Today is such an exciting day! I get to share how my laundry room came out! We finished painting and caulking the room on Monday and then installed the room. I’m pretty happy with how colorful, textural, bright, and happy this room turned out!
Photography by Developing Bliss Photography.
BEFORE
As a quick reminder, here is how the room started. Our home, Fairview Cottage, is a 1905 Victorian that had been rented for years. The space was dark, dated, and cramped. It worked fine for doing laundry, but was definitely not anything special to look at.
To transform this room, we tore out the ceiling and vaulted it. The floor was painted, the ceiling got shiplap, we tiled and wallpapered. The old water heater was replaced for a tankless water heater. My husband built a pedestal for the washer and dryer and a folding counter top. And little by little, every part of the room was updated.
during
Of course, it got worse before it got better! It was a rough day when, 2 weeks before we were supposed to be done, a whole wall had to be torn out because of rot. And now I get to share with you how it turned out!
catch up on the laundry room makeover!
week 1 / week 2 / week 3 / week 4 / week 5 / week 6
after
Let’s start with a quick video tour of the space!
If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. P.s. I’m trying to build that page up, so if you’d subscribe, I’d really appreciate that!wallpaper
I love how wallpaper pulls together a room like nothing else can! For this space I wanted something that blends modern and traditional while adding some fun pattern. The Euphemia 5 Wallpaper from Milton & King does exactly that! The wallpaper absolutely makes the space. I love the circles of botanical art that are inspired by an Australian artist from the early 1900’s!
tile
To me, subway tile is still a classic look (that feels very appropriate in our 1905 house). To modernize the tile, I added schluter in gold. The three walls by the washing machine are tiled. The space feels so clean now with the walls of tile! Which seems perfect for a laundry room! All tile and schluter are from The Tile Shop.
MILLWORK
One of the things that I think really makes this space is the millwork. I used baseboards, crown molding, shiplap, casing, and wainscot cap all from Metrie. They absolutely add depth to the room and bring in some character from the home. This used to be a porch, but with the beautiful trim, it definitely doesn’t feel like one anymore!
washer and dryer
The washer and dryer are a big deal to me because we’ve always had a super basic set. This one feels SO fancy and is beautiful too. After a few weeks of not having anything hooked up and running to the laundromat to wash clothes, I am beyond grateful to have this set here.
They are from RC Willey and I love them! When I went to the store to pick them out, I was really impressed by their selection- so many great choices! The delivery guys were fast and courteous when dropping them off. And now they’re here and I just can’t wait to do lots of laundry right here!
Speaking of, my husband built a folding counter top on top of the appliances. It’s made of hard wood floors from our master bedroom. I think that it’ll be really nice to have so that we don’t lose socks in the back, plus it’s pretty too!
bench or cabinet
This room has had SO many changes with the layout. In the before photos, you can see pipes in front of the drywall. With our renovation, we expanded the wall to enclose those which means we lost 4 inches of space. Between that and needing more space behind the washer/dryer than I originally estimated, I didn’t have space for a storage cabinet that I had planned on.
So for the wall between the two doors, I can either do a cute storage bench or a green cabinet. Which one would you choose?
I love that the bench allows for seating for putting on boots before going outside. It has some storage, but not a ton. On the other hand, the green cabinet has ample storage space for things like detergent, laundry bags, shoes, etc. Let me know in the comments what you think I should do!
Both the cabinet and the storage bench are from Overstock.com– which means that they are affordable! The canisters on the folding table, laundry basket (which comes in cream or gray), metal basket, and floating white shelves are all from Overstock too!
roman shades
For window coverings in this room, I wanted something that let in a lot of light in the day and gave privacy at night. For that, I choose roman shades from Barn and Willow in oatmeal. I love the texture the linen gives to the room and how soft and casual they feel in here. They were custom made for each window and look gorgeous.
hardware
As you can probably tell, I love adding special details to a room! For in here, I wanted hardware that captured my style and pulled the room together. The doorknob is crystal with a brass rosette from Emtek. I switched out the knobs on the bench for brass ones. Tip- never settle for the hardware that furniture comes with if you don’t like it.
faux flowers
The faux flowers in here are from NDI and are SO realistic looking! I love using faux flowers in my house because you know they’ll always look beautiful- now matter the season. The large arrangement has a mix of peonies, roses, and anemones (love!). The set of 3 small vases are peonies- my favorite flower.
lighting
One of the big perks of raising the ceiling (besides the extra square footage) is that I has space to hang a beautiful light! Every single light in my house is from Kichler lighting and so I had to use one of their pieces for my laundry room! I selected the Silberne pendant and love how the brass works with all the other metal in the room.
rug and pillows
Since I was planning on having a bench in here (to help this corner act as a bit of a mud room), I wanted to add pillows for a bit of coziness and softness. I am obsessed with Rifle Paper Co. so having a few of their pillows felt perfect! The embroidery on the botanical pillow is lovely and the tapestry rose pillow adds beautiful texture.
The walkway gets a TON of traffic (my dogs go in and out of the back door through this way hundreds of times a day it seems). I wanted a rug here to help keep the floors clean while adding some prettiness. The pillows and rug are a collaboration with Loloi and Rifle Paper Co.
Side note, I painted the floors with rainbow stripes (and have a tutorial here).
art
One of the best ways to personalize a room is through art. It is a great way to express yourself silently. The art between the back door and window is by Jennifer Allevato and is an original. I love the colors and movement in the painting! It is the perfect focal point as you’re leaving out the back door.
flamingo parade / alfama / peach botanical art
The rest of the art in the room is from Minted. For these, I choose a thin brass frame which works with the rest of the metals in the room. My favorite art on the shelves in the art with the laundry being hung on a line outside. It’s meant to remind myself to be grateful that I have this cozy room to do laundry in.
The tankless water heater is WORLDS better than the big tank that used to be in here! Since the door is still not the prettiest, I used a magnet hook to hang art over the water heater door. Below that, I leaned the rainbow art in front of the water access.
accessories
To finish off the room, I added in some special accessories. I wanted to add punches of personality that are whimsical, fun, and modern. First up, I have the marble Taj box with stones on top. These pieces are all from Scout Design Studios.
Lula the brass flamingo sits in the window. My son particularly loves this piece- “the rocks are so pretty mom!”
Lastly, the green selenite crystal flower sits in this corner. It’s the perfect combination of modern and pretty!
before and after
I thought it would be fun to end this post with a few before and after gifs. Because this room really has come far! I definitely don’t miss those red walls and floors with the short ceiling!
I have to give my husband a huge shout out for all of his work in here. He’s spent hundreds of house putting in drywall, laying tile, and building me whatever I could dream of. He sacrificed his weekends and recruited his friends to help too. The fact that we finished this room on time is a miracle that happened because of his hard work. Thank you Preston!!!
Every morning and night I poke my head in here because it is the happiest, lightest, and brightest new space in our house. All of the pastel rainbow colors make me smile. Somehow I got to be the lucky girl who designs exactly how I feel on my insides. It feels high end and approachable all at the same time. I LOVE it! 
I’d love to hear your favorite part! I have too many to count- the wallpaper! The rainbow floors! The brass edge on the tile! Thank you for reading- it’s been such a fun (and tiring) journey.
SOURCES
Palmetto Entryway Bench in White Finish
Porch & Den Ainslie Grey Folding Laundry Hamper on Wheels
Porch & Den Ainslie Cream Folding Laundry Hamper on Wheels
The Gray Barn Waggoner Mahogany Short Floating Wall Shelf
Set of 3 Farmhouse 5, 6 and 8 Inch Clear Glass Jars with Wooden Lids – Silver
3-Piece Rectangular Metal Wire Nesting Basket Set by Handcrafted 4 Home
one room challenge
p.s. want to catch up on all the laundry room posts? See them here!
Laundry Room tour. Ideas for how to makeover a small space with big style. I used rainbow colors, botanical wallpaper, and white subway tile for a modern design. DIY folding table counter top and washer and dryer pedestal. My dream remodel with high end decorations and shelves. Laundry Room
Thanks to the Spruce for featuring this room on their site!
Make sure to check out everyone’s finished rooms! I’m so excited to click through and see how each room ended up!
Casey Keasler | Dorsey Designs | The Farmhouse Project | Home Made by Carmona | House of Funk | House of Jade Interiors | House Seven Design | House That Lars Built | Inspired by Charm | Jana Bek | Jessica Brigham | Kelly Golightly | Murphy Deesign | The Pink Pagoda | Sarah Gunn | Sherry Hart Designs | Sugar & Cloth | Veronica Solomon | Vintage Revivals | Media Partner BH&G | TM by ORC
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Wow! Talk about a transformation. So much to love here, but I think that rainbow floor might be my favorite! Excellent work. I might even enjoy laundry.😉
Thank you Peggi! That’s so sweet of you! I love the rainbow floor too. I know it might be “too much” for lots of people, but it’s just so fun! 😉
Wonderful!
Thank you Jean!!!
Instant LOVE! All the details are so soft and pretty, amazing before and after!
Awww! Thank you Virginia! I really appreciate that!
Oh my gosh! It looks SO good! I feel like this is my favorite ORC I’ve seen, especially understanding all the unforeseen updates y’all had to make structurally and with the water heater! The makeover extends beyond just the aesthetic of the house and I love that!
My vote is for the green cabinet because it’s just so cute! Great job all around 👏🏼
Awww- Lexie! thank you! It is so amazing to wake up to such a kind comment. This room has been a BEAST! I definitely didn’t expect all the delays. Thank you for the encouragement! I hope you have a great Wednesday.
I vote Green cabinet.
Thanks Carrie! Isn’t the green color in there so good?!
Omg!! Such a gorgeous room! Beyond amazing ❤️
I personally like the little white bench, but both look amazing.
Holy moly, good job!!
Thank you Sierra! That’s so nice of you! Yesterday someone left a comment that said “is the laundry room the only room you did? And I was thinking- it was SO much work!!! We spent 100’s of hours in here so I really appreciate that!
It looks amazing! I do love the green cabinet, but I think the bench will be much more useful. Having a spot to sit and put on shoes etc is always so nice in an entry room. Either one will look beautiful. Is there storage under the washer/dryer part that you raised?
Hi Josi- there’s no storage in our pedestals. That would been SO nice! But it’s only 7″ so we couldn’t figure out how to make it super functional and sturdy at the same time. I love that green cabinet too!
I love this room!! I am actually an interior designer just graduated! I enjoy watching your Instagram videos to see what new things you do! In My opinion the bench helps the space feel more open since the cabinet is so much taller. You can store shoes and have a sit down space with the bench. For storing laundry detergent I think a cute woven basket to sit on top on the washing machine would be a great place to store things in!
Hi Amanda- congrats on your graduation, that’s so exciting! And thank you for following along over on Instagram! Those are all good ideas and I really appreciate you sharing. Have a great day!
Wow, what a transformation! What a lot to accomplish in 6 weeks! I love the green cabinet in your space, I’ll be interested in what you decide to keep. Beautiful work by both you and your husband! You’ve got a new follower!
Hi Leigh- thank you! It was a lot to take on in a short time period. I’m excited that it’s all done so I can just enjoy the room now. Thank you for following- the support means the world to me! And I’ll definitely post what I decide with the cabinet.
Wow! This room is absolutely beautiful! There is so much to look at and it all blends perfectly together. This is the first ORC room I have seen and I think you have set the bar high!! So well done! My fave is the floor. I vote for the green cabinet! Storage trumps a seat and I just like the green with everything!
Hi Stephanie- thank you! I appreciate that! The ORC is such a good opportunity to go ALL out. I love those floors too. I hope you’re having a lovely day!
It looks great! I like the green cabinet over the bench just seems more functional for storage I do like the look of it a little better in this space too but both good choices whichever you choose!
Thanks Kayla! More storage is always a good idea!
Definitely the green cabinet! The bench is cute but more likely to clutter and the cabinet looks soo sooo perfect in here and is the best storage! Everything looks amazing!
Thank you Emily! I definitely don’t want clutter in here so that’s a great point!
Holy cow? How is this the same space!? Seriously unbelievable!! I can’t imagine the amount of work this took, you should be so proud, Ashley!! I love how you said this room looks like your personality on the inside….🥰 so true!! Congrats for this accomplishment!!! Ps. Can’t go wrong with the bench or the dresser…whichever one is more practical 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Sarah! That’s so nice of you to say! I am definitely proud of this space. You are so, so sweet! I appreciate your support here and on Instagram. I’m thinking the dresser will be more practical, but I’ll definitely update everyone with what I choose. Thank you again!!!
Love!! I like the bench for the coziness effect but I think the cabinet looks so good too and works better for function! Decisions decisions!
Thank you Rocio! Those are my feelings too! Have a great day and thanks for taking the time to read and comment! 💗
Your next one room challenge better be less stressful! Whew!! I was tired for you! My favorite part of the whole room is how open and light and bright and airy it is compared to the dark dungy red! Great work Ashley!
Haha! I don’t know if there’ll be a next One Room Challenge for me. I’m done in after this one- lol! And thank you- I love how light and bright the room is now! No more red!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Wow! The ORC brought me to your blog and I think I’ll be spending hours here 🙂 Love it all. I vote for the green cabinet aesthetically, though I think the bench may be more practical.
Thanks Cici! I am SO glad you’re here! Please stay awhile! I’m leaning towards the green cabinet because so far we haven’t actually been sitting on the bench- lol!
What a transformation! I love it — so open and airy. I vote for the bench because it softens the room and makes a great place to change shoes. I also like the lower height. Your peony links got hijacked. They worked this morning but aren’t working now.
Hi Dawn- thank you! And thanks for the heads up on the peony links. That’s so weird! I’ll get them fixed asap.
Love it, especially the walls! I’d vote for the green cabinet & storage. Congrats on a beautiful space!💛
Thanks Misty! That’s so nice of you. I LOVE the walls too- yay for tile and wallpaper!
Ashley! It looks so amazing, I think I am most obsessed with the rainbow floor. Debating if my apartment will notice if I do this to our balcony haha. Congrats on completing the challenge.
It’s beautiful!!! What a transformation, you should be very proud!!
I’m all about practicality these days. If you need the storage, go with the cabinet!! I do like the white pop more against the other stylings though.
It is so beautiful and so much work went into it! I cannot believe it is the same room! I would probably vote for storage because you can never have too much!
OH MY GOODNESS!! This is one of my favorite transformations ever! So beautiful, everything is perfection💜
I vote green cabby!
I can’t believe what this room looked like before! And now look at it — so happy & bright!
Those rainbow floors are such a fun touch. And I adore the wallpaper. Great job!!!
I was so excited to see this room. I’m just losing my mind over how it is both beautiful and fun and girly and “Kate Spadey” without being an imitation. Perfection. I would choose the green cabinet, sadly. Otherwise your bench will just end up a landing space for everything. Maybe you could squeeze in a little porcelain garden seat somewhere if you needed a perch? If it didn’t work you could always use it outside….
Oh my goodness Ashley, you never cease to amaze me with your incredibly beautiful projects. You take something that so many of us would look away and you make it look AMAZING! The work you and your husband have put into this space has payed off! It’s functional and beautiful. My preference on the cabinet or bench would be the cabinet, not only the cabinet is super cute but it will give you the additional storage you will need. Well done as always, can’t wait to see what you tackle next!
This room is absolutely fabulous! I can totally understand the “oh no we have to tear the whole wall out” thing, living in a 1912 home – we’ve had a few surprises like that. It looks to me like maybe you have room to push the green cabinet over to one side (I know it won’t be symmetrical, but…) and perhaps have room for a little chair, ottoman or garden stool. Then you would have the best of both worlds – storage and seating. Just a thought. Anyway, great work and thank you for sharing!
What a bright, pretty, and cheery laundry room! I’m sure it makes doing laundry a much better experience. Ha! Congrats on a beautiful makeover!
You & your posse worked so hard, and the result is amazing! I think the green cabinet is more functional. Is there room for a small wooden stool to sit on for boot removal, etc.? Best of both worlds, maybe?
Best ORC this spring!
Ashley,
So beautiful!! Is it awkward for me to tell you I’m in love with your laundry room? lol It’s just so sweet and pretty. So much hard work, love and attention shown – well done! Now I wish I had added a rainbow to the laundry room floor I painted last year – although, it may not be appreciated by renters as much as we would enjoy it.
Will be pinning MANY of the photos for this reveal 🙂
Cheers,
Denise
Absolutely beautiful transformation! Love every special detail!
Easily the happiest little laundry room that I ever did see! I am trying to pick a favorite element…the wallpaper? The painted floor? THE CRYSTAL FLAMINGO STATUE???
I say go with the green cabinet and little stool to sit on for shoes. We never sit to do shoes in our mudroom and you’ll love that extra storage.
Such an amazing transformation – congrats on all of your hard work!!!
Love the bright and colourful space! I would go with the green cabinet – because I’m thinking that eventually the seating area might get cluttered with storage on top AND you can always sit on the step to put shoes on (I’m team sit for shoes all the way, ha!).
ashley, this may be my favorite room in your house – and for sure in the ORC!!! You did an AMAZING job!!!! Love, love, love it. From the gorgeous wallpaper, to the cute floors, to the art. It’s all perfect and so, so YOU!! (and for the record, I like the bench!! ;))
Congrats to you on another gorgeous ORC reveal!! (oh, and can I have your husband?? Mine does some stuff but complains all the while, haha!)
Sheila
xo
Oh my goodness…so fun this room is!!! Jennifer’s original painting is my absolute favorite part of the room for sure! …And the green cabinet😉
What a great mix of styles. It turned out great!
I can only hope to one day be financially able to spend almost $400 on ONE vase of fake flowers. Nah, I’m not wired that way. Wouldn’t if I could. But kudos to you for a fantastic makeover. It looks great!
Thank you! One of the joys of the One Room Challenge is that I get to work with amazing companies. I’ve personally bought faux flowers from NDI (where these flowers are from) 13 years ago and they still look amazing. Yes, I know that it isn’t in everyone’s budget. And that’s ok. Most of the things I do are affordable. But I do want to share companies I believe in at every price point.
It’s all so pretty! I cannot choose a favorite part–not that you asked me to! 😀
Girl you outdid yourself! This is laundry room perfection, and a major source of inspiration for our fall laundry room / mud room makeover!
Wow what a transformation. From dark and low ceilings to bright and airy with a pop of pastels. This is truly an awesome design. Great job.
Hands down, green cabinet! That’s my vote!
I vote for the green cabinet for sure. I think there are a lot of supplies that go along with laundry- detergent, softener or dryer sheets or dryer balls, dry cleaning bags, stain sprays or cleaners, it would be nice to have an organized place to stow all of it away. I love the airy, bright and feminine style. I look forward to reading more of your blog if this is an example of your style!
I have been saving ideas for redoing my laundry room, and I will definitely be saving this one! I can’t believe how much brighter and cheerier it is! Our’s is in a basement, so it needs a little cheering up!
Wow, wow, WOW! What vision you & your husband executed. It is a really happy space, love it!
Can I move in with you? Seriously – what a stunning makevover – I LOVE your style! 🙂
Congrats for being one of our Featured Guests at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy this week and such a cherished member of our community! 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful transformation! I love all the little details, but the wallpaper and rainbow floor are definitely my favorite aspects to this beautiful room!
Virginia | More to Mrs. E