As much as we love having our new built-in shelves in the laundry room, they did kinda get in the way of our oh-so-fancy ironing board storage system. You know, the one that made a clanging noise whenever the spin cycle kicked on?
So clearly the ironing board had to find a new home. Earlier on we thought about making a little cubby so the ironing board could slip into our built-ins, but we wanted maximum space for baskets and bins and bowls (instead of breaking things up and making it narrower). We contemplated just shoving him (her?) in a closet somewhere else in the house, but somehow it felt like he she it belonged in the laundry room… just not looking all busted and ugly.
Those nice little dark streaks? Would you be surprised if I told you they were residue from Sherry’s oft-used no-sew hem tape? Picture the wife hanging her head in shame. And an old more-fun cover that we had was also ruined in a similar manner (ripped – oops). Maybe Casa Petersik is where ironing board covers go to die?
Sherry contemplated sewing a new cover herself (possibly out of ironing-board-disfiguration guilt), but after popping over to Etsy (specifically, here) for some inspiration, she instead found herself inspired to buy a charming little handmade-by-someone-else cover (long story short: she was enamored with the fabric and unable to find it herself at a few local stores that she hit up). So 24 bucks later we had a much more presentable looking ironing board that Sherry is excited to display 24/7 (and has vowed not to maim). She’s more into that ironing board cover than a person should be.
Do I get any husband points for letting her go the pink route? Even I’m man enough to admit that it looks pretty awesome with the grellow walls.
Obviously leaning on the wall wasn’t our storage solution. Nope, we wanted to hang this lady (now that it’s pink, I’ve decided it’s a girl) on the wall. We briefly considered some sort of pulley system from the wall or ceiling that would allow it to fold out for in-room ironing, but thanks to the space being about as narrow as a bathroom stall, we decided we’d much rather hang it somewhere to store it, but keep it removable to accommodate ironing in a more spacious room (Sherry’s partial to the living room, I like the bedroom). The perfect wall for the job was this one (opposite the door) since it had some eyesores of its own to be covered – er, accessorized?
Yup, remember those two painted-over fuseboxes? We figured hanging our chipper little ironing board there was a multi-tasking solution. This way we can easily access the fuse box by simply removing the iron (just like a framed photo or bulletin board, which some other folks opt to hang there instead).
Since all of the ironing board hook / caddy things we found at the store also had a spot for an iron (and our iron ain’t pretty enough to showcase, plus we worried about slamming into it since the room is so narrow) we decided to “make” our own by repurposing two jumbo sized coat hooks from Lowe’s (about $6 each). To hang them, we used long strong wood screws and intentionally drilled into studs (so we didn’t risk hitting any wiring that runs to the fuse box and got a nice secure hold).
The hooks worked perfectly – which was quite a relief since they were the only ones I could find that I hoped were big enough to accommodate the wide ironing board bar and attractive enough to pass TWT (The Wife Test). The only thing we were somewhat undecided about was which direction to hang the ironing board. Sherry preferred the look on the left (pointing up), and I liked the version on the right (which Sherry thinks is “upside down and weird”). Feel free to rock the vote and weigh in on your favorite ironing board direction. Can you handle the excitement? Oh the things we debate around here.
But this is my post, so the rest of the pics will have it hanging my way. Sorry lady-wife. By the way, we realize the ironing board looks a bit far from the appliances (especially from this angle) but that’s intentional because:
- we wanted to position it over the fuse box
- we didn’t want to be banging into the ironing board every time we opened the washer door, so it’s happily out of the bang zone. And if we ever get around to switching the way the dryer door opens that one won’t bang either (right now it swings the other way).
Oh, and notice the missing cabinet doors two pics up? That’s because we had another little project going on at the same time. Those built-in cabinets that we inherited are great for concealed storage (aka, the place where ugly stuff goes to be ugly) – but they were sort of an off-white color that clashed with the freshly painted white trim, and the hardware was kinda blah.
In fact, we had another jeepers-creeper-where’d-you-get-those-peepers-knobs situation going on like this oldie but a goodie. Except this cabinet monster is a vampire since we’re in the midst of watching True Blood Season 3 on DVD (no spoilers – we’re only halfway through). Just picture it saying “Sook-eh, that was not my intention” in a weird Southern accent a la Bill Compton.
So off came the doors, knobs, and hinges. Here’s the old hardware (white eyeball knobs & brass hinges) next to the shiny new replacements. The pink glass knobs (yes, there’s me permitting pink again) were around $4.00 from Hobby Lobby after a 50% off sale (is it me, or are they constantly having 50% off sales there?). The brushed nickel hinges were $3 a set from Home Depot. Together they make for a much more updated (and fun) finish on those cabinets.
But first the cabinet doors and frame needed a coat of Kilz no-VOC primer and two thin coats of white semi-gloss paint (Olympic Premium No-VOC Base 2), which you can barely detect making a difference in these photos. You can kinda see how the door on the left has been framed with fresh paint around the edge. Maybe. If you happen to have binoculars or a magnifying glass next to your computer.
With primer and paint dry and the new hardware screwed in, things were back in working order within about a day or two (although we kept the doors cracked for another 24 hours, just to combat any stick-age).
Not the most dramatic makeover you’ve ever seen, but hey – sometimes it’s the little tweaks that make us the happiest. Sherry says those pulls remind her of pink champagne. Not that she’s ever had any, but she thinks it sounds fancy. Then she said something about pink diamonds but I tuned her out.
Oh and if you’re curious as to what’s actually in that cabinet… in a word: junk. In a few more words: a drill, paint and supplies, seldom used laundry items, bungee cords, and some saws. You know, the usual. If you’re Dexter or something (saws, drills, and bungee cords? yikes).
Oh but before I go, here’s our updated laundry room to do list.
Paint the odd brown quarter round near the baseboards glossy white
Redo all the dinged up trim (also in semi-gloss white)Paint the wallsReplace our dryer hose with a safer all-metal oneAdd adjustable built-in shelving in that nook next to the stacked washer & dryerPrime & paint the upper cabinetryReplace the hinges and knobs on those upper cabinetsHang the ironing board to obscure the giant metal fuse box- Get a new light fixture <- DIY something? maybe a small chandelier?
- Add a window treatment (maybe a homemade one?) <— ?
- Add other functional storage near the door for shoes, Burger’s leash, etc
- Hang some art to keep it cheerful
We’re still debating the whole window treatment part, hence the question mark. That window isn’t a privacy issue (you just see the top of the built-ins and the ceiling from outside) and we wonder if even a simple roman shade would just crowd things since the window practically grazes the built-ins and the white trim and mullions are nice and clean on their own. So we’re planning to figure out the light fixture and then make the call.
Anyway, what’s up with you guys? Anyone have an ironing board cover that they’re loving a little too much? Do you have some small projects like new hardware & hinges or a coat of primer & paint that you plan to cross off your to-do list by the end of the weekend? Anyone want to come over and do some laundry with us? Seeing how many people we can pack into our tiny 3.5′ wide space could be a good time. Or a science experiment (my guess is 32 & Sherry’s pushing the envelope with 43).
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
Psssst- To jog your laundry room memory, so far we’ve replaced the washer/dryer, taken down window shutters & cluttered shelves along with frosting the door (all here), filled some ceiling cracks, painted the room, and added some built-ins.
Aubrey says
definitely gonna have to side with $herdog on this one. like it in the upward, yes, not weird, position! love the colors. makes laundry actually fun!
Amber Lee D. says
I like Sherry’s way of hanging the ironing board…and I vote no window covering on the window. If anything. Just frost out the panes to provide some privacy. But i think it looks clean and simple without.
tinagleisner says
Wonderful story, incredible photos and I think each of you gets to hang the ironing board the way you like when you’re done … but I absolutely laughed and looked for where I’d have to cast my vote. The pink goes perfect with the green walls, as you’re not overdoing it so they’re little points of accent color to make you feel the room versus individual objects. Nice job!
Daphne Rhode says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bVblNA3drM
An amusing bit by Brian Regan on ironing boards.
I think the ironing board will end up, up or down, depending on who used it last. If you iron, then I say you get to decide if it goes up or down. If you don’t iron, I’m not sure you should even get a vote!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- hilarious clip.
xo,
s
ElleX says
I like the ironing board John’s way. (Sorry, Sherry!) Thanks for the heads up on Etsy. I have a small ironing board who is in of a new cover and I had given up on looking for one. I will be checking Etsy.
Sydney says
Hmm I’m commenting on this a day late so you may have already decided, but I’m going to have to team up with John on this one…it covers the fuse box up better. Hanging it up the normal way seems to screaming “we tried to cover the fuse box” because you can still see it peeking out. Just my opinion though.
MJB says
I’m with Sherry…er, $herdog. As a fellow 5-foot-2’er I think the ironing board is easier to hoist and set up her way.
Katie says
I think the iron board pointing down makes sense because it entirely covers the fuse box. The other way you can still see it peeking out. But if that doesn’t bother you then I guess it’ll just go whichever way the person who uses it, hangs it!
Very cute though! The laundry room looks great :O) and you both are awesome!
Christine says
I’m surprised no one commented on the actual irony of the post… with easy access to your ironing board, now you have no excuse to not iron the ribbons on your chandy! jk… and I’m with Sherry, I vote pointy side up. :)
Iomay says
The option on the left picture looks best…to me.
Kari says
What? I am horrified by how many people are saying that the ironing board should point down. No. No, no, no. It should point up. Notice how it was leaning up (presumably placed by John) when it was leaning against the other wall to show us the cover? CASE CLOSED.
Jennifer says
John’s way hides the fuse box best. It gets my vote.
Anna says
Gotta say that I’m Team John on this ironing board thing, simply because it doesn’t fully hide the fuse box the other way. Guess it just depends if upside down or the fuse box is a bigger priority. lol Have fun deciding! :)
Amy Elizabeth says
Point up!! Although I do see that more of the fuse box gets covered your way John, $herdog’s way is better!
Laura says
I would love to see some poll results from this one! My vote is for pointing down, but only because it covers more fuse box. At first glance I though up for sure, but when I looked closer, and saw the fuse box sticking out, it kind of spoiled it. And I was thinking frosted glass too for the window. I know lots of other people have mentioned that, but I think it’s a great idea and even though you didn’t ask, that’s my vote! Have a great weekend!
Danielle says
Loved the pink knobs they remind me of these: http://search.anthropologie.com/controller?N=0&Ntk=primary&Nu=p_group_id&Np=2&Ntt=pink%20bubbled%20glass which could also be cute in the room, but maybe to matchy matchy
YoungHouseLove says
Cute! I think the knob on the left is the same one we got at Hobby Lobby (it was $8 marked down to $4 since it was 50% day).
xo,
s
Abby says
My favorite laundry room had bright yellow walls (my fav color) and a beautiful small chandelier. I vote for ya’ll to get a chandelier and lampsplus.com always has affordable ones.
Lisa says
I love the updates. I prefer your ironing-board orientation, John!
Tiffany says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your laundry room makeover. Isn’t it funny how the smallest rooms can make the biggest impact? I’m knee deep in the middle of our own kitchen remodel (that I can’t wait to share with you…any pointers?), but I had to take a minute to chime in about the ironing board: I vote for pointing up. It’s kind of like an arrow (visually), I think if you hang it so it points down it might make the ceiling feel lower…like the room is coming down, down, down. Just my opinion.
I don’t know how you guys do it, we’ve been working on our kitchen for the last 2 weeks and after several long nights and many tears I’m ready to just walk away. You always make it look so fun! LOL! Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Blaine Stewart says
Sherry for the win! Just looks strange the other way. Beautiful room!
audrey says
Up for sure. Sorry John, I even agree with Sherry’s reasoning.
jja says
Your way ;-) Since it cover more of the fuse box.
leatitia says
I love the iron board Sherry’s way. Sorry John :)
Lindsay L. says
Pointing up!!!
Amanda says
since there are 713 posts at the time I’m writing this, forgive me for not checking to see if someone mentioned this. :) For the window in my kitchen I found drapes to be to heavy and I liked the space more open. So for privacy I put up a frosted vinyl window covering. It was easy to put up (or take off) and still offers tons of light. I found mine for $10 at Canadian Tire but I don’t think that will help you guys :P
YoungHouseLove says
Love the idea of frosting the window- especially since we frosted the door with the same film stuff- so easy! We’ll definitely keep everyone posted!
xo,
s
Erin - Dwell & Tell says
I’m gonna split the difference, guys. 37. (People can fit in your laundry room).
What progress!
I luuuurve my ironing board cover. And I too jacked it up with the hem tape. Ah well… I’ll add it to the Petersik board-cover crematorium one day. :)
Erin @ Dwell & Tell
dwellandtell.com
Katie says
Hey!
Love the blog guys! I’m sure that you’ve seen it, but I thought that I’d pass along the window treatment that we used in our laundry room…same situtation, as in you can’t really see anything. But, I still felt weird about not having anything there. We got a window film that makes the window opaque (but still lets light through). It’s modern, with simple white circles lined up on it. Love it!
Katie
Erin C. says
I say it doesn’t matter to me which way the ironing board hangs. You guys have bigger problems to worry about. But knowing you two (actually not really, just virtually) you would both be bugged by not having a “right way” to hang it so in that case you should hang it Sherry’s way. It just seems right to me.
laurac in indy says
Sorry John but Sherry wins this one.
Allison says
Love this idea! What section did you find the jumbo coat hooks at Lowe’s?
YoungHouseLove says
They’re in the aisle with all of the hinges, pulls and doorknobs… kinda near hardware and where they make keys.
-John
Adam says
I’m not a pink guy either, but I can admit, the iron board cover looks good in your sunshine bright laundry room. Probably not something I would buy for myself, but it looks very Sherry.
Karen J says
Oh, that fabric is a disappointment. I was SURE you were going to pick this cover (if Sherry does most of the ironing)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/JC-Mac/dp/B000095K9I
Or this one if John does most of the ironing:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Needapresent-com-Jordan-Ironing-Board-Cover/dp/B0009VEKQK
LOL!
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahahahahah. Next time for sure.
xo,
s
Trinity says
Love the new happy ironing board cover! I got a new one for cheap at a local discount retailer that’s black & white damask and I just love it! Makes ironing that much better!
Kathleen says
I think the ironing board looks better “upside down” since it covers the fuse box better that way.
Btw, I’m working my way through season 2 of True Blood. I’ve heard from friends that season 4 is really good so far.
Anna says
Team $herdog!
Meleah says
The changes look great! I love the pink cabinet pulls. I’m planning to diy an addition of melted plastic forks and knives for my kitchen light. I plan to use my embossing heat gun outside on them… not sure if it will work but I’m willing to hear my hubby say I told you so just to see. Maybe you could use those white plastic laundry bottles for a laundry chandelier.
Karlen says
First off my vote is for ironing board pointing up. Secondly, this laundry area makeover has given me so much hope for my own laundry space, I’m almost giddy! My laundry space is 2’10” wide, and doubles as extra pantry as well as the place for the garbage and recycling. Its always felt awkward just off the kitchen, but if I could do what you did it could actually be attractive! AND I could have a separate space for a real pantry!
Thank you for giving me hope for my laundry space.
Erin @ The Great Indoors says
I’m totally voting with Sherry on the board placement. Sorry, John. You can’t win ’em all (as in, this whole room being incredibly girly even though you do the laundry). :-P
Lynn says
John I was with you on the hanging you did until you said Sherry said it looks upside down. Now I have flip flopped right over to her side. It’s just one of those things. Someone tells you something you didn’t notice and then it’s suddenly all you can think of. Sorry bra… haha!
My best, Lynn
Lauren says
Team Sherry! The ironing board on the right looks upside-down and weird.
The Perfect Palette says
Lovely makeover. I need to make our laundry room look a little more pretty! Adding to the ‘things to do’ list!!
xoxo, chrissy
The Perfect Palette
Wendy says
Loving the laundry room (or as we say the ’tilly), I definitely prefer the ironing board hanging from the top down…the photo on the right handside!
Keep up the good work guys, cant wait to see what your up to next!!
Sending you ((hugs)) from the UK
Wendy x
YoungHouseLove says
‘Tilly is so cute! I want to call it that now. I always love how you guys call the cash register “the till”!
xo,
s
Bboss says
I was hoping you had cabinet doors like those. I have some that I have been wondering how I could spruce them up. Thanks for the tip.
MizLottie says
Love that you two are True Blood fans!!!!
Wendy says
Yeah, Tilly is short for utility room… doesn’t sound so nice! Im sure we say loads of weird things compared with you..lol
Hugs
Wendy
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo,
s
Cal says
You had quite the busy weekend!
Shevon says
Okay, I actually like it better hanging upside down. Why? It totally hides the fuse box and, for some reason, it almost looks like art instead of an ironing board. When it is upside down you don’t really notice it’s an ironing board.
Jennifer says
I vote for the upside down and weird option…but thats just how I roll. Also like the idea of hiding the fuse box — I went the way of an old cabinet door in our bathroom.
Bethany says
Love the ironing board on hooks idea. Our laundry room may be even more awkward than yours. I know it seems unimaginable but try throwing a hot water heater into the mix!
~ Bethany
http://www.tipton-cermak.com
Sarah says
(giggle) You said, “bang zone”.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s like how the “speed hump” signs make me giggle.
xo
s