryer and fold your laundry. There's nothing wrong with the space unless your washer and dryer are so tall you can't reach the laundry basket. If that's the case, get a table to go under the black coat rack.

I would be taking advantage of the wall space under the cabinets and would add two rows of sheving + baskets on each (could label them for fun). Fold on the washer and place in baskets. On the third row, add built-in dog dishes to get them out of your way. To impove it' sight lines, you could paint the cupboards a mid range grey and add a large poster on the back wall to give it personality. One below is large and I think perfect.

I would paint the cabinets engine red. all of them including the black thing and the base of the sink. The walls in grey. A small countertop (Ikea has some in wood for 170) over the w/d. funky light.

I don't mind any suggestions. I appreciate them all. Thank you.

I have a small laundry in the passage into kitchen from garage that is just big enough for washer, drier, and a roomy supply closet. I too, like a prior comment, fold my laundry on top of my washer. I think your laundry room is very functional. You might want to replace the black piece with larger cubbies to leave sorted laundry for pick-up. You could label each cubby with the owner's name. Add a cheerful picture to the back wall.

You've already packed a lot of function into that little space--good job! Having a counter in there will fill the need to fold. One of my favorite DIY projects; buy a solid, hollow core luaun door--one with no predrilled holes. Cut it to the appropriate length. Paint or stain desired color and give it a couple of coats of poly. Place over washer and dryer and voila! Counter. Put a thin layer of something between the door and the appliances, like bubble wrap, for some protection of the surface. I bought my door at the ReStore (Habitat), so the whole project was very inexpensive.

Your laundry room does appear to be quite functional. As far as being an eye sore, it's not bad at all, but it is still a laundry room. If you do keep the dog's dishes in there, would you consider a dog flap/door and keep the door closed? That, at least, would get rid of the eye sore aspect of your dilemma.

hatetoshop if the pet's water is there door CANNOT be closed.

Could the black coat rack/cubby be moved elsewhere? Perhaps into the garage? That would free up a spot to fold and lay out clothes for pickup. Perhaps a basket for each family member?

Yes, sacapuntaslapioz, I agree. That's why I suggested installing a dog flap in the door. That way, the door could remain closed, but the dog(s) would have access.

Have a look at this recent ideabook/laundry rom tour. Same setup!

Go under ideabooks and type in laundry room remodel $400

There is nothing there that is so dreadful that a good bright coat of paint won't work for making it feel cheerful and new. A sunny yellow. A funky lime. Caribbean blue. Maybe some wall paper on the back wall with a large graphic that incorporates all of those happy colors. Functionally, the top of the w&d is the perfect spot for baskets of folded laundry. The laundry sink could have a piece of lift off counter placed on top of it so it could be your folding space when you needed it, but still have a sink when you needed it too. The hollow core door suggestion above would be perfect for topping the sink as it's light weight.

hayleydaniels, after my own heart.

I hung all the kids' school artwork in my laundry room. Makes me smile every time I do the laundry.

Mveasy-that idea book is amazing!!! I love the idea of stacking the washer and dryer. That will give me a lot of space for a folding counter and maybe a dog bowl area under. Then the shelves w baskets on other side of wall. I love the barn door idea too. Such great ideas. Love them. PS-my dogs are definitely part of the family too. Love my furry babies!!

Beautiful dog. these are mine. and their water bowls in the kitchen

I had to put my l6 year old mini schnauzer to sleep last week. I'm still crying. I would gladly have her mess in my kitchen again :(

I would paint it a color that connects to another room. I fold right on top of the washer/dryer and sort as I am going along. I wonder if there is any such thing as a fold down table that can double as a desk/work/office area for that space if you got rid of the cabinets across from the washer/dryer. I think it feels closed in with those additional cabinets but I understand that the storage is needed.

I am so sorry to read about your loss, Tennis. You need to be careful with dryer venting if you stack. But if you do stack, what about a movable surface on top of sink? In fifteen years, I only used sink maybe 20 times! Paint would make the most dramatic change.

I'm also sorry for your loss, tennis. We had to take our little Eskie to an ophthalamologist Thursday as she was sent from from our regular vet Monday when she failed the eye exam prior to her teeth cleaning. She has retinal degeneration in both eyes, and is almost blind in the left eye. She's also quite deaf so now I'm trying to find ways to have enough night lights on so she can see without it disrupting my husband's sleep. She was put on a very pricey supplement to hopefully save the rest of her sight. We'll do all we can to accomodate her in her senior years, and if the house isn't perfect, oh well......

Change all the knobs to match.

What is the sound of angels on earth? A dog's bark.

some examples of red laundries

Just wondering if I am the only one that carries the clean laundry to our bedroom to dump out on the bed to fold?

I have a long shelf opposite the WD but that holds all the dog and cat food, etc.

Also never iron in the laundry room. Much rather sit that board up in front of a bedroom window and turn on some music!

You are not alone, pcmom1. I too carry it to my bed, dump it out and fold.

I too fold on the bed. Most of the clean laundry is going in the bedroom anyway. My cats sit and watch on the opposite side of the bed. For some reason they think this activity is for their amusement.

Take down cabinets behind washer down put deep open shelves with closet pole for hanging things take 2 cabinets that are same hight and use them for base cabs under cabinets on other wall you will have to make toe kick to set them on and some kind of counter top

I carry it to my room as well and fold it on my bed then carry it all back into everyone's room where it sits until I make a fuss for the kids to put it away. My goal here is two-fold--I would like to make the laundry room functional enough so I can fold the laundry in there then make a stack for each child to come then retrieve from the laundry room. I am hopeful this will be more efficient. Any thoughts are welcome.

I wish I had done this; make each child do their own as soon as they are able to. How old are the children? If very young, do together.

11 and 13. They do help me fold if they are home. As they are getting older and more involved in sports, the amount of laundry has grown. Trying to figure out a way to streamline the process to save time. The way I am doing it now feels like I'm running around the whole house with laundry. It's just not working for me anymore.

Take advantage of the black thing.
Put single socks there. Or clothes to give to goodwill. Or keep dog treats and toys up there.

Also maybe paint the walls a light grey? Love the rug. Paint the black thing a darker grey then the walls or white.

Definitely color your cabinets. Either paint them the color of your walls, opting for a big fun picture on the wall facing the door, or be bold and paint them a bright color. Consider a built-in for your dog bowls with a nice folding counter on top.

Surprising easy to diy.

I love how all are calling it, "the black thing"!

Those are the beginning of very busy years. Maybe hang this sign in the laundry:

Maybe a bag like this for each child to hang on "the black thing":

When my children were 11 and 13 I said to them one day. You will need to learn to do your own laundry. I will no longer pick the clothes up off your floor and I will no longer turn your clothes the right way. If it is inside out, that is how you will get it back too. I spent at least an extra 45 minutes doing that part too . They had no problem with that. If you want clean clothes you have to bring your hamper down to the laundry room and START the washer before school. That meant, they had to decide what was really dirty and they had to sort it and add the detergent/bleach. I told them that I would gladly finish it for them because I knew they were very busy with sports/homework. I would return the clothes but I will no longer put it away. If they didn't want to hang anything up or live out of the laundry basket, it was up to them. Some days, they ironed something they wanted to really wear before schooland other days they wore something wrinkled. I didn't let it bother me. This worked all thru high school.

My son goes to college, I ask him how is laundry going. he said, "Mom, I can't believe all the kids that don't know how to do laundry". I said, "aren't you glad I taught you at such a young age". He replied "NO, not really, they read the directions on the machines and learned in l0 minutes ." LOL

Have to pass this story on: My friend's son heads off to college a few years ago. A three and a half hour drive away. After a few weeks there he packs two big suitcases with his dirty clothes, takes a taxi to the train and makes the trip home. All so mom could do his laundry!

Paint the cabinets and walls to complement the bright white appliances.

There are too many non consistent colors there for my taste.

I agree snake. I know it's just a laundry room but it's such an eyesore. I love all the laundry stories. I don't mind doing it for them-they are so busy w their sports and keeping up with their school but they are not too busy to bring it to me then pick it up and put it away. They will throw in a load now and then if I run behind and they do help me fold. I love watching their faces when they snuggle into the warm loads I dump on the bed. I remember doing that as a kid too. I'll have to remember to do that with sheets and blankets if my new system comes to fruition.

Perhaps they can learn do their own laundry? Or at least their 'sports' laundry. I have a small household, and do three loads a week, so you must be doing quite a bit more. Laundry itself can seem like a full time job! Do you have a 'sort as you go' way of organizing the laundry as the days pass? I'd set that up near the bedrooms or in the laundry room.

I 'lightly fold' my laundry as I take it from the dryer and stack it in a basket. Then I take it right away to my bedroom and put it away.