In the back of our house, past the kitchen, is our laundry room. It used to be a porch (because our house was built before modern plumbing)g, and when we moved in, we were grateful to have a laundry room, but it was dark and sad. We did a lot of work on it over the years, but the wallpaper began to fall, so it was time to do a small laundry room makeover.

The laundry room in 2019

Luckily, the bones of the space were already great—mosaic tile floors with floral patterns, tiled walls, a functional layout, and a solid washer and dryer. This makeover was less about function and more about adding personality, color, and whimsy.

the laundry room with the peeling wallpaper

Small Laundry Room Makeover

Fresh Paint and Stripes

The first big project was removing the old wallpaper, patching the walls, and giving everything a fresh coat of paint. I chose Moongaze by Behr, a soft beige, for the walls. Then I added Everblooming by Behr as bold vertical stripes.

Of course, projects rarely go perfectly the first time. I learned the hard way that freshly painted walls need delicate painter’s tape. When I pulled off the tape, it damaged the new paint, and I had to repair and repaint several of the stripes. Frustrating? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

All the trim (baseboards, door, window, and crown molding) in the room also got painted in Moongaze. Since the mosaic floors have beige tones, pulling that color into the trim tied everything together.

To cap the tiled walls (which go up about three-quarters of the way), I added scallop trim painted Everblooming. It softens the sharp lines and adds a playful, cottage-inspired detail.

Finally, the shiplap ceiling got a fresh coat of Offshore Mist by Behr, a sky blue that makes the whole room feel light and airy—like you’re outside doing laundry under the clouds.

Adding Function and Whimsy

Once the painting was finished, I moved on to the creative details that make a space feel unique.

• Bow cornices: Above the window, I added fabric bow cornices using Spoonflower fabric. At first they looked a little flat, but I stuffed a pillow inside for volume. Now they feel soft and romantic. Here’s a link to the tutorial.

• Hanging rod shelf: We swapped out decorative shelves for a new design that includes a rod for hanging clothes. It’s functional (no more shirts draped over doorknobs!) while still being pretty.

• Gallery wall: On the back wall, I created a gallery wall using art I had in storage, pieces I painted myself, and a couple of finds from the antique shop. This little corner feels collected and meaningful, and I love sneaking in to admire it.

  • I’ll link the art I can- rainbow squiggles / cats in round frame / dog wall pocket / free botanical printable 

Creative Details That Make It Special

What really makes this small laundry room makeover shine are the little touches that add character and charm:

• The back door got panel molding and a new coat of beige paint. To make it extra special, I hand-painted flowers for a folk-art look.

• The laundry skirt hides the exposed metal side of the washer. It was quick to sew and attaches with Velcro under the counter. Such a small change, but it made the room feel instantly more polished.

• The trash can was one of my favorite transformations. Instead of replacing our old stainless-steel can, I spray-painted it, added stripes and scallops, and painted the word “Rubbish” on top. It’s playful, practical, and now my whole family calls it “the rubbish bin” in English accents. Here’s a link to the blog post tutorial.

• Vintage plates above one window balance the striped wall and slanted ceiling. Their soft, round edges are such a nice contrast to all the sharp architectural lines.

The Budget Breakdown

One of my goals for this project was to keep costs down. I reused art, fabrics, and even furniture where I could, while splurging a little on paint and trim to make the room feel fresh. Here’s what I spent:

• Spray paint – $21.18 (for the garbage can, water heater cover, and shelf brackets)
• Supplies for the shelf – $57.60 (shelf, rod, and brackets)
• Trim for the door – $41.86
• Tape for the stripes – $22.90
• Primer for the walls – $23.98
• Paint (for walls, ceiling, stripes, door, and flowers) – $88.45
• Scallop trim – $37.54
• Art for the gallery wall (I bought 2 pieces) – $18.06
• Plates for the plate wall – $28.74
• Total: $340.31

I had a credit to buy fabric, or that would’ve added $150.

Not bad for a complete transformation! I tried really hard to do this on a budget, and I’m so happy that for under $400, the room looks completely refreshed and custom.

The Finished Room

Now that it’s done, the laundry room feels sweet, whimsical, and completely unique—exactly what I wanted. Every project, from the scallop trim to the hand-painted flowers, adds to the charm. It’s no longer a dark, neglected space but instead a functional, joyful room that makes even doing laundry a little bit more fun.

This small laundry room makeover has reminded me that you don’t need a huge budget or massive renovation to make a space feel brand new. Sometimes, it’s just about thoughtful details, creativity, and pulling together what you already have.

And honestly? I love that it looks a little like a weird, artsy cottage—because it feels like me.

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