Wednesday, October 16, 2013

26 Reader Space: A Surprising Laundry Closet

They say life surprises you when you least expect it.... Well, today's reader space took this gal by surprise when I least expected it.  Like I literally gasped out loud.  You have got to see this!


Kristin Jackson of The Hunted Interior, astounds me daily with her ability to make everything she touches look like a million bucks.  She is the queen of taking thrift store finds and every day objects and giving them a high-end chic look.  Her laundry closet is no exception.  And not only did she take a typical space and make it beautiful, unique and functional, she also added secret wow-factor storage.  Here she is now!


What is the main function of this space?

"We pack a lot of functions into this tiny space.  First & foremost, Laundry takes precedence in this area so storage for our detergents & general home cleaners is a must.  As well as a bit of linen storage (we keep our guest linens here so they are easy to grab in a pinch) We also use this as our tool storage.  Incorporating the pegboard as a vertical storage space has really changed the way we use this space."



Any superstar tips for keeping it organized?

"If you take something out & use it… PUT IT BACK!  We haven't had any missing tools or cleaners since we organized this space.  We are still organized a few months later!  Which is huge for us."


What items did you find were essential when organizing this space, and why?

"The storage tower we found was exactly what we needed.  The size was perfect & it saved us the time from having to build one ourselves.  And the pegboard really turned this standard laundry closet into a really functional space."




Wait, what?  Pegboard?  I don't see any pegboard.  Show me the pegboard!


Now that is amazing!



 
What did you do to go the extra mile and "Make it Pretty"?

"When looking for a storage tower I was thrilled when I found this one as it has a little style to it.  And adding the black & white dragonfly wrapping paper to the back was a cheap & cheerful solution to add a little interest." 




What items did you DIY to stay on a budget?

"The wrapping paper 'wallpaper'.


The Peg Board Sliding Door was custom.  No one else has this exact situation in their home, so we had to completely customize this for our space.  Luckily it's been a problem area since we moved in six years ago, so we were willing to really take the time to think out how the door would work."


How has this space impacted your life for the better?

"While I would love to say I am super organized & put together… sadly I am not.  This area though has inspired me that everything needs it's place.  We are trying to implement some of this into other areas of our little home as well."



Were you taken by surprise like I was?  I think I heard gasps all across the nation just now!  Oh, and one more gasp, let's take a look at the side by side before and after of this organized laundry closet:



I think it is obvious why I heart this so much, but here is a quick recap:

  • I adore her black laundry doors.  I know they weren't part of the before and after makeover, but they are incredible.
  • Adding a tall shelving unit/tower, maximized the slim vertical space.
  • The wrapping paper contrasts beautifully and really looks like high-end wallpaper.  $3 beats $70 any day in my book!
  • OK, that hidden rolling pegboard.  My heart stopped.  LOVE it!  So original.  And it doubled their storage space!
  • The pegboard gets all of their tools off of the floor and organized in a fashion in which they can both access them in a jiff. 
  • Of course, you all know that I adore that she decanted some of her powders and dryer sheets into pretty containers.  And then she added pretty labels also.... sigh....
  • She really paid attention to every last detail.  Even the twine on the wrapping paper is functional and pretty.
  • Baskets win every.single.time.

Just know I am virtually hugging Kristin in a slightly awkward way, because I am so over the moon for this project.  You can snag all of the details over at her gorgeous blog here.

Let's chat about secret storage.  Do you have any storage that is unexpected and would create awesome shock value?  What is the most creative way you have maximized limited space?


ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!

26 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I saw this on Kristen's blog and I too, LITERALLY gasped when I saw it. SO creative!

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  2. I would love to hear more details about how they installed the sliding pegboard.

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    1. We used a basic sliding track door/pocket door system attached to the pegboard.

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  3. Wow! The sliding pegboard is so clever! And I looove the dragonfly wrapping paper...I was just about to ask where you got the gorgeous wallpaper from when I read that. Genius!!

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  4. What an awesome pegboard idea! I love that it is sooo large and takes advantage of a thin space that would not have been used otherwise!

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  5. Amazing! Such a fantastic use of space. Pure genius!

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  6. Beautiful! Where did you find the dragonfly wrapping paper? Thanks!

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  7. This making want a stackable laundry unit so, so, so bad!!!!

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  8. Wow...I'm super impressed with what she did with this space. I've never seen sliding peg board like that and it's completely genius!!! I'm thinking of where I can put that in my house. I love the before and after too because it really shows how any space can be organized well.

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  9. Wow, that peg board is something I have never seen used that way before. Fantastic!

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  10. Love it! Great job!! I snagged a bunch of that textured wrapping paper from HomeGoods. My favorite!

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  11. The most creative way you have maximized limited space is by turning the storage closet under our U-shaped staircase into a kids' playroom, aka "hideout" as they call it.

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  12. Love it! Where did she find the 2 white containers for her powders and sheets? I NEED those!

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    1. Hi Colleen!

      I believe they are these from World Market: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/ivory+vintage+scalloped+top+canisters.do?&from=Search, they also come in a pretty teal blue color. :)

      xo!

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  13. Oh Em Gee! I LOVE this! I was wondering though, if you or she might clue some of us not-so-nifty folk how to install a rolling pegboard? I want to do this myself! Not with laundry, but I can think of forty other ways to use it!
    Thanks for sharing, this is awesome!
    Emily

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    1. Thanks Emily! We attached a 1x4 frame to the back of the peg board to allow it to be the thickness of a "door". Then we installed a simple sliding door/pocket door track to the ceiling. This allows it to slide out. The sliding tracks can be found at Home Depot or Lowes... Hope this helps!

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    2. So, how did you put a hole in the wall for it to slide in and out of?

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  14. I love the closet inside a closet. Is the inner closet hard to open?

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  15. Where does the peg board go when out of sight? Is the closet wider than the door opening? I'm having a hard time visualizing where it is sliding in and out from. I truly love this idea and want to see if I can adapt itfor my space. EXCELLENT POST!!!

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