One Room Challenge

Before and After: A $4,000 Luxe Laundry Room Redo Remembers Every Detail

published Aug 9, 2022
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Before: unpainted laundry room with exposed wires
Credit: Neeta Robu

Laundry rooms technically only need two things: a washer and a dryer. But, after months of using them, it’ll become clear that they also greatly benefit from folding space, hanging space, and storage space.

Credit: Neeta Robu

After a while using hers, homeowner Neeta Robu (@neetlydone) realized “the laundry room was functional enough, but the space was not maximized.” She wanted a utility sink, a storage tower for her family’s sports gear, and a space to store laundry baskets.

Credit: Neeta Robu

During two seasons of the One Room Challenge, she added built-storage in the corner, a sink, and a splash of color to her space through DIY projects.

She started in spring 2021 by removing the wire shelving in the space, painting the room a rose pink (Benjamin Moore’s Café Ole), and starting on the built-in cabinetry, countertop, and sink. In the spring 2022, she added doors to her cabinets, trim around the edges and behind the built-in shelving, and accessories.

Credit: Neeta Robu

“It was my first time building cabinetry from scratch,” Neeta says of her laundry room redo. “I love how the storage tower I added instantly took care of any clutter that would have accumulated in this space in the past.”

Having completed the project, Neeta recommends building cabinets as standalone units first instead of building them in place. She’s particularly proud of the doors on the lower cabinets, made from pre-primed pine and metal radiator covers.

Credit: Neeta Robu

The new laminate countertops were not part of Neeta’s original plan — she originally wanted to try a DIY epoxy pouring method. “I decided to pivot and purchase laminate countertops and cut to size instead,” she explains on Instagram. “This definitely saved me time, but it also had a lip that I needed to cover the edge of the cabinetry in front. I love the way it looks and that the sink is supported well!”

Credit: Neeta Robu

Neeta finished off her space with some shelves hung with brass L-shaped brackets, framed artwork, and a new rug, proving that even laundry rooms can benefit from a little accessorizing.

Credit: Neeta Robu

“I had never considered a laundry room as a place to add a rug and other decor, but if there’s anything that I’ve learned in the past couple of years is that these little details matter,” Neeta says. “On their own, they may not seem important but once all the different layers come together, that is what truly makes a room come alive.”

This project was completed for the Spring 2022 One Room Challenge, in partnership with Apartment Therapy. See even more of the One Room Challenge before and afters here.