laundry room shelves

22 July 2009

I decided I wanted to have some storage in the empty space between my washer and dryer, so when I found this shelf at a yard sale last month for $7, I snatched it up.

It's not real wood, but for the laundry room, it will do the trick and the price was right. I primed it with 2 coats of Kilz Premium, and then used 2-3 coats of leftover paint from my bathroom cabinets, using a small foam roller. I also knew I wanted to utilize the space behind the shelf with easy access, so I screwed in these wheels on the bottom:
you can buy them in packs of 2 for about $4 something each at Lowes or HD:

It's really hard to photograph black painted shelves in bad light, but here they are after the paint and wheels. I also didn't want to expose everything on the shelves, so I knew I needed some fabric. I looked online, at JoAnn's, Hancocks, and Hobby Lobby here in town, and really couldn't find anything I loved for under 17.99 a yard.
I was in TJ Maxx and saw this yummy twin quilt for 19.99~I was wishing that I could find fabric that looked exactly like this and a light went on. Great inspiration happens in that store, I'm telling you! Use the quilt for your fabric, Melissa! It works out to be about 7 dollars a yard, PLUS the edges were finished, AND it was the perfect pattern that I had in mind.
I bring it home, and start cutting it up. {gasp} I know, but if you have been with me long, you know I'm not afraid to whip out my trusty scissors (like I did here and here) if I have a crazy vision of what it could be in the end.
I cut two sections, leaving the cute scallop for the side and bottom and then bring out the glue gun and fold and glue the top and side that I've cut. If you know me "sewing maching" is not in my decor vocabulary. As I'm taking these pictures I realize I've folded the wrong side over! Brilliant me.
So, I rip it off and start it over. The beauty of hot glue. Then, I take a small tension rod (it's like a miniature shower curtain rod that gets longer or shorter when you twist it)
and run it through the top of the fold I created with the glue gun

Then, I adjust the tension rod to the inside of the shelf, and ta-da:

we have hidden storage! Just what is behind that curtain, you ask? I love to know what is on people's shelves as well:


Top shelf: Laundry soap and softener, in the black bin (from dollar tree) is stained clothing that needs extra attention.
2nd shelf: plastic 3 drawer holds my glue gun, glue sticks, measuring tapes, and extension cords. The black bin holds home dry cleaning stuff, and extra laundry stuff like goo gone, fels naptha soap, and Zout stain remover.
Bottom shelf: black bin holds birthday candles, decorations, and gift bags. The bucket is used as a garbage.

Then, if you wheel the shelf out, you'll see lots of Christmas gift bags from Target clearance hanging on a nail, an extra drill battery charging, empty boxes (I'm a box monger~I love having the perfect box on hand if I need it), a bag full of papers and packaging for sending packages, and lots of empty frames and yard sale finds waiting to be made over.

Whoa, this was a long post, but I'm so excited things are getting accomplished little by little. Do you see my painted walls? Yea, yea! It's coming along! My sweet friend (thank you Sherilyn!) took my oldest 3 for the whole afternoon while I got me a sonic chiller, put my babies down for a nap, and went to town in the laundry room.

I'm joining Kimba's DIY Party today:

DIY Day @ ASPTL

Go, and be inspired by all the DIY projects!

35 comments

  1. Ok I did gasp a little bit when you cut the quilt, but oh my! Fabulous!

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  2. Melissa, Your laundry room is coming along great. I was a "blue" voter, but I am really liking the green so far. No gasping on the quilt cutting. My mom taught me years ago that you can use bedsheets for curtains!

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  3. NO gasp here....u are a lady after my own heart....not afraid as long as the end result is fab...which it is! cherry

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  4. I love how you cut the quilt! I turned a duvet cover into a set of flannel sheets this week.(I didn't need a duvet cover, I needed new flannel sheets. The duvet was cheaper than new sheets!) I say find a fabric that you love and use it the way that you need to, not the way it is usually used!

    That quilt is beautiful BTW.

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  5. I really love this!! Since the spot between my washer and dryer is narrow (less than 1 foot) I'm thinking I could turn the thing sideways and just wheel it out when I need to get something. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. Melissa -
    That is just the cutest thing. I love the color and the fabric. You are amazing!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  7. Georgous!! ingenius!!

    Now..how do I get me a laundry room?

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  8. Wow, I love the way you used the quilt - I am also one that doesn't have the word sewing machine in my vocabulary, so I LOVE that you did this without one! Now I'm inspired...I just LOVE your blog and have been checking in for a while now and thought it was time I outed myself as a fan! :)

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  9. Hi Melissa !
    What a great difference ! So useful too....love it ! The things we do to craft.....LOL !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

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  10. I think I'd go get another one and make a valance window treatment.

    Don't forget to come by for this weeks free give away. Sign up by 10 pm Friday. Then check out my newest addition Its So Very Cheri 2 - OUR FAVORITE THINGS.

    Cheri
    www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

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  11. I gasped about cutting the quilt - it is so very cute! You are so busy, you inspire me, and put me to shame!

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  12. Wow, I love it! You did a great job!

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  13. LOVE the new shelf. It is so functional and cute to boot! I've never been brave enough to cut up a quilt, but I have cut up many sheets and tablecloths for fabric. It's looking great!

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  14. First of all, I stand in awe at the difference the black paint made. This is gorgeous!
    Love the project..
    The colors you chose are perfect!

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  15. Well, that turned out great, didn't it? I love it! Also--my sewing machine (bought for me second hand by my mother-in-law, a seamstress extraordinaire)is being used as a doorstop in my closet. Handy and guilt-inducing at the same time!

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  16. BrIlLiAnT! Fabulous Job! Was that bookshelf laminate??? If so, was it really that simple to paint?!?!

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  17. Oh my, what a transformation! Thanks for sharing your project :) I have 2 of those ugly shelves with plans to paint them. Did you use any kind of sealer on top? I'm thinking I might because they're going in my great room area.

    Have a great day!
    ~Michelle

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  18. Looks great! I adore that fabric/quilt.

    I am addicted to Sonic Chillers and almost cried when I found out they were for a limited time only...My waistline will thank me when the time is up but they are sooo good!

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  19. It's perfect. I love black with green!

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  20. I am thinking that I need to go and find me a quilt to cut up. Oh, the possibilites!! I have never painted the fake wood before. Never was too sure how it would turn out, even with the primer. I was always afraid that It would chip. Guess not. NOw, I will not be so afraid to buy the crappy fake wood peices.

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  21. The quilt is perfect and adds texture to the space!!
    Awesome job, can hardly wait to see the finished product!!

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  22. looks great! i am looking to do something like that too but a much more slimmer shelf cos i dont have that much room in between the dryer and washer.

    http://anhesty.blogspot.com

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  23. Wow, I want to come do my laundry at your house. Everything looks so inviting. I love how you redid the shelf, too - so clever!

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  24. I love the shelves! I have been a little chicken to paint a similar shelf, but you've inspired me. I can't wait to see your whole laundry room!

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  25. great idea! i love the way it turned out.

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  26. It looks great! I did something similar in my laundry not too long ago and love the extra storage! Love your quilted fabric too. :)

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  27. The wheels were pure inspiration! And got the wheels in my head turning as well. I need something like this--I hate my laundry room now.

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  28. Love it! Your soooo creative!! Love that quilt too, the colors are soooo pretty!

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  29. Love your creative storage solution! I'm a big fan of tension rods--they come in handy in so many applications.

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  30. You are a clever girl...and I love the quilt/curtains. So cute!

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  31. You are a girl after my own heart. I love TJMaxx....what a store. About the makeover! Brillant......amazaing what a crafty girl ....like you...can come up with!

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  32. Was this formica type on the shelf...like those tv carts if you know what I mean...can you paint those and should it be primed? Please help a non crafty girl....

    I love your creation and the material is yummy! I am just loving all of this!

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  33. I love that idea! I am heading to Big Lots for a cheap bookshelf for the laundry room, too! I almost bought that quilt-I love the fabric-but, silly me -I was going to use it as a quilt!!! Ah, the possibilities!
    ~Nancy

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  34. I'm so glad to see how well that turned out, I found a dresser at the GW that would be perfect for my daughter's room, but was anxious about painting the "wood." Great job, as usual!

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