70s laundry makeover using Kaboodle cabinets

[Nailbag]

A 70s laundry was given extra space for Kaboodle cabinetry as part of a whole-of-house renovation.

• The project
• Steps
• Tools and materials
• More inspiration for your laundry makeover

The project

The original laundry in our house like most 70s builds was small and not designed for modern appliances and functionality. One of my biggest design annoyances in any home is the wasted space of a dedicated toilet (WC) room. Typically 75% of the 1m x 2.4m is dead space. Fortunately the WC was next to the laundry so, I was able to steal that space and relocate the toilet in to the main bathroom, which was about to get a full rebuild.

In the plans I drew up you can see the original layout and what the changes were going to be to both the bathroom and the laundry, and how I was going to gain valuable space by relocating the toilet. By doing so I was able to incorporate an inbuilt laundry cupboard, stacked cavity for the washer and drier, and a linen closet in the hallway.

Here's how it was done.

Before

Before and After Plans

Steps

 

Step 1

The first step was the demolition of both the laundry and WC. I was able to remove the dividing wall since my roof was truss constructed. This is a deciding factor in buying any house I intend to renovate.

Both windows were replaced with new Colorbond awnings. 

Step 2

While I had the plasterboard off I had the plumbing reconfigured and had the power points relocated.

The toilet window was replaced with fixed frosted glass as it was going to be covered completely on the inside. But from the outside nobody would be the wiser.

I fitted new plasterboard and stopped it up.

Step 3

I did final measurements and ordered the Kaboodle laundry cabinetry. While waiting for the delivery I laid the tile floor. I didn't allow for the appliance nook, so I had to use offcuts under the cabinet to help level the carcasses. 

Step 4

I needed to save money to have stone benchtops in the bathroom, ensuite and kitchen, so I went with a Bamboo timber top for the laundry. In hindsight I should have spent the extra on the stone as timber is not that durable for a laundry application.

Step 5

I used the offcuts from the bench to make a couple of shelves in the nook for the laundry basket and dryer.

My wife found these great wall-mounted pull-out clothes hanger racks for drying shirts, which tuck neatly out of the way when not in use.

Step 6

The last steps were to tile the splashback, and paint the walls and ceiling, as well as the timber benchtop.

I also replaced the old timber door with a new double glazed one.

The entire project took about two weeks.

Tools and materials

Materials used in the project:

• Plasterboard
• Structural Pine 90mm x 35mm
• Tile underlay
• Tiles 600mm x 600mm
• Kaboodle laundry cabinets
• Dorf top-mounted sink and mixer with pullout spray 
• Dulux one-prep undercoat
• Dulux wash and wear wall paint.

Tools used in the project:

• Reciprocating saw
• Impact driver
• Mitre saw
• Drill
• Jigsaw.

More inspiration for your laundry makeover

Bunnings Workshop contributor theDIYedit completed a laundry reno using Kaboodle cabinets and featuring a timber benchtop and a striking tiled splashback.

Community member Jess completed a laundry renovation with extra storage and Acacia benchtop.

Get more inspiration from our Top 10 most popular laundry projects.