DIY faux tiled laundry folding station

I am sure you have heard the story of the frog in the boiling water.

You know…

When things begin he is just a frog living his frog life and finds himself in some water.

In this case it’s a laundry room, not a pot of boiling water, but the analogy is accurate.

Over time, and stuff, and more time, and lots more stuff, our laundry room had become a messy place that you could barely step into.

It was a pot of boiling water and I was tired of looking at this less than inspiring space.

For a while now we have talked about building a folding station on top of the washer and dryer.

So after a bit of planning, and two different wall colors, we have the folding station done, a pretty new wool rug on the floor, and the ideas for shelving are coming together.

Squeal, I am SO loving this space now!

 

 

But you have to see the scary before we gutted this room and started fresh.

This is right after Christmas and the 5 of us having back to back colds for weeks on end.

So it had become quite the mess…

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The frog was at a full boil at this point!

 

 

Now that I have bared my soul and laundry room, let me show you how she is coming together now!

 

 

One of the walls that will have shelving and some spots for air drying laundry as well…

 

Here is what we did:

• We used CDX plywood for the top of the folding station, running the length of the wall on the underside of the staircase
• Using 2″ x 3″ pine boards we cut them to fit to create a frame around the front of the folding station and leg supports for extra stability.  Plus they look pretty.
• We stained them with weathered grey wood stain
• We used a flush saw to create access (it’s hiding behind the plant and galvanized pot) to the water shut off, power and drain) making a lift out panel
• We used glossy white paint for the top of the folding station, this time we chose exterior paint so it would be very tough and water proof
• I used a Cutting Edge stencil and a foam roller with charcoal chalk paint to create the design on top
• After the paint was dry we sealed the top with commercial water-based floor finish
• Next we used the 12″ x 18″ tiles leftover from another project on the “backsplash” and a light grey grout that matches the paint on the walls

 

We are still working on the shelving and how to create a air-drying spot for laundry, but couldn’t be happier with our progress so far!

Every time I fold a load of towels or throw some clothes in the wash I look at the stenciled folding station top and think it looks like really pretty tile.

Thank you so much for reading friend, as always, may your heart and home be full of everything you love…

 

xo, Tanya

       

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