As much as we love having our new built-in shelves in the laundry room, they did kinda get in the way of our oh-so-fancy ironing board storage system. You know, the one that made a clanging noise whenever the spin cycle kicked on?
So clearly the ironing board had to find a new home. Earlier on we thought about making a little cubby so the ironing board could slip into our built-ins, but we wanted maximum space for baskets and bins and bowls (instead of breaking things up and making it narrower). We contemplated just shoving him (her?) in a closet somewhere else in the house, but somehow it felt like he she it belonged in the laundry room… just not looking all busted and ugly.
Those nice little dark streaks? Would you be surprised if I told you they were residue from Sherry’s oft-used no-sew hem tape? Picture the wife hanging her head in shame. And an old more-fun cover that we had was also ruined in a similar manner (ripped – oops). Maybe Casa Petersik is where ironing board covers go to die?
Sherry contemplated sewing a new cover herself (possibly out of ironing-board-disfiguration guilt), but after popping over to Etsy (specifically, here) for some inspiration, she instead found herself inspired to buy a charming little handmade-by-someone-else cover (long story short: she was enamored with the fabric and unable to find it herself at a few local stores that she hit up). So 24 bucks later we had a much more presentable looking ironing board that Sherry is excited to display 24/7 (and has vowed not to maim). She’s more into that ironing board cover than a person should be.
Do I get any husband points for letting her go the pink route? Even I’m man enough to admit that it looks pretty awesome with the grellow walls.
Obviously leaning on the wall wasn’t our storage solution. Nope, we wanted to hang this lady (now that it’s pink, I’ve decided it’s a girl) on the wall. We briefly considered some sort of pulley system from the wall or ceiling that would allow it to fold out for in-room ironing, but thanks to the space being about as narrow as a bathroom stall, we decided we’d much rather hang it somewhere to store it, but keep it removable to accommodate ironing in a more spacious room (Sherry’s partial to the living room, I like the bedroom). The perfect wall for the job was this one (opposite the door) since it had some eyesores of its own to be covered – er, accessorized?
Yup, remember those two painted-over fuseboxes? We figured hanging our chipper little ironing board there was a multi-tasking solution. This way we can easily access the fuse box by simply removing the iron (just like a framed photo or bulletin board, which some other folks opt to hang there instead).
Since all of the ironing board hook / caddy things we found at the store also had a spot for an iron (and our iron ain’t pretty enough to showcase, plus we worried about slamming into it since the room is so narrow) we decided to “make” our own by repurposing two jumbo sized coat hooks from Lowe’s (about $6 each). To hang them, we used long strong wood screws and intentionally drilled into studs (so we didn’t risk hitting any wiring that runs to the fuse box and got a nice secure hold).
The hooks worked perfectly – which was quite a relief since they were the only ones I could find that I hoped were big enough to accommodate the wide ironing board bar and attractive enough to pass TWT (The Wife Test). The only thing we were somewhat undecided about was which direction to hang the ironing board. Sherry preferred the look on the left (pointing up), and I liked the version on the right (which Sherry thinks is “upside down and weird”). Feel free to rock the vote and weigh in on your favorite ironing board direction. Can you handle the excitement? Oh the things we debate around here.
But this is my post, so the rest of the pics will have it hanging my way. Sorry lady-wife. By the way, we realize the ironing board looks a bit far from the appliances (especially from this angle) but that’s intentional because:
- we wanted to position it over the fuse box
- we didn’t want to be banging into the ironing board every time we opened the washer door, so it’s happily out of the bang zone. And if we ever get around to switching the way the dryer door opens that one won’t bang either (right now it swings the other way).
Oh, and notice the missing cabinet doors two pics up? That’s because we had another little project going on at the same time. Those built-in cabinets that we inherited are great for concealed storage (aka, the place where ugly stuff goes to be ugly) – but they were sort of an off-white color that clashed with the freshly painted white trim, and the hardware was kinda blah.
In fact, we had another jeepers-creeper-where’d-you-get-those-peepers-knobs situation going on like this oldie but a goodie. Except this cabinet monster is a vampire since we’re in the midst of watching True Blood Season 3 on DVD (no spoilers – we’re only halfway through). Just picture it saying “Sook-eh, that was not my intention” in a weird Southern accent a la Bill Compton.
So off came the doors, knobs, and hinges. Here’s the old hardware (white eyeball knobs & brass hinges) next to the shiny new replacements. The pink glass knobs (yes, there’s me permitting pink again) were around $4.00 from Hobby Lobby after a 50% off sale (is it me, or are they constantly having 50% off sales there?). The brushed nickel hinges were $3 a set from Home Depot. Together they make for a much more updated (and fun) finish on those cabinets.
But first the cabinet doors and frame needed a coat of Kilz no-VOC primer and two thin coats of white semi-gloss paint (Olympic Premium No-VOC Base 2), which you can barely detect making a difference in these photos. You can kinda see how the door on the left has been framed with fresh paint around the edge. Maybe. If you happen to have binoculars or a magnifying glass next to your computer.
With primer and paint dry and the new hardware screwed in, things were back in working order within about a day or two (although we kept the doors cracked for another 24 hours, just to combat any stick-age).
Not the most dramatic makeover you’ve ever seen, but hey – sometimes it’s the little tweaks that make us the happiest. Sherry says those pulls remind her of pink champagne. Not that she’s ever had any, but she thinks it sounds fancy. Then she said something about pink diamonds but I tuned her out.
Oh and if you’re curious as to what’s actually in that cabinet… in a word: junk. In a few more words: a drill, paint and supplies, seldom used laundry items, bungee cords, and some saws. You know, the usual. If you’re Dexter or something (saws, drills, and bungee cords? yikes).
Oh but before I go, here’s our updated laundry room to do list.
Paint the odd brown quarter round near the baseboards glossy white
Redo all the dinged up trim (also in semi-gloss white)Paint the wallsReplace our dryer hose with a safer all-metal oneAdd adjustable built-in shelving in that nook next to the stacked washer & dryerPrime & paint the upper cabinetryReplace the hinges and knobs on those upper cabinetsHang the ironing board to obscure the giant metal fuse box- Get a new light fixture <- DIY something? maybe a small chandelier?
- Add a window treatment (maybe a homemade one?) <— ?
- Add other functional storage near the door for shoes, Burger’s leash, etc
- Hang some art to keep it cheerful
We’re still debating the whole window treatment part, hence the question mark. That window isn’t a privacy issue (you just see the top of the built-ins and the ceiling from outside) and we wonder if even a simple roman shade would just crowd things since the window practically grazes the built-ins and the white trim and mullions are nice and clean on their own. So we’re planning to figure out the light fixture and then make the call.
Anyway, what’s up with you guys? Anyone have an ironing board cover that they’re loving a little too much? Do you have some small projects like new hardware & hinges or a coat of primer & paint that you plan to cross off your to-do list by the end of the weekend? Anyone want to come over and do some laundry with us? Seeing how many people we can pack into our tiny 3.5′ wide space could be a good time. Or a science experiment (my guess is 32 & Sherry’s pushing the envelope with 43).
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
Psssst- To jog your laundry room memory, so far we’ve replaced the washer/dryer, taken down window shutters & cluttered shelves along with frosting the door (all here), filled some ceiling cracks, painted the room, and added some built-ins.
I am LOVING your laundry room makeover! Mine is in great need of a makeover too, but then I would have to paint behind the Great Cobwebby Furnace (DUN Dun dun…). I tried to hang my ironing board the same way you did, but left out the whole “my hook needs more support than just drywall” thing so now it wobbles precariously whenever bumped. My laundry room is a deathtrap. At least I can enjoy looking at somebody elses cute and death-free one! Way to go!
Oooh, I LOVE it — and I’m going to blatantly steal this idea for my new laundry room. I’d been struggling to figure out where to put the iron, and this is a great solution. Now, the key is finding a gorgeous cover. (My current one has a cat motif … not necessarily something I want on display, ha ha.)
This whole laundry update series you have going on is so cute! It’s made me want to do the same thing with my own ironing board (cover and hanging) and pretty up a closet. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lookin good! I have an AWFUL ironing board cover I got in a pinch when I was moving – it’s covered in pink and green cartoon cats and was the only one left (not surprised!), and I needed it badly. I was single at the time and now married, but my husband doesn’t even mention the cats, but it bothers me! It’s so tacky!
Definitely like the ironing board pointing up – it does look a little wonky pointing down…imo. Also – LOVE the knobs!
Ditto, ditto- double points for $herdog today from me.
I like it pointing up. Otherwise, it’s like an arrow pointing at the floor. I like it drawing the eyes upwards as opposed to down. And I agree – Loving the knobs.
It’s gotta point up. Otherwise it looks like a dart aiming for the floor. Super cute laundry makeover!!!
I agree with Sherry, Pointing up for sure
John, hilarious post! But I’m still with Sherry on the pointing up ;)
I say pointing down (John’s way) for SURE. It covers the entire fuse box which is kinda the purpose, right? Can’t wait to see where you end up. Yes, I am excited to see how you hang your ironing board and I don’t care who knows it!
Chris loves Julia
I completely agree with Julia. The ironing board looks odd pointing down like a bullet/dart/arrow, but covers the fuse box best this way.
I’m with you John: I prefer it pointing down (picture on the right). Plus it hides more the fuse box.
Exactly what I was going to say! It hides more of the fuse box when pointing down.
Just what I was going to say, too! I like it better down, but it also better hides the fuse box.
I agree! I like it up but the fact that it hides the fuse box more when pointing down got me.
Lookin’ good! And another vote for “pointing down”. I’m with John.
I was thinking the same thing!
Here’s another consideration for deciding how to hang the board: When you grab it to take it down and use it, will it be easy/ convenient to set it up without turning around, etc.? I like it pointing down cuz if I were taking it down, it would already be pointing to the right when standing, which is how I would use it. Does that make any sense? I also like how it hides the utility box better this way.
I like it better pointing up, but I think the fact that it hides the fuse box makes the whole thing look cleaner and more neat overall.
Ooops, I meant to say “that it the fact that it hides the fuse box while pointing DOWN makes the whole thing look cleaner and more neat overall” So my vote is for down.
Sophie’s right–pointing down looks best, because it hides all of the fuse box. Pointing up, it makes the hooks really stand out, which isn’t what you want the focal point of the room to be, now that you have those awesome built-ins :)
I agree with John! lol I love this poll taking thing. Fun!
btw I love the pink champagne knobs!
I agree…LOVE the board point down…sorry Sherry :-)
One more vote for down!
I was going to say the same thing.
Love your blog! Check in every day and sometimes more.
Clara and Burger are so cute. I haven’t seen Burger in a while tho.
Another vote for pointing down because it hides more of the fuse box; sorry Sherry.
I just stumbled across this site… I’m totally enamored! And I vote “down”. It’s eclectic and has a fun house effect.
I like it pointing down…like the others have said, it hides more of the fuse box that way!
This sentence made me crack up.
“… that one won’t bang either (right now it swings the other way).”
It must be Friday!
Oh yeah- our washer and dryer go both ways. Haha.
xo,
s
That is one gorgeous iron cover! And I like it pointing up. Also, those white cabinet doors look like the perfect canvas for a stencil art!
Will you guys come fix up my sad space of a laundry room? Yours looks so bright and happy! Mine is all cinder blocks and ancient appliances, with a scary looking piece of carpet that I’m afraid to touch barefoot.
I’m with Sherry on how the ironing board should be hung up on the wall. It seems more….normal? Appealling? Maybe now I’ll finally get around to getting an ironing board, just so I can get an awesome cover like that!
definitely iron board facing down, only because it covers the panel box ENTIRELY with the thicker part of the board covering it!
It’s looking great! I love that ironing board cover! I have to agree with Sherry on the placement of the ironing board. The “upside down” way makes it feel top heavy. Sorry John!
LOVE the hooks-as-hanger solution! And I agree with Sherry that hanging the ironing board upside down is weird and wrong, EXCEPT that it better covers the fuse box that way. So I’m torn. (Much like your old ironing board cover. Fortunately, I’m not also stained with no-sew hem tape. Ouch!)
I’m very much with Sherry: the ironing board should point up. Just because it’s weird the other way.
Cute room!
Switching the direction the drier door opens takes all of five minutes. It’ll feel better when it’s done. JUST DO IT!
Hanging down for sure! it hides the fuse box perfectly :)
I would have never thought to hang an ironing board there! I’m also with you John. I agree Sophie, it does hide the fusebox more. Either way, it looks great :)
I think I like the board hanging down (so I guess that makes me Team John) but it doesn’t look bad when it’s facing the other way either. I guess it’s like the great toilet paper debate: over or under. Everyone will always disagree.
So clever to hang it over the fuse box and I love that the cabinet’s knobs match the ironing board cover (btw, I love the way Bill says “Sookie” – have you ever seen that video montage of everyone saying her name?? Hysterical!)!
The room is coming along great! Love it so far!
Off to google that video montage. Sounds like a Friday activity to me. Haha.
xo,
s
Here’s the link in case you can’t find it! Enjoy!
Bwahahahah. I love how intense it gets at the end. Haha.
xo,
s
That video was amazing!!! :)
I love when Sookie imitates Bill at the end!
…and now your ironing board looks like nice laundry room art.
I recently came across your blog and I am in love with your home and what you did in your laundry room! It looks fantastic and I am loving the ironing board on the wall!! What a neat idea!!
Laundry board pointing UP! It just looks wrong the other way.
Also, I love that you both watch True Blood and do Bill Compton’s “Sook-eh” impression! My boyfriend and I watch and he does his best “Southern vampire from Louisiana” voice every time :)
Agreed! I vote for “up”, too.
Yes, definitely up!
Love the iron cover! So cute.
hanging it bottoms up (pointing downward) better covers the electrical box! Looks great!
I love the ironing board cover, but I’m definitely with Sherry on the hanging direction! Also, I love the clean white window trim and think you’re right to consider avoiding a window treatment in such a small space.
I’m an Ironing Board Pointing Up Girl myself! Room looks great no matter which way the wind blows or the ironing board points…
no way. sherry is right – it looks upside down and weird your way john. sorry ;)
I like the pointing up look, it just seems to please my eye better, but Johns way looks like it hides the fuse box better. This is a he said, she said kinda argument!
$her-dog is right: pointy-side up for ironing board storage! It looks upside down the other way. Plus it seems like more work to take it down and put it into it’s ‘ready for use’ position if it was “John’s way”… although I just stood up and tried it out on my imaginary ironing board and that it’s true… there isnt’ any extra flipping. BUT it looks that way!
DISCLAIMER: if my husband did all the laundry, I’d let him put the ironing board however he wanted. Hahaha ;-)
True Blood, Walking Dead & Dexter – are you my long lost soul mates!? The hubster and I are just starting season two of True Blood, and can’t wait for season 2 of Walking Dead this October! Does anyone ever tell you that you might be slightly disturbed and/or twisted!? Love it! You’re projects are always fun to watch and your choice in entertainment makes you so easy to relate too… keep up the excellently twisted work!
Yes- we often wonder about that ourselves. Why do we love such morbid TV? We also watched every last episode of Six Feet Under. Best finale ever!!!
xo,
s
Maybe that will have to be our next series!
Oh yeah. It’ll take you forever to get through but it’s so awesome and bittersweet when it’s over.
xo,
s
I don’t think this is weird, you guys are definitely not the only ones — I loved Six Feet Under! And now The Walking Dead…don’t know about True Blood or Dexter. The Walking Dead season one finale gave me the shivers! ;)
You have to check out Dexter and True Blood! I bet you’ll love them!
xo,
s
I didn’t know the Walking Dead was coming back on so soon. Thanks for making my morning 10 times more exciting :D!
Also, True Blood and Dexter are amazing!
I like the ironing board pic on the right! It hides more of the fuse box and you get more fabric at eye-level…if that even makes sense? Haha. It looks great in there! Love the pink champagne knobs too.
I totally agree with $herdog, as I had the exact same thought (It looks “upside down and weird”) when I saw the picture on the right BEFORE I read your commentary. Otherwise- I love it!!!
So cute. Love the new ironing board cover.
Team Sherry here ~ I like the ironing board with the small end up!!
How about a faux wood white blind in there?
http://www.justblinds.com/
That’s definitely another possibility! Then we could open them for more light and close them if we wanted privacy. Kind of torn between that and frosting the windows though. Hmm.
xo,
s
A thought – frost the window but stencil it with the ironing board cover design (maybe in a larger scale). More “art” without impinging on your space. Now I’m just assuming you would be able to cut out parts of the frosting film after you hung it on the window – I could be wrong!
That would be so much fun!
xo,
s
I’m with John. Definitely more fuse box coverage. Looks great!
What a lovely, sunny and cheerful laundry room you two have created! I think its absolutely fab :) Way to make a room that is often avoided (with dread :), a welcoming and happy place to be. I’m inspired to spruce up my own space now. Thanks for all the great ideas, and for always being such a cheerful site to visit. Visiting your site always makes me smile. A nice way to start the day! All the best :)
Sorry John- I have to agree with Sherry on this one- ironing board pointing up! Love the new cover :)
Voting for Sherry’s way- UP! :) And I just love the fabric and the knobs…everything is coming together so nicely!
pointing down vote :)
I’d think board pointing up would be easier to put it on and take it off. Seems a little cramped trying to move it with the thicker part on top. Adorable cover!
Love the ironing board cover! I have to go with Sherry, I think it looks better pointing up.
My vote is for the ironing board pointing up because the heavier end will be at the bottom so you won’t overbalance and hit yourself in the head when you take it off the hooks. As a short person, I appreciate these things.
I kinda like the ironing board upside down since it covers the fuse box better. And I have that same fabric! It’s sitting in my project pile, waiting to be made into some cute curtains for our bathroom.
I am definitely with Sherry and prefer the ironing board pointing up! Love the fabric of the new cover :)
The Laundry Room is looking great – and I’m with Sherry, an ironing board should always be hung pointing up – it looks wonky the other way.
I definitely vote for John’s way because Sherry’s way leaves too much of the fuse box exposed…
Such a cute ironing board cover…makes me want to “spiff” mine up!
i agree that pointed down looks better because it hides more of the fuse box. if it weren’t for that, i’d prefer it pointed up.
also, what about just frosting the window to match the door? or something fun like the gallery glass faux stained glass? we did that for our kitchen windows after taking taking down some super gross blinds that the previous owners had there.
That’s definitely a possibility- especially since that carport will someday be a garage so we planned to do that then. Maybe sooner though!
xo
s
You should continue the fabric search and make a roman shade or even a valence that matches the new ironing board cover!
I’m with Sherry – like it pointing up ;)
The pic on the left is definitely correct! That’s how a wife would hang it :-) I love the new cover as well. Changing out the cover into something fresh in new almost makes ya wanna iron even more!… Almost…
I never thought I’d be so excited about a laundry room makeover, but I am! I HATE our laundry room with a passion but we must get it functional soon. It’s so dark and dingy. I think some white trim and a fun color is just what we need (in addition to…er..storage stuff)! With a bambino coming in a few months and cloth diapers that will for sure need to be washed, I don’t think I can avoid that room any longer. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Where ironing board covers come to die. HA! you kill me. Wow this room is really coming together. Although I think John’s way looks upside down, I think it looks better because it covers more of the fuse box.
Imma gone vote for $herdog’s way. Sorry John.
The new knobs ARE just like pink champagne!
We have a massive ironing board because it’s mainly my boyfriend who uses it and he’s massive 6ft 8. Luckily it’s a lovely wooden one with a linen cover sold by Ikea so I don’t mind too much that it lives behind the door in our living room, even though as I mentionned it’s huge (Tallest I could find in the UK!). (We never really shut the door anyway since we keep all our cords and chargers on the back of it).
Your laundry makeover is really inspiring. It’s made that little narrow room so cheerful. Pink champagne will do that to a room!
PS. We call Sookie “Thuk-eh” in our house because of that creepy way Bill says her name. Haven’t seen series 3 though.
Oooh I love the wooden ironing board. So fancy!
xo,
s