From Dusty Nook to Dream Laundry: DIY Farmhouse Renovation
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Renovating an old farmhouse can feel like bringing history back to life—and no space is too small to be transformed. One of the most underrated (but high-impact) upgrades you can make? Turning an underused room into a functional, charming laundry room. Whether you’re tired of lugging baskets to the basement or just need a fresh space to tackle laundry day, this guide will walk you through the DIY renovation of a farmhouse laundry room, complete with practical tips and farmhouse style inspiration.
When we moved into our farmhouse, this was the first renovation we decided to tackle. The house had some more pressing issues, but this seemed like an easy way to dip our toes in the DIY process.
Why Turn a Spare Farmhouse Room into a Laundry Room?
Old farmhouses weren’t built with modern laundry conveniences in mind. Often, machines are tucked into a basement or mudroom, with little thought to comfort or aesthetics. But a small spare room—especially one near plumbing or electrical—offers the perfect opportunity to:
- Centralize laundry on the main floor
- Add value and functionality to the home
- Create a warm, rustic laundry space with vintage charm
When our house was built, automatic washing machines had not even been invented yet and indoor plumbing was still decades away. Our laundry was in the basement. And yes, it was your typical midwestern creepy basement complete with spiders, beetles, and an old coal chute (how cool!). Needless to say, I was not looking forward to lugging laundry for a growing family of four down two flights of stairs to a damp, dark basement. It was more likely that laundry just wouldn’t have been done at all. JK…Kind of.
Step 1: Assess the Room and Create a Renovation Plan
Before swinging a hammer, take time to analyze the room:
- Check dimensions to ensure your washer and dryer will fit comfortably.
- Inspect the electrical panel to ensure it supports a 240V outlet if needed.
- Confirm water supply and drainage access, ideally nearby.
- Evaluate flooring for moisture resistance. Hardwood can work if sealed, but tile or vinyl may be more practical.
Pro Tip: Sketch a layout of where your machines, cabinetry, and storage will go. Leave space for airflow and maintenance.
What We Did:
We were fortunate to have a bonus room on the 2nd floor of our home that was the perfect size to convert to a laundry room. The previous owners had used it as a craft area and storage. There was also no plumbing in the room and the electrical was not what we needed, so we set up some consultations with electricians and plumbers to see how it could be done.
We found that a dryer would fit perfectly under the old cabinet in the corner, but we didn’t love how deep the cabinet was. It would make it awkward to use the dryer and most of the storage space in it was unreachable. We made a plan to simply shorten the length of the cabinet, while preserving the original charming door.
Step 2: Clear Out and Prep the Space
Time to declutter! Empty the room completely and remove any old fixtures. Patch walls, sand trim, and repair any flooring damage. Many old farmhouses have quirks—like slanted floors or non-standard framing—so be prepared to problem-solve creatively.
What We Did:
In our renovation, we carefully removed the cabinet door and shelving inside. Then we filled any holes or gouges in the walls. The trim and door were in good shape, so we left those alone. The old hardwood floor was in rough shape, but since it was only a laundry area, and not a space many people would see, we decided to save money and leave the floors as they were as well.
Step 3: Add or Upgrade Utilities
Plumbing and electrical are the backbone of any laundry room. You’ll need:
- Hot and cold water hookups
- A drain line for the washer
- A 240V outlet for electric dryers or proper venting for gas
- An exhaust vent for the dryer
Hire professionals if these upgrades are beyond your experience—getting this step right ensures long-term safety and performance. Also check with your local codes, they may require that you hire a professional. You may need to get creative to hide some of these elements if you don’t want to tear into walls elsewhere in your house.
What We Did:
We weren’t comfortable wiring or doing the plumbing ourselves at this point, so we hired professionals to do that part. We knew we were going to be remodeling the kitchen in the near future, so we were able to run the plumbing, vent, and electrical up the wall in the corner of the kitchen without tearing into any walls. The plan was to cover it with a cabinet when the kitchen was redone.
We did decide to install the exhaust vent for the dryer ourselves, which was overall a pretty easy process. The laundry room was located on an exterior wall so it was just a matter of drilling through the wall of the house and installing the vent on the outside. Luckily, the roof of our sunroom addition was right below the laundry room window, which made for easy access.
Step 4: Design with Farmhouse Charm in Mind
This is where form meets function. Stick to the farmhouse aesthetic with:
- Shiplap walls or light neutral paint
- Reclaimed wood shelves or cabinetry
- Oil-rubbed bronze or matte black hardware
- Enamel, wicker or galvanized metal bins for storage
Natural light, like that from tall farmhouse windows, enhances the charm and utility of the room. If you’re lucky enough to have a window with a view like we did, it adds character and daylight.
What We Did:
We chose Valspar Blue Arrow in a satin finish for our paint. A fresh coat of white paint on the ceiling brightened up the room. We cut the old shelves to size and remounted them on the wall. Then we reattached the old cabinet door. The light fixture looked like it had been recently replaced with a fixture with an oil-rubbed bronze finish so we left that as it was. We bought a new curtain rod in oil-rubbed bronze to match and a light gray curtain that still let in some natural light.
We were unable to hide the gas vent in the laundry room itself, so we decided to wrap it in rope with some hot glue. It added a rustic touch to an otherwise ugly pipe.
Step 5: Install Appliances and Storage Solutions
Once your utilities are in, bring in your washer and dryer. Leave at least an inch of clearance on each side for vibration and airflow.
Then, add smart storage:
- Overhead cabinets
- Open shelves for baskets and detergent
- A folding table or a wall-mounted drop-leaf bench
Pro Tip: Use vertical space! Tall shelves or peg rails add farmhouse appeal while maximizing function.
What We Did:
Reclaimed wood shelving can be a really cool addition, but we just wanted something practical and functional so we opted for white wire shelving and some extendable laundry racks similar to this. We added some wicker storage baskets to tie it all together. The cabinet above the dryer was perfect for detergent and other laundry necessities.
Step 6: Finishing Touches That Matter
The final step is styling. Add a vintage rug, mason jar lighting, or a small succulent. Frame an old farmhouse blueprint or botanical print to tie it all together.
And don’t forget scent—lavender sachets or wool dryer balls with essential oils keep the space (and your laundry) fresh.
What We Did:
We admittedly didn’t add a lot of personal touches to this room. As I said before, this remodel was more about function than form. I designed some simple laundry signs on Canva and had them printed and hung with some simple, affordable frames.
Final Thoughts: Small Room, Big Difference
Transforming a spare farmhouse room into a laundry haven isn’t just about clean clothes—it’s about enhancing your lifestyle. With a little vision and elbow grease, even the smallest, odd-shaped rooms can become one of the most functional spots in the house.
I absolutely love having the laundry on the same floor as the bedrooms. It truly makes doing one of my least favorite activities a little more enjoyable. It was a relatively easy change that made a world of difference. Check out our before and afters below!
