EASY STEPS TO INSTALL A NEW LAUNDRY

Gather your supplies

Flat-pack kitchen base, pantry and wall cabinets Hardwood panel 2400 x 900 x 33mm White tiles 600 x 300mm Hardwood plywood 4mm Cabinet doors, handles and hinges Sink and tap

You’ll also need

Circular saw; drill; drill bits; jigsaw; belt sander; 25mm spade bit; tile adhesive; notched trowel; spacers; tile cutter; grout sponge; grout; white silicone; masking tape; cabinet stands; 28 and 65mm screws; clear varnish; painting gear

For you to note

All electrical and plumbing work must be done by a licensed tradesmen. If required, move these services and rectify walls prior to installing cabinets.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Measure your space and determine the combo of flat-pack cabinets that will best suit your needs. Most flat-pack suppliers have online design tools to assist you. Buy, assemble and install flat-pack base and tall cabinets.

STEP 2 Use circular saw to cut timber panel to length to suit base cabinets. Mark out benchtop for the sink hole. Drill a small hole along the waste line that is just big

enough so your jigsaw blade can fit in. Insert jigsaw and cut out hole for sink.

STEP 3 Use belt sander to smooth edges of the sink cut-out and put a slight angle on it so it will sit inside the sink and be flush with the top. Use a 25mm spade bit to drill a hole through the centre as a finger handle.

STEP 4 Install benchtop on base cabinets, screwing up through the cabinets to secure. Use jigsaw to cut out top of cabinet for the sink where required.

STEP 5 Tile splashback above the benchtop so the top of the tiles will meet

the underside of the wall cabinets. Spread tile adhesive using a notched trowel and use tile spacers to keep the gaps between the tiles even. Cut tiles using a tile cutter as required. Leave adhesive to set. STEP 6 When dry, use a grout sponge to grout tiles. Use a fine sponge to remove excess grout, rinsing it frequently. When dry, polish tiles using a cloth. Fill gap between tiles and benchtop with white silicone, using masking tape on either side of gap for a neat finish.

STEP 7 Assemble wall cabinets and install. A pair of cabinet stands to hold them up are handy helpers. When joining cabinets, clamp them to hold, then predrill and screw together using 28mm screws. Screw cabinets to wall using 65mm screws, making sure they go into the wall studs. Pack behind cabinets, if required, to make them plumb.

STEP 8 Use circular saw to cut timber panel into 4 pieces for open shelf. When measuring for the depth, make the box sit past the cabinets so it will be flush with the doors and allow for the 4mm-thick plywood back. Glue and screw pieces together to form cabinet. Cut, glue and nail plywood back. Insert shelf under slimline cabinet and screw through wall cabinets into it.

STEP 9 Install shelves in wall cabinets, and attach doors and handles. Have your plumber install the sink and tap. Apply 3 coats of varnish to benchtop and sink top, allowing to dry after each coat. Install new washer and dryer under the bench.

A clever way to get more bench space!