How to Build a Laundry Sink Cabinet
Building your own laundry sink cabinet can be challenging yet very rewarding, and definitely less expensive than having a ready-made cabinet installed. Anyone can use simple tools to build a cabinet to fit the space around the household laundry sink, providing storage and a finished look to the laundry area. The construction is that of a three-sided box that is set in place at the front of the sink.
Things You'll Need:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Drill
- Circular saw (or hand saw)
- Wood screws
- ¾ inch plywood
- Edging tape
- Wood glue
- Hinges
- Determine the size of the laundry sink cabinet you'll be building; height, depth (front-to-back), and width are the essential measurements. These instructions are for a cabinet that fits snugly around the sink, although you can modify them to make a bigger cabinet with a countertop.
- Cut two sidepieces to the height and depth measurements you have chosen. Mark them clearly 'sides' so that they are identifiable when you begin the assembly process.
- Cut two front pieces to the chosen height by 4 inches. These pieces will meet the sides vertically; the door hinges will be screwed to these pieces. Mark them clearly.
- Cut two doors to the chosen height minus 2 inches, and to the chosen width divided by two, minus 2 inches. Mark these clearly.
- Cut two stretcher pieces to the chosen width minus 9 1/2 inches by 4 inches. These pieces will connect the two front pieces horizontally and provide stability. Again, mark them clearly.
- Cut one stretcher piece that is 4 inches by the chosen height minus 8 inches. This piece will be placed vertically in the center and will connect the two horizontal stretchers.
- Assemble the front pieces to the sides, with the edges of the sides visible to the front. Use wood glue and screws for a strong connection.
- Attach the lower horizontal stretcher between the front pieces, again using glue and screws.
- Measure to the center of the lower horizontal stretcher, and center the vertical stretcher above this mark. Attach it with glue and screws.
- Add the upper horizontal stretcher between the front pieces; making sure the vertical stretcher is in the center and flush. Use glue and screws to secure it.
- Place edging tape on all of the visibly rough edges, including the sides and doors.
- Attach the hinges to the doors, and the doors to the cabinet, using the screws that come with the hinges.
- Caulk around the edge of the cabinet at the top where it meets the sink, in order to prevent splashing water from ruining the contents of your cabinet.