DIY Washer & Dryer Pedestal

Contemporary front-loading washers and dryers have been proven to be more water and energy-efficient, as well as having gained a reputation for doing a better job of cleaning the laundry. They also tend to be hard on the back, requiring the user to bend into contortions to extract the washed and dried clothes. The ergonomic solution is to elevate your front-loading washer and dryer onto sturdy, easy-to-build pedestals that will improve accessibility. It also creates a handy storage space beneath for laundry baskets or supplies. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cut four pieces of 2-by-6 lumber to 17 1/4 inches long. These will be the vertical internal frame members for the washer pedestal assembly.

2

Cut two pieces of 2-by-6 lumber to 26 1/2 inches long. These will be the horizontal frame supports for the washer pedestal.

3

Stand two of the 2-by-6 vertical frame pieces cut in Step One upright on end, separated 26 1/2 inches apart, and rest one of the horizontal support pieces cut in Step Two on top to form a U-shape. Attach the pieces together with three 16d nails through the face of the horizontal support board at each end into the ends of the vertical frame pieces, keeping the edges flush. This forms one of the two internal frames for the pedestal.

4

Repeat Step Three to assemble the second internal frame for the pedestal.

5

Lay out one piece of 3/4-inch plywood and scribe the 18 3/4 inches-by-26 1/2 inches cutlines using a chalkline or a framing square as a straight edge. Cut out the piece using a circular saw. This will be the back of the pedestal assembly.

6

Measure out two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood to 18 3/4 inches by 28 inches and cut the piece out using a circular saw. These will be the sides of the pedestal assembly.

7

Lay out and cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood 28 inches by 28 inches. This will be the top of the pedestal assembly.

8

Place one of the two U-shaped support frames assembled in Step Three on its side and apply a bead of wood glue to the three sections of the frame. Position the plywood back cut in Step Five on top of the frame, aligning all of the edges. Then attach the plywood to the 2-by-6 support frame using 1 1/4-inch decking screws spaced approximately six inches apart around the perimeter.

9

Stand the plywood back and the frame assembled in Step Eight upright, with the open section of the frame downward. Then position the second U-shaped frame assembled in Step Four, open side down, parallel to it and approximately 28 inches apart. The back plywood piece should be positioned to the outside, so that both frame sections are facing each other.

10

Stand one of the plywood side pieces cut in Step Six upright, and position it perpendicular to the back and front frame assemblies placed in Step Nine. Tilt the side plywood piece slightly and apply a bead of wood glue at both vertical edges. Then attach the side plywood piece to the back frame section using 1 1/4-inch decking screws spaced approximately six inches apart. Make certain the vertical and top edges of the plywood side are flush with the back plywood face and top surface of the 2-by-6 frame when attaching.

11

Attach the front U-shaped frame assembly to the side plywood piece, keeping the vertical and top edges flush, using 1 1/4-inch decking screws spaced approximately six inches apart.

12

Repeat Steps 10 and 11 to attach the plywood side piece to the opposite side of the pedestal frame.

13

Apply a bead of wood glue to the top surfaces of both 2-by-6 horizontal frame sections, then place the top piece of plywood cut in Step Seven on top of the pedestal assembly. Secure the top plywood piece in place, keeping the perimeter edges flush with the outside edges of the pedestal assembly, using 1 1/4-inch decking screws spaced approximately six inches around the perimeter edges. This completes the washer pedestal.

14

Repeat Steps One through 13 to construct the matching dryer pedestal.