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How to add a laundry benchtop over sink in a rental?

Hi, I'm currently renting and although I have alot of storage space in the laundry, I don't have a bench. I'm wanting to create a bench top over the washer & laundry sink, but I want to still be able to access the sink when needed. The taps and forcet won't allow a flip hinge lid. Any other ideas please.

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EricL

Hello @jade92

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your laundry.

I'm afraid there is no way to cover your laundry tub with a benchtop and still have access to it. Even if you were to remove the metal laundry tub and replacing it with a cabinet the sink must remain open. Using a temporary cover like you have in your picture is one way to use the space but it won't work with a long benchtop that goes across it.

Let me call on our experienced member @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @jade92

I have two versions of an idea 🙂

A benchtop is definently doable without damaging or changing things around. Its just going to be a little higher then one that would normally be installed.

For these examples I am using Practa 2200 x 600 x 26mm Acacia Timber Benchtop Mainly becuase I used that sizinging and it covered my washing machine and sink and your tall cabinet will probarlly be 600mm deep 🙂

First idea

Benchtop resting on sink stretching across to touch the tall cabinet, then with the same sized benchtop straight down to the floor. Screw with right angle brackets or straight down from top into the leg. The left hand side part would travel say 200mm past the sink but the "foot" is mounted so its next to the sink itself. Attached either Screwed down into the foot or with right angles.

With the sink part, I am thinking of cutting out a large square U for the sink, with underside strips of timber screwed to the benchtop. (either side of the hole) This way the U you have cut out can be sllid back in when a bench is wanted and taken out when you want to use the sink. It just rests on the timber strips. (you could cut a notch in the end that goes to the taps to make it easy to slide out.)

Second idea

As above up to the "The sink part"

Depending on the type of sink you need. You could have a low sink that fits within your existing metal sink. So instead of cutting out the U from the timber, you cut out a hole to sit your sink lower/smaller sink in. You will loose some height of the sink space but no plumbing needed as you are just letting the new sink waste fall into the old sink. Estilo Stainless Steel Single Bowl Sink or Mondella Stainless Steel Resonance Single Bowl Round Sink as examples of what I mean. You just need measurethe inside space for your sink to see if there is an option.

Dave

DIY-Dilatante

I'm sitting at a desk with adjustable length tubular legs that are simply screwed to the underside of its melamine top.

Another of the same model could easily have its legs placed to fit in the gaps around your appliances, and its legs extended to hold the top above them.

The advantage is that it's fully removal, and will fit whatever laundry you find yourself in.

The downside is that it's a bit more awkward to move it to access the tub.

The even more fancy solution would be an electric standing desk; just push a button to raise it high enough that you can access the tub underneath.

nattynz

Hi @jade92

i did this small job in my laundry.

Acacia board I cut a hole for the Mondello stainless steel sink, couple of brackets and screws to secure the 90° end that sits by the washer. The leftover circular cutout I use as a chopping board.

The water drains through the sink plug hole

Into the tub below. If I ever need the “big tub” I can move the wood and sink away

att.PwS7D7SWDlvzilTC2CF3i5ZaR_P7mRfPBNv8nxfxLmM.jpeg

JacobZ

Hi @nattynz,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you join us.

So, you've essentially created a benchtop with a built-in, smaller basin that can be shifted if necessary. That is a really creative solution to this problem.

Do you have some photos of how it is supported? You mention brackets, but what are they attached to?

Being a solution for a rental, if you couldn't add any brackets to that end, you could simply add a vertical sheet underneath that end of the bench to sit on the ground and support it.

Thank you for sharing. I'm very impressed by your creativity.

Jacob

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