Your utility room doesn’t have to be the ugliest room in the house. Turn it into a fun place to be by turning your utility room into the most unique room in the house.
Do you have a hobby?
Some hobbies just don’t seem to fit anywhere in your house. For example, if you love the outdoors you may have collection of gear that could make an interesting theme in your utility room. For example, those fishing poles could be arranged on each side of the door. Paint a string of fish dangling from the tip of each rod. If you need a pattern, search the internet for clip art and print your pattern in the size you need.
Using your hobby to inspire a decorating theme can keep your decorating costs in check. For example, a sewing theme can create almost instant decoration. Sew buttons to curtain tiebacks to create a unique look. Trim the edge of a curtain with buttons and/or ribbons. Line the windowsill with sewing knick-knacks. Trim cupboard doors with flat lace.
If you haven’t had time to develop a hobby, you capture some inspiration from other interests that you have. Are you an avid reader? Have you clung to all your childhood books? Create a book montage by using plate hangers for support. Don’t want to put your books in the laundry room? Scan the covers or your favorite pages into your computer as high-resolution JPG files. If you don’t have a color laser printer, take your disk to a photo shop or office printer. Be sure to request a matte or semi-glossy finish.
Mount the prints on foam board. Frames are nice but can be costly. If you can afford it, use a narrow frame—think the white edge on an old photograph. Otherwise, use double-stick tape directly on the foam core. If you have enough prints, create a column from about two feet up from the floor to about two feet down from the ceiling. The effect will be quite dramatic.
Do neighboring rooms have a theme?
You can also keep costs down by carrying the theme from a neighboring room into your utility room. Is the room just off the kitchen? Add a high shelf about 18” down from the ceiling and place interesting kitchen items around the room. Arrange all the oversized pots that you rarely use around the room. Add interest by tucking wire whisks, wooden spoons, napkins and other accents into the handles. Turn a large cast iron skillet up on its side and make a decorative cutout to place inside. Glue a magnet on the cutout to keep it in position. The skillet is ready to use at anytime. Just pop the decoration out. Worried about the skillet falling? Attach a tie to the wall (or shelf) and loop it through the handle.
You can also add interest to the walls by hanging a tool collection creatively. Mount picture frames on the wall and hang different tools inside the framed area. One “picture” could hold different screwdrivers. Another could hold different hammers. Yet another could hold pliers. Add a colored silhouette of each piece within the frame so you know where each tool belongs in the picture. That way you can use parts of your “picture” whenever a little repair job comes up.
These are just a few unique budget friendly ways to decorate your utility room. If you choose a theme based on things you already own, you can keep costs down and have a lot of fun in the process.
Author, Alyssa Davis, is number one design specialist at Metal-Wall-Art.com on decorating a country home with tree wall decor and metal wall sculptures.
