DIY Laundry Renovation: A Complete Guide for SA
Renovating your laundry doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It can add value to your home and make daily life easier. With the right guidance and some DIY know-how, you can achieve a stunning transformation on a budget. At Just Skips, we’re here to help with practical tips and ideas for your DIY laundry renovation and help with your construction waste.
Overview
Planning your DIY laundry renovation
Budget-friendly renovation tips
Step-by-step guide to laundry renovation
Common mistakes to avoid when renovating
Planning your DIY laundry renovation
Planning is the first step towards a successful DIY laundry renovation. Start by assessing your current space and identifying what changes you want to make. Consider factors like storage needs, functionality, and aesthetic preferences. The laundry is a great place to start if you are intending to add value to your home by renovating. Practise and perfect your DIY skills before working on the bathroom and kitchen.
1. Assess your space
Measure your laundry and list the existing features you want to keep or remove. Identifying your space constraints will help you make informed decisions about layout changes and new installations. Use the PlanSA form to find out if you need approval for your renovation.
2. Set a budget
Determine how much you are willing to spend on your renovation. A clear budget will help you prioritise tasks and choose cost-effective solutions. Remember, you can achieve a significant transformation even with limited funds by focusing on key improvements.
3. Get quotes
DIY doesn’t mean you need to do the entire job yourself, perhaps you can leave the higher stakes jobs to the experts, like waterproofing and tiling.
Budget-friendly DIY laundry renovation tips
Renovating your laundry on a budget is entirely possible with some strategic planning. Here are some tips to help you save money while achieving a fresh, updated look:
Reuse and recycle
Incorporate, reuse and recycle existing elements from your current laundry into the new design. Reusing fixtures, cabinets, shelves, and the washing machine can significantly cut costs and save items from landfill.
DIY tasks
Handling tasks yourself, like painting, installing shelves, and assembling cabinets, can save you money on labour costs. Plus, DIY projects add a personal touch to your space.
Shop smart
Look for sales, discounts, and second-hand items to stay within your budget. You can find great deals on cabinets and fixtures if you shop around. There are often listings on online marketplaces for second-hand cabinetry and tiles, see if you can pick up a bargain.
Step-by-step guide to DIY laundry renovation
Follow these steps to ensure a smooth DIY laundry renovation:
Step 1: Clear out
Start by clearing out your laundry. Remove items from the cupboards and take out the washing machine and dryer. This will give you a fresh canvas to work with. Don’t worry about cleaning it if you are about to gut it.
Step 2: Plan your layout
Sketch a layout that maximises your space. Consider the placement of your washing machine taking into account where your waste pipe is. If you need to move it, you will need a plumber which will add to costs. Ensure there is enough room to move around comfortably.
Step 3: Demolish
Take out what you no longer want. This will probably mean old tiles, fixtures, and cabinetry. Most DIY-ers use only a hammer and chisel to remove old tiles while the professionals use a tile drill or diamond drill bit to do the job faster. Cart rubbish out of the house and into the skip, if you don’t have a lot of waste a mini skip might do the job.
Step 4: Updating the tiles
New tiles on both the floor and the sink splashback are the perfect way to update the look of your laundry. Get some inspiration online and give the splashback a go yourself, if you are struggling then you can leave the floor tiling to the experts. If your tiles don’t need updating, consider regrouting without removing the tiles, to remove old, dirty or mouldy grout.
Step 5: Paint and refresh
A fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the look of your laundry room. Choose light, neutral colours to make the space feel larger and more inviting. The rule of thumb is
Step 5: Reinstall
Install shelves, cabinets, and hooks to organise your laundry essentials. Fit your washing machine (remember to hook up the waste!) and dryer.
Common mistakes to avoid when renovating
Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your DIY laundry renovation goes smoothly:
1. Rushing the planning
Jumping into the renovation without a clear plan can lead to costly mistakes. Take the time to plan every detail before you start.
2. Forgetting to organise waste management before starting a renovation
Regardless of which room you are renovating, there will be a lot of construction waste created. You will need a waste solution to keep the site tidy and safe.
A construction waste skip is the right skip for a laundry renovation, it will enable you to get rid of old wall and floor tiles, old ceramic sinks, plasterboard and brick and concrete waste.
3. Ignoring functionality
While aesthetics are important, functionality should be your top priority. Ensure your laundry is practical and meets your daily needs. Think about the practical details, for example, if the swing of your door to the laundry is going to eat into your usable space, install a cavity slider.
4. Overspending
Stick to your budget by prioritising essential improvements. It’s easy to get carried away, but staying within your budget will make your renovation more satisfying.
DIY Laundry transformations are easy with convenient skip bin hire
Ready to transform your laundry? With these tips and tricks, you can achieve a stunning DIY renovation on a budget. Remember, effective planning and smart shopping are key to a successful project. For inspiration and DIY tips check out our blog on the Best DIY Home Renovation YouTube Channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DIY laundry renovation take?
A laundry renovation usually takes 2-6 weeks to complete from start to finish, depending on the scale of work involved, the time you have to commit to the job, and your skill level.
How can I get rid of renovation waste?
Using a skip bin is a convenient way to manage renovation waste. It helps keep your property clean and ensures proper disposal of materials. It also saves you from having to hire a trailer and transport waste to the tip.
What’s the cheapest way to renovate a laundry?
Reuse existing elements, handle DIY tasks yourself, and shop for discounted display models and fixtures in showrooms and second-hand items online to stay within your budget.
