I have a tiny laundry room. It’s also used as a mud room. So, I’ve been researching all kinds of different ways to design built-ins. Like many cute laundry rooms on Pinterest, a lot of them have charming custom built-ins to make them more functional. I was definitely moving in the built-in direction, and then I stumbled across some old lockers…
Image above via www.elementsofstyleblog.com
When I passed these lockers, I knew there was going to be an instant connection. Yes, they were rusty and needed some TLC… but the question was, would these fit in my tiny laundry room? I loved them so much I came up with a plan B if it turned out that they didn’t fit. Did I mention they were under $100?!? Amazing! And given the great size and 8 lockers worth of precious storage, I wasn’t going to let this slip through my fingers.
Here’s the before.
All I used was a heavy course sandpaper to remove the first layer of loose rust and a lighter grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface. Then spray paint. Please note: When you’re sanding down rust and old spray painting you need to be in a well ventilated location with a mask on.
Sanding it and cleaning it took about a couple hours.
Before spraying it I made sure the surface was wiped down, clean and very dry.
I used a satan finish Rust-Oleum spray paint.
Because the lockers are 5ft x 7ft it took 7 cans of spray paint.
Here’s my lockers after.
I still can’t believe how perfect these lockers fit in the space. 1/8″ wider and it would’t have worked. Nate was even more excited because he just got a pass on installing custom built-ins.
For shelving, I went to the Container Store and purchased clear shelves.
These lockers have served this tiny room well and keep us organized. This room is still in progress and has a ways to go, but at least it’s very functional.
Below are some of my favorite small laundry rooms that inspire me to push my room to the next level.
Laundry rooms are a fun place to be more playful with patterns and wallpaper.
Image via www.yellowbrickhome.com
I love painted doors!
Image via www.liputan6.com
Image via www.dearlillieblog.blogspot.com
I’m definitely considering adding shelving for more storage above the washer and dryer.
Image via www.domino.com
The bright color story in this room is so welcoming and cheerful.
Image via www.pencilshavingsstudio.com
This room is just darling! I love the softness and freshness of this space. Doing laundry in this space wouldn’t feel like such a chore. I’m also a sucker for painted ceilings, too.
Image via www.elementsofstyleblog.com
What would you choose: lockers or built-ins?
XOXO
Melessa
Beth
July 31, 2018 at 8:48 amYou find the best stuff! Those lockers look great!
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 8:56 amHere’s a great place to find deals https://www.bid-2-buy.com/
This site posts estate sales all the time!
Liz
July 31, 2018 at 8:51 amIf I came across lockers like you did, I would do the same thing!
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 8:58 amCheck out the link I posted above! You can find all sorts of treasures there.
Anonymous
July 31, 2018 at 8:52 amI love cute laundry rooms! I can’t wait to see how you finish yours.
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 8:59 amMe too! I wish I had more money to finish it today! 😉 I’ll get to it eventually!
Allison T
July 31, 2018 at 9:33 amHaving a cute laundry room to go into every day, would make the chore of doing laundry a lot more fun!
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 11:53 amI completely agree!
Anonymous
July 31, 2018 at 9:54 amI love how bright some people’s laundry rooms are! It makes such a difference when you don’t feel like you’re in a dungeon!
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 11:56 amI agree! Working in a dark unorganized space can really suck the life out of you. Bright and cheery is the way to go.
Anonymous
July 31, 2018 at 11:30 amI have never decorated the laundry room. I guess I have always seen it more as a closet. I love the idea of fun wallpaper. You could get a little crazy with the laundry room. Now I think of it, that was my favorite wallpaper in my house growing up. It was the big flower wallpaper you see in the home on the movie Speed Racer.
Melessa
July 31, 2018 at 12:01 pmThat’s awesome! Be adventurous with small functional spaces. It’s okay to be bright and loud when it’s controlled. Fun wall paper, bright flooring or another accent is a fun way to brighten up that dead closet looking laundry room. Who likes doing laundry? Why not make it more fun right?!
amy oelkers
August 3, 2018 at 3:17 pmI love patterns in small spaces, it seems to make them cozier. Powder rooms are a great place for wallpaper too. Now I wish I had a laundry room and powder room instead of just a basement and a bathroom! 🙂