Does your laundry room need some quick organization? For about $75 total, you can make your own laundry sorter towers with hanging rods! Free plans from Ana-White.com
We have a special treat for you today! My friend Jen who also helps with video editing and keeping the website going, built from her own design this amazing freestanding laundry basket tower! She has very generously offered to share plans! Thank you Jen!
From Jen:
Hi I'm Jen, a friend of Ana's, we've also worked together for the past 10 years, she is very inspiring in my life and build projects!
My 3 children and I are in a temporary living situation and the room we are staying in needs a closet, so I came up with this design based around Ana's laundry basket dresser and her pallirondack plans.
I built 2 units, I had to figure the first one out as I went, with the laundry baskets I pre purchased.
I found these laundry baskets for $2 each at Target.
How Much Did This Cost to Build?
With the cost of lumber, I wanted to use basic materials and not spend a ton of money. I built 2 for about $150.
Besides purchasing the laundry baskets prior to the build, I had also purchased 4 project panels that were 20" x 36" for $16 each, so I knew I needed to incorporate those into the overall plan. You of course could build your own panel with 1 by material and Pocket Holes.
Do You Have to Use Pocket Holes?
No, you can build either way!
The first unit I built, I used 2 1/2" screws, countersunk, wood puttied the holes and stained once assembled.
Once I had the first one built I wanted to work smarter not harder, so I decided to pre-sand and stain all of my boards and use pocket hole construction on the second unit and it worked so much better once I had all the measurements figured out.
The beauty is, it can be done either way!
On Wheels?
Finally, once I saw it assembled, I thought, "How cool would this be in the laundry room with that lower shelf at folding height and some casters!" Have fun with this one!
Let's get into the build!
I've included a video with some tips and tricks I learned during the build to help, when you build it!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO TUTORIAL!
Preparation
- 7 - 2x2
- 2 - 1x2
- 2 - project panels 20x36
- 1 - 36" dowel
- 2 - dowel holders
- 4 - Laundry Baskets
- 2x2 - 4 @71"Legs for ladder
- 2x2 - 3@ 36" Bottom and back Supports
- 2x2 - 8@17" All side ladder supports
- 2x2 - 2@24" Front and back support of laundry basket section (I cut to fit, because there was a little variance where middle shelf was pocket holed and attached)
- 1x2 - 4 @20" (outside cleats)
- 1x2 - 4@18-1/2" (inside cleats)
- 3' dowel
- 4 laundry baskets (will need to adjust and preplan for your laundry baskets if different)
- 2 project panels 20"x 36"
This project can be built using either torq screws (star bit self drilling wood construction screws) or with pocket holes. In either case, you will need both 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" lengths.
Instructions
Step 1
Build two of the side frames as shown.
If using screws, just attach with screws and glue.
If using pocket holes, drill on the 1-1/2" setting and attach to the legs with 2-1/2" screws. Place pocket holes facing upward or downward, to keep out of line of sight.
Step 2
Drill 3/4" pocket holes on ends of project panels. Attach to the side frames with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. On top shelf, place pocket holes facing upward where they won't be seen.
Step 3
Attach 2x2s to the sides, using the longer screws. If using pocket holes, use the 1-1/2" setting.
Step 4
Attach center legs. At the top, you can attach from the top.
If using pocket holes, drill with the 3/4" setting and attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Step 5
Attach cleats with 1-1/4" fasteners to the insides.
Step 6
Attach dowel with the closet rod sockets. Cut the dowel to fit.
