Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

Designing Your Own Laundry Base

If you’re interested in building your own DIY washer-dryer platform, it’s a rewarding project that an experienced DIYer with basic wood working skills can easily take on. You can essentially design your pedestal anyway you like, provided it meets certain minimum requirements:

It must be able to bear the weight of your machine. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to see the number of pounds your design must support.
It must be large enough for your washer and dryer to sit on top of. An easy way to make sure is to look at the manufacturer’s website and find a premade pedestal designed specifically for your machine. You can use its dimensions to plan for your DIY project.
It must fit in the space. Measure the length and width of your laundry room to ensure there’s enough room for your pedestal design.

Note: The steps for this project outlined below are intended for planning purposes only. The exact tools and materials you’ll need, as well as the appropriate dimensions for your pedestal will depend entirely on your own design, so you’ll have to adjust accordingly.

How Build a Washing Machine Base or Dryer Base

Here are general instructions for planning and building a DIY washer-dryer pedestal.

Before you begin your project, you’ll need a detailed plan, so you know the amount of lumber, fasteners and finishing products you need, as well as whether you need to buy any additional tools.
When it comes to your design, the possibilities are limited only by the size and weight requirements of your machine, but there are three basic models you can choose from: a solid platform, a platform with built-in cabinetry and a platform with storage drawers. A solid platform is the simplest design, of course, but adding drawers and cabinetry isn’t much more complicated if you use premade drawer slides, hinges, etc.
You can sketch your design using a piece of drafting paper and a pencil, but if you’re willing to invest in a user-friendly drafting software, this will allow you to quickly make changes as needed. Plus, it will be a big help for future woodworking projects.
The basic shape of your laundry pedestal will roughly resemble a box; however, you can easily add moulding to the sides and front to add visual interest with minimal effort.
As you plan for your build, make sure you design your pedestal to allow for appropriate ventilation. This is a major safety requirement. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see how much space you need to leave around your washer and dryer.
If you’re looking for washer and dryer pedestal ideas, you can get inspiration with a quick online image search, or by checking your favorite DIY influencer’s social media.

Tip

Want to practice your woodworking skills with a couple of simple projects? Check out How to Build a Box and How to Build and Decorate Basic Wooden Boxes.

Drilling pocket holes and pilot holes will add strength to the structure and prevent screws from stripping or splitting the wood as you drive them.
A pocket hole jig will help you make holes at the appropriate angle for corner and side pieces. For help see our related article All About Pocket Hole Joinery.
You’ll need to drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the size of the fastener. For details see How to Use a Drill and How to Drill a Pilot Hole.

Wipe down all surfaces with a clean dry cloth to remove any saw dust left over from sanding. You can use an air compressor for this step as well, if you own one. Just be sure to do it outdoors and wear the appropriate safety gear such as eye protection and a respirator.
Apply paint or stain according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use more than one coat of paint or primer if necessary. Be sure to allow for the proper drying time after each coat as outlined on the product labels. For detailed finishing instructions, see How to Refinish Wood Furniture or How to Paint Furniture.
After everything is dry, reinstall any storage cabinet doors or drawers.

Tips for Building a Washer-Dryer Pedestal

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Designing Your Own Laundry Base

How Build a Washing Machine Base or Dryer Base

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