See how a two-day laundry room makeover transformed a small space into a modern farmhouse-inspired room on a budget.
The first refresh our laundry room received came just a few months after we moved into our townhouse. It wasn’t planned — a malfunctioning washer after two moves forced our hand, and while we waited for a replacement we decided to do a quick update.
We emptied the tiny space, repainted with leftover paint from our previous house, and added a few shelves using supplies on hand. It helped, but I always hoped for something a little more pulled together.
This past weekend I finally completed the project.
The Two-Day Laundry Room Makeover
Disclosure: I received compensation from Schlage Canada for this post. This article contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase through them I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Come tour the small laundry room “before”
The laundry area sits off the kitchen down a short hallway that leads to an exterior door. From that hallway you can access the garage or enter the laundry nook, which also contains a very small powder room.
Problems that needed attention
- The deep blue paint we loved in our previous house felt too heavy and dark for this compact area. I wanted a lighter, brighter look.
- The exterior door looked dated and dulled the hallway’s appearance.
- An electrical panel in plain sight is awkwardly placed and detracts from the room.
- Open shelves above the washer and dryer didn’t suit our storage needs; I wanted a cleaner, more updated solution.
See the laundry room after the makeover
Here’s what I changed and why:
1. Walls & Trim — Simply White by Benjamin Moore
I painted the walls and trim in Simply White to brighten and unify this space with the rest of the house. Painting white over a darker color requires multiple coats; I applied three to four coats in places to get full coverage. The effort paid off — the room now feels clean, fresh, and larger.
2. Exterior Door — Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore
I painted the exterior door Raccoon Fur, a soft gray-blue-black tone that complements our modern farmhouse aesthetic and coordinates with other doors in the house. Painting the metal door and its trim helped the doorway look intentional and updated rather than dated.
3. New Door Hardware
Swapping the old hardware for new handles from Schlage made an immediate difference. Updated knobs and a matching lever with a deadbolt give the room a modern feel and tie the hallway and laundry area together.
4. Feature Wood Wall
I wanted a focal point but needed to keep the budget low. I found peel-and-stick wood plank panels at a local dollar store and used them to create a warm feature wall above the washer and dryer. The inexpensive option added texture and a farmhouse touch without a big cost or permanent commitment.
5. Concealing the Electrical Panel
The electrical panel was a challenge. To disguise it, I hung a large piece of artwork higher on the wall and styled the surface below to balance the height visually. The art introduces color and softens the corner, while a dresser below provides practical storage and helps the composition feel natural rather than contrived.
Because the art had to hang higher to cover the panel, I layered taller decor on the dresser so the scaled arrangement looks balanced at that elevation.
Decor, accessories, and practical storage
Over time I’ve learned which supplies are actually needed in this small laundry area. After switching to safer cleaning systems, I no longer rely on bulky storage bins of chemical cleaners. Instead, I keep everyday essentials in pretty jars and baskets so they are accessible and attractive.
My laundry essentials:
- Laundry detergent stored in a large jar.
- A small jar for washing booster or stain remover.
- Dryer balls with a few drops of a favorite essential oil for scent.
- A small basket for stray socks.
I added faux greenery alongside a real Money Tree for visual interest. The antique dresser, painted years ago, continues to be essential storage in this small home and holds paint, tools, cleaning cloths, and other frequently used items.
- Bottom drawer: small paint and stain cans.
- Middle drawer: nails, anchors, batteries, flashlights, extension cords.
- Top left drawer: cleaning cloths.
- Top right drawer: hanging hardware and frequently used tools.
- Under drawer: a compact selection of house paint.
Small changes, big impact
Two days and a modest budget were all it took to refresh this tiny laundry space. By brightening the paint, updating finishes, adding a warm feature wall, and simplifying storage, the room now feels brighter, cleaner, and more intentional — a small makeover with a big difference.
