First things first…can we just all agree that as long as it ends up as the dumping ground for all things “muddy” it can be declared a “Mudroom“?
Although, considering I live in the Pacific NW, any room in my house could technically be considered the Mudroom! Nonetheless, I am so grateful for this space which holds most of the mud. It is also our laundry room and is the first actual laundry room I ever had. My previous ones included a space in the garage in our first home and a little closet with bi-fold doors in the family room of our last house.
Our current Mud/Laundry room is just down the hallway off of our entry and leads to the garage.
It is also the ONLY room which we didn’t paint when we moved in.
Why? Don’t ask me! The only reason I can come up with is that I wasn’t totally sure what color I would want and then it ended up being so challenging to tackle considering how often we are in and out of this room every day. But, with the New Year came New Resolve to get ‘er done!
So, for your viewing pleasure and without further ado, here are a couple of Before photos:
Thankfully, this room gave me lots to work with. Great storage and I have always loved the color of the cabinets in this soft, muddy green. Slate floors are perfect for a room that sees so much traffic.
And having a sink in here is like the icing on the cake.
But, it was pretty blah.
Not any more!!!
Welcome to my newly improved Mudroom!
I am very proud to say that I did 99.9% of this project myself! Painting (soft, pale yellow), installing chair rail, installing bead board and more painting.
And, I just love it!
As you can see in the below pics, I already had the sweet little bench with baskets to store the Rascals shoes.
But the fresh paint and bead board make such a huge difference!
The Bead Board Bulletin Board (say that 5 times fast!) was completed last September but the fresh paint and extra touches just make it feel new all over again!
It always amazes me how a simple can of Spray Paint can make such a huge difference!
In order to keep costs down I gave the existing faucet several coats in an Oiled Bronze.
Now, for the “laundry” side of the room. Yes, I know, our washer and dryer are ancient.
But they just won’t break! A girl can hope right? 
Here is another angle which is coming in from the garage.
Simple Oiled Bronze hooks take the place of one crooked, rickety coat rack.
The bench cushions were merely flipped over for a fresh new look!
The biggest challenge in this space (and where I needed my sweet hubby’s help the most…love ya honey!) was this rounded corner wall you see below. It became the proverbial trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
The problem was solved when I found little trim molding which was curved on the inside and fit perfectly along the edges.
Oh, and A LOT of caulk was used too!
I just couldn’t bring myself to buy all new cabinet hardware…
…so they received a few coats of Oiled Bronze spray paint too!
I also knew I wanted a chalkboard in here (and yes, I am the last person on the planet to make a chalkboard!) but I was really trying to keep this a low-budget project.
So, I dug around under our bed and along with a bunch of dust bunnies I found this old framed painting.
Popped out the glass and the “painting” and gave the frame a nice new chippy finish. A scrap of wood from the garage cut to size and a few coats of Chalkboard paint finished it off!
Ok! Ok!! Don’t all yell at me at once! I do realize that my scrap piece of wood had too much grain showing in it which then came through on the chalkboard but give a girl some credit for trying, huh?!!
This soft roman-shade-ish window treatment was made using leftover fabric from my daughter’s room.
Sweet little vintage prints found in a second-hand store bring in some character.
And I framed this painting which used to hang on the wall of my Great-Grandmother’s home.
Now I see it every day when I leave the house and I love the connection it gives me to her. She made the best biscuits EVER! And Heather and I used to play outside in her front yard and make mud pies which we would then try to sell to our unsuspecting but totally indulging family members!
There is a picture of us doing that somewhere…hmmm..
The colors of this rug are just perfect in here and hide everything!
My favorite little bucket had some life added to it by way of a Begonia and I couldn’t resist bringing in a touch of Valentine’s Day in here with this little caddy filled with goodies.
Well, there you have it folks, my completed Mudroom Makeover.Time to bring back the “stuff” of life so that this room can get to work!
Until next time, thanks so much for joining me at the Fence!
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesdays Treasures
Great makeover!
I just LOVE your new mudroom. I love the soft buttery yellow you chose and the bead board makes a huge difference. The mudroom is the most used room in the house next to the kitchen. You’re actually going to start to like to do laundry I bet. Gorgeous space. Love all the details and I love how you did it all yourself (I rounded up from 99%).
So bright and cheery, makes me actually want to do laundry! Vanessa, want to come over and help me with my laundry room? Fantastic Makeover!
Warm Wishes,
Jodie
It turned out lovely!
Holly
I like the look of the grain in the wood in your chalkboard. sandi
You had some great bones to work with in this room, Vanessa! I love your valance and how the cushions work so well with it. The color is great, too! I am going to have to repaint our laundry/mudroom/garage entrance area because I took down a wire shelf that left a hundred holes. I’m looking to go light since we have no window. Great job and I’ll bet you don’t mind doing laundry! : )
This is fabulous, so light and bright!! Great job on the beadboard and molding, this is just a great space, plus I’d kill for a sink in my laundry room!!!
WOW! It looks great! I am so envious of your laundry/mud room. My laundry room barely fits my w/d. We almost had to take off the baseboards. I am so impressed you did all the beadboard by yourself too!
Gorgeous!! A room like this would make me love to do laundry!!
i love it!!!!!
Vanessa, you did such a wonderful job! It looks beautiful!
I love everything and the window treatment looks gorgeous!
Your before pictures are 100 times better than my current laundry room. It’s the last room in my home I haven’t redone, but it needs a total gut! I love all that storage you have in there! With no basement in our home, I am all about the storage. I love the color combo you choose… you did a beautiful job! So, if you and Heather are ever up in Northern Indiana, bring your tools… YOU’RE HIRED!
Fantastic job, Vanessa! (Wow, that rounded corner would really give me fits, too!) This is such a cheerful room, and I love the print that hung in your grandmother’s house. Such a sweet memory. I hope my grandones feel like that about me someday… By the way, you’re NOT the last one to paint a chalkboard. 🙂
Your mudroom looks great! Such a bright and cheery space! Great job on the chair rail and beadboard too!
What a great makevoer. Love the fresh wite beadboard and all the new touches. As long as the chalk writes on it, it’s all good! And you do get an A for effort =) Enjoy doing laundry in your fab new space! That is one awesome mudroom!!
I love all the little features you did! What a great mudroom! Thanks for sharing!
Your mudroom makeover looks wonderful! Looks very bright! Don’t you just love the beadboard look, I love it! Thanks for sharing!
FANTASTIC! I can hardly stand to come here sometimes because you and Heather can do such great things, and I’m Debbie ThreeThumbs.
I also wanted to tell you that I just read your Sunday post. I hardly ever go anywhere near the computer on Sundays so I nearly missed it.
It was wonderful, and I could relate very much even though my pride was packaged a bit differently and for different reasons. Clearly inspired.
Ohh it looks so nice! Your washer & drier don’t look very old. I’m sure you still have plenty of years left in them! At least they are nice & clean 🙂 Your room looks wonderful! Love the bead board!
Oh my goodness girl this is fabulous. First of all that space is increadible, I’m a little envious. You turned it into a functional beautiful space. I love the sign, obey your parents 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up, hope you have a great week 🙂
XO
Kristin
Oh ps…..keep those ancient wash/dryer till you can because the front loaders still have a lot of upgrades to do 🙂 (mold stink issues)
You have created a cozy and inviting space. I just love the addition of the beadboard – – adds instant charm.
Vanessa, GREAT job on the makeover. I need to do my laundry room and keep putting it off, too. Guess I should get on it. You did a good job of refreshing all your hardware with the bronze paint…and the faucet, too.
Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday- xo Diana
Vanessa, your mud room looks amazing!!! What a fabulous job you did. My laundry room is tiny & not a mud room but I so need to do something to it. You’re inspiring me!
Wow what a great transformation, I love the space and the storage you have in there.
I’m seriously impresses, Vanessa! I’m working on my laundry room now and hope to be able to show it off next week. I love everything you’ve done, and you’ve given me some great inspiration!!
This is some serious gorgeousness!! Great job girl, I love it all, the color and the cushions on the bench are so cute.
I so wish I had mudroom with a sink, that would be heaven!
Enjoy!
xoxoxo
Gorgeous Makeover! Inspiring. I am about to add beadboard to my laundry too. I love it!
Amy
What a bright and cheery transformation. Love all the new touches you added. I always felt that a room that you spend the most time in should be beautiful…makes doing laundry, etc. more pleasant…well, sometimes!!
It looks great – what a difference something as simple as new knobs can make (and great spray painting of the faucet)!! The beadboard and chalkboard are great (if only the kids would obey)!! Just posted my mudroom today – would love you to take a look.
http://www.eclecticallyvintage.com/4/post/2012/01/my-mudroom-some-soggy-socks.html
Kelly
It’s too beautiful to be called a Mudroom! Several years ago we moved the washer/dryer to the basement (gasp!) and turned the what was the laundry room into a mudroom and it’s one of the best decisions we ever made. Kids need a place to throw their stuff. Yours is lovely!
xoxo,
Kim
What a gorgeous room! So much space and I love those cabinets. You really have a lot of storage in there. I had to laugh when you said your washer and dryer just won’t break! We replaced our washer a couple years ago with a front loader but the dryer was still working so my husband wouldn’t agree to replace that…which is a pain because it doesn’t hold as much as the washer does. Plus the washer is 2 inches taller than the dryer so it looks rediculous! I keep hoping our dryer breaks too! Anyway, thanks for sharing your beautiful mudroom!
-Shelley
Ohhhhhhh! So pretty! Vanessa, you did such a good job! You have such a beautiful home! Promise me you’ll link this up at my place Wednesday so I can feature you girls again!
Also, are you still interested in guest posting for me? 🙂
Melody
ChattyChics.com
Great job. I am very impressed. Love the yellow! Turned out georgous! My washer and dryer are probably more anient than yours! Hey, but they work!! LOL
Wow I am a bit jealous if I can be, my ‘room’ is under the stairs where the washer and dryer reside and the shoes are on a shoe ‘cubbie’ in the hallway.
LOVE it…our next house will have an actual utility mud room. Thanks for sharing this.
Looks super fantastic!!
Lorraine
Its lovely and it’s really a big room. Little green with envy!
You did a fabulous job. I love everything you did. I’m a bit envious, I don’t have a mud room 🙁
~Mandy
It was a fantastic and functional space before (I’m more than a bit envious) and looks so fresh and finished now with all your lovely accessories. I love that you used the orb to update the faucet and knobs too.
Just a wonderful spot. Welcoming, practical and bright! Perfect.
I’m very impressed with this transformation! It’s so pretty. It looks like it’s ready for Spring with your new yellow color. I love that fabric you used for your window treatment too. I wish I had a nice mudroom like that. I’m sure it makes you feel better to walk through a decorated room instead of strictly utilitarian one now.
Love the transformation Vanessa! It looks so cheerful and pretty…so it won’t matter as much about all that mud, right? =)
Love the “new” mudroom! The colors are great, the yellow really brightens it up in there. Also love the picture from your grandma, personal and historical, my favorite!
Now I have mudroom envy. That looks great. Love the bead board and the hooks. How clever of you to spray paint the faucet and cabinet hardware! Great project.
Very fresh and bright! I love everything! And I actually think the wood effect on your chalkboard is fantastic!
Jo-Anna
So bright and cheerful. Great job! Love the rug.
Mary Alice
Love love the pale yellow with the cabinets. It all looks so cheerful!
Vanessa, It looks wonderful! I like the wood grain on your chalk board! Oh, and those knobs and faucet. It’s so pretty and if you figure out a way to kill your washer and dryer let me know!
Debbie
Vanessa what a wonderful update!! I DREAM of having a laundry/mud room like that!! All that space a girl could get giddy standing in there!
Girl you have an unbelievable mudroom. I love it. What a great space. I am doing my little box over soon.
Just beautiful…so light and fresh! This summer I am planning to do an entry in our garage as you enetr the downstairs…definitley going to be white!!! Thanks for sharing. :0)
YEA, Vanessa!! It looks awesome! I like everything about it–especially that you did most of it yourself and spent so little $$ on it. You are blessed to have such a large space. If I were to build a dream house, a big mudroom would be pretty much at the top of my list.
About your washer and dryer–my advice (which you didn’t ask for, but I’ll give it anyway!) is to hold onto those as long as you can. If they break, have them repaired. I got a fancy new set a couple of years ago, and I SO wish I’d kept my old machines. Yes, the new ones are “smart,” but there are so many little things I’d always taken for granted that the fancy new machines just won’t do! And I swear the clothes do NOT get as clean. These new machines use less water, and that’s a good thing, but they just don’t get the clothes very clean, and that’s NOT a good thing. I’d take my old machines back in a heartbeat.
Girl you are good!! This is an amazing makeover! Love the new color, love the beadboard and LOVE that pretty valance on your window. Let’s just say I love it all!!
So charming! This might even make doing laundry fun…
SO gorgeous! I love each detail…the fabric, the chalkboard, the cabinet color, everything!
I have been waiting … and waiting … and WAITING for the reveal of your mudroom !! And, WOW, Vanessa … I LOVE IT. You truly did a fantastic job … your vision for this space was wonderful, and the fact that you did most of it yourself is so truly inspiring. You KNOW I love the beadboard … the hooks … the chalkboard … the work station AND the “new” knobs/faucet from a simple can of spray paint! You didn’t disappoint with this one bit … LOVE.IT !!!! xoxo
Great transformation and look at all those cabinets. Shazam! Love the new look.Thanks for joining Wow.
Love, love, love it! You have great ideas and great taste. 🙂
I am so jealous of your mudroom! It is beautiful, I would even come over to do your laundry there!
Just wonderfu. I love how you changed the faucet and knobs with the OB paint. I love that stuff and what a cost saver. Love your slate floors too.
The fixtures in my home are all oil rubbed bronze, and I love that you used oil bronze spray paint to transform yours. They look great!
Hugs, Kim
Job well done…looks outstanding! Love the curtain, beadboard and all the hardware painted…so Nifty Thrifty.
Blessings,
Linda
I love every little bit of it!! Can I come do your laundry?
Gorgeous! I love the yellow so much. Makes doing laundry cheery! Now THAT’S good design!
Stacy
It’s so clean!! I love it! !
http://sailingwithbarefeet.blogspot.com/
Oh how pretty! You are SO lucky to have that space.
The yellow is such a cheery color to use in the PNW, I know ’cause I lived there for most of my life. White bead board and yellow walls was certainly the way to go. I bet you are glad that you took your time to decide.
xoxo Bunny Jean
Wednesday’s Bunny Hop Party!
I could live in that mudroom, alone.
Ok, your mudroom is nicer done than my kitchen!!LOL At least it’s done. And, BTW, we’ve been here for 35 years. Wall colors are similar, but yours is complete, mine is not. I do have a newer front loader washer & dryer. Original cabinets from its 1962 build, but hubs replaced the particle board doors with real wood and refinished the cabinets. All in our younger, healthier days. We paid to have the “mudroom/laundry room” sheetrocked, painted, plumbed, ceiling hung and bartered to get the linoleum laid. Enjoy it!!!
Janet
Color me jealous! It’s a mudroom sanctuary!!! And don’t worry about being the last person to make a chalkboard. I have only used the spray-paint stuff for some little crafts, which were for my daughter’s birthday party.
Gabby
Great transformation and good for you doing it mostly by yourself!
I really like the new color and extra details! It’s beautiful!
Vanessa, Changing wall color made such a nicer, bright difference to the room! Did u sand and/or prime your faucet and knob before painting? someone I read where someone else did this and she’s only had to re-touch one door knob in a couple of years. It makes a world of difference to update with ORB! 🙂 Sue
Love love your mudroom Vanessa!The new color on the walls is gorgeous and so bright and cheery now! Love the cabinet color too! 🙂 Thanks for linking up!!
What a great space, so fresh and cheery looking!
This is fabulous!! I love all the changes you have made…the curtain is so pretty and I love the new color of the knobs…and the prints. I am NOW the last person to attempt a chalkboard LOL. I didn’t know there was anyone else out there…lol. so funny. It all looks beautiful!
Beautiful!! I wish I had a mudroom. Our washer and dryer are in our kitchen pantry. You did an amazing job with this space. I love the green cabinets, too!
GREAT job, Vanessa! I wish I had a mudroom, too! You took a ho-hum room and turned in to a really welcoming place to be!!! 🙂
xoxo laurie
What a pretty mudroom, Vanessa! You did such a wonderful job transforming this space. Thanks for linking to my party. Hugs, Sherry
That turned out great! The oil-rubbed bronze makes a huge difference on the cabinet knobs. I’m going to remember that trick!
What a beautiful room! Don’t worry about the washer and dryer. I have the same ones and even though I sometimes wish for fancy front load machines, you have to love an appliance that just keeps going and going.
Where in the world did you find the inside curved molding??
This comment has been removed by the author.
Love it … I’m all over that bead board … and how impressive that you did it 99% yourself!
Would you like to share at our multi-blog “Imagine the Impossibilities” link party? Here’s the link:
http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/
Thanks and hope to see you at the party (it’s a first for me!)
Linda
itallstartedwithpaint@gmail.com
So amazing! I wish I had a mudroom that size …or a mudroom. 🙂 I love all of it.
I absolutely love the cabinet color (muddy green). Everything is so clean and fresh looking in your mudroom! Nicely done!
Wow, Vanessa! What a beautiful transformation and awesome space! You did a fantastic job with all of the DIY details! Love it! 🙂
Very fresh and bright! I love everything! And I actually think the wood effect on your chalkboard is fantastic!
Hello.. I love your mudroom makeover, but I have to admit I would love to have the before room too. My laundry room is a nightmare, in the basement, some walls drywalled,some walls down to the studs, the open joists are the “ceiling’ where the ductwork isn’t, concrete floor, it houses the furnace, hotwater heater, freezer..argh, awful. I planned on redoing it this winter and then found out we needed a new roof!!! So in the spring I hope! Anyway, love your blog. Take care