Don't judge me by what I'm about to tell you, but when I painted my apartment white last winter, I just slopped the paint over existing dirt and dust. It felt criminal, but the act was a genuine two-for-one: a painting and spring cleaning combo. (I should also tell you that my apartment already had twenty-plus layers of paint, no doubt lead- and VOC-ridden, and I'm pretty sure other slapdash painters before me have allowed their own dirt to fossilize in the walls.)
I know it's been said before, but it's so true: a fresh coat of white paint does wonders for a room. Take this European laundry room; entirely white, it has affordable, customized storage solutions and an overall design that's accessible and replicable. Here are all the key elements needed to recreate the look—and to start the year with a truly clean slate.
Above: White walls and polished concrete floors serve as the backdrop for the all-white laundry room. Photograph from Living in Design Land.
Above: Ikea's Akurum Base Cabinet with Wire Baskets can be installed with or without steel legs and is part of the Ikea Akurum series of full kitchen cabinets; $183 each.
Above: The Vola KV1 Single Handled Faucet with a double swivel spout is $1,224 directly through Vola. For more can't-go-wrong faucet options see our 10 Easy Pieces post: Editors' Favorite Kitchen Faucets.
Above: The White Ceramic Soap Dish is £8 from the White Company. For more options, see 10 Easy Pieces: Best White Soap Dishes.
Above: The Sac à Linge Canvas is a white-painted canvas laundry bag that I own and love. The white paint gives the laundry bag more structure than your average canvas bag and there's a removable cotton lining; €64 from Lilis in France.
Above: Anthropologie's Chartreuse Waffle Towels range from $16 for a washcloth to $78 for a bath towel. Alternatively, Abyss & Habidecor's Super Pile Bath Towels come in ultra-saturated colors like Gold, Banane, and Sunset; $74 each from Gracious Home.
Above: Create a wall of open storage cabinets by using Ikea units such as this Akurum Wall Top Cabinet Frame, $49 each, or the Akurum Wall Cabinet with 2 Doors, $58. Ikea's in-store advisors can help you create a customized plan for your space.
Above: A longstanding Remodelista favorite, Ikea's Sockerärt Vase is made from enameled steel, and can be used as a pitcher or vase; $9.99 for the 6-inch-tall size, $19.99 for the 12-inch size.
Above: A set of Two Nesting Rope Baskets are handmade from cotton rope; $165 from Marie Marie Knits on Etsy. Another option is Ikea's Komplement Baskets, square crocheted storage baskets, at $42.49 for a set of three.
Above: The Heritage Hill Glass Jar with Lid is meant for the kitchen but can be used to store powdered laundry detergent or clothespins; $12.95 from Crate & Barrel.
Above: The Miele Decor 24-Inch Washer (W3039i) can be stacked or placed side by side (as shown). Available only in white, it is $2,399. It partners with the Miele Decor Electric Condenser Dryer (T8019Ci), which offers 3.9 cubic-feet of ventless drying, flat controls, and a cabinet door panel; $1,999, both at US Appliance. For more options, see our post, Little Giants: Compact Washers and Dryers.
Above: The Drake Cord Hung Pendant Lamp is available in a variety of shade colors and customizable features (wire cage, wattage, cord color), starting at $109 from Barn Light Electric.
Above: A smart solution for finishing a basic folding table? Paint it white. The Flash Furniture's Rectangular Wood Folding Table is 60 inches long and 30 inches wide; $60.39 at Amazon.
Above: Ikea's Frajen Bath Towel is a good budget choice for stocking up. Made from a waffle-weave cotton, the towel comes with a convenient hanging twill tab; $4.99 each. For more ideas, visit our post, 10 Easy Pieces: Basic White Bath Towels.
Looking for a laundry room in a tight space? See 10 Clever Laundry Rooms, Space-Saving Edition. And for more laundry inspiration, see our recent Steal This Look: Tiny Utility Closet (Sink Included).