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mary_roycroft12

Laundry Room Dilemma

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago





We just moved into a new house that is smaller than the one we sold. So, I put my mother’s seeing machine cabinet and an odd chair I had in the laundry room (only space for it). The problem is I want my laundry room to be inviting. It’s not. We have those awful fluorescent lights on the ceiling and you can see the hoses to my washing machine. I have tried to cover them and put a few things in there, but it still is not “wow.” I can paint the chair and the cabinet dark brown or just the cabinet black, but what about any other color for the room? Should I add pictures???? What do I do? The wall color is agreeable gray. The cabinets and rug are a dark brown/slate color. Thanks for ANY help!!!

Comments (20)

  • 6 years ago

    I love your laundry room! Nice window, and what a great idea for disguising the hoses from the washer! A nice splashy color on the chair and / or some art could be fun - I'd go for blue, or something bright that brings out a color from the art.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Thank you! Great ideas. I actually bought something blue and then returned it today because I wasn‘t sure!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    This is wow compared to my laundry closet-LOL I wouldn't bother painting. How about a runner with black and brown?


  • 6 years ago

    Ooo. That’s a good idea too. Love the rug in the picture!

  • 6 years ago

    Yes, I like the pops of color. Unfortunately, it doesn't say who carries it.

  • 6 years ago

    You have a really nice space for a laundry room! Plenty of storage, lots of natural light and a huge blank wall. That's a clever idea for concealing the hoses! Now, it's time to ask yourself what makes you go "wow"? Have you looked through laundry room pics for inspiration? Think function first then form. Do you need a rod to hang any clothes? If so, would above the sewing machine make sense? Is the mirror functional? Does the lighting fixture need to be changed? The runner looks a bit narrow for the space, imo. Is the chair in the corner practical? Once everything in the space makes optimal sense to you, function-wise, you can gussy it up with whatever strikes your fancy, according to your budget.

    For a while, I had vintage metal detergent signs like the one below in mine. Currently, I have simple calendar pics of flowers I strung up with clothespins and invisible thread. There's no right or wrong way to decorate this room. It's about what makes you smile every time you step in. If it were mine, I'd be tempted to get/paint a large colourful abstract for that wall but that's me.

  • 6 years ago

    I probably could locate it by Googling!

  • 6 years ago

    Do a search for multi coloured zig zag runners. Wayfair has some.

    M GR thanked tartanmeup
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Look at Ruggables for your floor covering. My friend (with geriatric dog) swears by them. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be thrown in the washer when they start looking a little funky. https://ruggable.com

    Beyond that, I think every laundry area deserves outstanding artwork. It's not the most thrilling task we routinely encounter.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you for the link! I will be searching Ruggables for runners!

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you all so much!! I love your vintage metal detergent sign. The chair is in the room so I can use it when I’m sewing. The cabinet doors open, so there’s plenty of space for my legs. Other than that, I don’t need a rod for hanging clothes. I don’t like to see laundry baskets, so would not add them to this space. I love your question about what make me go “wow!” I like nature (plants, flowers & birds particularly). Carefully chosen decor and well thought out color schemes that are traditional or transitional and harmonious me feel at peace. I really want to put something on the empty wall space, but do not want to clutter it with a bunch of small laundry signs.

  • 6 years ago

    Sorry, no sympathy from me....this is an ugly laundry room....

  • 6 years ago

    I kinda agree with Margie Barmer! The OP's laundry room IS already a "wow" to many or most of us. What's wrong with fluorescent lighting in a laundry room? Consider function over form in this area of the house. And while I admire the clever solution to disguise the appliance hoses, that's going to be a lint collector in no time flat. I don't really see the need for pretending that a laundry room isn't, well ... a laundry room! ;-)


    Add a runner and some art on a wall or two and call it good. Your space is already enviable.

    M GR thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Put a panel curtain behind your w/d in a pattern that looks good, or a plan fabric. The gathered curtain doesn’t impress. Maybe turn the chair to face the entry, instead of at an angle? Or put the chair to the left of the dryer and out of the way.

  • 6 years ago

    I would embrace the hoses and get rid of that cover. I would rather know when there's a leak than find out the hard way. Plus stainless steel braided hoses aren't that bad to look at.

  • 6 years ago

    Not seeing a dilemma here. That’s a lot nicer than most people have.

    M GR thanked Haley
  • 6 years ago

    I think you need cabinets on the opposite wall...even if you need to use shallow upper cabinet depth units there...that storage...behind doors will be great back-stock storage

  • 6 years ago

    I think your laundry room is lovely just as it is. I'd be really happy if mine were as pretty.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you all again. Your comments and suggestions are so helpful. I found a couple of prints and two pillows that I am going to place in this area. I know this is a laundry room, but you see into it from the kitchen and I wanted it to be a nice extension . I can overthink it sometimes, but when I have to look at it every day, it drives me nuts!