July 7, 2022, 1:41 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Building new furniture from old remnants or upcycling outdated pieces–that’s exactly what the new myHOMEBOOK series “Revamped” is all about. DIY and upcycling expert Thomas Klotz shows in the fourth episode what you can build from an old washing drum.
What do you do when the washing machine breaks down? Dispose of it, right–but not all the parts! The washing machine drum is too valuable to throw away; it can be wonderfully upcycled. We show you how, together with DIY expert Thomas Klotz from Berlin, in our new series “Revamped.” In the fourth episode, an old washing machine drum is turned into a small side table complete with lighting and a tray. We show you how in the video.
Upcycling a Washing Drum–What You Need
Normally, you don’t have a washing machine drum at home to upcycle–unless your own machine is broken and beyond repair. Otherwise, you can easily buy such drums online through classifieds. The choice of LED light strip depends entirely on personal taste. There are different colors and now even models where multiple colors can be set. The important thing is that the strip can be shortened and has a switch for turning on and off.
Materials
- Washing machine drum
- Two round wooden discs
- LED light strip, including clips and double-sided tape
- Two handles
Tools and Supplies
- Cordless drill
- Screws
- Double-sided tape for the clips
- Pencil
Before attempting to saw two round wooden discs yourself or having it done at a hardware store, you should check the dimensions of the drum’s hole. If they are standard sizes, items like breakfast boards or a wooden pizza plate might fit. Otherwise, find out here how to draw and saw a circle without a compass.
Building a Washing Machine Drum Table with Lighting
Building a small side table with lighting and a tray from an old washing machine drum is not just for upcycling pros. This project is also suitable for beginners. Here’s how:
- First, a hole must be drilled through the drum–at the spot where the LED light strip’s cable will later be threaded. Use a metal drill bit for this. It’s important that the drill bit is large enough for the cable to pass through.
- Next, the LED light strip is installed inside the washing machine drum. It’s best to use small clips, which are usually included with the light strip. These can be easily attached inside the drum with double-sided tape.
- Once all the clips are in place, the light strip can be attached. The more light you want to shine through the drum’s holes, the longer the strip should be. If it’s still a bit too long, it can simply be shortened with scissors.
- The next step involves the tabletop or tray. You’ll need two round wooden discs to prevent the top from slipping later. If you have suitable round wooden discs, you just need to attach them together. First, pre-drill, then screw the boards together.
- To turn the small side table into a portable tray, attach two handles to the wooden top in the final step. Done!
You can also see the detailed instructions in the video–enjoy recreating it!
Also in “Revamped”: