Today I am sharing our $325 budget laundry closet with DIY floating shelves and how to make the most out of a small laundry closet with side by side washer and dryer. We did buy a new washer and dryer as our other ones both stopped working within a week of each. I factored out the cost of the appliances when I say this is a “budget” makeover.
Minus the cost of the new appliances, this makeover is completely doable by anyone and the idea of adding your own DIY floating shelves and folding table is fairly inexpensive. For the cost of wood and a little DIY know how, you can “get this look” in a weekend.
Ok, maybe two weekends depending on how motivated you are.
Updated April 2019. I have included affiliate links to products at the bottom of this post so you can get this laundry room look!
Budget Laundry closet with DIY floating shelves
Here is the laundry room before,
Laundry Room Closet Doors
We removed the laundry closet doors in an effort to create a more open laundry room look. A sliding barn door in a bathroom is also a great way to save space and create a designer trendy look. Check out our sliding barn door installation without removing door trim tutorial or our double sliding barn door tutorial for more ideas.
Here is another shot of the laundry room before.
Here is the room during the floating laundry shelves and folding table installation. I wanted a budget friendly laundry closet and the DIY floating shelves accomplished that. The closet looked so much better with new paint and the bifold closet doors removed.
Budget Laundry Closet DIY Shelving Ideas
I think the after is much better don’t you? My step daughters visit on the weekends and this past weekend they saw the room completed for the first time. One of them said, “did you add on space, why does it look so much bigger?”
Mission accomplished! It’s amazing what adding diy laundry shelving (don’t miss this floating shelves tutorial) and utilizing the “upward” wall space will accomplish.
Laundry Closet Ideas
By placing the washer and dryer side by side, this allowed us to create a folding station as well as two large floating shelves above for storage. I removed all the old wire shelving and hardware, filled the holes with putty, sanded and repainted the space.
The walls are very old, rough and some spots were marked and scratched from the previous washer and dryer so I did add a coat of white primer first.
The green color on the wall is called “Dewy” and the white trim is “Extra White” by Sherwin Williams .
Sherwin Williams is providing the paint for our study makeover so they were kind enough to let me add an extra 2 gallons to my order for our laundry room.
Budget Laundry Room Decorating Ideas
I did purchase a few hyacinth and wire baskets from the Container Store for storage. I cannot even begin to tell you how much better it is doing laundry because everything is clean and organized.
I decided to remove the bifold doors permanently permanently and open up the laundry room (closet) to the existing bathroom.
This gave us more room inside for the new washer and dryer. The doors, when opened, “took up 5 inches inside the closet which we needed in order to put the washer and dryer side-by-side. So guess what, we just got rid of the doors.
The top plastic decorative bins hold batteries and lightbulbs as well as a few other random items that we don’t use often.
The plastic bins are also from the Container Store.
The white lazy susan (affiliate link) is one of my favorite finds. It holds the detergent and dryer sheets along with a few other spot cleaners. I love that it spins!
If you are looking for storage for paper towels, these hyacinth baskets hold six roles perfectly. I couldn’t believe it when I found these, it’s like they were made for paper towel storage.
My dad saw me removing the paper towels from the plastic bag and he said, “don’t show your mother those baskets, because she will want some.” -ha.
Small Laundry Room Ideas
I found the cute laundry signs for the wall in Home Goods.
Not a bad looking laundry closet right? You too can create a budget laundry closet with DIY floating shelves and create a functional and pretty laundry room.
Our laundry closet would have more room if we decided to go with a stackable washer and dryer but I wanted a folding table so we opted for the side by side washer and dryer. The laundry shelves were very inexpensive to make and with a little sanding and paint, boring old wood can shape up quite nicely!
The wire basket is hung with picture hook nails. Just tap the tiny nail into the wall and leave a little bit of the nail protruding from the wall. The sign below sums up my view on laundry 100%.
Pink duct tape from a previous project was the solution to cover the existing electrical box.
This is probably the greatest invention on the planet. A grocery bag holder. I have always wanted one of these but never got around to buying one. This is from the Container Store as well.
This little framed dog saying is near and dear to my heart. My grandmother (my mom’s mom) had this in her bathroom when I was a kid and before she died, she gave it to me. Now it lives in our bathroom/laundry room.
This vintage inspired laundry sign was only $5 at Home Goods on clearance.
Having a laundry folding station directly in the laundry closet has helped me tremendously. I despise laundry and I will admit it, I am awful at keeping up with it. However, the clothes are now getting folded and not dumped in a pile on the couch.
By removing the bifold doors, the entire bathroom/laundry room looks much bigger. I repainted the bathroom in the Dewy color and will share the entire space soon. I still have a little trim work to paint near the door.
We were sad when our old washer and dryer stopped working. There is never a good time to invest in a new washer and dryer but it was the perfect opportunity to renovate the space and create a functional and stylish laundry room.
It’s not the biggest laundry room that’s for sure but every square inch is now utilized and organized. The total budget for this makeover, minus the new washer and dryer, was under $325. That includes all the wood, baskets, storage boxes and other laundry accessories. We are so happy with our Budget Laundry closet with DIY floating shelves!
Marie says
I love it! I really love the sign, I need that!
Marie
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Marie. You find the sign at Home Goods!
Nancy says
Jessica, Looks fabulous! Love the shelving and the wire basket with the sign. The paper towel holder is a great idea. I would get one but we never seem to have more than 1 or 2 paper towel rolls at a time. They disappear as soon as they come in the house! Such a nice touch with your Grandmother’s framed dog saying.
Jessica Bruno says
Your comment made me bust out laughing Nancy about the paper towels! It happens here also…..I just happened to go shopping before I took these pics so they were nice and full! ha. Hope all is well!
Chernee's House says
Love the color – very fresh and clean looking space. We are in the process of updating our laundry room as well… Can’t wait for it to be done.
Best
Chernee
Jessica Bruno says
Good luck on your re-do! Fun!
Susan McCall says
Nice space out of very little room! Very nice!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Susan. I actually like this little space now 🙂
Betsy says
Looks great! I love the thick shelves and color on the walls.
Lucky you that you have such a great space to fold laundry! Maybe it’ll make it more bearable. 🙂
Betsy
Jessica Bruno says
haha I hope so Betsy 🙂
Denise says
I love, love your laundry makeover!
Also – when I clicked on the link to Tidy Mom, it took me to an ‘adult’ advertising site!
Nan says
Yeah… Me too!
Jessica Bruno says
I know Denise, I fixed the link . UGH. I got the wrong extension. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Anne@DesignDreams says
Beautiful job! I love the wire basket on the wall and the shelves are perfection!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Anne! Hope all is well 🙂
Tardevil says
Your laundry room makeover looks great! Like the signs. Just thought you might want to know that the ‘tidy mom’ link goes to a porn site….at least it did for me, when I clicked on it.
TidyMom says
I love what you did with the space Jess! I thought I would love my front loaders on the pedestal/drawers – because of the extra storage, and it makes the machines at a height so I don’t have to bend over —but it makes it harder for me to fold on top AND I can’t reach the shelves over them.
Love the color you chose too!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Cheryl! I almost ordered the pedestals b/c I love the look of them but then decided I wanted a folding station and you are right, they are way to high to fold on when using pedestals. Hmmmm, maybe Steve can remove them and make you a folding table 🙂 hehehehehehehe
Susan says
It looks beautiful! LOVE<3 it!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Susan!
Sara | Simply Happenstance says
Wow! What an amazing reveal! I love your new laundry space! I can’t get enough of that sign! I’m in total agreement!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Sara, the sign is a hit! haha
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
So nice! Everyone should have a beautiful laundry room to distract us from the burden of actually having to do the laundry. I am in love with the sign! Cracks me up! Gorgeous Jess!
Jessica Bruno says
I love the sign also! Thank you 🙂
Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says
It’s fresh, beautiful and amazingly gorgeous. You know, for a room we have to work so hard in 😉 Love the Dewy wall color. So pretty and happy. I’m sure you just grin when you go in there now. Love it!!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Shannon! I do like laundry kind of right now ……I hope it lasts 🙂 ha
Jen says
I am not going to lie, I have been blog stalking since you started this makeover, in extreme anticipation of the final result. And in true Jessica fashion, you rocked it! Loving every last details, those beautiful baskets and built in shelves paired with the soothing colors… sigh… So good! Way to knock it out of the park!
Jessica Bruno says
Jen you just made me bust out laughing! You crack me up 🙂 Thanks for your sweet words and glad you like it! Hopefully my enthusiasm will continue with regards to laundry! haha
Suzanne J Dean says
It looks lovely and does LOOK larger…the light airy colors and storage make such a difference. And of course all the small details make it beautiful…wonderful job you all did. And your mom may want those baskets but so do I LOL!
hugz,
Suzanne
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Wow – it’s absolutely stunning, and beautifully styled! Love that “when I said I do” sign. Hahaha!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Kelly! The I DO is my fave 🙂
debbie says
I love your new washroom.. those shelves,,omg, great job. The room looks completely different. Love that “I do” sign and the little puppy photo.. so cute.
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Debbie. I swear I replied to your comment but I can’t seem to see it anymore :(. Thanks again!
Melissa says
I saw the clothes pins, are they decorative, or do you use them? Where do you put clothes to dry. My space is about the same size, but I can’t figure where to put our clothes that can’t go in the dryer!!
Wendy says
Great job Jessica, LOVE this – the laundry room looks amazing!
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks so much Wendy!
Laura @ Finding Home says
L.O.V.E – so perfect, functional and pretty – well done girl!
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Laura 🙂
Laura says
Love the wire baskets!! Where are they from?!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you, the wire baskets are from the Container Store
Angie says
Love your laundry detergent holder! Where did you find it?
Jessica Bruno says
The Container Store
Jenni says
I’d love to know more details on how you installed your folding station shelf. I’m wanting to do the same, but have some concerns about supporting that large of a shelf.
Jessica Bruno says
You can see how we installed the DIY shelves here, https://www.fourgenerationsoneroof.com/2013/11/diy-floating-shelves-laundry-room.html
Jodi says
Love this. Going to try in my laundry.
Venice says
you know, I think I am the only woman I know of that likes to do laundry. I even like to iron, omg do I sound crazy, Lol
your redo looks good.
I live in an apartment and we do not have the best washers and dryers, so it makes it a pain. But a Laundromat we use has front loaders and it makes good with getting our clothes clean. But like I said I think im the only one I know that like doing laundry. 😉
Aimee says
Where did I miss the link on how you made the folding table and floating shelves?
Lisa says
I have a question for you. I see a container with a blue liquid in it. Do you make your own fabric softener? If so, could you send me the recipe?
Is it hard with 4 generations in the same house?
Lisa
Jessica Bruno says
The blue liquid is not homemade. It’s store bought 🙂 Living with four generations is super fun (most of the time) but we do have our challenges just like every other family. The key to making it work , for us, is being respectful of each others privacy. Thanks for stopping by!
DL says
Hi, this looks great! I just told my husband that I have a new project for him.
Do you know how much weight the floating shelves can hold? Thx!
Vicki says
How did you make the countertop? It all looks so nice! Gets me excited to do mine!
Jessica Bruno says
Hi, we used plywood to make the countertop surface. Good luck with your project 😉
Netty says
Hello, LOVE your laundry room makeover. We are going to do the same thing to our laundry space. I had a quick question. What color and type of paint did you use on the plywood and shelving. I love the look and color. Also curious did you use paint brush or spray gun to paint.
Thanks so much…I can’t wait to get started with this project. Off to Lowes I go to get the wood. 🙂
Jessica Bruno says
Hi, thanks so much! I used interior emerald satin extra white paint / Sherwin-Williams semi/gloss (has a built in primer). You may also want to add a coat of BIN or Zinser 123 primer before painting white. I brushed the paint on 🙂
Cameron says
I know this is an older post, but where did you get your shelves or did you make them?
Jessica Bruno says
We made them!
Shelby says
I am getting ready to re-do our laundry closet. I was curious how the paint has held up over time? Especially on the folding counter.
Jessica Bruno says
The paint has held up great!
Melissa says
Hi Jessica, Love your laundry space. I am in the beginning planning phase of my small laundry room makeover and came across your post on Pinterest. Glad I did. Do you remember the brand/name of the paint used on the walls? Since my space is small I want a light and fresh color. This seems perfect. Looking forward to your reply.
Arial Burnz says
GREAT make-over job!!! OMG so lovely!!! We’re planning on doing something very similar with our laundry room. Your images and ideas are an inspiration to keep me going! Thanks for posting! (found you on Pinterest)
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you and good luck on your project 🙂
Kelsey says
What size of the hyacinth baskets fit the paper towels? We buy in bulk and I am in desperate need of something like this!
Thanks:) love your laundry remodel!
Jessica Bruno says
Our baskets are 17″ x 12″ 😉