Adding a shelf in Laundry Room for storage and function

My laundry room is right off my kitchen and is also the way to the garage. There is a small pantry closet in there..did I mention it is small????

I liked to keep extra laundry soap, juices, cereals etc. close by the kitchen and not in the garage. This spot in the laundry room became the place to put these items (because my pantry closet is small). The problem was that it did not look pretty and there was so much wasted space in this little spot.



The photo below shows the after of the same space.



THE DETAILS:
I decided to build a small shelf to hold my laundry soap and also to serve as a hiding spot for all those items on the floor. A large tub of laundry soap is heavy and this would be much stronger than the shelves on the wall were!

I assembled all my scrap wood and built a 3 sided frame with one side attached to the wall and the corner of the other 2 sides attached to a 2x4 for a leg. I had planned on using a decorative spindle for the leg, but wanted the strength of a bigger piece of wood and it was going to be hidden by a "skirt" anyways.



This shows the trim. I just used what I had and what fit and what I thought looked good when I held it up.



I used leftover MDF from my board and batten project for the top of the shelf. I liked the planked look.



I rounded the front corner with my jigsaw to ease it back to the wall.



I kept the edge several inches away from the washing machine for more space to move the washing machine if needed for maintenance, or for a new machine - which of course I have been putting off for years.......

I made the skirt from some material that was once on an upholstered bench and I just love. I gathered the top some and then sewed a strip of velcro on the back of the gathered top. I stapled the other side of the velcro just under the trim I added. This way I can remove the skirt for cleaning if needed.




Now if the door from the kitchen to laundry is open I don't cringe at what I see :)







Thank you so much for visiting me today!

Quick chair update: (from my last post) I have painted it and LOVE it. I used a total of FOUR paints! I have the foam and batting attached to the seat. I found a fabric that I want to stencil - but....... - I can't find a stencil I like. I will show the chair once I completely finish the fabric.


Linking to:
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Hookin Up with House of Hepworths
Miss Mustard Seed