Our freshly painted laundry room is so bright and happy that makes me want to sing and dance like a crazy person. First I repainted all the trim (with Olympic No-VOC semi-gloss off-the-shelf white) and painted the annoying brown quarter round near the baseboards, so it blended in with the white trim. I applied three thin coats of the same Olympic No-VOC paint (no primer because I used the same method with success in the living room five months back and I’m lazy). Then when it came to the wall color, we decided to use the leftover paint that we used in the adjoining kitchen (remember when we painted that beastly paneling here?). Why that color? To brighten things up and connect the two spaces since you pretty much see the kitchen as soon as you step in the side door in the laundry room.
Since the laundry room is such a small space we knew a different color might interrupt the flow and make it feel a lot smaller than something that would connect slash elongate it. We might add a subtle stencil or some other paint treatment down the line if we want more mojo in there – but once we hang window treatments and a new dangly light fixture and add lots of other stuff (art, storage, etc) we’re not sure if it’ll be too much for the tiny room. So we’re waiting on the whole stencil/stripe possibility.
Bee tee dubs (yes I just spelled out btw, and turned the w into a dubs) the color is called Sesame 381 by Benjamin Moore (color matched to Olympic’s No-VOC paint in a semi-gloss finish). Our small semi-light-filled laundry room has a door and window that let in light from the carport, which isn’t super bright but it’s a lot brighter than our windowless kitchen. So the artichoke-ish grellow (green + yellow) tone:
- is a smidge brighter
- reads a little more yellow than it does in the kitchen
- is so insanely cheerful
We’re psyched. Who doesn’t love a happy little laundry nook? As soon as I started cutting in I knew it would wake up the whole space.
Here’s what it looked like when we moved in:
And here she is now with a slap of how-you-doin’-on-this-fine-morning color (along with some other changes covered here):
Oh and if you’re wondering what that white board is in the pic above and below, we heard setting stacked appliances on a nice thick piece of plywood that goes against all three walls can stabilize the machine for a longer life. So we did it. And I painted it white because when we add shelving to that side of the nook it’ll blend in like chin hair on a mountain goat. Made that up. Think it’s catchy? Nah, me neither.
Some of these photos look a little more neon and booger-ish than it does in real life. In real life there’s zero booger resemblance and it’s definitely not neon. Which is a relief. It’s light and sweet – like liquid sunshine. And here’s why we knew this room could handle some happy color:
- We’ll add a ton of white shelving to temper the color (along with the white washer/dryer).
- It has a window & a glass door as well as a doorway into the kitchen to break things up.
- Eventually when we have wood floors in there it’ll be even more subdued.
Oh and as for that crazy metal fuse box cover that we had going on – remember this?
We just rolled/brushed a few thin and even coats of paint right over it. Didn’t even prime. We did that in our last house to hide a just-as-obvious one in the corner of the den – and four years later it still looked awesome. See if you can find it here. Metal actually takes thin coats of paint really well (like spray paint) so by being sure not to glob it on and opting to do more thin coats (as opposed to fewer thick and globby ones) I got some nice coverage. And it still opens and closes easily (tip: do that a few times between coats to ensure that things still work smoothly and nothing gets gummed up with paint). In short: thin and even applications = the painting holy grail.
Total spent for this phase of the makeover: $0 (thanks to trim and wall paint that we already had leftover from the kitchen). Wait, we did buy a pack of rollers so it was actually $8. Of course we still have plans for adding a ton of function (and a good dose of looks-nice stuff, like art) to the room – and that blank wall in particular. So that painted fuse box won’t just sit there looking, well, painted. We’ll share those details as we go.
As for the to do list, here it is as it stands today:
Paint the odd brown quarter round near the baseboards glossy white
Redo all the dinged up trim (also in semi-gloss white)Paint the walls- Replace our dryer hose with a safer all-metal one
- Add adjustable built-in shelving in that nook next to the stacked washer & dryer <– we can’t unstack them and put them on the long wall since the room is only 3.5′ wide so the doors wouldn’t even open
- Replace the hinges and knobs on the upper cabinetry
- 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 and obscure the giant metal fuse box
Mmm, crisp white trim might also be the painting holy grail. Doesn’t it look so great with warm greeny gold? This photo is probably the most true to life when it comes to the actual paint color and how it looks in there. It’s a little lighter in person, but this is the yellow with a hint of green tone to a T. It’s just like an artichoke heart.
Suddenly I actually feel like doing laundry. Weird.
Psst- You guys were all so sweet about my haircut yesterday. Seriously, I almost got a cavity. And I definitely got all awkward and clammy and blushy. Basically the opposite of cute. Anyway, rest assured that my hair will never look that good again (you know stylists possess some other-worldly powers to create a hairstyle that no one can replicate at home). So stop being so dang nice. It’s making me rashy.
Val says
Can’t wait to see the fabric you pick for curtains–some cafe curtains perhaps? I am obsessed with fabric from tonic living these days.
I always thought I’d hang artwork over my fuse box–I’ve thought that for over two years! Time to paint that sucker–it is in my dining room after all (of course I just got a table this year too, so I’m a patient gal)!
elle C. says
Do you plan to bring the storage/shelving out under the window, or will you just keep it next to the W/D units? A shelf under the window might add a really cute & useful surface, but I can’t tell if you have the room for that or not.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re not sure about that possibility yet, just because it’s only a 3′ wide room so a shelf beside you while you’re switching the laundry might feel even more closed in. We have to brainstorm what we really need to make room for and what we shouldn’t just add to add (and never use) – you know?
xo,
s
Suzanne says
If you don’t have a burst proof hose for your washer, pick one up and then call your insurance company to let them know you installed it. Sometimes they offer a discount for that!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! We had one installed when we got the new washer & dryer but never told the insurance folks!
xo,
s
Mindy Clarke says
I love the brightness of it all. It just makes me so happy!!
Brenda says
We just redid our bathroom and took dead space from it (think long narrow bathroom)to make a laundry room on our top floor! I am in love with laundry now. :) This post makes me kind of sad though because I am remodeling our house with the possibility of selling so everything is neutral. If we stay here, I am so going to paint my laundry room a nice fresh green!
Lana says
Love it! So cheerful!
And on a not-post-related-note: You guys seriously have made me so much better with my spending. I’ll be weighing the options of buying something (like a lamp) and think WWJASD? So THANK YOU for making me a more conscious buyer. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s so sweet of you to say. So glad to accidentally help!
xo,
s
Staci @ My Friend Staci says
I actually like the light fixture in there (peeked at it in your last laundry room post), it has the sort of “industrial” vibe that’s popular lately. Maybe using some of your spray paint magic could change the finish subtly and save big moolah!
YoungHouseLove says
I have big plans to hang it somewhere else (after a little spray job like you mentioned). I just want something swanky and dangly in the laundry room for some reason. Haha.
xo,
s
Meredith says
Looks like the walls could smell like Meyers Lemon Verbena soap!! Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
My favorite kind! Maybe I was inspired by Mrs. Meyers.
xo,
s
Kacie says
Yay painting! It’s such a dramatic transformation. I appreciate the video but did not click on it. Just got Friends in Low Places out of my head after two weeks! Ugh! ;-)
Kacie
http://www.acollectionofpassions.blogspot.com/
Katie says
Does your laundry room already have a light fixture? That’s one thing that we just don’t tackle around here, anything electrical.
Your room’s coming along nicely :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah it already has a flush mount one, so it would just be switching that out for something dangly. We call pros in to add fixtures like you mention, and it’s usually only around $100 or so (including materials), yay!
xo,
s
Richella at Imparting Grace says
It’s so nice to see that it’s not only someone my age who might be reminded of “Sunshine Day” when painting.
I love your sunshiny color choice! It pays to make the laundry room a cheerful space, I think, especially since volume of laundry grows right along with a family.
I’ve visited your blog many times before, of course, but I don’t recall if I’ve ever left a comment. I especially wanted to comment today, though, to thank you for adding my no-sew Roman shade to your Pinterest. I’m honored!
YoungHouseLove says
I love that tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing it so I could pin it! Haha.
xo,
s
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says
just like the kitchen! LOVE the color! So bright and wonderful… and NO, it’s not weird to want to go do laundry now! :)
Marla says
Love the happy color. Love the new do. I just chopped my own hair the other day – hubby loves it and I feel more like myself!
Totally unrelated, but do you guys still own one of those small Ikea dressers? Came across this today, and just love the idea! Made specifically for Ikea dressers such as Malm and Rast. http://www.danikacheryle.com
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! I have that tab open on my computer right now. Love it!!!
xo,
s
Alice says
My sister redid her laundry room and made it into a combination laundry room and wine bar once she added cabinets and granite countertop. Oh, and she added a table and 2 chairs and our grandmother’s chandelier! It’s my favorite room in her house!
valerie J. says
Love it! It’s yummy with the white trim! I’m loving my newly painted green laundry room as well. On another “I’m a crazy pregnant lady” whim I took down the builder grade shelf above our washer and dryer (the shelves will be reinstalled in the broom closet in there) and plan to add some artwork. You gotta do something to make laundry a little more enjoyable. :)
Amanda says
Yes, I have already posted on this entry today (read: posting twice in one day = too much time on my hands?!), but I have been reading old posts from ‘A Brooklyn Limestone’ and literally screamed from the couch when I saw you and John pictured with the blogger! My boyfriend came running and asked what had happened. I told him “Well, only my two favorite bloggers together, in the same picture, of course!”
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- it was so nice to meet her. We had a great time!
xo,
s
Sarah says
Quick question: Why do you use Olympic’s No-VOC instead of Benjamin Moore Natura Zero-VOC, especially if it’s a Benjamin Moore color?
Otherwise, I love your website! My husband and I close on our first house, July 25 and I cannot wait to start working on projects! Your website has been so helpful!! ;) Thank you for your time!
Best,
Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
Money and purity. Ben Moore has no-VOC base but the color additives can have some slight VOCs. Olympic’s colorants are also VOC free like the base (yay!). It’s also $22 vs $50 a gallon I think. So we’re cheap!
xo,
s
shelley says
Love the color!! You have inspired me once again!!
Kim says
Laundry room wine bar…funny, we have front loading machines with a counter on top, just on the other side of one kitchen wall. Was totally wondering if it would be weird to use it as a back up serving area-like a butler’s pantry sort of thing. It is a pretty cool space and we got a great runner from world market for the floor so it almost doesn’t feel like a laundry area!
YoungHouseLove says
Do it!
xo,
s
Jackie says
Love that colour! What an impact it has made!! It makes me happy when I look at it, hehe. And as for the hair, what a hot mama!! I bet your hubby is still getting used to seeing another woman in the house ;-P. xo
Erika says
It’s lookin’ good folks! I just had to add a comment about the Brady’s. I get their song, “Keep On Dancin'” stuck in my head all the time. It’s really bad and it makes me feel crazy. I end up singing it to the Little Guy and he even starts to look at me like I’m not all there in the noggin. Or, maybe that’s just my terrible singing voice. hmmm…
Meaghan says
My first comment – I love this blog. I read it every day. Lovin’ the artichoke and your haircut. Now you need to update the laundry room on your house tour page. When do you people sleep? Thanks for sharing it all!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah- forgot to do that. Dang. Maybe tomorrow. Too tired. Haha.
xo,
s
Riva says
You guys are so brave and creative and awesome. I was wondering about the floor though – it looks like you have some old linoleum that goes from your laundry into your kitchen. I read through your to-do list and all of your comments to make sure I wasn’t being redundant but I didn’t see anywhere what your plan was about the flooring. Are you working with the linoleum or are you going to make a change … probably down the road when you do the change to your kitchen?
YoungHouseLove says
Somewhere down the road we’d love to tear up that linoleum as well as about an inch of plywood underneath it to reveal what we think are hardwood floors (which we’ll someday get refinished). It’s a much later project though, because it means removing all of the lower cabinets in the kitchen to get to it!
xo,
s
bw1426 says
Love it!
BTW, is Clara wearing jeggings? She is just so fashionable =)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- she loves those! And we love them because they match everything.
xo,
s
DeeJay Conley says
I’m kinda partial to “chin hair on a billy goat.” Did somebody else already say dat?! I’m too lazy to read the previous 275 comments to make sure not.
Love the color! Inspirational, as always. You two are da’bomb!
DeeJay
YoungHouseLove says
I think I got maybe two “I’m down” and two “not so much” comments. Haha.
xo,
s
Erin Fay says
Random question, which you may have answered before, about rollers… I paint, A LOT it seems like… And lately I have grappled with how many times I clean out a roller before it goes in the trash… if I had my way it would be NO cleaning (pain in the butt). But that is so enviromentally horrible. Also, the paint tray liners… do you use them? clean them? throw them out after 1 use? use a metal tray and clean it every time? I love painting, I loathe cleaning up. Curious about what you guys do.. since you paint A LOT also and try to be eco-friendly. Thanks!! (And the new house is starting to look great! I also just moved into a 1953 brick ranch that only had 1 owner… so a lot to do!)
YoungHouseLove says
We have a big paint tray that’s chunky and plastic and we clean it and reuse it as often as possible (so we dont have to buy the cheap thin ones and toss those, although when we do they sell recycled ones now). As for rollers I clean them as often as I can when I work with water based stuff (doing it right away helps keep them looking better than letting them dry a little because they can get crusty). But even after a few uses it seems like to get a good finish we have to replace them. Maybe once every five times we use and wash them? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sarah Jean Baker says
Love the color! We had laminate flooring in our laundry room, but had a water leak (while on vacation, of course), so we had to remove all the laminate flooring, as it had “bubbled”. We’re thinking tile is best in the laundry room, since water issues could happen, again. Thanks for all your inspiring tales!
Haley says
LOVE the color! You guys have mad painting skills! Thank you for the cutting in video, it saved me time and money!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo,
s
Christine Scott says
Oh my goodness, just love all of your smart brainy ideas. I hate the 1/4 round moulding on the floor between our hardwoods and base boards. I love that you painted the 1/4 round to match the moulding! What a great idea. Have you done that throughout the house? And, did you cut in to do that or did you tape? I’m just getting the hang of cutting in, but find that tape never seems to work as well, but I’m petrified of getting paint on our new hardwoods. Thanks – LOVE your site!
YoungHouseLove says
In some of the rooms with hardwood floors that blend in with it I left it alone (you can do it either way, so it’s a personal preference thing) but in there with the white tile and the not-wood walls it was just a weird little thing lip of dark wood so it had to go! I taped off the floor just to make it stress free and freehanded the top of the trim. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
OwningSingle says
I love that color in your kitchen and now in your laundry room. I painted my laundry room a cheerful pale yellow, not as much green as yours. It really does make doing that chore more pleasant
bev olfert says
love the colour and love the way it looks against the white trim. can you tell me what colour white you use and do you use semi-gloss for trim?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s semi-gloss Olympic No-VOC paint in off-the-shelf white.
xo,
s
Chris says
Hey S & J!
This is an unrelated post (though I do love your laundry room and everything you two do)!
I think you guys would be very interested in Google+ … have you heard about it? Only invited people can get in, but I have unlimited invites! I’m sure someone has probably invited you already. It’s the new facebook – but better!
I would like to “+1” this page (as I’m sure plenty of other people would), so I was wondering – would you want to get this button on your page? –> http://www.google.com/+1/button/
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we’re both on Google+, and I think John added a little widget to the bottom of each post once you click into it. If not it’s on his list!
xo,
s
Chris says
Ohh I just found that if I google searched yhl I can +1 it next to the title. you are +1-ed!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Thanks so much!
xo,
s
meg says
Someone else says “bee-tee-dubs!” I am going to run with that now and not look back. Thanks Sherry!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Love how open and bright the dining and laundry room looks now! And that color choice is amazing :)
Ann Marie says
I’m becoming a pretty good cutter inner, but I still have a question about the trim. I’ve never been able to get a clean line without tape, and sometimes even with tape! Do you tape of your walls to paint the trim or is there a secret I don’t know yet??? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s a video about that! It’s a combination between this brush (it’s a miracle) and this technique: https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/02/holy-buckets/
xo,
s
Ann Marie says
Yeah, I remember that video. So, does that mean you paint your trim before the walls? I’ve been doing the trim last. Ha! That’s probably my problem!
YoungHouseLove says
We go either way. Haha.
xo,
s
Amy says
ha! I love that you said Bee Tee dubs. Totally going to use that…
Michelle says
oooh I love the color!
Kiki says
Love your blog – and your new haircut! Just an FYI….here in Massachusetts it is not advisable (and against code in some places) to paint your electrical panel – something to do with paint being flammable and the potential for the panel to get super hot and ignite etc etc….Our panel is in what used to be our family room (now my husband’s office) and I hated seeing it stick out like a sore thumb. I built a “picture frame” to set around it and when my kids were younger (they are now 21 & 19) it was the picture of the week from school frame. Each week one work of art was chosen and framed for the week. As they no longer bring me home artwork, pictures from a trip to Paris now live there :) Happy renovating!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip! I think it might be a regional thing (painting it here in VA seems ok as long as it’s just the outside of the panel). But I also love the idea of framing something out around it to hide it – Sarah Richardson did that in a laundry room and I was totally smitten!!
xo,
s
cindy says
Love the color!!!
Monique says
Yellow is one of my favorite colors. Love it in these rooms. Makes it so cheery. Glad you are experimenting more with a variety of colors in this house. Well done.
Shannon says
I love the paint color, I’m in the middle of deciding which color to do our laundry room and you just made my mind up for me!!! Thanks! And then on to the kitchen and what to do there… big sigh… thanks for all the inspiration and Sherry, I LOVE, LOVE your new do! Looks so awesome!
Vanessa says
Question about the trim. We have the same brown quater round….do you have to sand it first or can we just paint it?
YoungHouseLove says
The real expert recommended way to do it: sand it, oil-based prime it, paint it with oil or latex paint (either one can be used over oil-based primer). The way we do it to avoid VOCs and because we’re lazy/gamblers: don’t sand, don’t prime (since it’s so full of fumes) and just apply 3-5 thin and even coats of latex no-VOC paint. The possibly risk of our method is bleed through (when wood tones ooze through and mess up your finish) but we did it six months ago in our living room and nothing bled, so it gave us the confidence that the trim is probably the same type of wood in the laundry room so it should work for us. In short: if you have time to sand and prime with oil-based paint, do that. But it’s not always necessary. Good luck!
xo,
s
Brandan WH says
That video was so hooky…I love it! And to think that those fashions are making a comeback! The laundry room looks wonderful. If it looksl that good with just some paint, it’s going to be “delicious” very soon (Sorry. Just finished watching “Million Dollar Decorator. Addictive)!
Carrie says
Long time reader, first time commenter…(always hilarious on the radio, but I don’t think it translates to text, hm). I was just about to comment that it would be great if you could fine a way to get some of the light coming in the awesome window into the kitchen, but then I realized when you build the garage, you will lose all of that natural light. Bummer. I’m sure that sunny color will help keep it nice and bright in there, tho.
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll be adding windows in the back, side, and doors of the garage to hopefully keep as much light as possible!
xo,
s
Amy Purehome says
Lovin’ the same color in the kitchen & laundry. Looks amazing. And, I must say I am super jealous of those new stackable machines you guys got.
diane says
Ok..we’ll stop being nice about your great haircut if you stop making excuses for the bright color you chose. It looks great and I think matching the kitchen was the perfect idea so no more excuses about how it will be toned down once the room is completed, it looks brighter in the pics etc…..be confident with your choices girlfriend!
YoungHouseLove says
I said we love it and it looks like liquid sunshine, does that count? Haha.
xo,
s
Martha says
window treatment – get a bamboo roman shade from HD, cut fabric to fit, spray glue on, hot glue braid or something to trim edges – saw that on a blog this morning – awesome! Oh – take the plastic thingie off the shade rings on the back.
Jen says
We are revamping our laundry area right now as well! Just installed some pretty shelves!
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/07/laundry-land-part-2.html
Love the new color, it’s pretty fun and will look great as you start to pull it all together… which is what I am totally itching to see!!!
xoxo,
Jen
YoungHouseLove says
Love those!
xo,
s
Lauren says
Okay, no more gushing about your hair, but I have always thought you are a dead ringer for Rachel McAdams. Whenever I see her movies, I expect her to stop and advise the audience on paint colors and ceramic animals. So if your life is ever made into a movie, please let me do the casting… :-)
Pamela says
So glad y’all found a gorgeous kitchen/laundry room color! It’s such a happy shade. Saw this kitchen photo backsplash idea & wondered if you’d seen it? Kinda fab:
http://www.hgtv.com/video/photo-backsplash-video/index.html?nl=HGKB_v007_P1_Photo&sni_mid=12198&sni_rid=12198.325.1018473
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!!
xo,
s