Pimp My Laundry Closet

When we closed on our home last February, I stopped in The Container Store only to discover that they were having a sale on Elfa, their closet organization system. Our master bedroom closet was already outfitted, so I investigated the cost of two more. Peanuts… and since we moved right next door, I didn’t have anything to buy. Everything was the same. I didn’t need to get new shower curtains, new storage bins because our shelves were slightly different. All of my systems were in place instantaneously. It was like magic.

But since then I have secretly wanted to pimp my laundry closet. You know there are all of the shows like “Pimp My Ride” and probably even “Pimp My Tractor.” I wanted “Pimp My Laundry Room” to arrive at my house and tell me exactly what to do. Let’s be honest. It’s not really a room. It’s a closet with a stackable washer and dryer inside. I have three or four broom type objects falling on the floor. The hopes for something miraculous were very slim, which Henry reminded me of on several occasions.

A camera crew never knocked on my door, but I did receive some inspiration in the mail – a Real Simple, which featured an article Pegboards for Every Occasion.

The last time I went to North Carolina, I carefully measured the space and the torn out page from my magazine with me. I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t forget anything. So Mom and I went to Lowe’s and spent quite a bit of time there. We picked out the pegboard, selected all of the accessories and had them quarter the board before we headed home.

But one week turned into three before we actually pimped my closet. During this same time, Henry has been pining for some land out in the woods somewhere. He misses yard work and house projects. He wants a real fixer upper. He wants an actual mudroom. But at the same time, neither of us were happy with the guest bath becoming a storage unit. Last week seemed to end with ten projects up in the air. Agghhh!!!

I did a little research on how to actually hang the pegboard. I just wasn’t sure. I found somewhere that I needed a 1″ x 2″ board so that it would be just enough off of the wall to allow the hooks to hang. What? I had all of these accessories and still needed something that basic. We decided to run some errands on Sunday afternoon, including finding another hardware store. Fortunately we opened one of the beginners packs filled with screws, hooks, baskets and more. There are lots of different options available to help get you started. Among the hardware, we found these little soft black plastic spacers, which were all we needed.

So after buying enough fruit to open up breakfast buffet from Costco, we settled in to hang the pegboard. Henry had a few complaints until I pointed out that this was actually a super easy home improvement project that only meant screwing in five screws into the wall. That’s it! He responded, “Oh yeah,” smiled and got to work.

Once the board was up, I started placing all of my little baskets and cutie containers from Ikea, which I already have for my art supplies. Henry pointed out that I was only organizing things I never use. Ah – but I do I never use them because I don’t see them? Hmmm… he was probably right. So I moved them over and made an empty space for something great that is going to go there in the near future. I am not completely sure what yet.

But we have our guest bathroom back and I have enjoyed my little chores involving the laundry closet more than usual. We have both peered in to check it out several times over the last few days. There is something so satisfying about using every inch of space and cleaning out crowded other areas – like the bottom of our coat closet and the top of the washer and dryer. It’s really not a good idea to store loose things on top of the washer/dryer, which we have already learned the hard way.