As much as we love our new built-in shelves in the laundry room, they interfered with the previous ironing-board storage setup — you know, the one that clanged every time the washer spun. It was clear the ironing board needed a new home. At first we considered building a cubby into the built-ins, but we wanted to preserve maximum space for baskets, bins, and bowls. We thought about hiding the board in a closet elsewhere in the house, but it felt like it belonged in the laundry room — just not looking battered and ugly.
Those dark streaks on the cover? They turned out to be residue from Sherry’s frequently used no-sew hem tape. An earlier, more playful cover had also been torn, so the ironing board was looking worse for wear. Sherry considered sewing a new cover, but after browsing Etsy for inspiration she bought a handmade cover she loved — the fabric was hard to find locally. For about $24 we had a charming new cover that she’s actually excited to show off and vowed not to ruin.
Do I get husband points for letting her go with pink? Even I admit it looks great against the grellow walls.
Leaning the board against the wall wasn’t an acceptable storage solution. We wanted to hang it on the wall so it would be out of the way but still removable for ironing in a larger room when needed. We considered a pulley system, but the space is narrow, so a simple wall-mounted solution made more sense. The wall opposite the door was perfect, since it also helped hide a couple of painted-over fuse boxes.
Hanging the ironing board there is also practical: removing the board grants access to the fuse box, much like taking a framed photo down. Since the store-bought ironing board hooks we found all included an iron holder (and our iron isn’t pretty enough to display), we repurposed two jumbo coat hooks from Lowe’s — about $6 each — and mounted them with long wood screws into studs for a secure hold and to avoid wiring near the fuse box.
The hooks worked perfectly and passed The Wife Test. We debated which way to hang the board: Sherry preferred the tip-up orientation, while I liked the other direction. Either way, it sits well and stays out of the way of the washer and dryer so we don’t bang into it when opening the doors. Plus it’s positioned to cover the fuse box as intended.
At the same time we were updating the ironing-board storage, we took on another small project: refreshing the upper cabinet doors. The built-in cabinets were great for hiding clutter, but their off-white color clashed with the freshly painted white trim and the old hardware looked dated.
We removed the doors, knobs, and hinges. The old hardware — white eyeball knobs and brass hinges — came off and was replaced with pink glass knobs and brushed nickel hinges. The knobs were inexpensive from Hobby Lobby after a sale, and the hinges were standard sets from Home Depot. Together they instantly refreshed the cabinets with a more updated, fun look.
Before installing the new hardware, we primed with a no-VOC Kilz primer and applied two thin coats of white semi-gloss paint. The difference is subtle in photos but noticeable in person. With paint and hardware in place the doors were reinstalled within a couple of days; we kept them slightly open for an extra day to avoid sticking.
It’s not a dramatic makeover, but sometimes small updates make the biggest difference. Sherry says the pink knobs remind her of pink champagne — fancy in her book.
What’s actually inside those cabinets? Mostly junk: a drill, paint supplies, occasional laundry items, bungee cords, and a few saws — you know, the usual assortment of tools and odds and ends.
Before I go, here’s our updated laundry room to-do list:
- Replace the dryer hose with a safer all-metal one
- Install adjustable built-in shelving in the nook next to the stacked washer and dryer
- Prime and paint the upper cabinetry
- Replace the hinges and knobs on the upper cabinets
- Hang the ironing board to obscure the fuse box (done)
- Get a new light fixture — possibly DIY a small chandelier
- Add a window treatment — still deciding
- Add functional storage near the door for shoes and pet supplies
- Hang some art to keep the space cheerful
We’re still debating a window treatment. The window doesn’t present a privacy issue and a shade might crowd the space since it sits so close to the built-ins, so we’re planning to decide after picking a light fixture.
How about you? Any small projects you’re planning to cross off your list this weekend — new hardware, a fresh coat of paint, or a simple storage upgrade? And if you have an ironing board cover you love a little too much, we hear you.