We know the biggest upgrades our laundry area needs are energy-efficient appliances and built-in storage to make the most of that small space. While we save and plan for those larger changes, we spent a few hours after Clara’s bedtime a couple of nights ago tackling smaller, high-impact fixes on our laundry to-do list.
Our first focus was the glass side door that provides a direct line of sight from the carport, through the laundry room, and into the kitchen. That clear view made privacy an issue, so we needed a quick solution while we planned a more permanent update.
Initially we thought a simple wooden blind would do the job. We also removed a dark pocket door that had been acting as a temporary privacy solution. After buying a bamboo rolling shade, we noticed it blocked a lot of light. Our kitchen is already pretty dark in the mornings—it’s the only room without direct exterior windows (the sink window faces the sunroom)—so we didn’t want to sacrifice more daylight.
We opted for frosted window film instead. We used the same materials and method we used in our basement a while back, so the process felt familiar. The film lets light through while preserving privacy, and it’s an affordable, low-effort solution. The only hiccup this time was stubborn bubbles.
These were the kind of bubbles that wouldn’t disappear. Usually a few passes with a squeegee remove trapped air, but this time the bubbles stayed put. We wondered if it was because we hadn’t used enough application spray, or if the cold temperature on the other side of the glass (the instructions advise applying the film above 40°F) caused the adhesive to set prematurely.
We peeled off the bubbled film, scraped residual adhesive from the window, and prepared for a second try. Fortunately, a scrap of film we had leftover was the perfect size for another attempt. This time we used a lot more applicator solution to keep the surface slippery and prevent bubbles from becoming permanent.
It worked—no more trapped air, and the finish looked clean and seamless.
Next we removed the open shelves next to the door. While extra storage can be useful, these shelves were in the traffic path and became clutter collectors we repeatedly bumped into when carrying things through the doorway. We decided to take them down and reserve the wall for art or a framed photo collage in the future—some visual breathing room helps make a laundry room feel more welcoming and less utilitarian.
While we were unscrewing hardware late at night, we also removed the shutters from the laundry room window to make space for future blinds, a roman shade, or curtains. By morning, the laundry area already felt lighter and cleaner.
There were no shelves and no shutters, though a little touch-up painting was needed where they’d been mounted.
Most importantly, the frosting film preserved a healthy stream of morning light into the otherwise dark kitchen—exactly what we wanted. It was an inexpensive fix that made a big difference in both privacy and light quality.
Have you used frosted film from a big-box store like Home Depot? Did you ever encounter bubbles that wouldn’t budge no matter how hard you worked the squeegee? Was the problem temperature-related, insufficient application spray, or something else? We’d love to hear about your experience and any tips that helped the film settle in smoothly.
Psst—We announced this week’s giveaway winners on the original post.