How to Build a Laundry Center Part 2

In Part 1 of this guide on building a laundry center, you built a frame, put in a switch box, added drywall and put in cabinets. While it’s beginning to take shape, there’s still plenty of work to be done. In Part 2, follow the instructions below to complete the floor, mount cabinets and plan for a light fixture.

Step 7 - Tile Board

With plywood on the floor you’re ready to add the tile board to complete the flooring. This will cover the entire area apart from under the base cabinet. It acts as waterproofing in case there’s an overflow or leak from the washing machine. Buy the board and cut it to the sizes you need. To fix in place you should use adhesive and help secure in place with screws through to the plywood.

Once the tile board, which is also known as backer board, is in place, you can finish the floor with linoleum. This is preferable to using ceramic tile in a laundry center as the surface won’t be slipper when wet and can clean up far more easily (which can be an important consideration).

Step 8 - Wall Cabinets

Since, as all homeowner know, it’s impossible to have too much storage, adding wall cabinets to the laundry center is a good idea. It means you’re utilizing the space as well as you can, and you have more room for laundry supplies as well as other things.

Mark on the wall where you want the wall cabinets to be. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the cabinet area and mark these, making note of where they will sit on the back of the wall cabinet.

Have someone else hold the wall cabinet in place as you drill the first hole through the back of the cabinet into the stud and then fix in place with a screw. Using a level to make sure the wall cabinet sits square and even, drill a second hole and insert a screw. At this point you should add at last 2 more screws to hold things securely. The best idea is to fix the wall cabinet to all the available studs. That will give the cabinet much more strength.

Step 9 - Light Fixture Cutout

Your laundry center will need a light fixture and a switch. You should know where you’ve run the wire from the box, so you’ll be able to make the cutouts for the box both on the ceiling and on the wall for the light switch.

The cutouts need to be next to a stud-it doesn’t matter which side, as the box will fix on from either side. Measure the wiring box and use your jigsaw to cut a hole that is slightly larger then the box. There is a circular knockout in the box. Remove this with a screwdriver tip and pull the wires through so about 8 inches of wire is extended. Use the holes in the box and small nails to fix the boxes to the studs. Make sure it’s properly secured.