Convert your laundry room to a new bathroom.
If the number of rooms you have outnumbers the amount of bathrooms you have, one affordable conversion is to transform your laundry room into an extra bathroom. Bathroom additions typically increase your home value, and the existing plumbing lines from your laundry room will cut down on expensive plumbing expenses. Additional cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, lighting and decorative accessories will complete your bathroom remodel. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove items from your laundry room. Use a dolly to wheel out the washer and dryer. Remove cabinetry unless it is in particularly good shape and will blend with the bathroom conversion. Start with a blank slate to transform your former laundry room into a new bathroom.
2. Create a floorplan for your new bathroom layout. Online programs are available or a simple sketch will work, too. Measure the room and any potential items that you plan to use in the room to make sure every item will fit. Keeping your toilet, bathtub, sink and toilet by the existing plumbing lines will help you to minimize expenses. Most laundry rooms are not very large, so it is imperative that you maximize all the space you have.
3. Make sure the walls by your shower area are water-resistant to avoid mold and mildew. Tile the walls in the shower or tub area. Paint the rest of the walls in a neutral or light color to make the room appear larger. Floors should also be resistant to water. Carpet and wood flooring are not typically the best options for bathrooms since water can seep into them. Tile, linoleum and natural stone provide a sturdy and water-resistance alternative.
4. Hire an electrician if you will be adding additional lighting. Many laundry rooms feature one dim light fixture and no windows, so updating your lighting will help brighten the room and make it appear larger. Install recessed lighting to avoid cluttering the room or add one large and bright chandelier for a charming touch.
5. Install your fixtures. Place your shower, sink and toilet in the appropriate locations. Add a new faucet to the sink and a new shower head. Use a clear shower door to give the space a more open feel.
6. Add storage. Reinstall the laundry room storage cabinets if they will work within the new style of the room. A fresh coat of paint may be all they need to be updated for the new room. If a shower occupies a large part of one wall, but just a sliver of space is left, add a thin bookshelf, floating shelves or a cabinet in the nook.
7. Add accessories. A large mirror helps create the illusion of space. A few coordinating pictures provide a spa-like feel to the room. Add wall sconces and candles for an elegant touch and fresh towels for guests.
Tags: laundry room, your laundry, your laundry room, appear larger, existing plumbing
