How to Build Your Own Laundry Drawers

Framing the Platform

• 1

  Measure the width of your two machines when positioned close together. This will be the width measurement of their new elevated base. If your laundry room is small, measure from wall-to-wall, or the width of the space where the machines will be sitting. Measure the length from the front of the machines to the back wall behind the machines. This is the depth of the new base when you have front-facing machines.

• 2

  Cut five 2-by-12 boards to the depth measurement. Place each board horizontal, with the 12-inch side down on the table. Measure 4 inches from the bottom and draw a guide line for your drawer slides. Repeat for the other side of the board. Repeat for all of your depth boards. Cut one board to your width measurement. Position all six boards on their 2-inch sides. Place your width board along the back. Position your depth boards aligned with the left edge, the right edge, and evenly spaced between the two sides. Check to make certain the platform size is correct for your space.

• 3

  Nail the boards together by nailing through the side of the width board into the ends of the depth boards. Use four nails for each board. Add strength by placing two metal L-brackets on the inside corners of each board. Screw two 1-inch wood screws through the metal bracket and into the 2-by-12 board on each leg of the L-bracket. Position each bracket within 2 to 3 inches of the top or bottom of the board.

Completing the Platform

• 4

  Measure 1 inch in from the front edge of each depth board, and make a vertical mark on its inside face; this is for locating the front of the drawer slide. Screw the cabinet-side pieces of the slides to the inside faces of the depth boards, with the bottom edges of the slides on the 4-inch horizontal guide lines and the front ends on the vertical marks, using the provided screws.

• 5

  Cut a 1-by-3 board to your width measurement, using the miter saw. Position the board along the bottom front edge, aligned with the left and right sides. Nail through the board side into the ends of the depth boards, using two finish nails per board. This board will act as a kick plate.

• 6

  Measure the top of the platform. Cut a piece of 1-inch plywood (or two pieces of 1/2-plywood for a combined thickness of 1 inch) to your measurements. Place the plywood over the platform. Align the edges, and nail every eight inches. Sand the entire piece with an orbital sander to smooth the wood and the edges. Wipe the wood with a tack cloth, and apply primer.

• 7

  Press vinyl floor squares onto the top of the platform. Align the squares with the front edge. Peel off the back paper and press the adhesive side down firmly. Butt one tile to the side of the next tile. Trim off excess tile material with a utility knife. Roll the tile with a hard roller.

• 8

  Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch trim molding to your width measurement. Miter the corners at a 45-degree angle with a miter saw. Your measurement should be from point to point. The points should face outward along the same edge for each board. Apply primer to the molding. Position the molding over the vinyl flooring along the top outside edges of the platform. Nail the molding to the platform using finish nails every 8 inches. This molding will act as a stop for the appliance feet.

Building the Drawers

• 9

  Cut eight pieces of 1-by-8 board to the depth measurement minus 2 inches, to begin building a drawer. Measure the distance between the first two upright 2-by-12 boards. Subtract 1 inch. Cut eight pieces of 1-by-8 board to this width.

• 10

  Place one width board on its 1-inch side along the back. Position one depth board on its 1-inch side aligned with the left side and place a second depth board aligned with the right side. This will form three sides of a rectangle. Nail the rectangle together, using three finish nails per end. Position your second width board on its 1-inch side along the front, aligning with both sides, to finish the rectangle. Nail through the side of the width board into the ends of the depth boards every three inches with a finish-nail gun. Repeat these steps for the remaining three drawers.

• 11

  Measure across the width of the drawer and the depth of the drawer. Cut 3/8-inch plywood to fit. Position the plywood over the drawer to form the bottom of the drawer, and align the sides. Nail through the plywood into the ends of the sides and back every three inches with a finish-nail gun. Repeat for the remaining three drawers. Turn the drawers right side up. Test-fit the drawers into the openings.

• 12

  Attach the drawer side of each slide 1 inch back from the front edge of the drawer, with the slide aligned with the bottom of the drawer. Screw the slides to the drawers with screws and a screwdriver. Insert the drawers into the holes, using the slides. Your slides will come with instructions to help you install and use them.

• 13

  Measure from the left outside edge of the platform to the center line of the first interior (not end) 2-by-12 depth board. Subtract 1/8-inch. Cut a 1-by-8 board to this length. Measure from the center line to the center line of the next 2-by-12 board. Subtract 1/8-inch. Cut a second board to this length. Measure from the center line to the center line of the next 2-by-12 board. Subtract 1/8-inch. Cut a third board to this length. Measure from the center line to the right outside edge of the last 2-by-12 board. Subtract 1/8 inch. Cut a fourth board to this length.

• 14

  Make a face cover for the drawers. Position the left-side 1-by-8 board aligned with the left side of the platform. Clamp the board to the front board of the partially opened drawer. Slide the drawer open, and screw the drawer face to the drawer from the inside of the drawer. Do not allow the screws to come through the face of the drawer. Allow 1/8-inch spacing between the drawer faces. Repeat for the remaining drawers. Measure and drill for your handle hardware, and screw your handles in place. Sand, prime, and paint your drawers.