Making your own washing machine conversion
Want to make a washing machine enclosure yourself? With good preparation, you can create a piece of furniture that can go either way. At TOSIZE.de, we are happy to help you cut the sheet material for this job perfectly to size. Find out exactly how to make a cut-to-size washing machine enclosure in this article!
In this article:
- How to make your own washing machine conversion?
- What do you use a washer conversion cut-to-size for?
- Can a washing machine go in a closet?
- What items do you need to make a washing machine conversion?
- How to make a drawing for a washing machine conversion?
- How deep is a washing machine cabinet?
- What wood do you use for a washing machine conversion?
- Examples of conversion for washing machine
- Getting started with your own conversion
How to make your own washing machine conversion?
Making your own washing machine conversion is very convenient. It brings order and structure to your laundry room, bathroom, attic or wherever you keep your washing machine. It looks a lot neater, you get rid of unsightly plumbing, and it makes much better use of the empty space around your washing machine and tumble dryer.
When you make a washing machine conversion, you can completely decide what it will look like. Maybe you just want a simple conversion with a shelf to fold your laundry. Or do you want a conversion with drawers and a tap and sink? It's your project, so your choice.
Whatever choices you make, in this article we will help you get started.
What do you use a washer conversion cut-to-size for?
As we touched on above, you can make this DIY project as simple and complicated as you like. What do you want to use your washing machine conversion for? Will you put just your washing machine in it or also your tumble dryer? And will they be next to each other or on top of each other?
Do you want a nice shelf on top to fold your laundry? Do you want to be able to store your detergents and fabric softener in a cabinet next to or above the conversion? Maybe you want to combine your conversion with a fridge, like one of our handymen did. Or will you go for a conversion with space for a laundry basket?
Do you already know what your conversion should look like?
Can a washing machine go in the a closet?
A common question is whether a washing machine can be put in a sealed cabinet. In principle, you can, but you have to make sure that the heat and water vapour can escape properly.
So, if you put your washing machine in a closed cabinet, make sure you ventilate the cabinet very well.
What items do you need to make a washing machine conversion?
Time to get started on the conversion for your washing machine or tumble dryer. Get the following items ready before you start your job:
- Graph paper, pencil, eraser, ruler: for drawing your DIY project
- Cordless drill: to easily pre-drill holes and screw screws into your material
- Wood glue: you may need it to glue several boards together
- Primer, edge sealer, lacquer: if you choose a type of wood to be finished, you will need primer, lacquer and possibly edge sealer
- Sandpaper: always handy to have with you to smooth away any unevenness or to neatly sand your drill holes
- Tape measure or folding ruler: to measure how big your washing machine conversion should be
- Spirit level: a washing machine does not necessarily need to be level, but it can't hurt, of course
- Screws: to connect the various parts together, we recommend stainless steel screws in this case
How to make a drawing for a washing machine conversion?
Before you really get started and order all the cut-to-size wood in our webshop, it is useful to make a drawing or sketch of your project. By now, you should have thought about what your washing machine furniture should look like, so you know whether you need to consider extra shelves or space for your laundry basket, for example.
You can make a sketch very easily with a pencil, eraser and graph paper. By sketching out your project, you force yourself to think carefully about each element of your washing machine conversion.
One such element is the connection of the corners: how will you do that? Will you use corner anchors or screw the boards together directly? You can also choose to have us mitre-cut your boards. That way, you create beautiful, invisible joints. See our finishing options for more information.
Another important element is opening your drum. Make sure your design ensures that you can easily open the drum of your washing machine. If you build your washing machine too deep, you may not be able to open your drum far enough. And that would be a shame.
Finally, work out your sketch so that you know the exact measurements of all your materials. Using this list, you can order your sheet material in our web shop. This way, you don't have to saw your wood at home: that's a big difference!
Tip: you can mark each board with the label of your choice when you place your order. That way, once your wood is delivered to your home, you will know exactly which board belongs where in your design.
Provide a stable surface
When designing, also consider the bottom of your conversion. Will you simply put the washing machine on the floor or will you make an elevation? In any case, it is important that your washing machine is stable, on a straight surface. It does not necessarily have to be level. But, you don't want your washing machine to 'walk' during spinning and your whole conversion to vibrate apart.
You can create that stable surface, for example, by placing some sturdy beams under your washing machine, as handyman Kim did in her washing machine project.
How deep is a washing machine cabinet?
Most washing machines and tumble dryers have standard sizes. Those sizes are 60.0 cm for the width and 85.0 for the height. Their depth varies by model, but is usually between 70.0 and 80.0 cm.
So before you start your project, it is advisable to measure your washer and dryer properly. While doing so, at the back also take into account the supply and drainage hoses and other protruding elements.
What wood do you use for a washing machine conversion?
You can use different sheet materials for a washing machine conversion. Each material has its own typical qualities. Make sure that the wood of your choice is resistant to moisture. Or impregnate it yourself to make it moisture-resistant.
Among our handymen, we often see for a washing machine conversion the use of MDF, , and .
is a beautiful, versatile board that is easy to work with. Ideal for making furniture, cabinet and a conversion for the washing machine. In our range, you will find plywood variants that are suitable for damp rooms, provided they are treated.
While was once only used as underlayment, this strong board material with spruce veneer is now all the rage for more decorative applications. Although the bonding is moisture-resistant, the wood itself is not protected. Therefore, we do not recommend for use in damp rooms, unless you treat it with an impregnating agent. gives a beautiful individual character to your conversion!
MDF boards are just about the most versatile board materials available. It is available in a huge number of variants and is easy to work with. MDF does not splinter. You will also find water-resistant MDF boards in our range. This is of course advisable in a wet room.
are great for making furniture, as well as a conversion for the washing machine. A joinery panel is made of solid wood, which gives a warm and natural look. Do check carefully in our range which variants are moisture-resistant.
If you want a conversion with a completely different look, you can also choose a sheet material like . consists of with a special plastic layer (phenol) on the top and bottom. This is a very smooth and waterproof layer. It gives your washing machine conversion a completely different look.
When using , do make sure you treat the end edges well with an edge sealer.
Examples of conversion for washing machine
Our handymen set a good example and got to work on a washing machine conversion. We are happy to share the results with you here. Maybe it will give you a good idea for your own project.
Jaco made this conversion from pine lumber panels in his kitchen. Stefan used for his washing machine conversion and made a handy compartment next to it for detergent and other items.
That besides your conversion for the washing machine and dryer, you can also make a whole cabinet for kids' stuff Kim shows us. Using , she made a beautiful cabinet with doors next to the washing machine.
Simplicity can also be beautiful: Nick attached three } together with corner joints. He finished his conversion beautifully with transparent oil. Also simple, but functional, is this project by Arjaan, who used for a conversion Here's another project where was used.
Dion made a conversion with MDF boards and used them to build in the washer and dryer nicely under the sloping roof.
For those handymen who really want to make their conversion into something special, we still have Michael and Roel's examples. Michael made a washing machine conversion and combined it with three nicely hung cabinet doors. Roel went one step further and built a conversion with space for two drawers, a sink and a tap.
Getting started with your own conversion
Want to get started with a conversion for your washing machine or tumble dryer yourself? We hope the tips in this article will get you started.
In our shop you can have the sheet material you need for your job cut to the millimetre. That will save you a lot of work, dull saws and sawdust. Nice and easy!
Finally, a tip, as Dion points out in his project: "Next time, we'll order everything in , because that really saves a mountain of work." We'll give it a go.
Good luck with making your own washing machine conversion!
