Simple Laundry Area Update
Before and After
Our left-over 1950's utility hookups became totally unacceptable when we got our new front-control appliances. Especially since you walk through the area from the kitchen to the family room. It was a good time to do some more updating.
We replaced the stained plastic drop-in sink and Formica, with granite, stainless steel and a new faucet to match the kitchen. We had new water valves installed behind the washer; for years I hid them with a fake plant! We had an extra GFCI electrical outlet added behind the washer, and the soup-can-size dryer outlet replaced with a modern one behind the dryer. We installed remote control under-cabinet lighting and peel-and-stick wallpaper. A vintage crock canister holds detergent, and a decorative ceramic box has dryer sheets. The "family" plaque is hiding ... nothing!
1950's painted 220 electrical - GONE! Upper right: the cabinets were off center with a gap in order to be into a stud on the other end.
Washer discharge is still into the sink for safety, but it is now barely noticeable under the countertop behind the washer. The wood panel on the upper left provides stud support to the cabinets, and a place for the fire extinguisher and a bottle opener with magnet beneath. The white trim along the wallpaper edge is a cafe curtain rod for the low-voltage lighting cord plugged in behind the washer. We couldn't part with our favorite pencil sharpener.
Cabinets moved to the wall, and centered better over the sink and appliances. Grass-cloth-look wallpaper also added to the back of the built-in shelving. There is no door for the hinge-pin pull-out hanging rod, so we installed a hinge!
Countertop is removable for plumbing access. It is 5/8" plywood covered with Menards HSC self-stick vinyl plank flooring on the top and two edges, following the manufacturer's recommended priming product. We heated strips cut from the vinyl a little with a hair dryer when bending them around the diagonal corner. We added a few tiny nails in the edge where needed at the corner and a seam.
Countertop on two Harbor Freight shop floor mats right on the washer and dryer for cushion and to keep it in place. No brackets, cleats or wall supports were needed.
Vertical blinds hide the furnace, water heater, shelving, ironing board and other storage. My favorite parts of the update are the hidden hookups and the new countertop.
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