After adding a new light fixture and some shoe storage this week—and deciding to skip a window treatment for now and simply frost the window when we convert the carport into a garage—we had just one last item left on our list:
- Frost the side door for privacy — see more here
- Remove the narrow shelving that got blocked by the door — removed; details here
- Remove the old shutters that blocked light — done; before/after here
- Replace old inefficient stacked top loaders with Energy Star front loaders — scored a deal; read about it here
- Caulk a big crack in the ceiling — fixed; progress here
- Paint odd brown quarter round glossy white — completed; photos here
- Redo dinged trim in semi-gloss white — refreshed; see here
- Paint the walls — done; details here
- Replace the dryer hose with a safer all-metal version — complete; read here
- Add adjustable built-in shelving next to the washer & dryer — installed; see here
- Prime & paint the upper cabinetry and replace hardware — refreshed; progress here
- Hang the ironing board to obscure the fuse box — clever cover-up here
- Add functional storage near the door for shoes — done; details here
- Create a light fixture — handmade clothespin fixture; tutorial here
- Hang art to keep the room cheerful and store Burger’s leash — finished
For the big blank wall next to the door we wanted something flat enough not to get whacked by the door, but still useful and attractive. A few weeks ago we found an inexpensive mirror at a neighborhood yard sale for $10, the same sale where we picked up our twig & berry art. The mirror was a great fit: it brightens the adjoining windowless kitchen, visually enlarges the tiny space, and gives us a last look before heading out the door.
Because the mirror warned “do not hang with wire,” I planned the hanging carefully. I tore printer paper in half, taped each strip over the mirror’s hook plates (taping part of each strip behind the mirror and leaving a tab exposed), then poked a hole through each tab where the screws needed to go. While holding the mirror level and centered, my helper pressed the exposed paper tabs to the wall to mark the screw locations. After drilling pilot holes and installing heavy-duty anchors, the mirror hung perfectly. Two people made the process easy: one to hold and one to check placement and secure the tabs while the mirror came away from the wall.
We debated refinishing the mirror frame. Our instinct was to paint it white, oil-rubbed bronze, or the deep teal used on the built-ins, but lately we’ve been embracing a mix of finishes and letting some older pieces keep their original character. For now the mirror’s crackled gold finish stays; if the kitchen gets stainless appliances later we may revisit the decision.
Alongside the mirror we hung two textured frames we already owned from the Pottery Barn Outlet to display favorite family photos above our new shoe cabinet. A white bowl stores Burger’s leash, and a small pink vase (a Target find) adds a pop of color that ties into the ironing board cover. These personal touches make the laundry room feel less purely functional and more like part of the home.
The top photo in the frames is a recent family portrait from our Outer Banks trip and the bottom is a candid taken by a friend. Accidental color coordination with the room’s palette was a bonus. We also included a little iron bee we thrifted in Delaware, leaving it unpainted for a collected, layered look.
With these additions the laundry room is officially complete for now. It’s the first space in the house where we’ve made this much measurable progress, maybe because it’s compact—practically the size of a bathroom stall—but that meant quick, impactful changes. Below is a concise budget summary of the recent updates:
- New Energy Star front loading washer/dryer: $388 (after selling old set for $250)
- Frosting film (Home Depot): $18
- Paint and caulk: $0 (already owned)
- Built-in shelves (materials): $74
- Ironing board cover: $24
- Ironing board hooks: $12
- Cabinet knobs: $8
- Shoe cabinets (Ikea): $38
- Clothespin light fixture (homemade): $34
- Mirror (yard sale): $10
- Family photos: $1
- Pink vase (Target): $7
- Other accessories: $0 (already owned)
- Total: $624*
*If you needed to buy every consumable—including caulk, a quart of paint, frames, a laundry basket, and a small hook—you might spend roughly $682 total.
We’re thrilled with how the space turned out: practical, brighter, and a little more personal. Whether you’re tackling a tiny laundry room or just looking to add a mirror and some art, a few small changes can make a big difference.