Closet Progress & Lighting Options
After reading through all of your comments on yesterday’s post about what I should do with the areas above the washer and dryer in the closet, I’ve decided to add pretty pendant lights above the washer and dryer and then add a single large, framed piece of artwork on the wall behind each appliance. That was not only my favorite idea, but it also seemed like the easiest, which made it even better.
So while I was working yesterday, I was thinking about lighting. Now that all of the perimeter cabinets are in place, I can see exactly where the center light in the room needs to go. As you can see here, the center light (currently a ceiling fan) is off-center about six inches.
So I’ll need to move that junction box over about six inches so that it will be centered over the island. And that’s where I’ll be hanging a pretty chandelier.
You may remember a while back, I was looking for a pretty chandelier to go above the island, and I came across this one that costs $2300…
There’s no way I could or would ever pay that much for a chandelier, so I’m going to make a chandelier that looks like that one. I needed a good base to start with, so I ended up buying this one from Lamps Plus. (affiliate link) I was looking for a very specific shape to work with, and this one had it. I wasn’t concerned about the color because I’ll be painting it all white anyway.
And then I’ll have my cute little flower sconces in this cabinet section. I had hoped to get the wallpaper and sconces up yesterday, but I ran out of time. Painting this many shelves is taking way longer than I had expected.
Anyway, as a reminder, the sconces look like this…
And then I’ll be adding five recessed lights to the ceiling. Four will be spaced evenly in the closet area of the room, and one will be centered between the washer and dryer.
And then I hope to add some dimmable rope lighting to the jewelry drawer, which I finished yesterday. I got the inside painted to match the jewelry trays, and the front and sides painted to match the cabinets.
I ended up selecting very simple gold knobs for the drawer because there’s going to be so much going on here once the wallpaper is up and the shelves are loaded with shoes and other items, so I didn’t think I needed yet one more eye-catching thing on the front of the drawer.
And then I think I’ll add some rope lighting to the back of the necklace bar as well.
So until yesterday, that’s all of the lighting I had planned for the room. But now I love the idea of adding pendant lights above the washer and dryer. In fact, with pendants above the washer and dryer, I might not even need the recessed light that I had planned to put between them.
I spent some time looking at pendant lights last night, and I really don’t know which direction to go. Of course, I love unique lighting. I view lighting as sculptural artwork more than anything else. So my first inclination is always to find something that’s really unique and eye-catching. But at the same time, I don’t want something that will detract from the chandelier that I’m going to make for above the center island. And, I know, not everything needs to be a feature, right? Several of you have tried to drill that into my head over the last few years. I’m finally getting it. 😀
With that in mind, the only kind that really seems to make sense would be something like this (affiliate link)…
The white would coordinate with the other lighting (chandelier and sconces), and the gold would tie in with the other hardware in the room. Those would look nice and coordinate while not trying to be a showstopper to take attention away from the island chandelier.
Although, I did come across this one from Home Depot (affiliate link) that I think might work. It’s not plain, but it’s also not so attention-grabbing that it would be distracting. That silver would have to be painted, but that’s easy enough. And it’s only $20.68! 😀
Or is it too eye-catching? I don’t know. Maybe I should stick with the simple dome lights.
So that’s the direction I’m going with the washer and dryer area — pendant lights and large, framed artwork. But I need to find the perfect pendant lights. They need to be pretty. They need to coordinate with the other lighting (white chandelier and white sconces). But they don’t need to be too eye-catching to distract from the main chandelier. I just have to keep looking.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a look at this sweet boy. He can’t stand to not be around me, so he just makes himself comfortable in here and snoozes while I work.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Frame pieces of wallpaper over the W&D. Forget pendants. It will be cluttered when closet is filled
Oh, I really like this! I agree, pendants over the machines aren’t needed and will be busy. Love the idea of framing the wallpaper over the machines as art. A nice accent but nothing that will draw attention.
I third this Pendants will be busy and draw the eye away from the things you want as focal points ( wallpaper and chandelier) what about simple art lights above the framed pieces?
I LOVE that idea best!
I agree! Wallpaper yes, pendants, no. You’ve got more than enough going on and the wallpaper will be feature enough.
Both pendant styles are good but I love the second one! If you gold leaf all the silver….perfection! I can’t wait to see what you end up with!
I wouldn’t want to dust the Home Depot pendant.
That was my first thought also. 🙂 Especially where lint from dryer is always flying around.
The blue is beautiful! I’m wondering with all the lighting in different areas, when you walk in is there one main switch or will you turn on lights as needed?
I know I’ll have at least two switches, but I’m still trying to work out those details.
I am in the no pendant camp. Keep the pretty things in the closet section. You are going to have the wallpaper. Around your work area it should be calm not busy. And although your washer and dryer are beautiful I don’t think you want to draw attention to them
Love the second light. A single centered can light between washer and dryer would mean that you would always be working in the shadow. Individual lights will give you task lighting. The second is cute while being subtle.
Hi Kristi, I used to have the 2nd pendant (Home Depot) or at least a similar one in my living room. It is made from individual petals and they attract a horrible amount of dust. Moreover, mine were bent after some years as if the bulb in the middle emitted too much heat (which cannot be true as it was already an LED). I loved the light and look (as a centre piece – it was quite the sight) and hated to let it go, but it wasn’t beautiful anymore. All of that info just to make sure you check the quality/material if you decide on these. I really like the much simpler white/golden ones, they give a beautiful light as well (which the other pendant did NOT)!
Did I remember wrong that you mean to put the wallpaper on the back wall? Wouldn’t additional artwork clash with that? I’m curious how this is going to turn out!
Those walls will have wallpaper, but I’m planning on the artwork going on the side walls where they wouldn’t show from the doorway of the room. I know putting artwork on top of wallpaper is something that people are rather divided over. I understand the argument. A lot of people think that the wallpaper itself is the artwork, so it shouldn’t be covered. I’m in the camp that thinks wallpaper is a backdrop, and putting artwork on top of wallpaper is the cherry on top. But I do think it has to be done right. When using a busy or colorful wallpaper, the artwork needs to be simple, lots of white, perhaps with a thick white mat, etc., to give it a definite separation from the wallpaper. In other words, I don’t like busy artwork on top of busy wallpaper.
I am in the no pendant camp also. You’re going to want good, task lighting (like when dealing with stains, etc), they will just collect more lint/dust being so close to dryer, and what do you have planned for hanging and air drying clothes that don’t go in the dryer? I have a “ladder” that I made that hangs from the ceiling in my laundry room that I can hang multiple items from at once. Or, maybe you’ll just want a single rod? Just my $0.02 😹
I’m still thinking through those details. I was looking at some various option on Amazon last night. I still haven’t decided.
Maybe wait until the wallpaper is up on that back wall before you make pendant or art choices. See how busy the space is before you add something else. I would pick good lighting over artwork for that functional space- probably wouldn’t even notice/appreciate decor while doing laundry😁
I agree Paige. I think waiting till the closet is finished is the way to go. Everything can get really busy looking really fast and it’s easy to add things later if they are needed.
I love the idea of the pendants for additional lighting and visual interest. Have you considered a combo recessed light/exhaust fan between the washer and dryer? We have one in our laundry area between our bedroom and closet area and it helps with the humidity created by both the washer and the steam dryer. We’ve had it for 2 years and no problems—and it’s identical to the other recessed lights we have
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002OU1G98?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Do you really want three difficult to dust light fixtures in a closet/utility room? In the laundry area? Why?
My thoughts also
I love the blue you chose for the closet! It looks wonderful. I like it so much I think I’ll paint mine!
Thank you for sharing all that you do. I have been following you for years! Nancy
I love the idea of pendant lights! I was looking around today and found these:
https://www.build.com/product/summary/1980186?uid=4704147&jmtest=gg-gbav2_4704147&inv=1&&source=gg-gba-pla_4704147!c1710655145!a67979306878!dc!ng&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwn6LABhBSEiwAsNJrjrvkvwRLq84Nv1rMJ5yHefAWE6I-P5W65r160hAYjCrZD2tlQKDjLxoCPewQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I had to share them because (at least on my computer) the colors look like they were made for your space! White, gold, and that blue-green. 🙂
Decisions…Decisions…oh to have that sort of problem. I like where you are headed with this. Being six feet tall, and I can say that I have NEVER had enough storage in any of the houses we’ve lived in, I understand that for you, the space over the washer and dryer are just not viable. I do like the idea of the fold up drying racks; I have a few antique ones that come to the rescue every laundry day with all my leggings. You have ample space there and being that they would be lower, I don’t think they would interfere with your pendant light. I love the simple ones, they look so much like the ones in your studio, so that gives some symmetry to the rest of the house and would of course be so much easier to clean. I don’t know about you, but my laundry room is the biggest source of dust in our home. I am making sure that any new lighting will be able to be dusted without my getting on a ladder and taking it apart. Don’t forget a closet bar for hangers. I still iron, which I know is a dying art, and I have a closet bar, two of them actually for the hangers so I don’t have to walk from one end of the house to the other to hang something up after I have ironed it. Mine are magnetic since I have a fridge and freezer in my “Laundry Room/Butler’s Pantry”. I know you will nail this. Looking forward to all the new stuff. It is looking so amazing I cannot wait to get started on our closet, although that will be the last item on the list of our master bath and master bedroom update.
Cheers to you and Matt!
Give Cooper a cuddle for me, he is too cute.
Your dogo curled up against the blue cabinets reminds me of my favorite dog ever. I would doggie sit him and he loved to follow me around and help with projects. I painted my bathroom a similar blue, and he curled up and leaned against the wet wall. Had to apologize for sending their dog home painted, opps. He moved out of state and I miss him terribly.
As for your design, I prefer the 2nd lights but think they would block any art. You could always add something to the wall later if you think you need it. Sometimes you have to live in the space before making all the decisions.
I love your planned lighting; a chandelier in your closet is ideal!
I am curious…. are you going to put a full length dressing mirror anywhere?
The full length mirror and upholstered bench will go in the foyer.
The cabinets look so lovely painted that blue. That paint is scrumptious! As for the pendants, I wouldn’t want the first one–it would set the laundry area as way too “utilitarian” and might look out of place among such prettiness. The second one has interest, I think, without overwhelming the main light, and it kind of keeps with the botanical theme. I like the idea of a light/fan combo for the center between the washer and dryer, too. It’s surprising how much moisture laundry creates in a small room.
I see no need for a pendant light over each. Keep the recessed light, and if you want, maybe a library light over the artwork. (Although I can’t see artwork on top of wallpaper either.) If you want pendants, I would do a clear glass cylinder style; simple and unobtrusive!
I was thinking the bowl shaped pendants are lovely and the Home Depot pendants are similar to the chandelier and sconces without being too matchy and either one would look nice. However, hanging artwork over the wallpaper with the pendants seems too busy. Then I wondered how far out from the side wall you plan to hang the pendants? I’m wondering when you walk into the closet and see the chandelier over the island and the sconces on each side of the mirror and see the pendents over the washer and dryer if that will just be too much going on in the space. Will the recessed light between the washer and dryer provide enough light? Perhaps consider a recessed light over the washer and the dryer instead of one between them.
I think those white floral pendants from Home Depot suit you and your style perfectly. ☺️ Personally, though, I don’t think you need artwork behind them. The wallpaper is basically the artwork.
I’d go with the simpler pendant. I think the HD ones are still too eye-catching.
I personally would just do canned lights above the washer and dryer. Those would work fabulous for getting out stains etc. (I have light right above mine) and it would be dark if I didn’t.
I see no need for pendant light back there, nor will anyone but you ever see art work back there. When you walk in, it’s hidden from view due to closets.
If you do the pendant light, will they also be hidden behind the closets? I’m afraid you’re overthinking it. 😁😁😁
This of course, is just my opinion…..I dont live there. 😅 I do know, when all is said and done, it’ll be beautiful like everything else you’ve done!
Someone said to frame wallpaper to hang by the washer and dryer? Are you papering the back wall to the closet or the wall behind the washer and behind the dryer? I’m lost at where the wallpaper will go. You wouldn’t want to frame wallpaper and hang it on the wallpaper???
I don’t think you need fancy lights by the washer and dryer. You need light that you can see by. Don’t over don’t overdo the thinking on hanging a bunch of stuff back there.
It will be a work area, and you are going to want to SEE. You don’t need dust collectors.
The blue looks very pretty. Is that just one coat of paint? Why not put 6 lights up, 2 above the washer and dryer, then 2 a little way down and then 2 by the door. Then you will only need one fancy light over your middle area furniture.
Whatever you do it will look good, but many people have suggested you forget the pendant lights over the washer/dryer. Listen.
I’ll be putting wallpaper on the walls over the washer and dryer, so the wallpaper will wrap around from the main (window) wall to the side walls. Two sections (the left section with the larger shelves and the middle section) have two coats of paint. The other two only have one.
This pendant light is simple but a nod to the floral wallpaper
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNQRV65C/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?pf_rd_p=7446a9d1-25fe-4460-b135-a60336bad2c9&pf_rd_r=Y61HPXC3CDWEE2FB86SF&pd_rd_wg=Emb4R&pd_rd_w=Xslxh&content-id=amzn1.sym.7446a9d1-25fe-4460-b135-a60336bad2c9&pd_rd_r=4d099167-d7b0-408e-be1d-78f9761a99fb&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1
Are you spraying the cabinets?
I love the color and finish.
I’m brushing the corners and the trim and then using a 6-inch roller for smooth surfaces on all of the big, flat surfaces.
Such a sweet boy! He can actually sleep through all your activity! He just wants to be near you…adorable. I love the simple lights over the W/D area…just not the place for fancy, and I think those are SO nice anyway.
I think lint in laundry areas is significant from simply pulling clothes out of the dryer, shaking them out. Foot traffic then scatters & disperses that lint and pet fur up. Always astounded at what is in my window screen or on the fan/chandelier. It ages me when I confess that I am tapering out ways to diminish those tasks! LOL. There really does come a time when one wants to do less of such things. Now that I’m recovering from BC surgery, it’s impact on my chest/arms, reach and movement, I have a new respect for such things. I’m confident You will execute something lovely.
Having the light positioned for task visibility is spot on.. bad pun.
Also love the idea of the exhausted ceiling light. They are so quiet now and as a person that air dries clothes (I’m tall/can’t afford shrinkage) I do believe the ceiling fan is supportive to reduce humidity. Or Perhaps your furnace cold air return is nearby so that humid air would be quickly exhausted out through your AC.
With your room having recessed lights have you thought of using gimbaled in the corners? With a central light you could tilt the corners ever so slightly so they help you see your racks/shelves really well. I did a similar application and ended up loving it..
Here’s an example: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HALO-HLA-Series-4-in-Adjustable-CCT-Canless-IC-Rated-Dimmable-Indoor-Outdoor-Integrated-LED-Recessed-Light-Gimbal-Trim-HLA406VWFL9FS1EMWR/309861271?MERCH=REC-_-pip_alternatives-_-320506937-_-16-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a
I meant the side ones in the corners, not adding more recessed lights.