While I am no stranger to upcycling vintage washboards, I have yet to create anything for my laundry room in my nearly 5 years of blogging. So, when I found this antique washboard at a local favorite thrifting haunt, I decided to repurpose it into some washboard decor for the laundry room.
In fact, I think Joanna Gaines must have sprinkled some farmhouse fairy dust on me that day because I had all sorts of farmhouse thrifting luck!
But it was the vintage washboard that had me clucking my tongue, envisioning it as wall decor in my laundry room. But it would be functional decor that could hold missing socks and items from pockets.
I just needed a few more supplies to make my idea for washboard decor come to life!
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Washboard Decor and Missing Socks Hanger
First, I needed to insert a large hook to hold he metal pail. I drilled a pilot hole in the top center of the antique washboard before screwing in the hook.
I planned to tuck dryer lint into this pail on my washboard decor. Just one of many things I planned on it holding!
See? Now I have a place to tuck lint into! Whether I’m saving it to make DIY fire starters or just gathering it to toss in the trash. Either way , the hook makes it easy to remove and dump in the trash when it’s full.
Next, I marked spots for screws along the very bottom section of the washboard. From there, I drilled shallow pilot holes and then hand-screwed in a wire basket.
This will be for loose change, receipts, etc. Basically, anything I find in pants pockets before tossing in the washer.
And yes, I used the screwdriver for that. I could have used my drill for both pilot holes and attaching, but the old wood was soft enough for a screwdriver.
Last but not least, adding the holder for missing socks my washboard decor. I had oodles of vintage clothespins left over from these previous projects of mine., AND they fit right in with the theme.
So, I simply glued a clothespin on each side of the vintage washboard. And that was it!
Washboard Decor for the Laundry Room
And there you have it, washboard decor for my laundry room that is both decorative and functional.
But between you and me, my laundry room is a glorified closet that is illuminated by an overhead light, so I won’t even BOTHER to try and get a photo of it in there for you to see.
A holder for missing socks, a lint holder (to keep me from marching to the kitchen with lint in hand), and a place for pocket treasures. Adding a couple of D-ring hangers on the back will make it easy to hang in my laundry room, too.
How great is that? It’s cute and whimsical for a laundry room, but actually functional as well! AND it comes together in just a few minutes- no paint to dry or lots of effort involved at all.
AND, guess what today is? Thrift Store Decor Team day! Which means I’m not the only one who’s been upcycling my thrift store finds:
Laundry Room Decor and Lost Sock Holder
Winter Wonderland Gumball Machine
Pedestal Bowl Stipple Paint Technique
And if you enjoyed this easy upcycling idea for washboard decor, then you’ll love this windmill wall decor that I made from ceiling fan blades, too!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Your posts never disappoint❤️
Awww, thank you so much, Sheryl! XOXO
What a find that washboard was – I love what you did with it!
Thank you so much, Beverly!!
That is so cute!!! I may have to steal that idea! Of course, my husband grungy gym socks wouldn’t look half as cute hanging there 🙂
Hahaha! I treated myself to new socks just for this photo, if it makes you feel any better. 😉
I am also a Silly Sox Sucker! Because I love plants, I really like the succulents!! SO cute! I collect the washboards and have them all in my laundry room. Lotsa fun! And so….do you do something with your lint collection? 😉
Yay for fun socks!!! And normally I just toss my lint, but on occasion, I save it for these: https://www.sadieseasongoods.com/come-on-baby-start-my-fire/
Oh Sarah, I just love this! I have always had a soft spot for these old washboards, but what you did to this little cutie just makes my heart sing!
Yay!!! Thank you so much, Kaycee!
That is stinkin’cute! ❤️
Thank you, Christina!
This is absolutely adorable! We built in 2004, and I’ve never decorated the laundry room with any kind of decor or wall art! This would be great in there! Love the idea!
Such a functional treatment to this adorable washboard. I love that this washboard has multi-functions! Awesome job!
Thanks, Sue!
My lost socks always need some help! That turned out adorable!
Thank you so much!!
I love this! I recent picked one up and have been wondering what I should do with it! Thanks for some inspiration!
Woohoo!!
I really like what you did with this washboard. I have not seen one I really cared about until now nicely done.
Thanks, Vickie!
I am so jealous of that washboard. I love what you did with it.
Thanks, Kathy!