From the minute I began planning the front room renos I had a very strong image in my head of just how I was going to install a countertop dishwasher. After doing research, looking at other people’s installations, and actually squeezing a dishwasher in here, I am very surprised to discover that my exact original idea will work.

Taking apart the dinette will entail a lot of work, especially the bench near the stove. I would have to relocate heating ducts and the propane detector, cut through a steel frame, and find a new and not-so-optimum location for items stored in the bench. More than once I had the thought that the bench frame has exactly the right dimensions for the project I had in mind. Why not leave that bench intact, rest the dishwasher on it, add on supports for the countertop, and create a new hinged door in front to get at the stored items previously accessible from the top?

Another issue was how was I going to get water and power to the dishwasher? By having it face the kitchen, I would have to route the hoses around the unit and possibly create a draining nightmare. The obvious solution was to face the dishwasher towards the lounge then cut a hole in the paneling at the rear through which I could fit the hoses and power cord. Not ideal but not a big deal. Another issue that was brought up while discussing the dishwasher with someone was how low it could be installed before drainage became a problem. There cannot be more than 3′ difference between the bottom of the unit and the tap.

So, you can imagine that I thought that getting the dishwasher into its permanent position was going to be a huge hassle.

Behold the dishwasher in its permanent, albeit naked, position:

Right now, it’s just resting on a very thin piece of plywood. I’m sure it’s strong enough to support the weight since it’s meant to hold the weight of an adult, but I do plan to use some plywood scraps to make a stronger base just in case. A drill and jigsaw combo will make short work of making a neat hole in the paneling at the base of the dishwasher for putting the hoses and cord through.

The icing on the cake is that the hoses and cord are long enough to reach the sink and plug and the height difference is less than 2′!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a drawer that I will be installing next to the dishwasher and over that will be space for a garbage can.

As for my new counter top, you can see it in the above picture. *gives her readers time to go back up and stare at the picture for a second then nods* My dinette table just happens to be made of the same material as the kitchen counter top and even has the same oak trim. It’s exactly the right width for the project and only a tad short, but I’ve already figured out how I’m going to compensate for that.

Hopefully, it’ll stop storming tomorrow (been going strong for 30 hours now) and I can get into the workshop to get to work on my new counter!

Needless to say, the carpet at the bottom of that unit is staying and I’ll be laying the new flooring around it. Much less complicated!

The rest of the details of this project shall remain shrouded in mystery until I get this project done. 😀