Incredible DIY Laundry Room Makeover

A step-by-step tutorial to give your laundry room a budget-friendly and stylish transformation.

Does your laundry room resemble a chaotic abyss rather than a functional space? You’re not alone! Laundry rooms often get neglected, but with a little DIY magic, you can transform yours into a bright and organized haven.

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process I used to revamp my own laundry room completely. It may seem daunting at first (believe me, I’ve been there!), but by following these easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to a laundry room you’ll actually enjoy spending time in.

Don’t worry. Even beginners can achieve fantastic results!

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Step 1: Assess and Prep Your Space

Before diving headfirst into the fun stuff, taking stock of your existing laundry room is important. Is there insulation? Does it need any framing work? 

In my case, I added insulation and framed out the walls for better temperature control. I also spruced them up with paneling – you can find a detailed tutorial on how I framed our basement laundry room. 

Step 2: Consider Cabinets 

Cabinets are essential for creating storage solutions in your laundry room.

I debated between building custom cabinets and using pre-fab options. While building custom cabinets allows for more control, and its my preferred option. I opted for unfinished cabinets from Home Depot, which can save time and allow me not to build cabinets in the cold.

TIP: I have a full tutorial on building cabinets if you would like to see how to do it. 

Step 3: Addressing Prefab Cabinet Quirks

Here’s a heads-up for those choosing prefabricated cabinets: they might have a few quirks. 

In my case, the drawers needed slight hardware adjustments to function properly.

Plus, I had to adjust the hinges to make the doors align. 

Step 4: Installation of Cabinets

Once you’ve addressed any pre-fab quirks, it’s time to install your cabinets! 

But first, I also needed to cut holes for pipes in the sink cabinet and my wifi access point.

Here are some tips for tackling adjustments and installing cabinets:

• Use an oscillating tool for easier cutting compared to a jigsaw.
• Use shims to level uneven base cabinets.
• Cover the exposed sides of the cabinets with 1/4″ MDF for a finished look.
• Utilize scrap boards to create supports for installing upper cabinets. After installation, adjust the hardware to ensure all the doors and drawers are level.

Step 5: Cutting the Butcher Block Countertop 

While the cabinets are prepped, let’s tackle the butcher block countertop. Here’s a basic guide to cutting yours:

• Measure and Mark: Precise measurements are crucial! Carefully measure the desired length and depth of your countertop. Mark the cutting lines clearly on the butcher block using a straightedge and pencil.
• Cutting Time: For clean and accurate cuts, a circular saw is ideal. Ensure you have a sharp blade specifically designed for wood. Wear safety glasses and cut along the marked lines, following a slow and steady pace.
  • You can also use a jig saw to cut the wood!
• Sanding for a Smooth Finish: Once the countertop is cut to size, use sandpaper (starting with a rough grit and progressing to finer grits) to smooth out any rough edges.

TIP: I like to use painter’s tape to keep the wood from splinting. 

Step 6: Creating a Waterfall Countertop

If you’d like a waterfall countertop that extends down the side of the cabinets like I did, here’s an additional step:

• Measure and Mark the Waterfall Cut: Decide on the desired width and length of the countertop and mark the cutting line on a butcher block piece. This cut will be at a 45-degree angle, so ensure your saw is set accordingly.
• Cut the Waterfall Leg: Cut the leg of the waterfall countertop by cutting one side at a 45-degree angle, and the bottom of the leg will be straight. 
• Seamless Finish: Fill in the gap with wood glue and sawdust for cutting the butcher block

Once everything is dry, apply a finish to the butcher block. I used Boos Block Oil and Boos Block Board Cream to seam the countertops.

Step 5: Painting Power

Now comes the fun part – painting! Painting your cabinets and floor can dramatically transform your laundry room. 

I opted for a cheerful green color for the cabinets (Behr in Riverdale). We used a primer to cover the unfinished cabinets and then applied the paint color with a paintbrush and roller.

And a fresh coat of paint for the concrete floor.

SIDE NOTE: I have a full tutorial on how to paint concrete floors. 

Step 6: The Finishing Touches

Adding trim is a fantastic way to elevate your laundry room’s look. Remember to “square up” any store-bought boards before measuring and cutting for a clean finish.

I also have a full tutorial on a simple window trim, if you’re interested.

FULL PROJECT VIDEO:

Are you better with visuals? Check out the full project video below, and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out on future projects!

There you have it! 

With a little planning and effort, you can completely transform your laundry room into a functional and stylish space. Now, go forth and conquer that laundry pile!