Ahh, laundries. They don’t get a lot of love, do they?
As some of you will know, we recently gave our laundry a well overdue refresh – but unlike some of the rooms in our home, this one needed a whole lot more than a fresh coat of paint.
Before we moved in, we decided to take out the sliding door that opened into the kitchen area. We replaced this with a solid feature wall, as we felt it worked better with the layout.
It also meant we would have a great space for Chris to finally set up the fish tank he had kept in storage, waiting until we had our own place. It’s since become a bit of a feature in our home – and we always get so many compliments on it whenever we have friends over.
But because of this, we needed to replace the sliding door with one of the two linen cupboards that opened into the hall, to make this the new doorway. While the surrounding areas looked great, the laundry itself remained unfinished and in desperate need of a little love. So, we started from the ground up. Literally!
Given the state it was in, we had to replace the floors, walls, ceiling and window frame before getting started with the rest. It was no small feat – but we’re super happy with the outcome and it was well worth starting fresh to get exactly what we wanted from the space.
Keep reading to find out how to upgrade your laundry budget and create a space you’ll love.
Don’t be afraid to DIY
I should start by saying that Chris is a qualified electrician, and before he started his electrical apprenticeship, he finished a year of a carpentry apprenticeship. While having these skills has definitely given us a leg up, there is a lot we’ve been able to teach ourselves along the way to keep costs down.
Even if you don’t have much experience, there is a lot you can do on your own, like tiling, painting and installing storage. (However, for anything electrical or plumbing related – you’ll want to leave this to the professionals.)
It may seem a bit daunting if you’re a complete beginner, but there are countless free tutorials available online that will walk you through it step-by-step. And, given that the laundry is unlikely to be the main focal point of your home, it can be a good place to get some practice – especially if you’re planning to tackle other areas next.
If there’s anything you’re unsure about, talk to the experts. Some of the best advice we’ve received was from local suppliers who really know what they’re talking about.
Shop around for materials
Cabinetry, tapware and building supplies can all vary greatly in price – and more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. So, it goes without saying that it pays to shop around.
Here’s a cost breakdown of the materials we used:
- IKEA cabinetry: $400
- IKEA benchtop: $300
- Bunning wall tiles: $60
- Bayside Tiles floor tiles: $110
- Simply Wholesale sink: $250
- Tradelink mixer: $139
- 3D Windows window and frame: $250
- Mitre 10 plaster sheets: $140
- Mitre 10 flooring: $180
- Bunnings varnish: $25
- Bunnings paint: $200
- Extras: $200
Obviously, what you choose will depend on a number of factors rather than the cost alone, but who doesn’t love a bargain? With so many aspects to consider, it doesn’t take long before the costs add up – but saving a little bit of money here and there can make a world of difference if you’re aiming to upgrade your laundry on a budget.
Invest in quality
While it’s great to save money where you can – compromising on quality to save a few dollars can end up costing you more in the long run. This goes for both materials as well as tradespeople.
There’s nothing worse than handing over your cash to discover something’s not quite right, and having to pay to replace it or have the work fixed soon after. However, it isn’t always easy to tell the good quality from the bad, and price isn’t always a fair indication.
The best way to make sure you’re paying for quality is to do your homework and source as many reviews as possible. Talk to your friends, neighbours and colleagues, and find out what’s worked for them.
It’s also worth taking a look online and reading through business and product reviews, but always use your own discretion. For example, we saw a lot of negative reviews about the IKEA benchtop, but it was clear that these people didn’t follow the instructions on how to sand and seal it before installation. (FYI, we think they’re great!)
Got any of your own suggestions to upgrade your laundry on a budget? Let us know in the comments!
