You can increase the efficiency of your laundry room by installing modular storage units that you assemble yourself.
The units typically consist of particleboard covered with a laminate surface (figure A) with a series of holes for adjustable shelves (figure B). Pins and locking cams (provided with the units) hold the cabinets together.
Materials:
Hammer
Flat- and Phillips-head screwdrivers
Drill, with drill bits and driver bits
Level
Stud sensor
Safety glasses
Bolt cutters or hacksaw
Modular storage kit
All-purpose glue (usually provided with a modular kit)
- Begin inserting cam locks into the designated pilot holes near the edges of the pieces, with the arrow on the lock pointing toward the opening in the edge of the boards (figure C). Wooden dowels are often used to support the connection and are glued in place for additional strength (figure D).
- Install cam bolts into the designated pilot holes (figure E).
- Insert the bolts into the holes next to the cam locks (figure F) so the cam locks may be turned and locked in place. Turn the cam locks halfway around to secure the bolts (figure G).
- After assembling the main cabinets, check them for level, and adjust them with shims (usually provided with the unit). Trim off any excess from the shims.
- Locate and mark the wall studs. Then secure the cabinet to the wall by drilling a pilot hole into the mounting plate (at the upper rear interior corner of the cabinet) and screwing a long wood screw through the hole and into the wall stud (figure H).
- Set the upper cabinet on top of the bottom cabinet, align the dowels (figure I), and secure the upper cabinet to the wall by driving a screw through the mounting plate and into a wall stud.
- Mark the locations of the wall studs for the cabinets that will go over the washer and dryer. Assemble the cabinets, and drill pilot holes in the mounting plates. Attach the cabinets to the wall by driving screws through the mounting plates and into the wall studs (figure J). Check the cabinets for level before driving the screws all the way into the studs.
- Attach the hinges to the door by driving mounting screws into the pilot holes in the door. Some cabinets have recessed areas for the hinges (figure K). Screw the door mount into place (figure L), and attach the door (figure M). You can adjust the door's height by loosening or tightening the setscrews on the hinges (figure N).
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