Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Bathroom Closet/Laundry Organizing

A few weekends ago I decided to "tackle" my bathroom closet/laundry area. Well lets step back to when I was pregnant and start from there...hiking up and down 3 levels to our cold, wet, unfinished basement to do laundry became a chore I dreaded! We came across a great deal on front load stackable washers and decided to turn our over sized bathroom closet into an upstairs laundry area. We installed the washer/dryer and some standard white wire shelves and there it sat gathering stuff until it looked like this...ugghh...

And I couldn't take it anymore. Even worse was our vanity closets and drawers that I dove right into before I even remembered to take before pictures (just trust me it was BAD, I had more make-up, hair products, and travel soaps then anyone could ever use). Here's a picture of under the sink where we keep our cleaning supplies(and apparently other stuff that didn't have a place).












And the cutest helper EVER! Cheese!


I love all those organizing stores, like The Container Store, and could get lost in them for hours, BUT I wanted to do this project with a $50 budget. And lets be realistic...containers are expensive.  You could easily spend $50 and get only two baskets.

I picked up these AWESOME laundry baskets that match the whole black and white color scheme I have in my bathroom for only $9.99, $7.99, and $5.99 at Ross.  Having 3 baskets will allow us to separate whites, lights, and darks :) 


















I had one of these black fold out baskets I had gotten a few years ago, but I picked up two more for $12.99 at Target.  The laundry basket on the shelf has been my sons since he was born, we like to keep his clothes separate.  The rest of the containers I picked up at the Dollar Store!
I also found a black laundry basket, that now sits on top of the washer and dryer for delicates and hand wash items for $9.99 at Target (I do LOVE that store!).  And I can't forget the adorable sign I found at Home Goods for $3.99...yay!












And then I spent the day weekend organizing, purging, and cleaning!  Once I found everything a home, I broke out my Cricket and black vinyl (you could just as easily hand write the labels as well) and made some labels with some scrapbook paper and transparent contact paper.  Punched a hole and tied them to each basket or container. 

And here is the AFTER:
Laundry Closet

 Vanity (excuse the M&M dispenser in the bathroom, we are trying to potty train...LOL)


I am THRILLED with how everything turned out and now that everything has a place, it makes doing laundry a little bit more tolerable.  Total cost: $58.94 (not too bad)!

I linked up to Beneath My Heart's Laundry Room Organization Linky Party

13 comments:

  1. I love laundry and organizing, too, Kara. :) Have you been to The Laundress Web site? Expensive products, but really fun to look at.

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  2. hey there i am following from mbc. you can check me out at
    http://www.twin-imaging.blogspot.com/

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  3. This looks great. You did a wonderful job!

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  4. I am so jealous of your laundry room, I am now inspired to do mine! I will enjoy following your blog.

    Summer

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  5. Found you on Mom Bloggers and glad I did. You site is really well designed and your little monkey is absolutely adorable!

    My site is dedicated to infant stimulation activities. Hope you will visit and enjoy enough to follow, www.babysmartees.blogspot.com

    Have a peaceful evening, Paula

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  6. Love the blog! And definitely a great (inexpensive) laundry room makeover. Is a Cricket like a Silhouette? I'm new to the blogging world :)

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  7. Those are some great canvas baskets and I love your little labels you made, too cute!

    Found you from the link up at Beneath my Heart!

    Megan

    New follower!

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  8. You did a great job! What a crisp, clean color scheme!

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  9. Wow! That looks great! I love the black and white. :)
    I bet you are loving being so organized! :)
    Thank you for linking up to my party and for following my blog.
    It's so nice to "meet" you.
    Blessings,
    Traci

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  10. What a great idea to add an upstairs laundry. You have me thinking. I have three flights of stairs to haul laundry up too. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. So envious of your transformation! I only dream of a laundry room that nice some day (and very impressed with the total cost - cute and frugal is even more impressive)

    (Following from over at MBC - glad I found you!)

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  12. Love the black and white- it's so classic! Great job!

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  13. THis looks great and how wonderful to have your washer and dryer in your bathroom!!! Ours is close by and I have realized what a blessing that is! Great job!

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