Two Rooms in One

Utility Room
Fresh colors provide a bright setting for indoor tasks and outdoor pursuits.

What She Did

The Goal: This homeowner, an avid gardener, wanted to squeeze more purpose into her underused laundry room. Because it offers easy access to the home's back and side yards, it is a natural spot to incorporate a potting area and storage for gardening tools.

The Plan: A stackable washer-and-dryer set replaces side-by-side units to free up valuable floor space. Turquoise paint freshens the existing peg-board walls and contrasts with the mocha brown finish on the new oak cabinets. Updated lighting, durable solid-surface countertops, and a unique newsworthy shelving treatment complete the look.

Retro-style pendant lights hang from the ceiling. Their sleek antique-pewter finish complements the cabinet hardware.

"It feels like spring year-round in here—just the thing to get me in the gardening mood."

Good To Know
Test your decoupage skills on a scrap surface before applying to a large space. Learn more about this technique at Lowes.com/Decoupage.

Garden Station
1. In-stock oak cabinets, which house laundry and gardening supplies, were covered with wood stain and a polyurethane finish. The new stackable washer-and-dryer set conserves floor space.
2. Linking foam mats provide a comfortable surface for anyone standing at the sink.
3. Lively green paint brightens up built-in shelving along the back wall. For a personalized touch, the homeowner decoupaged the shelf interiors with pages from The Old Farmer's Almanac. You also could use clippings from local newspapers.
4. A cabinet that's flush with the wall conceals an ironing board when not in use. The cabinet is painted to match the wall color.

Sunroom
The comforts of the indoors blend with scenic outdoor views for the best of both worlds.

What They Did

The Goal: This family wanted their screened-in porch to pull double duty. During the day, they planned for a laid-back space tailored for casual meals and downtime. By evening, they needed a spot that would accommodate game nights as well as adult get-togethers.

The Plan: Versatile shades, available by Special Order, are made from outdoor fabric and mounted in front of copper screens. The shades can be rolled up to let in sunshine and breezes, or they can be pulled down at night for a sense of enclosure. Strategic lighting, outdoor furniture, and quick-change accessories smooth the transition from a daytime hub to an evening retreat.

The bed hangs securely from chains and hooks attached to ceiling joists. Connecting the chain to two points on each corner of the bed limits the swinging action, making it even more secure. The length of the chain can be adjusted to lower the swing's height.

"The children love having more playtime in the fresh air."

To find detailed step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and a list of tools and materials for building the hanging bed, go to LowesCreativeIdeas.com/Woodworkers.

A red cedar-shade wood stain on the decking transitions well between day and evening: It glows warmly in the sun yet maintains its vibrancy after dusk falls.

Outdoor pillows, lamps, and other accessories can be swapped out easily to seasonally change the look of the room.

Easy Outdoor Living
1. Fabric shades are a simple solution for providing privacy without blocking too much fresh air. For a less expensive alternative, fruitwood or bamboo blinds would work well.
2. Weather-resistant outdoor fans add overhead lighting. The dark finish complements the furniture and accessories in the sunroom.
3. Varied seating—cushioned chairs, a love seat, swivel rockers, and sling-style dining chairs—suits the porch's different functions. The adjacent living and dining areas can easily join together as the occasion dictates.