Come see a two-day laundry room makeover done in a modern farmhouse style on a budget.
The first quick makeover our laundry room received happened just a few months after we moved into our townhouse. It wasn’t planned at all—an unexpected appliance failure forced our hand. After hauling my beloved blue washer and dryer through two moves, the washing machine finally died. While we waited for a new machine to arrive, we decided to make the most of the downtime and freshen the space.
Between laundromat trips, we emptied the small room, painted with leftover paint from our previous house, and installed a few shelves using supplies we already had on hand. That initial update helped, but I always imagined giving the room a more finished, modern farmhouse look. This past weekend I made that vision a reality.
The Two-Day Laundry Room Makeover
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Schlage Canada. This post also contains affiliate links for convenience; if you choose to purchase through an affiliate link, I receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.
Take a look at the small laundry room “before”
The laundry area sits off the kitchen in a narrow hallway that leads to an exterior door and the garage. The layout is compact: a short corridor, a laundry alcove with side-by-side machines, and a tiny powder room beyond.
If you opened the door at the end of the hall, you’d step into the garage.
Turning right reveals the laundry area with the mini powder room tucked at the far end.
Issues that needed attention
- The bold blue wall color I loved in our previous house felt heavy and dark in this narrow space. I wanted a lighter, brighter look.
- The exterior door appeared dated and stood out in a way that didn’t fit the farmhouse aesthetic.
- An electrical panel sits in an awkward, highly visible spot and is an eyesore, though it needs to remain accessible.
- The shelves above the washer and dryer were functional but uninspired; I wanted a fresh, cleaner solution that added character instead of clutter.
The laundry room after: what we changed
Here’s what we did during the two-day makeover to achieve a modern farmhouse vibe on a modest budget.
1. Walls & Trim — painted Simply White
We painted the walls and trim in Simply White to brighten and unify the space with the rest of the house. White paint requires several coats to fully cover darker tones underneath; in this makeover we applied three coats in most areas and a fourth where needed. Expect more brushing and rolling than you might think, but the result is a clean, airy backdrop that makes the room feel larger.
Related articles: How to Paint a Room; Painting Supply Checklist — Everything You Need to Paint a Room
2. The exterior door — painted Raccoon Fur
To add contrast and a modern farmhouse touch, we painted the exterior metal door in a deep neutral I love—Raccoon Fur. The gray-blue-black tone reads soft and sophisticated and pairs well with the white walls and other decor. If you’re painting a metal door, choose a primer formulated for metal and outdoor use, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for adhesion and protection.
3. New door hardware
Changing the door hardware instantly updates the room’s era and personality. We installed oil-rubbed bronze pieces with a modern farmhouse profile to match other finishes in the home. Swapping out dated knobs and levers is an affordable way to refine the overall style.
4. Feature wood plank wall
Rather than sourcing expensive reclaimed wood, I found budget-friendly wood plank wall stickers at a local discount store. For a few dollars per pack, they brought warmth and texture to the room and created a faux accent wall that reads farmhouse without breaking the bank. The stickers applied quickly and created a visual focal point above the dresser and machines.
5. Concealing the electrical panel
The electrical panel remained accessible, but we made it less intrusive by incorporating art and layered decor at a higher level. A large, colorful print helps draw the eye and softens the panel’s visual impact. Because the art had to be positioned higher to fully cover the panel, we elevated the display on top of the dresser with taller accessories so the whole vignette feels intentional.
Decor, accessories, and practical storage
After living in this home, I learned which items truly belong in a compact laundry room. Instead of loading shelves with lots of cleaning chemicals and bulky storage, I keep only the essentials in attractive containers that are easy to access and look good on display.
My laundry essentials:
- Laundry detergent stored in a large jar.
- Microfiber booster in a small jar for occasional use.
- Wool dryer balls paired with a small essential oil for scent.
- A small basket for stray socks and odds-and-ends.
I added faux greenery and a live Money Tree to bring life to the space. The antique dresser I painted years ago serves as multipurpose storage: paint cans in the bottom drawer, hardware and small tools in the middle, cleaning cloths in the top left drawer, and wall-hanging essentials in the top right. The dresser’s surface makes an ideal spot for the elevated art and decor arrangement.
Small changes, big impact
All told, two days and a modest budget transformed this cramped laundry corridor into a bright, functional, and stylish modern farmhouse space. Strategic paint choices, a bold door color, new hardware, an inexpensive wood accent wall, and thoughtful styling around the electrical panel made a dramatic difference without a full renovation. If you’re working with a small laundry room, focus on paint, hardware, and one inexpensive feature wall to get a high-impact update quickly and affordably.
