One of the bonuses of downsizing into our LA bungalow was that it has an indoor laundry area. Our previous home, like many older Florida homes, had the washer and dryer in the garage. Which isn’t terribly inconvenient but it would make doing laundry in the summer pretty uncomfortable. You’d get all sweaty just moving items from the washing machine into the dryer because the garage heated up like a sauna during the day. Though handy, the only downside to our new laundry area is that the washer and dryer are visible. They are in a little nook on one end of the kitchen and right beside the side door. I’ve been wanting to give this little area an update, without spending much, since it’s a rental after all.

My solution was to use the items we own and update them with a little DIY. I used my Silhouette Cameo to customize our laundry baskets, washer and dryer. And now even though the washer and dryer are still visible, this nook feels much so much more fun and tidy at the same time. It’s happy color and pattern might just motivate me to do laundry even more!

The first project was to update our laundry baskets with a some fun typography. I created my own custom stencils to make these playful wash and wear laundry totes.

DIY Stenciled Laundry Baskets

Supplies

Silhouette stencil vinyl
Silhouette black fabric ink
Stencil brush + tray for paint
Canvas laundry totes

Download Silhouette stencil

Or download the printable file to cut by hand

Directions

1. Download the stencil file and cut it out with your Silhouette (make sure to adjust the cut settings to stencil material before cutting). Use the hook tool to remove the inside of each letter.
2. Place a cardboard box, or a stack of books inside the basket. Apply the stencil on the center of one side of the laundry tote. Press down firmly on the stencil to make sure the edges are adhered.
3. Use an up and down, stippling motion to apply the black fabric paint with the stencil brush.
4. Carefully remove the stencil and allow the paint to dry completely. Repeat steps 1-3 to complete the second laundry basket.

notes

I cut out my stencil using my Silhouette Cameo, which can cut up to 12″ wide. If you have a Curio or Portrait, adjust the design so you only cut one stencil at a time. Be sure to also change your page settings to reflect that of the stencil material you’re using.

Nearly four years ago, I used my Silhouette to turn the lid of our washing machine into a handy dry erase board. The “these items can’t go in the dryer” sticker I made using adhesive vinyl has held up perfectly but I thought it was time for an update. I used the Silhouette spatula to remove the old decal, cleaned up and and applied the new decal which matches our stenciled laundry baskets perfectly.

If you want to create your own do not dry reminder, download the Silhouette file below and cut it out using matte removable vinyl.

Download the “Do not dry…” Silhouette file

includes polka dot shapes for washing machine or dryer

Since our dryer was looking a little plain, I gave it a quick update in under 10 minutes by sticking some circle stickers all over it. I used the same removable vinyl that I used on the “do not dry” sticker so I can easily remove it later if  get tired of it.

The finishing touch to the space was to update the top shelf, which was previously bare. I swapped out the art in some frames we already had and added a potted succulent. I’m loving the clothespin printable and the hustle printable I found from Etsy.

What bold pattern or a bright color to your laundry area?

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