Laundry renovation for more benchspace

[dinaandjake]

An impressive laundry transformation to make room for a dryer and more benchspace for a growing family.

• The project
• Before and after
• How to tile a splashback
• More laundry renovations

The project

We have been wanting to renovate our laundry for so long as we have a decent sized space that wasn’t utilised well at all. When we recently had a baby, the need for a dryer and benchtop was real and meant that we finally decided to give our laundry renovation a go. It turned out so much better than expected.

As we were on a strict budget and our existing floor tiles were in a fair condition, we ended up simply painting them using the Dulux Renovation Range. This was a quick and and easy process and made a huge impact. I’m curious to see how well they will hold up long term but it's doing ok so far, even with our dog walking all over them.

We ended up using the Flatpax range from Bunnings for the cabinetry. All the white cabinetry only cost us about $600 and we are really happy with it. We did replace the hinges that were included for soft close hinges and we are waiting on some black handles to come in which we feel will lift the look.

The benchtop and shelves are simply a Merbau panel that we cut to size and varnished using Cabot's Benchtop Clear. We absolutely love the look of them and they were such an affordable alternative.

My husband learnt some new skills and installed the tiled splashback himself after watching lots of how-to videos. We used mosaic tiles from Bunnings and also hired an electric tile cutter/wet saw from Bunnings which made the job a lot easier than attempting to cut the tiles individually by hand. 

The project cost us about $3000 in total. The cabinetry, benchtops and shelves were around $1000, tiled splashback about $500, the sink, tap and floor paint was $500 and we then spent about $1000 on tradespeople, including a plumber to relocate taps and pipes, and connect the tap and sink, and an electrician to reallocate powerpoints.

All in all, super happy with our first D.I.Y. renovation. 

Before and after

How to tile a splashback

Give your laundry, bathroom or kitchen an inexpensive makeover by replacing the splashback. Learn how with this step-by-step guide: How to tile a splashback.

More laundry renovations

Tackle a laundry renovation with inspiration from the Bunnings Workshop community's Top 10 most popular laundry renovation projects.

[bh357]

Hi @dinaandjake, the transformation looks amazing! We're about to start our laundry renovation and I was just wondering where you found the black basin and how you're finding it with dirt etc? 

Also, have you had any issues with just paining the tiles (easily chipping etc.)?

[EricL]

Hello @bh357

I totally agree that the laundry transformation was amazing. Let me tag @dinaandjake to make sure they are made aware of your compliments. The equivalent items at the store are the Mondella Black Rococo Single Bowl Sink and the Mondella Resonance Matte Black Pin Side Lever Sink Mixer. Planning ahead for trades will save you a lot of time and gives you peace of mind that any of the works that need to be signed off will be done correctly. Please keep us updated.

Eric

[dinaandjake]

Thank you! We bought our Cefito stone sink online from catch.com. Haven’t found too many issues with the black basin with dirt etc, it’s been pretty good so far. In terms of the painted floor tiles, to be honest, some scratches have developed. I do wonder if that’s coz we were using it pretty soon after we finished painting and perhaps would have been better if we left it for a few more days. From a distance it still looks great and haven’t noticed any chipping of the paint but certainly some scratches from dropping baskets on the floor/dog walking around etc. Good luck with your reno!

[MitchellMc]

Many thanks for the additional information on your project @dinaandjake.

Let me mention @bh357, so they are alerted to your response. I trust they'll appreciate your insight.

Mitchell

[bh357]

Great thanks @dinaandjake, appreciate it - think we'll be going for that sink then and giving the tile paint a go!

[MitchellMc]

Make sure you keep us updated on your project and reach out if you need any assistance @bh357.

Looking forward to seeing what you achieve.

Mitchell

[Lefty1]

where do you put the hose from the washing machine, when you have the bench top covering from sink etc.    Lefty1

[EricL]

Hello @Lefty1

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion and sharing your question about the washing machine exit hose.

Let me tag @dinaandjake to make them aware of your question. Traditionally a hole is cut under the base cabinet of the laundry tub. The hoses are then run through that hole and attached to their respective inlet and outlet spots. To be specific, the outlet hose is attached to the inlet spout of the laundry S/P trap. My number one tip for this project is to make sure that you have enough clearance for all the hoses to be attached to the S/P trap and the hot/cold outlets. If you are currently remodeling your laundry, any updates you can provide would be much appreciated. 

If you have any other questions regarding this project, please let us know.

Eric

[BoeingFan]

One word; magnificent; it looks fantastic!

[Jules1011]

@dinaandjake 

Looking Very Good! Such a huge difference already! Well done!

I love the door frame you have open now, but if this were mine, I would love to be able to hide the whole laundry away with bi-fold doors or pocket sliding doors which pull out from within the wall cavity from within the verticals on the open laundry door frames. 

You can buy secondhand or vintage  doors or from a salvage or demolition company, or secondhand solid Pocket doors are very good sound insulation if you have a loud spin cycle on your washing machine, solid timber doors reduce the noise when you can close the doors, or when you have full laundry basket of clothes and visitors popping in for visit, being able to close the laundry doors is very handy!!

We found some beautiful solid Oregon timber doors for a bargain on the local buy & sell groups & on Marketplace (& pre-loved bifolds on marketplace are often for bargain prices.

We restored 6 X (6 panel) 1920's style doors in 6 different sizes, hinged and sliding doors both, with matching door knobs from Marketplace, these connected the original 1920's cottage with the new extension, by matching original doors throughout, (all for only $40-$100 each too), although it did take me 6 months to find all 6 doors in 6 different sizes but it was definitely worth it when we had finished. 

They replaced the plain boring hollow core internal doors with ugly door knobs. The sound deadening benefits and the benefits of far better insulation in the solid timber new  restored doors, was incredible!!

So pocket doors would be my choice, and you can leave them open while using the laundry or even to admire your new Make-over laundry! Or close them when you are running the washing machine late at night or when you are trying to watch a movie.. (loud spin cycle?)

You can buy pre-owned bifolds or sliding pocket doors from Marketplace a demolition Co/Salvage c for a song/song & half or a demolition Co/Salvage Co to be able to hide the washing machine/dryer or to hide the piles of  washing you haven't had time to hang out/fold/put away - especially if you have family who like to rummage through clean laundry basket, (doors hide all that!)  like mine do..

Or a folding room divider - I've seen some gorgeous screens /dividers recently on Marketplace (shipping only - no pick up) Pocket doors saves space. You can add a false wall to recess the pocket doors within, the doors are usually thinner than a normal internal door so you can 

Hinged screens/room dividers, some with slide in shelves to keep them standing up when up, slides out when folded away.

Or depending on what is beside the laundry door frame..
*A couple of beautiful pocket doors* inset into the door frame!

Buying a beautiful vintage sliding or pocket sliding doors were around in 1900-1930's homes into the lounge rooms, vintage handles..

You can get some truly beautiful vintage door hardware or to match the era your house was built perhaps (Unless it's an 80's or 90's built home, cor earlier pocket door hardware from eBay search for "flush pulls" is what these pocket door handles are called for sliding doors/pocket doors.
I love the bras or copper accents. We've found some bargain Textured tiles, and with the tile Primer on first, then a metallic copper can of spraypaint gives a stunning finish and highlights the texture, changing with the light as you move around the room, it adds a little extra sparkle to a work area!!

I hear ya with an ongoing process for a laundry Reno, I've been buying the materials a little at a time, to make it more affordable, as we have time to do one more part of the project, as we go, no need to buy the lot in one hit and have the materials sitting there for weeks/months.

We've found almost everything except for the two tone oak cabinets and matching laundry tub (two tone Oak) and the main wall tiles (in matte white) we bought NEW.. We've found a bunch of other fixtures and materials off Marketplace for a bargain. With the savings on materials, buying as we are ready for the next stage, is far more budget friendly.
I am really happy with the look Spraypainting the textured feature tile in metallic copper (must use Tile Primer first).

Are you planning on adding splashback tiles or another textured tiles (or aluminium reproduction pressed tin) on your laundry wall Splashback behind the benchtop too? Or all the way up the wall to the open shelves, or add some Textured wallpaper on your wall.
I think it would look even better to extend further across your wall, beyond the tiles just behind the laundry tub. I love what you have done already, well done for taking your time.

[EricL]

Hello @Jules1011 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Let me tag @dinaandjake to make sure they are aware of your suggestions. Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed recommendation. It sounds like you've done quite a few renovations in the past. If you have any projects currently on the go, please don't forget to post an update. I'm sure our members would be keen to see what you're working on.

Eric