🖼️
The project:
When we built our home, our budget only stretched far enough for a laundry trough, so we always knew the space would be a project for another day. It also doubled as our cat Cookie's litter area, with very little storage or bench space, making it far from inviting. I decided to transform it myself using Kaboodle cabinetry, creating a laundry that's practical, organised, and much more enjoyable to use every day. It finally feels like a finished part of our home.
- Materials:
- Tools:
- Step 1:
Planning and designing
Before buying anything, I spent quite a bit of time planning the layout using the Kaboodle design planner. It was such a helpful tool because I could experiment with different cabinet configurations and get a realistic idea of what the finished laundry would look like before committing to anything. It was through this process that I landed on the overall layout of the project.
I knew the design had to solve a few challenges. First was Cookie's litter box. Like a lot of pet owners, our laundry doubles as the cat's bathroom, and let's face it... litter boxes aren't the most attractive thing to look at, and they don't smell great either 🤭. From the beginning, I wanted to conceal it inside one of the cupboards so it was tucked away but still easy for Cookie to access.
The next challenge was our washing machine. It's larger than a standard machine, so I knew there wasn't enough room to fit both the washer and dryer side by side under the benchtop. Stacking them was really the only option if I wanted to maximise bench space.
Because I was working with a limited budget and doing the project myself, I also wanted to avoid moving any plumbing. That meant the laundry sink needed to stay on the left-hand side where the existing plumbing already was, leaving the right-hand corner as the logical spot for the stacked washer and dryer.
After finalising the basic layout in the Kaboodle planner and spending some time browsing the Bunnings website for products and inspiration, I started sketching my own ideas to create the final concept. I think it's really important to have a clear vision before you begin, as it gives you something to work towards throughout the project.
From there, I put together a shopping list of things I'd need using Bunnings App... and a budget. Did I stick to it? Well, probably about as well as anyone does on a DIY project!💰️! But having a plan definitely helped me prioritise what was most important and kept the project on track.
The Bunnings App was incredibly helpful throughout the whole project because I could create different lists and organise them by category, like "Tools", "Timber", "Bits", and "Cabinet Parts". This saved me so much time because when I walked into Bunnings, I knew exactly what I needed and could head straight to the right aisles instead of wandering around trying to remember what I was looking for. It made the whole shopping process much smoother.
- Step 2:
Building a custom overhead cabinet
I decided to start with the cabinet above the washer and dryer. Because our home has 2.7m ceilings, standard overhead cabinets looked a little too short and left a large empty gap above them. Instead of settling for something that didn't look quite right, I decided to build my own custom cabinet from scratch.
I'll admit, it was a little intimidating! I'd never built a cabinet before, so I spent hours watching tutorials and hoping my self-proclaimed "flat-pack queen" skills would somehow transfer to cabinet making. My grandpa was a carpenter, so I like to think maybe a few of his skills found their way into my genes. Either way, I crossed my fingers and got stuck in!
I started with a Kaboodle Pantry End Panel to create the frame for the washer and dryer tower. This panel would remain visible in the finished laundry and connect with the benchtop, so it was important to get it positioned from the very beginning. From there, I added timber supports to create the base of the cabinet, securing everything together with my Ozito® Cordless Nail and Staple Gun.
To install it, I secured the end panel to the wall using pocket holes I created with a Kreg® Pocket-Hole Jig. Because I couldn't line it up with a wall stud, I used spring toggles to attach that panel in the plasterboard. The rest of the cabinetry would later be fixed into the studs, so the toggles were only needed for this section. Looking back, I'd probably tackle that part differently next time - but that's all part of learning.
Once everything was assembled, I filled the pocket holes with wood filler, sanded them smooth, and used white vinyl to cover the exposed timber so everything blended in with the cabinet finish.
Then came... the cabinet doors. Without a doubt, they were the most stressful part of the entire project! They taught me the true meaning of the old saying, "measure twice, cut once." Since I don't own a circular saw or table saw, the Bunnings timber cutting service was an absolute lifesaver, cutting the doors to my exact measurements. Once I got them home, I applied edge banding to the cut edges for a neat, finished look.
The next challenge was fitting the hinges. Measuring and installing cabinet hinges is tricky at the best of times, but it's even harder when you're working overhead! There were definitely a few "oops" moments that needed fixing before everything lined up properly. By the end of it all, I had a much greater appreciation for just how clever the Kaboodle system really is!
The before! 🤭
My supervisor inspecting the quality of my work.
Overhead Cupboard complete.
- Step 3:
Cabinets, benchtop and sink installation
The first thing I did was assemble one of the Kaboodle cabinets and leave it without the door installed so Cookie could start getting used to her new litter box area. I wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible for her and didn't want to suddenly move her into a completely unfamiliar space.
Once she was comfortable using the new space, I installed the cabinet door. To make it functional for her, I added a cat flap so she could easily come and go. I bought the cat flap online, marked where to cut the opening, used my Ozito® jigsaw to cut it out, and finished the edges with my Ozito® Rotary Tool to make them smooth and neat. After installing it, I gave Cookie another week to adjust before continuing with the rest of the laundry transformation.
The next step was removing the existing laundry trough - and it was definitely more stubborn than I expected! It took a lot of patience and elbow grease to get it free. Once removed, I left some minor damage behind it, so I patched and repaired the wall before preparing it for the new cabinetry.
The suPAWvisor inspecting the work again.
When it came time to assemble the rest of the Kaboodle cabinets, it was easy as pie! Everything came with the parts needed and the instructions were simple to follow.
I did need to make a few modifications to make everything work with the appliances. Because the washing machine and dryer were now positioned on the right-hand side, I needed to create openings in the cabinetry for the cables and hoses to run through. Keeping everything accessible meant maintenance would still be simple if needed.
For the benchtop, I chose a multi-use timber panel, and once again, the Bunnings timber cutting service saved the day.
Using my jigsaw, I carefully cut the sink opening using the template provided, then sanded with and sealed the timber with a satin clear varnish to protect it from moisture. After installing the sink and tap and sealing the edges with silicone, the cabinets, benchtop, sink, and Cookie’s little space finally came together - and the laundry started to feel like a finished part of our home!
- Step 4:
A Little Bit of Tile Magic
As the laundry is a wet area, I decided to apply waterproofing spray behind where the splashback would go — a simple “better safe than sorry” step.
For the splashback, I wanted something neutral that would work with the rest of the laundry. It actually took me a while to decide, but with a little help from my husband, we landed on these kit kat tiles.
They’re a light greige colour with little black speckles, which ties in really nicely with the floor tiles. The lighter colour helps keep the space feeling open and bright without making the laundry feel too busy.
I had done tiling before, but this time I decided to make life a little easier and opted for a premixed tile adhesive. It saved some extra steps and made the whole process much smoother.
By this point, I was about a month and a half into the project, so I decided it was time to call in some help with the tiling. My husband jumped in to lend a hand - because, you know… happy wife, happy life! 😅
- Step 5:
The Finishing Touches
I had originally planned to install two floating shelves, but in the end I decided that one was all the space really needed. I used some WallMates to make it a bit more sturdy as not all screws went into the stud.
I also wanted somewhere to dry small items or the occasional emergency wash without having to drag out the clothes airer every time. A wall-mounted drying rack ended up being the perfect solution. Installing it was a little challenging because the tiles were already up, so I had to use special drill bits to get through them. It was definitely worth the effort though, I use it all the time for the kitchen towels!
The cherry on top was a little laundry door sign I found online. It was the perfect finishing touch and made the space feel complete.
I absolutely love our new laundry. It's so much more functional than before, and knowing I transformed it myself (with a little muscle borrowed from hubby when needed, and, of course, Cookie as chief suPAWvisor) makes me even prouder every time I walk in.
Looking back at where it started, all the hard work was 100% worth it!
