DIY Network

Laundry Room From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-103

The Wasted Spaces plan is simple...remove the useless canning shelves, move the washer and dryer and add a cabinet.

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Breaking Down the Project

Shannon and Mike have converted an old canning room into their laundry room. The space is cluttered by useless shelves that are too narrow to store anything on them and there is no room for storage. The room is measured 11' by 6' and has a small alcove where a laundry comes down from the floor above. The flooring is an old laminate dated at about 45 years old.

The first step in considering how to redo a laundry room is to determine how you use the space. How often are you in the laundry room? Do you do all your laundry in the same room? In other words, do you sort, treat, wash, dry and fold in the same space? If not, think about what tasks you do where. If you are less likely to sort and fold in the laundry room itself, you may not need a folding table. You may want to use that space for cabinets instead. No matter how you design the room, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Keeping the washer and dryer next to each other makes laundry much easier.

• Newer models of appliances allow for stacking the washer and dryer. If this is an option in your home, you will save a lot of space.

• Detergents, stain removers and other laundry aids should be kept next to, above or underneath the washing machine.

• All detergents and cleaning supplies should be kept out of reach of children.

• Dryer vent fires are among the most common household fires in the country. Make sure you do not crush your dryer vent and have it checked regularly.

If the floor is not being replaced, be careful not to damage it while moving the appliances. Hand trucks are useful when moving large appliances.

Materials:

3/4" birch plywood
laminate sheet
linoleum Ffooring
8' of rigid ducting
1x2 ledger boards
trim
screws
hanging rod
chases
white cabinet
paint
burlap curtain
hammer
pry bar
circular saw
gloves
utility knife
framing square
table saw
laminate cutter
nail gun
wood glue
chop saw
drill
sander
tape measure
chalk line

Clearing Laundry Room

1. Before moving your washer and dryer, make sure the water is turned off.

2. Carefully disconnect all hoses and cords.

3. Removing canning shelves is easy. Loosen the shelves by hammering them and then use a pry bar to pry them away.

Tips:

• It's a good idea to wear gloves any time you are removing wood. They protect your hands from exposed nails.

• Use an appliance dolly to help move your washer.

	Make certain the floor is clean and free from dust before you lay the tiles down.
	To cut, use a straight edge and a utility knife.

Linoleum Tile Installation

1. Linoleum tile squares are available at most home improvement stores and online. They typically come in 12x12 squares with a peel-off adhesive back.

2. Peel-and-stick linoleum floor tiles can be installed directly on top of old flooring as long as the flooring is clean and without imperfection. If you have a flaw in your old floor, sand it down or remove it before installing the new tiles.

3. Install peel-and-stick tiles using the same principles as ceramic tiles. Start in the middle and work toward the edges of the room.

4. Peel back the backing and follow the arrows located on the backing of the tiles to make a good pattern.

5. When reaching a corner, fit the tile in the space. Mark the edges with a pencil.

6. The excess tile then simply snaps off. Peel the backing off and place it down.

Tips:

• To protect your knees from all that kneeling, wear knee pads!

• It's a good idea to install tiles along a chalk line to keep them straight.

• You may have to score the tile a couple of times in order to cut all the way through.

• If you have to remove a tile, carefully lift it using a paint scraper or other pry tool. Be careful not to damage the flooring underneath.

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