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By Jessica Ackerman
One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep a washer and dryer out of sight is to tuck them inside a cabinet. Of course this can be done in a laundry room, but hiding the washer and dryer in a cabinet is even more effective when the home does not have a dedicated laundry room. Sometimes the washer and dryer are placed in a bathroom, in the kitchen, or in a back hallway. In these instances tucking them behind a cabinet door is a very effective way keep then out of sight when not in use. While front loading machines work best behind cabinet doors, these doors can be constructed to accommodate any style of washer and dryer. To build cabinets, a homeowner needs to have some basic construction skills or hire a carpenter.
Cabinet Design
To plan the cabinets, start by measuring the washer and dryer for an accurate recording of their overall dimensions. Make sure to allow at least four inches extra width and eight inches extra depth from the widest and deepest point of the appliances. Make sure that there is ample height to maneuver around while doing laundry. Sketch out the cabinet plans on a piece of graph paper, drawing the plans to scale. For a stacked set of appliances design the cabinets to be large enough to house both behind a single door that can be opened when desired. If the appliances are situated beside each other, design two doors for ease of use. With a top loading unit, a hinged countertop can be built over the top if the cabinet is not a floor to ceiling unit.
Framing the Cabinets
After drawing out the plans, begin to build the framework for the cabinets using 2 x 4 pieces of lumber. Double check the dimensions while constructing the frame to make sure that the appliances will fit into the finished space. If including a lift top counter in the design, make sure to build a frame for that as well. The cabinet doors will also need frames, and it can be constructed from thinner planks of lumber to keep them slender and lightweight.
Building the Walls
After the framework is in place, use three quarter inch plywood to fashion the sides of the cabinet. Screw the sections into place, and countersink the screws to keep the exterior surface smooth. For the flip top counter use a laminate surface, because it will double as a useful counter space. After the cabinet is constructed, use screws and hinges to mount the doors. Keep the flip top counter light, and mount it securely to the wall over the cabinet. Make sure there is enough clearance to easily open and close it without bumping into anything.
Adding a Finish
Once the cabinets are built, they can be varnished, stained or painted. If painting us a semi or high gloss finish and paint them a light shade to keep them looking bright. When staining or varnishing, choose a water repellant finish like polyurethane. After the paint or stain is dry, add knobs and the cabinet is ready to use.
About the Author: Jessica Ackerman writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com where she provides detailed instructions for decorating with
tropical metal home decor
and
colorful tropical fish metal decor
.
Source:
isnare.com
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