(Amy and Lindsay are organization and DIY experts who blog at Style + Dwell. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.)
Laundry…it's one of those chores that nobody likes to do, but it has to get done. Fortunately, there's one thing that can make this mundane task a teeny bit more enjoyable-having a super-functional laundry space that you actually like being in!
That was our goal when we met with Patti Wagner, the amazing mama to 3 adorable kiddos and the creator of the blog Patticake Wagner. Patti and her family live in a gorgeous 1920s Tudor-style home, and when they added on to their kitchen it meant their former galley kitchen was transitioned into their new laundry room. The laundry room is a main pass-through to many parts of the house, so with company coming in for the holidays, it was finally time to get organized!
As with any space that's used for something other than its original intent, there were a few challenges to overcome. But with a bit of creative thinking and the help of some of our favorite products from The Container Store, we were able to get to work and give the Wagner family the organized laundry room that they deserve!
Here's a quick breakdown of the main areas that we addressed, what we changed, and how it all came together...
The Glass Cabinets
Don't get us wrong--glass cabinetry is gorgeous, but when filled with cleaning bottles instead of decorative objects they can end up looking cluttered. Many items didn't have a designated spot, so it was all to easy for clutter to accumulate on the counter and cabinets.
In order to make this valuable storage space more aesthetically-pleasing, we brought in baskets to group-like items and then labeled accordingly. Enter--Water Hyacinth Storage Bins with labels! Now everything has a dedicated home, which makes it much easier to clean up and keep it looking great. (We also loved re-purposing these beverage canisters to decant detergent instead!)
The Counters and Drawers
The counters and drawers in this laundry room had become a bit of a catch-all for the family, as this space is linked to their mudroom and the main area where they enter the home.
The first step was removing all the contents and then getting rid of what the family no longer needed. Then we finished by adding drawer dividers. (Organizing tip: we recommend going through your junk drawers at least once a month to keep clutter from accumulating.) We love using Bamboo Drawer Organizers to create compartments that keep everything tidy and accessible.
The Hall Closet
The Wagners have a fabulous hall closet, but it needed a bit more vertical storage to make it more functional.
Once we added the Elfa Ventilated Shelf and Closet Rod, the closet suddenly had twice the storage space! Also, the addition of an OXO Expandale Wall-Mounted Organizer means no more mops and brooms taking up floor space.
The Command Center
We love a good command center (you can check out our comprehensive guide here), and since the oldest of the three Wagner children has started Kindergarten, they had a big need for a system to organize all the papers coming and going from school. To help them get a handle on it, we created a basket system using two Perch Biggy Magnetic Containers and Wall Plates. One now serves as an "inbox" and the other as an "outbox" for everyday projects and communications.
The final verdict? The Wagner family LOVED the newfound functionality of their laundry space. It's so much easier for them to put everything away, and a cinch to keep the space looking great at the same time!
Happy Organizing!
