Modern Rustic Porch, Entryway and Laundry Room
Porches, entryways and laundry rooms are often forgotten spaces and don’t get much TLC. If you pay a little design attention to them, however, you’ll be surprised at the impact it can make and also the way that you live in the space. Designer Amy Matthews walks through her modern rustic porch, entryway and laundry room and shares tips on how to incorporate this style in your space in this video by The Design Network:
A lot of times people will decorate their deck or porch based on an impulse buy in a home improvement store instead of considering the design style of the rest of their home. A deck or porch should be an extension of your space.
A really fun way to add character to your porch is not by spending a ton of money on decor but by finding random pieces that you love at places like flea markets, country fairs, and salvage yards. Amy’s porch pieces came from her mother-in-law’s farm. Your pieces don’t have to match; they just add character. Put them all over, put plants in them, put candles in them, and you will have a beautiful space that’s completely unique.
If you have weathered wood floorboards that are otherwise in good condition, sand them down, and you’ll be so surprised at how good they look and what they uncover. Remember that you do not have to stain them in the original color; look at it as an opportunity to redecorate the room.
A lot of porches are pretty utilitarian, but it’s amazing what a coat of stain and some special lighting can do. LED rope lighting is a very simple inexpensive addition that gives the space a bright warm glow without turning on the bright lights.
The original entryway was an eyesore. It was tiny, dark, cramped, and not big enough to be a mudroom. Amy installed an unexpected warm inviting light that might go over a dining room table. A very modern bench with stainless steel legs and upholstered in bright white leather contrasts against the cedar paneling. Together with a large painting and the now beautiful wood, these additions make an amazing impact as soon as you walk in the door.
Amy created a laundry room out of an almost closet-sized utilitarian space that housed the electrical box. The challenge was how to design this room without spending a ton of money on custom cabinetry. Amy found two furniture pieces for storage and wanted one to serve as her countertop and sink. In lieu of a modern laundry tub, Amy bought an old tin bin and retrofitted the cabinet to fit the plumbing inside. The folding table is made of beautiful wood; a galvanized pipe leg adds a rustic touch.
