Plinth for a raised wardrobe

[SMCC90]

Hi all,

I'm trying to make the most of this corner in the main bedroom of our new flat. There is a cupboard housing a hot water tank and other plumbing and for some reason it's piped out through this small box to the bathroom in the next room.

We need to make the most of this space so figured it would work best to build a raised plinth, equal to the height of the pipe box that would allow an IKEA PAX wardrobe to be placed on top. Forgive the thrown together image here:

The only timber cuts that I could find tall enough (the pipe box is 15cm) are these 21x170, if these were cut down to size and nailed together like I have planned, would this be strong enough? I'd also add a large square piece on top of cover it.

It's my first time at a job like this, so any feedback on the plan would be appreciated.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

How will a plumber be able to access that little lot if there's a bunch of units in front of it?

Is the idea to just plonk some pre-built units on top of a plinth or are looking to do a built in type of affair?

 

[foxhole]

Two strips of 18mm mdf cut to height of boxing with another piece on top would be simple.
What are you doing about the light switch?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

How will a plumber be able to access that little lot if there's a bunch of units in front of it?

Make an access panel in the base.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hmm, I can just hear the plumbers language when they turn up and find that.

 

[Tigercubrider]

To be fair, the pipes look like they haven’t been touched in years. If they were under the floor, there could well be a wardrobe on top?

Is the wardrobe white?

I would go to b&Q and buy some 18mm contiboard shelving that’s faced on all edges. Get a length of 2x2 as well and buy the cheapest electric screwdriver that you can (or Lidl) also but some L brackets and screws.
Assemble the box frame from the inside as much as possible.

Switch wise, look at Kinetic switches if you are confident in electrical work.
Do the switch before the wardrobe!

 

[SMCC90]

How will a plumber be able to access that little lot if there's a bunch of units in front of it?

Is the idea to just plonk some pre-built units on top of a plinth or are looking to do a built in type of affair?

It would be the same access as before, removing a panel over the top of the box. Except now it's extended out wide to allow for the wardrobe to sit on top. Of course, removing the wardrobe is a headache but that box isn't something that would be accessed often.

Exactly, just something stable to allow the wardrobe to stand on, and it'll get hooked on the wall behind for stability.

 

[SMCC90]

Two strips of 18mm mdf cut to height of boxing with another piece on top would be simple.
What are you doing about the light switch?

Yea the light switch is a pain, easiest solution is to leave it on and use one of the wireless Ikea bulbs + switch

 

[SMCC90]

To be fair, the pipes look like they haven’t been touched in years. If they were under the floor, there could well be a wardrobe on top?

Is the wardrobe white?

I would go to b&Q and buy some 18mm contiboard shelving that’s faced on all edges. Get a length of 2x2 as well and buy the cheapest electric screwdriver that you can (or Lidl) also but some L brackets and screws.
Assemble the box frame from the inside as much as possible.

Switch wise, look at Kinetic switches if you are confident in electrical work.
Do the switch before the wardrobe!

Thanks for the advice, feel more confident I'm on the right lines.
Yea the wardrobe is white, I have some off-cuts than I can use on the outside for finishing.

I figured the plinth/box itself should be stronger than MDF to take the weight of a full wardrobe, but maybe it's grand?

 

[foxhole]

Thanks for the advice, feel more confident I'm on the right lines.
Yea the wardrobe is white, I have some off-cuts than I can use on the outside for finishing.

I figured the plinth/box itself should be stronger than MDF to take the weight of a full wardrobe, but maybe it's grand?

Mdf will take half a ton, how heavy is the wardrobe?

 

[foxhole]

Yea the light switch is a pain, easiest solution is to leave it on and use one of the wireless Ikea bulbs + switch

Could you not move to other side of wall?

 

[Tigercubrider]

A well built MDF box surround will be in compression.
The wardrobe is made the same way.

 

[chirpychippy]

Why don't you just buy some kitchen units legs and screw them to the bottom of the wardrobe, atleast then you can get it all level then you can put a plinth in front of the legs.