Cupboard converted into European-style laundry

[homeinmelbourne]

This clever project turned an old linen cupboard into a compact but functional European-style laundry.

• The project
• How to plan a laundry renovation
• More laundry project inspiration

The project

As part of our house renovation, we converted the old laundry room into a home office/extra bedroom and moved the laundry into a European-style laundry cupboard in the hallway.

Turning the linen cupboard into a laundry required moving a doorway, trenching plumbing wastes, plumbing new hot and cold water for the laundry sink and washing machine and running electricity inside the cupboard for the washing machine and small appliances.

Once all the plumbing and electrical work was done, here's what we did:

• Tiled the floor under the cabinetry and around the floor wastes (Bellazza 60 x 60cm Crema Porcelain Tile from Bunnings)

• Assembled flat pack laundry cabinetry (IKEA Metod carcasses with Stensund door fronts) 

• Installed and connected the plumbing fittings under the sink cupboard for the laundry sink and washing machine

• Cut and installed the Beech benchtop from Bunnings after routering the edges

• Sealed the benchtop using Timber Protect Satin Water Based One Coat Clear Varnish from Bunnings

• Measured, cut and installed James Hardie Axon Cladding for the splashback

• Painted the splashback with Taubmans Professional White Gloss Water Based Enamel Paint (four coats)

• Installed noggins for the filler panels to fix onto around the cabinetry

• Measured, cut and installed white melamine filler panels to box in the cabinetry

• Installed Hume Internal Oakfield Doors with new latches and hinges

• Painted the primed doors with Dulux Wash&Wear Semi Gloss Vivid White and installed the white half-circle door pulls to match the laundry cabinetry door pulls

• Installed new door architraves and painted them with the same Dulux Semi Gloss Vivid White

• Siliconed the joints and junctions of the splashback and filler panels using Selleys Wet Area Waterproof Silicone Sealant.
  
  

The original linen cupboard. 

We removed the cupboard doors, shelves and architraves. 

New plumbing wastes. Tile mock-up and tile trim edge installed.

Cabinets installed.

Benchtop installed.

It was a bit of a compromise not being able to fit in a dryer or have much bench space to fold clothes but I think converting our old laundry room into a home office and bedroom was a better use of the space.

How to plan a laundry renovation

With research and planning you can turn your laundry into an efficient and even welcoming space. Check out the guide How to plan a laundry renovation by experienced Bunnings Workshop member Adam Woodhams for renovation tips and space-saving ideas.

More laundry project inspiration

Bunnings Workshop member housetohome created lots more storage with this stunning farmhouse laundry renovation.

Bunnings Workshop member Rufaro gave his laundry a fresh new look with this clever budget laundry makeover.

There are also plenty of great ideas in our Top 10 most popular laundry renovation projects.

Let us know if you need a hand with your project – we're here to help.

[Remarka6le]

What a massive glow up @homeinmelbourne , you're one of the only people I've seen in Aus who has done this and it looks fantastic. Is the sound from the washing machine dampened a lot when the doors are closed or do you wash exclusivley with them open? 

[homeinmelbourne]

Hi @Remarka6le ,

Thank you so much. You can hear when the machine is filling with water for the first couple of minutes when the wash starts however once it is in cycle (washing/tumbling), you can't hear anything. Thankfully this machine is really quiet.

We've washed with both doors closed as well as open and I don't think I notice a real difference in sound dampening. I can imagine if we had a loud machine, we would probably always keep the doors closed.

[Scootergirl]

@homeinmelbourne 

I just read your project as I’m planning on undertaking something similar. It looks fantastic and gave me a lot of useful information. 
I was just wondering how deep your linen closet was? Im not sure if mine will be deep enough to fit a washing machine ( I currently have a top loader which I’ll be replacing with a front loader)

I was also curious whether the floor was waterproofed as I thought this was a requirement for a laundry?

thanks

Tracy 

[JacobZ]

Hi Tracy (@Scootergirl)

Please allow me to tag @homeinmelbourne so they are notified of your questions.

How much depth do you have to work with, and have you already selected a washing machine? 

Washing machines tend to vary from about 50-65cm in depth, so if you have this much space, I am sure you'll be able to find something that works.

A laundry is considered a wet area under the NCC (National Construction Code) and therefore, if the code is followed, it should be protected with a waterproofing system. With this said, there is no hard requirement for laundries to be "waterproof" in the same way a shower area must; however, the floor and floor-to-wall junctions should be "water-resistant" in case of any spills that could flood the room. You can have a look at NCC Part 10.2 Wet area waterproofing for further information.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob