I needed to raise the washer and dryer so I don’t have to bend over as much to load and unload. The original washer/dryer pedestals cost around $275 each. So why not IKEA hack it for the same price as one pedestal. My laundry room is 74” wide, and I need it to be 36” deep.
I also need more storage for detergent and other related stuff. The IKEA BESTÅ TV unit is the best fit. It’s 70” wide and 15” tall and has room for 3 drawers.
Here is what I used.
A) one BESTÅ TV bench
B) Three Selsviken drawer fronts, drawer frames and drawer runners or your choice of any Besta drawers.
C) 2”x4” lumbers
D) 4’x8’ 3/4 inch thick smooth surface plywood (cut to size)
E) 1.5 inch drywall screws
F) A tube of caulk and gloss paint
G) Three drawer handles
How-to
1. Assemble the BESTÅ TV stand and the drawers. Test fit it in the laundry room. In my case, it’s 36” away from the back wall.
2. Now build the back support frame with the 2×4 lumbers to fill in the rest of the space behind the Besta TV stand. The height must be the same as the Besta which is around 15”. The BESTÅ has adjustable feet so use your own judgment.
3. Cut the plywood to the same size as the laundry room width. In my case, it’s 74” wide and 36” deep. Screw it down to the 2×4 frame and the BESTÅ stand with drywall screws. I also have a 2” opening on the left and right side because the BESTÅ stand is only 70” wide. I filled them in with the left over plywood. For that, I had to use the nail gun and nail it from the inside of the stand. I also had to cut an opening for the dryer exhaust port, because it was the same height.
4. Patch the all the screw heads with drywall filler.
5. Now paint it and at least two coats. Caulk the area where the plywood meets the wall to hide the gaps.
6. Install the drawers and handles.
7. All done. Here is the before and after shot of the laundry room.
~ Patrick T