Organize Your Laundry Room

To make this basement laundry area feel more like a real room, Loecke added crown molding, painted the walls sky blue, and chose a heavy-duty paint for the concrete floors. A cubby, made by modifying a standard kitchen cabinet, gives the washer and dryer a built-in look while a pegboard with hooks keeps craft and gift wrapping items close at hand. The board can also be used to display accents like a wall clock as well as inspirational photos and pages from favorite magazines.

Green tip: If your washer and dryer are more than 10 years old, consider replacing them with energy-efficient front-loading models or redesigned top-loading ones. Those with the Energy Star label use about half as much water as older machines, saving up to $145 a year on utility bills.