How to Build DIY Laundry Room Cabinets with Easy Steps

Do you wish your laundry room had more storage space? I felt the same way until I built my own cabinets. After years of dealing with cluttered counters and messy shelves, I found a simple fix that worked wonders – custom DIY cabinets.

I’ve put together this guide based on my hands-on work in creating laundry room storage. You’ll learn how to build sturdy cabinets that look good and work well, even if you’re new to woodworking.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps I used to make my laundry room cabinets, including the materials needed and helpful tips I picked up along the way.

How to Plan Your DIY Laundry Rooms Cabinets

I know planning might seem boring, but trust me – it’s the key to getting your cabinet project right.

Let me share what I learned from my own cabinet-building experience.

First, take a good look at your laundry room space. I suggest getting a measuring tape and writing down the width, height, and depth of your walls.
Make sure to note where your washer and dryer sit. Look for any pipes, outlets, or vents that might get in the way of your cabinets.
Think about what you need to store. I made a list of all my laundry supplies – detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and cleaning tools. This helped me figure out how big my cabinets should be.
Next, draw a simple sketch of your room. Mark where you want your cabinets to go. I found that upper cabinets work best at least 15 inches above my washer and dryer.
For lower cabinets, I left enough room to open the washer lid easily.

Consider your budget, too. I wrote down all the materials I would need:

Wood for the cabinet boxes
Plywood for the doors
Hinges and handles
Screws and nails
Paint or stain
Basic tools you might need to buy

Here’s a tip from my experience: add about 20% to your budget for extra materials. Things come up, and it’s better to have more than not enough.

Step-by-Step Process for Building DIY Laundry Room Cabinets

Tools & Materials Required

Tools	Materials
Measuring tape	Birch plywood sheets
Jigsaw	Wood screws
Circular saw	Pocket hole screws
Table saw	Wood glue
Drill	Door hinges
Kreg jig 720 Pro	Spacer boards
Sandpaper (220 grit)	Support pieces
L-shaped clamps
Pencil for marking

Stepwise Process for Building

1. Preparation

Sand all plywood pieces with 220-grit sandpaper before cutting
Pick the best-looking side of wood for visible surfaces
Apply painter’s tape on cut lines to prevent wood chipping

2. Cutting Process

Start with a jigsaw for curved cuts
Use a circular saw with a straight edge for long, straight cuts
Make sure to measure twice before cutting
Cut top and bottom pieces to the same size
Use a table saw for fine adjustments

3. Assembly Steps

Use Kreg jig to create pocket holes
Attach top and bottom pieces to side panels
Make sure the front edges are perfectly flush
Add support pieces inside the cabinet frame
Pre-drill holes for screws to prevent splitting

4. Support Structure

Install back support panels
Add temporary support pieces for transport
Build interior supports while considering hinge placement
Keep support pieces 1.5 inches from the edges for hinges

5. Important Tips

Double-check all measurements before cuts
Ensure pieces are level and straight
Test fit hinges before final assembly
Add extra support for heavy panels
Consider door clearance when adding supports

Approximate Budget Required for Building

Category	Item	Cost Range
Main Materials	Birch Plywood (2 sheets)	$120 – $150
	Cabinet Door Hinges (6-8 pairs)	$30 – $40
	Wood Screws and Pocket Holes	$15 – $20
	Wood Glue	$5 – $8
	Sandpaper (220 grit)	$8 – $10
	Paint or Stain	$25 – $30
Basic Tools	Measuring Tape	$5 – $8
	Circular Saw	$60 – $80
	Jigsaw	$40 – $50
	Power Drill	$50 – $70
	Kreg Jig Set	$100
	L-shaped Clamps (4)	$20 – $25
Total Budget	Materials Only	$200 – $260
	With Basic Tools	$470 – $590

Some Cost-Saving Strategies to Look Out

From my own cabinet-building work, here are some tested ways to keep your costs down without losing quality

Pick the Right Time to Buy

Shop during holiday sales (Labor Day, Memorial Day)
Look for end-of-month clearance deals
Check store flyers for weekly wood specials
Buy in winter months when building supplies often cost less

Smart Material Choices

Use MDF for hidden cabinet parts
Pick lower-grade plywood for cabinet backs
Mix solid wood and plywood where it makes sense
Get common wood types instead of fancy ones
Use iron-on edge banding instead of solid wood trim

Save on Tools

Rent big tools for one-day use
Share tool costs with a friend doing similar work
Check local buy/sell groups for used tools
Start with basic tools, not fancy ones
Use manual tools where possible

Making the Most of Materials

The plan cuts to use every bit of wood
Save larger scraps for smaller cabinet parts
Use offcuts for support pieces
Ask stores to cut big sheets – they often do it for free
Buy slightly more than needed to avoid extra trips

Handle Hardware Smartly

Choose simple pulls and knobs
Wait for hardware sales
Buy in multi-packs
Look at discount home stores
Check online marketplaces for deals

Getting Help and Knowledge

Watch free online building videos
Join DIY social media groups for tips
Ask experienced friends for help
Check if your local store offers free classes

How to Install Your Cabinets Without Any Professional Help

Let me share my step-by-step method for putting up cabinets. I did this alone, and you can too!

Finding Wall Studs

Use a stud finder to mark all studs
Draw light pencil lines to show stud centers
Make marks both above and below cabinet height
Check stud marks twice before starting
Put small tape pieces to keep marks visible

Setting Up Your Work Area

Clear the space around your washer and dryer
Put all tools within easy reach
Set up good lighting
Lay down cardboard to protect your floor
Keep a step stool or ladder handy

Getting Ready to Hang

Check walls are level with a long level
Mark cabinet height on all walls
Draw a level line where cabinet tops will sit
Have shims ready for uneven spots
Pre-drill mounting holes in cabinet backs

Mounting Process

Start with corner cabinets if you have them
Put a support board at your marked height
Rest cabinets on this board while working
Put one screw in loosely at first
Check for level before adding more screws

Working Safely Alone

Use a cabinet jack if working with big pieces
Clamp cabinets together before joining them
Work in small steps – don’t rush
Take breaks when you need them
Keep your phone nearby for help if needed

Final Steps

Tighten all screws fully
Add extra screws where needed
Check doors open right
Make sure everything’s level again
Touch up any marks on the walls

Best Customization & Enhancement Options to Choose From

Let me share some useful upgrades I found for laundry cabinets that make them more useful and personal.

Practical Storage Add-ons

Pull-out hamper baskets for sorting clothes
Small bins for holding loose items
Hook strips for hanging cleaning tools
Slide-out shelves for easy reach
Built-in drying racks that fold away

Smart Lighting Options

Under-cabinet LED strips
Battery-powered stick-on lights
Motion-sensor lights inside cabinets
Puck lights for dark corners
Light strips near folding areas

Surface Treatments

Wipe-clean paint for easy cleaning
Water-resistant sealers for wood
Shelf liner to protect surfaces
Corner guards for high-traffic spots
Washable wallpaper for style

Space-Saving Features

Fold-down ironing boards
Hidden drying racks
Pull-out sorting tables
Slim cleaning tool storage
Built-in laundry bag hooks

Handy Extras

Small bulletin boards inside doors
Label holders for shelves
Magnetic strips for small items
Door-mounted supply holders
Built-in paper towel racks

Making It Look Good

Cabinet door trim pieces
Simple crown molding on top
Paint colors that match your home
Nice-looking but useful handles
Matching baskets and bins

Conclusion

Building your own laundry room cabinets isn’t as hard as it seems. I started as a beginner and made it work, and so can you. With basic tools, some careful planning, and about $200-600 in materials, you can create storage that fits your space perfectly.

Remember: measure carefully, take your time with cuts, and check everything is level. The money you’ll save compared to custom cabinets makes the effort worth it.

Ready to start your cabinet project? Take a first small step – measure your laundry room and sketch out what you want.

And if you’ve already built your own laundry cabinets, I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below!