In a tiny studio apartment, we needed somewhere for the washing machine and clothes. Putting the washing machine inside the PAX made sense, but you can’t do this without either reinforcing the PAX or placing the weight directly on the floor.
Most of the machine-in-PAX hacks on the internet either try to strengthen the PAX (this feels like it will rattle like crazy) or put the machine on the floor but cut such big pieces out of it that the PAX falls apart. We wanted the washing machine on feet so that it could be inside the PAX cupboard while standing on the floor like a bird standing in a puddle.
Here’s how we made our washing machine closet:
IKEA items used:
Other materials and tools:
- 450 mm Fix-It-Foot with M10 fixings (normally used for mounting air conditioners outdoors)
- Wooden board (OSB, plywood, or worktop as a base for the machine)
- Measuring tape
- Jigsaw (for cutting holes)
- Drill
- Screws
- Level
- Pencil or marker
How Does It Work?
The Fix-It-Foot is exactly the right height to drop through holes cut in the base of a PAX and it isolates the machine from the PAX wardrobe’s base panel (floor board) to further reduce noise.
The Fix-It-Foot comes with a channel fixing. You bolt this through the wooden base by “recessing” the hole (you can use a hinge drill for the recess part) and then drilling through with 10 mm for the threaded part.
How To Hack A Washing Machine Cabinet:
Step 1: Assemble the PAX Wardrobe:
Follow the IKEA instructions to assemble the PAX wardrobe. Ensure the structure is stable and the wardrobe is level.
Step 2: Mark and Cut Holes in the Base:
Measure the positions where the Fix-It-Foot will be placed under the washing machine. Mark these positions on the base of the PAX wardrobe using a pencil or marker. Use a saw to carefully cut two holes in the marked positions. These holes should be large enough to allow the Fix-It-Foot to drop through the base and rest on the floor underneath.
Step 3: Attach the Wooden Board to Fix-It-Foot:
Position the Fix-It-Foot through the holes you have cut in the base of the PAX wardrobe. Place your wooden board on top of the Fix-It-Foot. Ensure the board is centered and level. Use the M10 fixings that come with the Fix-It-Foot to securely attach the wooden board. Make sure the board is firmly attached and stable.
Step 4: Place the Washing Machine:
Lift the washing machine and place it on the wooden board. Ensure the washing machine is centered and evenly distributed on the board to maintain balance. Double-check that the washing machine is level using a level tool. Adjust if necessary to ensure stability.
How long and how much did it cost?
20 minutes. €35.
What do you like most about the hack?
Easy. Solid. Quiet.
What was the hardest part about this hack?
Cutting a rectangular piece of OSB. It was an easy hack.
What to pay special attention to?
Check that the Fix-It-Foot fasteners don’t interfere with the washing machine feet when deciding exactly where to put your Fix-It-Feet.
One more piece of advice: make sure that you put the feet and the washing machine near the FRONT of the PAX, not the BACK. Otherwise, when the shelf goes on top (of the machine), you won’t be able to open the detergent drawer and fill the detergent.
Looking back, would you have done it differently?
BEFORE putting the OSB onto the Fix-It-Foot, I would put a piece of cloth over the Fix-It-Feet that could be attached to the base of the PAX using a photo frame. This would avoid losing things in the gap between the foot and the PAX.
And other thoughts/comments that you have received about the hack
The IKEA installer (I didn’t do this – the official IKEA kitchen installer guy just did what he was asked) liked being able to assemble the cupboard as normal and then just cutting two-foot holes through the bottom for a washing machine.
~ by Marko Cosic
Explore other IKEA hacks for Washing Machines
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Laundry Room Hacks
IKEA is a go-to source for many home improvement and home decorating ideas. Here we’ll share tips and ideas on how to use IKEA products, which may not necessarily be made for laundry, to make a laundry room look great.
