Making Peace with a Chore I Loathe
I have a bit of a hate-hate relationship with laundry. Everyone has that one household chore they dread, and for me it’s always been this one. I don’t mind scrubbing a bathroom until it shines or organizing a closet until everything lines up just so. I’ll even happily tackle a full pantry restock—labels forward, bins in place, satisfying before-and-after shot ready to go. But laundry? Ugh. Just carrying it to the machine feels like a defeat because I know what’s coming next: socks stuck to the washer drum, endless loads tumbling through the dryer, and the inevitable mountain of folding and putting away. I’d rather do almost anything else.
So, when I was home the summer after the twins were born—when their baby laundry seemed never-ending—I decided the least I could do was make the space itself better. If I was going to suffer through laundry anyway, I might as well give myself a room I didn’t completely hate walking into. It was time for a laundry room makeover, but as I was home on maternity, it had to be on a budget.
From Boring to Farmhouse Bright
Laundry Room Makeover in Progress: I’m not going to lie, getting that wallpaper up was a pain
Our laundry room was as bland as they come: builder-grade cabinets, no personality, and the machines crammed into a tight little space that felt more like a closet than a room. I started scrolling Amazon (dangerous, I know) and threw every “farmhouse laundry” thing I could find into my cart. From there, I pulled out the pieces that felt cohesive, functional, and—most importantly—budget-friendly.
At Hobby Lobby, I found a roll of peel-and-stick shiplap-style wallpaper, and that became the jumping-off point. I started by papering the back wall behind the cabinets, instantly adding texture and brightness. From there, it was all about editing and organizing: emptying the cabinets, putting daily-use items where I could actually reach them, and finding containers that looked cute but worked hard.
Storage, But Make It Pretty
The machines are tall (and I’m… not), so I knew I’d need some countertop organization. I picked oversized glass bottles for detergent and fabric softener—big enough that I wouldn’t constantly be refilling them—plus jars for dryer balls and pods. A woven basket corralled the less-pretty odds and ends, and a labeled box turned dryer sheets into a decorative detail.
The cabinets now hold the overflow and taller bottles, but the counter keeps everything I grab daily within arm’s reach. A drying rack, a bar for hangers, and a couple of farmhouse-style signs on the wall finished it off. Suddenly the space felt intentional, not like an afterthought.
The Verdict
Here’s the truth: I still hate doing laundry. That hasn’t changed one bit. But now, when I drag myself in there with yet another basket of clothes, I don’t feel that immediate wave of dread. I can look around and think, Okay, at least it’s cute in here. For such a tiny room and a small budget, this update made a big impact—and every little win counts when you’re facing your most loathed chore.
Some of my favorite products from the update:
