Laundry Room and Mudroom before and after.
I’m excited to share our latest home improvement project with you. Last month, we made some big improvements to our mudroom and laundry room. We also went from a front loader washing machine back to a top loader…more on that below, but for now, here’s the new look!
We went from knotty alder cabinets to bright and white cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling. We now have so much more storage in these rooms, and I’m loving it. One of the biggest changes made was making the switch from a front loader washing machine back to a top loader machine. I can’t tell you how happy I was to get back to a top loader.
Here are my big reasons for switching back to a top loader machine, but first I need to share the reasons why I wanted a front loader in the first place 9 years ago:
1. I wanted a front loader because I had heard that it uses less water. – It’s true, it does use less water, but as I got to thinking about it, I’d rather have as much water as we need to make sure our clothes are cleaned well. As a family we don’t consume that much water in general, so the water consumption was a non-issue.
2. I wanted a front loader because I loved how the washer and the dryer looked together side by side. I know…as crazy as that may sound, this was one of my reasons. – I’m now over this and way more into function than appearance…on this one. 😉
Here are my big reasons for switching back to a top loader washing machine:
1. I love being able to soak items and with a front loader, you can’t really do this the same way you can with a top loader machine.
2. I missed the agitator. Our new machine doesn’t exactly have an agitator, but it does have something in the middle that moves the clothes around. Overall I feel like our clothes are getting more clean with our new top loader machine than they were with the tumbling effects of the front loader.
3. With a front loader washing machine, you have to leave the door open when it’s not in use to avoid mildew. This was a big factor for me in making the switch back to a top loader. Even with the door closed on this new machine, I don’t have to worry about it getting all hot, stinky (…and my least favorite word…moist) in there. 😉
4. The clothes would always get so tangled together with the front loader and as I unloaded them, they would always land on the floor as they made their way to the dryer.
Our old machines were by Frigidaire, and our new machines are by SamSung. The Samsung AquaJet washer and the dryer.
So far they’re working great! Our clothes are coming out so good, and I don’t have to leave the door open on the washer or wipe the inside down like I used to on our old machines.
Here’s what our mudroom looked like before. We had an Ikea shelf that became a catch all. We were stuffing coats, backpacks…you name it into those square little cubbies. It just wasn’t ideal for a mudroom.
Here’s the look now. We now have hooks to hang backpacks and jackets plus a bench to sit on if you need to take off wet boots or snow clothes. And look at all that storage! Last minute I had our cabinet guy Mike add in those little open shelves to break up all the white and I’m so glad we did. It will be so useful for quick grab and go items or to decorate.
Here’s what our laundry room looked like before with the front loaders.
There was a little counter top in there that was always covered with odds and ends, because it was out of sight.
Here’s a little of the ‘during’ process. We sold our old washer/dryer and bought the new before the cabinets were installed.
Here’s what the laundry room looks like today! We now have a tall utility closet to store our vacuum, ironing board, mops and brooms. I requested a towel bar for hangers and to hang dirty wet kitchen rags so that they have a place to dry out until I get around to washing them.
That’s it! What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on front loaders vs. top loader washing machines?
Here’s a look back at our other home improvement projects along the way:
– Family Room update – Part 2 (October 2013)
– Before and After bathroom cabinets (March 2013)
– Before and After family room (June 2012)
– Before and After kitchen table (January 2010)
