Hackers Help: IKEA Kitchen Fixtures in Bathroom?

Jules Yap·
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kitchen in bathroom

Items: Domsjo Sink, Karlby counter

The bathroom contains a washing machine and it is important to have a continuous counter across the sink to the washer for cohesiveness.

The problem is the space, we have about 56 cm between the shower wall and the washing machine. Also, the depth of the washing machine (63 cm) makes a stock vanity pretty hard to use since it will be large. As a result, IKEA kitchen counters and cabinets fit perfectly.

Full disclosure, we are expats so it’s pretty difficult to purchase what we want and get the help we need.

Where are we so far… since the washing machine depth is the same as IKEA kitchen materials, we decided to go with the Karlby counter and since we wanted a big sink, we opted for the Domsjo sink.

The pictures give you an idea of the bathroom (starting from left to right). The intent is for the sink to be dropped into the counter.

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The help we are looking for is:
1) Will the Karlby counter work in a bathroom?
2) How to hang the Karlby counter like a floating shelf? We want the counter to be raised above the washing machine.
3) Any recommendations for how the counter lines up to the shower wall?
4) Design recommendations for the open space below the sink? Perhaps, another floating shelf or maybe just a basket for laundry…
5) Basically, how can this be done properly? Also, what are important considerations to achieve this?

Thank you.

~ Marie Bar

Jules Yap
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5 Responses

  1. The help we are looking for is:
    1) Not the way you intend. I do NOT recommend.
    -A) States on the Karlby Page: NOT suitable in damp rooms. That means Bathroom.
    -B) Karlby is NOT a solid wood peice. It’s particle board with wood outer surfacing. It’s probably sturdy enough to cut sink hole, but you can’t reshape the edges (or at least any outside ones).

    2) I don’t recommend this either. Counter tops are heavy. If you have access to a few studs, you can install some kind of shelf/floating desk support, but I’d recommend at very least an open frame or legs to support. Someone else in the comments had suggested iron pipe and fittings. That might be a good way to go, and you can even blend the real water service pipes to match.

    3) I’d suggest trading out that Karlby for something else. Ikea conitnues to replace thier previously available kitchen/desk tops with new ones that are not solid wood. Do the research, find one that is actually butcher block SOLID wood. It will take work, but you can treat and seal it to make it useable in a bathroom, and if it’s solid, you can reshape the front edge so that it curves inward to the shower door’s edge.
    4) If you go with the pipe-structure you can easily add some shelves into the design. If you use just legs, you can put anything like a cart or sliding drying rack.
    5) I think it starts with a different wooden top that you have more flexibility to shape, then decide what supports you want to use.

    Reply

  4. 1) The butcher block is not naturally waterproof or treated for such situations, but can be treated using certain oils occasionally to make it water-tight. If this is not done, it will eventually get soaked and warp and pull apart at the seams.
    2) If you want a real minimal look like a floating shelf you’ll want to support it with metal. It’d be best to find someone familiar with metalwork and have them make a frame that can be installed.
    3) I like the previous idea of making it waterfall edges, but another option would be to round the corner and router the resulting edge so it looks uniform to the existing edge. I’d be worried about the waterfall edge exposing a lot to water from the shower as well.
    4) A roll-out unit with laundry and a small amount of storage could work as well as your options.
    5) Make sure the counter is well supported so it does not collapse or tear away from however it’s mounted to the wall. You need to account for sheer strength due to the width away from the wall as well, so don’t forget about those forces. Also make note of the butcher block counter not being water tight. It needs to be conditioned regularly or sealed, as I mentioned before.

    I think this is a great look and I wish you luck! I love the butcher block and sink idea you have and thought about this for my own kitchen and bath, but the wife isn’t so keen on it, so on to another idea!

    Reply

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