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You are here: Home / Repurposing and Upcycling / DIY Laundry Room Folding Counter

DIY Laundry Room Folding Counter

May 18, 2015 By Karen Cooper 4 Comments

When I set out to make over our laundry room, I knew I wanted to add a folding counter – someplace where I could fold clothes and also put supplies within easy reach. But I didn’t have money in the budget for something expensive or fancy. So, I decided to DIY it. Here’s how I DIYed a folding counter for our laundry room. Oh, and did I mention it cost less than $6?

Mic drop.

DIY laundry room folding counter - laundry room reveal - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

First, I measured the space, to know what length and width counter I needed. I wanted the counter to span the entire space over the machines, and I needed to leave space in the back so that I could reach the plugs and water spigots, if needed.

width of laundry room - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

I found two choices for a budget-friendly countertop. Option #1 was this:

laundry counter option 1 - DIY laundry room folding counter - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

It’s actually a table top from IKEA. I found it in the as-is section for $9.99. It’s not real butcher block or wood; just laminate made to look like it.

I found option #2 at the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It’s a cherry desk top from an office desk set. I don’t have a picture of the original because, honestly, I can’t find it! (I know I took a picture of it, but for the life of me I cannot find it!) Here’s basically what it looked like:

cherry wood desktopThe desk top was $5.50 at the ReStore. Can’t beat that deal!

laundry room counter option 2 - DIY laundry room folding counter - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

laundry room counter options - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

I posted the above graphic to Instagram and Facebook and, obviously, the winner was the desk top!

I chose the desk top because I liked the bright white paint on it and it fit perfectly in the space. The IKEA tabletop was just a hair too short and a little too yellow for the violet color on the wall.

For the desk top, since it started with a cherry wood finish, I first had to sand it down. I used 180-grit sandpaper, so that I roughed up the smooth, shiny surface of the desk top’s cherry finish.

I then primed it with Zinsser oil-based primer. I knew the primer would cover the dark wood finish and also provide a nice surface for the new paint to adhere, and I used oil-based primer because of the finish on the desk.

Next, I painted the desk top with white semi-gloss paint that I already had. I rolled on two coats over the primer coat for a nice, solid, even coat.

laundry room DIY countertop - laundry room reveal - Dogs Don't Eat Pizza

I attached a cleat on each side wall for the counter to rest on. I used 2 x 2 wood I had on hand and screwed it into the studs on the side wall. There isn’t a center brace for the counter because of where the water source for the washer is located on the back wall. The cleats work and the desk top seems to be sturdy enough not to need a center brace. I can always add it later if needed.

The desk top is just resting on the cleats; I didn’t attach it to them. Why? Because the fit was so snug that I actually had to take a rubber mallet and pound the desktop into place! It’s not moving. Like ever.

So there it is: my DIY laundry folding counter! Grand total spent? $5.50 on the desk top, since I had the paint, primer, brushes, sander/sandpaper, and scrap wood for the cleats.

What I love about this project, other than that it ended up costing me less than $6, is that I repurposed something that, while not meant for this use, is totally great for it. Think outside the norm when coming up with solutions for your spaces. I hadn’t considered using a desk top for this counter until I saw it at the ReStore and just had a feeling it would work. And, if it didn’t work, I was only out $5.50!

Click here for more repurposing projects.

Click here for the laundry room reveal!

Click here for a full source list for the laundry room makeover.

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Filed Under: DIY, Organizing, Repurposing and Upcycling Tagged With: Laundry Rooms 4 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

« The Friday Five: Five Things I Want to Improve in the Kitchen
Laundry Room Project Source List »




Comments

  1. Mrs Major Hoff says

    May 18, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    I want your habitat! Mine has been increasing prices this last year and they are out of control! Love your folding table! Enjoy!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      May 18, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks!! I’m sorry about your ReStore! Ours has reasonable prices, and plenty of sales, too! Maybe talk to the manager there and see what he/she says.

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    May 18, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Love this! I want to adapt what you did for my laundry room. I only have the back wall and one side wall for cleats. I will have to figure something out for the other side…a leg, i guess. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      May 19, 2015 at 9:07 am

      A leg would work great – you can get them at a hardware store or online. That would be a great way to add character, too – get one in the style you love! Keep me posted as to how it goes!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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