Small Space Combination Laundry Room Powder Bathroom Refresh

Have you got a small space that needs to be stream-lined, organized and hard working, while still being stylish and inviting? Me too! Today I’m sharing how I made our combination laundry room and powder bath work better for us. I introduced some organizational items and a super new shelf. Of course, that was after I cleared out the extra junk that we didn’t really need in the space. That led to fresh paint and a few DIY projects as well. I love the after, and I can not wait to share it with you!!

As many of you know (and for those that don’t), It’s my honor to partner with Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. Every month, I get a new “assignment” and July’s focus was small space organizing. I love that these assignments keep me on my toes and knocking those to-do list items off my list! 

Small Space Combination Laundry Powder Bath Room Refresh

It had been a few years since I did anything besides clean this room. As I started digging in, I realized everything needed fresh paint, before I did anything else. Especially the planked wood wall. I didn’t do a full coverage paint job on it the first time around and I decided to change that. The fresh paint made a world of difference and really brightened up the whole room! We are dependent on 100% artificial light in here, so white is a must. The main wall is perfect for an accent color, and I just freshened up the already existing grey. 

Okay! Before I chat about anything else, let’s work right to left and I’ll cover the changes I made. I think that should make the most sense. 

This counter is supposed to be a FOLDING COUNTER.

It’s supposed to be used as shown… to fold the clothes & linens as the exit the dryer. And it can be, when it’s not storing 487 extra towels and miscellaneous homeless items. One of the wonderful things about having that massive garage sale we recently held, is that I purged the house, hard, of all the extra things we simply did not need. Like the 487 extra towels. No, we have a folding counter. The big sea grass basket is perfect for towels, and when I have them all folded, they get taken right up to the linen closet upstairs. I painted an odd stool in a pretty aqua and it’s handy if there is a lot of folding to do. 

I also splurged on a new ironing board. (I’ll show you that in a little bit!) It’s so nice. 

On a side note: If you’ve got a top load washer, and you are a shorty like me, you need a built-in shelf in your life. Depending on how your washer and cabinets are situated, you may be able to do something like this. We built a square base, nailed it into the wall and cabinet, then added the top piece, and nailed it to the base. I caulked and painted it and it’s been a wonderful addition. 

Jim and I weren’t really in love with the first shelf we built for this space. It was functional, but we knew as soon as we installed it, that it was a little heavy, a little large, and a bit too angular. 

I love the curvy new version so, so, soooo much! (thank you baby!) 

Jim and I designed this using some vintage mouldings we picked up on one of our junking adventures and I gave it a fresh, little-bit-distressed paint job. It’s the exact perfect size and the washer opens freely without any interference. Plus, it’s curvy and I love it. I know I already said that. I meant it the second time too! 

Because there are no windows in the room, I felt like it needed a little more pretty and decided to add my laundry soap to a drink dispenser I never actually use. I’ll see & enjoy it much more here. Plus, it goes great with the other glass containers I was already using. 

The ceiling is a challenge in here. It’s a bit low with the slant (that houses the plumbing) on the back wall. The new mirror has a minimal frame and that means not only can I see in it, but Jim can too! The last one had a big, fat wood frame that I loved, but after a bit, Jimmy let me know he had to crouch down to see in it. Whoops. This one is taller hubby approved. 

It’s got a great kind of “mixed metal” silver and coppery gold color too. And it was a steal! The vanity top isn’t very large, and the galvanized tray is perfect for holding the rope-wrapped soap pump and hand towel. I’m always drawn to a little coastal. I just can’t seem to help it.

As I got into this project, I realized I wanted to make more changes to the space! I’m shopping for a new vanity and sink now. This one was a quick purchase, and it wasn’t meant to be permanent. It’ll take me awhile to find exactly what I’m looking for. I’ll know it when I see it! 

The vanity did get some new hardware for now. Some little porcelain clock faces. We just replaced the commode with a model I am way to impressed with. It’s low flow, quiet and flushes fast. I never knew the old one was so… crappy. Ha. I had too. 

The new sign is from the company I was telling you all about on Facebook last week. It’s super light weight and it’s so nice to have something on this wall! It only took me 12 years… the TP holder goes great with all the other metal finishes in the room, and it’s a replacement for one of those tall models that sits on the floor. Having the floor freed up is wonderful!!!! It’s the little things, I tell ya. 

And here it is!! The biggest change in the room… 

I knew when I first saw this shelf, I wanted it. Then, I realized I actually had a place to put it, where it would be super useful. The clothes hamper is tucked up, off the floor. And I’ve got someplace to hang my delicates to dry, and I can still shut the door! I hang a lot of clothes to dry and I was always taking up the entire doorway. The dryer is really hard on clothes, especially bras & panties, so I hang them to dry and it makes them last so much longer. 

The shelves are really generously sized. I purposefully didn’t load them up. I did get just enough out of the cabinets to make them function better though. So it’s a win-win all the way around. 

Having the laundry basket up off the floor, is one less thing to move when I want to clean them. It’s all about making life easier, and it all adds up! 

Remember earlier, I showed a glimpse of the new ironing board? It’s silly, but the one I had was so old and I didn’t even realize how rickety it was, until I got this one! The new one is like an ironing board sports car. It’s wider, sits really solid, has an iron holder, a spot for my spray bottle… and it even has a little shelf! 

Just for fun, if you haven’t ever seen what this room looked like when we bought the house, I’ll show you what we started with. 

It was so pretty. Needless to say, we gutted it to the studs. The finishes we selected were very simple, and they have served us well, but I am very ready to do some upgrading! This project really lit my fire, and I can’t wait to make some more changes and bring it along even more!

Thanks, as always for joining me. I so enjoy sharing our home, projects, changes and future plans with you. I’ll make sure to keep you updated on this room, and I promise to share how we covered the water lines and outlet by the washer as soon as I can. xo Shannon

Better Homes & Gardens Clickable Shopping Links:

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means, if you make a purchase, I may get a small commission, but your purchase price stays exactly the same – you don’t pay a penny more! This support helps with the costs associated with running the blog. Thank you so much!

• Better Homes & Gardens Wood And Metal Shelf [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Nautical Lotion Pump [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Seagrass Basket [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Washed Willow Hamper [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens 28 Inch Round Metal Mirror [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Towels [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Wide Top Ironing Board [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Galvanized Wall Clock [click here]

• Better Homes & Gardens Drink Dispenser [in store]

• Better Homes & Gardens Galvanized Caddy [in store]

• Better Homes & Gardens Wood Pant & Skirt Hangers [in store]

• Better Homes & Gardens Wood Suit Hangers [in store]

• Better Homes & Gardens Bathroom Rug 2pc [in store] 

• Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Extra White

• Accent Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Pussywillow Grey

• Stool Color: Sherwin Williams Wythe Blue

You can visit Better Homes & Gardens Live Better on: Instagram ,  Facebook  &  Twitter

CLICK HERE to see all my BHG projects & posts!

I truly find that once you get a space all dialed-in and organized, it stays that way! I previously did our Kitchen & Closet during my Better Homes & Gardens partnership and I’m happy to report that both are still in great shape!

KITCHEN [click here]

CLOSET [click here]

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