I have another update for you on how I am getting my house prepared to sell. It is the final mudroom update. This room, kitchen, and master bathroom are the rooms that got the most updates. We are almost at the finish line in our preparations. I am happy to report that the “For Sale” sign goes up this week. YAY!
If you remember from a few weeks ago I showed you that we installed wall cabinets above the washer and dryer in our laundry. room. They look great and offer lots of hidden storage.
BEFORE
What I didn’t like about them though was that the connections for the washer were visible and looked unsightly.
To disguise the area a bit without too much cost and effort involved I made two small curtains that hang from the underside of the cabinets with tension rods.
I didn’t even buy fabric yardage for the project, I used an old drapery panel, but you could use the fabric from a tablecloth or even a shower curtain. Check your local thrift store to find them inexpensively.
AFTER
I chose to use white fabric to keep the room neutral and not compete for attention with the colorful rug I painted on the floor. If we were staying in the house, I would have chosen a colorful pattern for the curtains since you know I like to see pops of color in my house. :-)
How to Hide Washer and Dryer Connections on a Wall
supplies needed:
- Fabric, Shower Curtain, or Drapery panel
- Round Tension Rod – 7/16 inch diameter
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine or if you want to make them the no-sew way, fabric glue
- Thread
- Scissors
- Iron/Ironing Board
Tension Rods come in different adjustable lengths. Make sure you get the size needed. What I love about using them is that you do not need any nails or hardware to hang them. EZ! My cabinets are 30-inches wide so I bought rods that measured 28″ – 48″. To adjust the length, you simply turn on end to shorten or lengthen.
To get a snug fit, adjust the rod so that it is slightly longer than you need. The rods have a spring in them that will allow you to push the ends to make it smaller, and then when you release, the spring in the rod will go back to the size you adjusted to.
I used a drapery panel that measured 42″ wide x 63″ long to make the curtains. I cut the fabric in half vertically which gave me two pieces that measured 14″ x 48″.
To measure for fabric yardage needed: Measure the width of cabinet and double the measurement x the drop that you need to cover the wall area. Add 1-inch for a hem and 2-1/4 inches to make a rod pocket.
1. Lay fabric right side down and use an iron to press a hem along bottom and side edges of fabric. Pin and then sew.
2. To make the rod pocket. Lay fabric right side down and fold over top edge 1/4″. Press to make a crease and then fold fabric over again 1-inch. Press and pin and then sew 1/4″ up from bottom edge to create a rod pocket. (Photo above where it says sew line)
3. Remove rubber tip from one end of the rod. Thread rod through rod pocket, replace rubber tip and hang.
4. Use your fingers to evenly spread fabric gathers along rod.
The rods are hidden from view.
A simple and affordable way to hide the uglies. :-)
Do you have something unsightly in your home that you found an inexpensive fix for? If so, please share in the comments.
This post is sponsored by True Value Hardware; thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that make In My Own Style possible.
Love this! I live in an apt. My little laundry room is off the kitchen and I have to go thriugh it to go to the garage. There are wire shelves above washer/dryer. I store little used items on those shelves along with detergent, etc., and it always looks junky. I think I might do my curtains from the ceiling and put them on those little cheap rings so I can easily slide back and forth.
Just recently found your site and love everything about it. I see now why people say you are the best!
I am curious: have you changed your exercise room (i.e. formerly your daughter’s bedroom) back into a bedroom for selling this house? I have often applauded you for making your house work for you instead of the other way around!
Hi Linda – Sadly yes I had to change it back into a bedroom since 4 bedrooms is a selling feature of the house. I miss it terribly and plan to create another one in an extra bedroom of my next house.
I do not like the curtains – Sorry. We all can’t like everything, right. I think it was fine the other way, seeing connectors is normal for the washer and dryer and sometimes refrigerator, microwave and so on. To each his own, if the new owners do not like it they can take the curtains down.
I love 99.9 % of everything else you do and make.
-Lisa
I have the exact same set up and never thought of using tension rods to hide the outlets. Good idea! Although, I think I will opt to use a straight panel with large geometric design in the fabric and perhaps it will look more like wall paper under the cabinet.
I’ve used this method of “hiding” things for many years, on several projects. It’s inexpensive and works great. Love the way you used it here! Pretty :-)
What a clever idea! love it!