Every January, I choose a project to improve my home organization while I work on spring cleaning. This January was no exception. I follow cleaning pros online and gather ideas while scrolling. I have had success with previous projects. The pandemic has complicated everything this year, but I am halfway done with the makeover project for 2020. I will revisit it in the fall to complete the second step. For now, I am happy with what I see when I open the doors to my laundry closet.

I live in a mini home with my husband and cat. (And fish! I almost forgot the fish tank!) The washer and dryer are literally in a closet, with folding doors to hide them while minimizing the noise and heat while they are running. Since my husband has been working from home, it has limited the times when we can do laundry, as he removed the door to his home office.  Minimizing noise and heat from the laundry is important to his workday.

I have been working in several rooms in my home this year. With the laundry closet makeover being the primary goal, I purchased a stencil, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and two aluminum buckets for this year’s project. The budget for my annual projects is manageable, and I do not want to tackle too many projects at once. If I did, it would leave me open to being overwhelmed and take me longer to finish everything.

It is not a large or elaborate laundry room, with no sink or counter to fold clothes on. It is a washer, dryer, and 2 wire shelves. As there is no linen closet at that end of the mini home, I have stored facecloths, hand towels, and bath towels on the shelves with my laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Here are the before pictures:

Photo by Tish MacWebber

Photo by Tish MacWebber

Photo by Tish MacWebber

I have plans for part two of this makeover. They involve painting a wall stencil and thoroughly cleaning the washer, dryer, vent, and floor when the washer and dryer are moved for cleaning. I plan to paint the wall with the stencil and acrylic paint when the weather cools down. We have had heat warnings for most of July, and the thought of moving the washer and dryer to clean and paint is too much. My compromise was to start part one of the makeover, and when I am ready, I already have what I need to tackle part two.

Now, when I open the closet doors, I smile. The laundry closet looks neat and organized. It is not perfect, but it is an improvement, and that is enough.

Photo by Tish MacWebber

Photo by Tish MacWebber

Photo by Tish MacWebber

I hope this small project can inspire someone who reads this article. Changes don’t have to be expensive or elaborate to have an impact. Minor changes add up, and over time, they add up to the big picture. Even if you have to take small steps toward the desired result, always remember that progress is progress, and it counts! I will share part two of this project when it is complete.