I needed new laundry machines for one of my rental units and decided to build a counter and storage systems around them. I visited my local Home Depot to look at different options but ultimately made the decision at home and ordered them online. I scheduled the delivery and installation through Home Depot. This project takes 3 hours and material costs less than $150.

SUPPLIES:

¾” Plywood
Available at Home Depot
I made two of these tables. One out of a sheet of ¾” thick sanded pine plywood and the other out of ¾” furniture grade poplar plywood.

Minwax Polycrylic
Available at Home Depot
I used Minwax polycrylic to seal the plywood.

Front Loading Washer
Available at Home Depot

Front Loading Ventless Dryer
Available at Home Depot

TOOLS:

RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill
Available at Home Depot











RYOBI Circular Saw
Available at Home Depot











RYOBI Palm Router
Available at Home Depot











RYOBI Table Saw
Available at Home Depot

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Picking the right laundry machines.
I wanted to provide a generous amount of counter space in the laundry closet so that sorting, washing, and folding could all happen in the same place. I chose front loading units from LG with a ventless dryer. Ventless dryers are great when the laundry room is far away from an exterior wall. Installing vents to the outside can add cost to the installation.

STEP 2: Rip the plywood.
I used my table saw to rip strips of plywood and then cut the strips to length using my miter saw.



STEP 3: Glue and screw the layers of plywood together.
I glued strips of plywood to the large piece that I cut for the countertop. This creates a thick front edge to the counter.



STEP 4: Cut holes for storage.

I wanted to be able to use the space on the side of the laundry machines for storage so I used my jigsaw to cut round holes in the plywood.





STEP 5: Check the fit and cut holes for tubes and cables.

I checked to see if the counter would fit and then marked the locations of the pipes and cables that would need to go through it. I then used my jigsaw to cut holes in the counter.





STEP 6: Sand the counter.

I used my orbital sander to sand the countertop.



STEP 7: Install.

I installed ledges made out of plywood and 2x4s. I made sure to screw these ledges to the studs behind the gypsum board. I then placed the counter on the ledges and screwed it in place.







STEP 8: Seal the plywood.

I sealed the plywood with 2 coats of miniwax polycrylic using a foam brush.



STEP 9: Install shelves.

I used my RYOBI center stud finder to locate the center of the studs behind the gypsum board. I screwed shelf brackets in place and then screwed plywood to the brackets.







STEP 10: Capture the ceiling space.

This closet has 9-foot tall ceilings so I wanted to capture the space up high. I made ledges out of plywood and 2x4s and screwed them up above the top shelf. I place these ledges on both sides so that large plastic bins from Home Depot could be lifted in between and then turned to rest on the ledges.









STEP 11: Build the storage cart.

I screwed together scraps of plywood, casters and clear plastic bins to make a cart for storing laundry supplies.







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