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Let's face it, laundry rooms are nothing glamorous. It's where we fold socks and underwear. Not exactly the most exciting thing in the universe right? But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy that space either! One of my biggest obstacles in our little laundry closet was that all the cords were hanging around. Sure I could put a new shelf in there with pretty boxes and a cute basket on top of the dryer, but those dang cords made all those things fade into the background. I had to figure out how to hide cords.
Let's be honest. Part of me really wanted to unplug every single one of those cords before I posted pictures, but this is real life people. Real life involves ugly black cords cramping my style. But, if you'll notice it's much better than before. And I actually added a cord when I decided to put a lamp in there!
Here's the full view of the finished product.
So let's talk about how I came up with the plan to make this Hanging Wooden Sign in order to hide cords. I knew I couldn't hide the cords permanently because one day we would need to access everything, and I couldn't box it in because everything was hanging down. I needed a shelf, so I started there. After I got that up I realized I could hang a sign from the bottom of the shelf and let it float in front of the cords.
Let's make one!
Supplies: (Some of the links below are affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links. They in no way change the price of the product, but they do however help keep this blog going! Thanks for your support)
- 1x8 board cut to length needed
- Waverly Inspirations Chalk Finish Acrylic Paint (I used the colors: Cashew & Mineral)
- Waverly Inspirations Paint Brushes
- Black FolkArt Chalk Paint
- Ryobi Sander
- Sandpaper
- Alpha Stencils
- 4 Cup Hooks
- Twist Chain
How to Hide Cords with a Wooden Sign
Start by cutting your board to length, sanding it down, and painting it with the base color. I used the Waverly Inspirations Chalk Acrylic Paint in Mineral for my base coat and applied it with the Waverly Inspirations Paint Brushes. It's the perfect warm gray!
While that was still semi-wet I took a different brush and very lightly dipped it into the Waverly Inspirations Chalk Acrylic Paint in Cashew and used a dry brushing technique to add a little dimension to the board and give it a slightly vintage look. Dry brushing is just where you add a small amount of paint to your "dry" brush, dab off any excess, and brush it onto your piece, in this case, a random pattern. TIP: If you feel as though you've added to much of the Cashew color, just simply go back over it with the Mineral and start over! This paint is very forgiving!
Then I used a FolkArt Alphabet Template to stencil the word "Laundry" onto the board, making sure it was centered. For this paint I used FolkArt ® Home Decor™ Chalk Ultra-Matte Paint in Black.
After the paint was dry, I took a fine grit piece of sandpaper and slightly sanded the entire board softening up the letters, allowing the gray to show through the letters, and hiding any imperfections from my not so awesome stenciling skills ; ) 
So now the sign is ready to go, we just have to hang it. Start by screwing the cup hooks into the top of your sign. The distance apart just depends on the length of your sign and making sure it visually looks correct. Trust your instincts here. Once those hooks are installed, measure the difference and match that on the bottom of the shelf. Using your chain to hang the sign, just insert the hooks onto the chain and cut off any excess.
Now your sign is free hanging in front of your cords, greatly reducing the elephant in the room! It also fills that awkward blank space between the washer and dryer and the shelf.
Do you have a place in your home where you could stand to hide cords? Perhaps you have a trick up your sleeve I don't know about... tell me all about it in the comments below!
Ashley Bliss
Author at The Crafty Blog Stalker
Anne
Wow what a great idea to hide cords. And I love that the sign hangs from the shelf above.
Judy
Very cute what a nice laundry room it now is, Thanks
Ashley
Thanks Judy!!
Anne
Wow what a great idea to hide cords. And I love that the sign hangs from the shelf above.
Judy
Very cute what a nice laundry room it now is, Thanks
Ashley
Thanks Judy!!
Creatively Living
Genius! It's cute and functional! I'd never know it's purpose was to hide cords.
Creatively Living
Genius! It's cute and functional! I'd never know it's purpose was to hide cords.
Rose
Love your laundry room! Is that a floating shelf or how did you build it? I have an existing builder's grade laundry room shelf that I was thinking of just covering with boards that I could stain and maybe leave the old shelf underneath it. Would love a tutorial!
Rose
Love your laundry room! Is that a floating shelf or how did you build it? I have an existing builder's grade laundry room shelf that I was thinking of just covering with boards that I could stain and maybe leave the old shelf underneath it. Would love a tutorial!
Grandmas House DIY
Your sign turned out so great! We would love to have you at our To Grandma's house we go link party that opened this Wednesday morning and lasts all week!
Grandmas House DIY
Your sign turned out so great! We would love to have you at our To Grandma's house we go link party that opened this Wednesday morning and lasts all week!
Brenna@Domestic Charm
Such a cute idea! And that shelf is great!!!
Ashley
Thank you so much Brenna!
Brenna@Domestic Charm
Such a cute idea! And that shelf is great!!!
Ashley
Thank you so much Brenna!
Debbie @ Shadows of the Blue Ridge
This laundry sign is a fabulous idea! We are in the process of building a new home and the washer and dryer just got installed in the laundry closet. The first thing I noticed was the *ugly* cords and hoses showing above our brand new washer and dryer...ugh! I love your idea of giving the eye something else to look at. Thank you so much for sharing. I see a new project in my future :o)
Ashley
Thanks Debbie! I hope it works out for you! : )
Debbie @ Shadows of the Blue Ridge
This laundry sign is a fabulous idea! We are in the process of building a new home and the washer and dryer just got installed in the laundry closet. The first thing I noticed was the *ugly* cords and hoses showing above our brand new washer and dryer...ugh! I love your idea of giving the eye something else to look at. Thank you so much for sharing. I see a new project in my future :o)
Ashley
Thanks Debbie! I hope it works out for you! : )
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