A couple months back (February), I finally had reached the point of HATE for my laundry room. It just wasn't working for me!
After living here for three years in this home, I had enough time to know that something had to change. I just ignored it because for the first year and half of that time I thought we were moving and our house was for sale. It wasn't worth making any effort.
That is not longer the case.
One week Jarom had to travel for work, taking him away from the home for three days. I had finally sold some stuff on Craigslist to get some money to do something. I told Jarom that I really wanted and needed to repaint the laundry room. And I did.
I also decided that it was time for the change.
My plan wasn't fully thought through, other than I had to get this done before Jarom got home so he didn't kill me.
I first ripped out the original counter top and cabinet that was there. I got it removed from the wall and then stuck with 6 feet of cabinetry and counter top I wasn't sure how I was going to get out of the house into the garage. My mother came and saved the day. I didn't have time to think about a before picture.
Check.
Now I had this large empty space with no tile just sub floor. Uhm, I don't know how to tile, especially not with the special stone that had been laid on the floor and I didn't have any colored grout. Nor the time. Plan B? I needed a leveled floor, so I bought ply wood and had it cut to the dimensions to level the space. Tacky, but it will do. I bought two door rugs and duct taped them together to cover the floor change.
Check.
Now I needed to paint. I've got a four year old and 1 year old, no biggy, I've done this one plenty of times before. No other one year old has been like Bret. My dear mother-in-law, had sympathy on my enthusiasm to do this project, and came to help clean my house, watch the boys and do errands for all the little things I would realize I forgot. Did I mention I had not thoroughly thought this thru?
Oh, and I forgot my visiting teachers were come as well. The shared a great message and supported my craziness. What more can you ask for!?
Oh, and I was coaching soccer and the boys soccer practices as well. My time frame was becoming crunch time!
Check. Check. Check.
Paint dry. So, SO happy that I repainted with an eggshell over the hideous flat paint. Fingerprints are practically unheard of now.
Now the final part, the most important part, putting in a better laundry/back entry/mudroom than before. I knew I needed more space, so that when you walked in the door, laundry wasn't in the way, backpacks, shoes, cleats all weren't in the way of the walking area. I needed to be able to freely walk into the back door without hitting or tripping over something.
I knew I wanted a bench, with space beneath for baskets. I needed more shelving that I could actually reach and hooks to hang bags, jackets, etc. I also needed a place to sort my laundry since that was completely gone. After thousands of Pinterest pictures, I created my own design and took it to Lowe's.
At Lowe's the guys there helped me stay in my budget, showed me the best way to build supports, and cut all my wood to the size I needed. They saved me!
The process began and Voila! I now have five feet of space instead of three...major difference.
It's not pretty or perfect but I love it. It does all the things I need.
I didn't finish before Jarom got home, because he came home early. But I was close enough.
He never commented, but I can tell you 7 months later, I haven't heard a single complaint. There is no doubt he enjoys the space.
So the budget break down:
I sold $120 worth of tile.
That bought--a gallon of paint for the walls, a quart of paint for the shelving, two rugs, and all the wood and some hooks.
Over budget I spent $30 more dollars to buy the rest of the hooks, supports for shelves, and the laundry sorter. Which I could spare from my grocery budget, since it was the month of February.
And I did it three days.
I love my new space.
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