He Was Tired of Bending Down to Load the Washer and Dryer So He Built This
Front-load machines put the doors close to the floor, which can make loading and unloading clothes awkward. Instead of leaving his washer and dryer at that height, Imgur creator BigRip16 built a single platform to lift both machines.
The project starts with lumber and plywood, then adds an open shelf, paneled ends, molding, and white paint. Once installed, it raises both appliances while putting the space below them to use.
The Washer and Dryer Sat on the Floor
Both machines sat side by side on the tile, putting the front-loading doors close to knee height. There was no usable space beneath them, while a drying rack rested on top.
His plan was to build one base wide enough to support the pair.
He Started With Lumber and Plywood
Dimensional lumber would form the skeleton of the stand, with plywood covering the top, bottom, and sides.
Building a framed structure also gave him room to leave part of the finished base open for baskets.
The Lower Frame Came Together First
Long boards create the perimeter, with crosspieces spanning the center. Upright posts at each corner establish the height of the finished stand.
Extra framing through the middle provides support beneath the two appliance positions.
He Connected the Posts With an Upper Frame
Another set of rails joins the four corners at the top. Cross supports run between the front and back rails, creating a rigid structure for the platform surface.
The space between the upper and lower frames remains open.
Plywood Went Across the Bottom
A plywood sheet covers the lower frame to form a shelf. Because the front stays open, the new space can hold baskets without doors or drawers.
This section will sit below the washer and dryer once the stand moves into the laundry room.
Another Sheet Created the Top
Plywood covers the upper frame, producing one broad surface for both appliances.
At this stage, the basic structure is complete: a reinforced top, a shelf below, and an open front.
Side Panels Closed the Ends
Plywood panels cover the short sides of the frame. Wood trim around the edges begins hiding the construction joints and exposed framing.
One end also receives a recessed panel detail instead of remaining a plain sheet of plywood.
More Trim Refined the Shape
Additional boards frame the end panel and front opening. The raw structure now has defined edges around the shelf, corners, and top.
These pieces prepare the stand for the decorative molding added next.
Molding Went Around the Top and Bottom
Profiled molding runs beneath the top edge and along the base. It covers transitions between materials and gives the large rectangular stand a finished border.
The open shelf remains uninterrupted across the front.
Paint Started With the Trim
White paint goes onto the molding before the rest of the stand receives its finish. The contrast makes the new trim easy to see against the unfinished plywood and lumber.
The Entire Stand Was Painted White
Paint covers the frame, side panels, molding, shelf, and top. The different pieces now read as one unit rather than a collection of lumber and plywood.
White also prepares the stand to sit beneath the matching appliances without introducing another finish into the small room.
The Washer and Dryer Went on Top
Once installed, the stand brings both front-loading doors higher off the floor. Three fabric baskets occupy the shelf underneath.
Laundry storage now sits in space previously taken up by the machines themselves.
The Platform Fits Both Machines on One Surface
Both appliances share the same continuous top rather than sitting on separate bases. The molding and paneled ends make the support look closer to built-in cabinetry than an exposed wood platform.
The open shelf also keeps its contents within reach from the front of the room.
The Before and After Shows the Change
Before the project, both machines rested on the tile with their doors close to the floor. The finished stand lifts them and creates a full storage area underneath without changing their side-by-side arrangement.
What would you add to this laundry setup next: a folding top, more storage, or a hanging rail?
Image credits go to @BigRip16.