Laundry Basket Dresser

dresser for laundry baskets
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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The Laundry Basket Dresser has taken my laundry room from the messiest room in my home to the tidiest. It's so easy to pull laundry out and put it directly into baskets. I then can take each basket to it's respective room and fold and put laundry away. For any busy home, these are a must.

This really wasn't my idea.  I have some smart sisters.  They looked at the piles of laundry in my tiny laundry room, and said, Ana, what if . . .

All your laundry baskets could be like drawers in a dresser . . .

And we didn't have to see your dirty - and clean - laundry every time we visit.

 

In my defense, most of the piles of laundry in my home are clean.  They just rarely make it to the dresser.

 

 

But this is one dresser that I can work with.

 

I can deal with stacks of laundry with this system!  Do you have a laundry problem?

PS - If you are interested in a slightly different size/configuration, check out these plans as well!

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Laundry Basket Dresser

Dimensions
laundry dresser plans
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

3/4″ Plywood cut into 15 1/2″ wide x 8 feet long strips (referred to as 1x16s)

1/4″ Plywood for the backs

1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ metal angle (ask for it at Blue or Orange)

2″ wood screws or 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws 3/4″ wood screws (to screw the metal angle to the insides of the boxes)

1 1/4″ wood screws

wood glue

wood filler finishing supplies

Cut List

2 – 1×16 @ 35 1/4″ (Sides)

1 – 1×16 @ 24 1/2″ (Bottom)

1 – 1×16 @ 26″ (Top)

1 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 36″ x 25 3/4″ (Back)

6 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ Metal Angle 15 1/2″ long (ask hardware store to cut or cut with a hack saw)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Build the Box

I used pocket holes, but you can also use 2″ wood screws countersunk and screwed together to build the box.

NOTE: Top Measurement should be 26″

Step 2

Back

Adjust for square then screw the back on with 1 1/4″ screws and glue. I finished mine at this stage by filling all holes with wood filler, all plywood edges, and any imperfections in the plywood. I then sanded with coarse sandpaper because the plywood was builder grade cheapo stuff, the finished with medium sandpaper. Finally, I primed and painted with ooops paint in semigloss from Valspar.

Step 3

Metal Angle

If you are intimidated by metal angle, you can always use 2x2s glued and screwed here. Cut the metal angle with a hack saw and predrill holes (three per slide). Mark locations with a square and screw metal angle to the sides. TIP: Screw at a very slight downward angle to keep the baskets to the back of the box instead of sliding forward.

If you choose to stack, make sure you secure the top laundry basket dress to a stud in the wall.

Comments

Ashley (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:23

I am so building this for the PLAYROOM! The buckets my kids have in there now are overflowing and the cheap press board shelves they sit on are on their last legs after 2 moves. This will be great for all the dress up clothes, and Barbies!

shannon boozer (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:23

I AM IN LOVE!!!!! love love love love love love love this!!! I don't think i can say it enough!!! thanks so much for sharing (you and your sisters) amazing ideas:)

Tonia (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:26

O M G !!!! This is the coolest thing EVER!! I have wanted my husband to help me build something for my laundry clean, dirty, and in the bedrooms!! This could just be for way more than dirty or clean clothes!! My couch could finally be cleaned off. I can not wait to see what the genious people come up with for this!! And ANA yo are us simply amazing and your sisters too!!!

Everday I soooo look forward to what you are going to post!!

Jamie (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:42

As someone who is standing knee deep in clean laundry at the food of my bed, I'm loving this!

Julie (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:45

GENIUS!!! With 5 children this would come in SO handy. I never have enough room for all of the laundry, clean & dirty, because like you...mine doesn't see the dressers often enough :)! Now it won't matter if I can't ever catch up, it'll look like I do. THANKS!!

Dawn Cote (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:49

Ana,
This is beyond amazing!!! I absolutely LOVE this idea. Laundry is one of those things I am a bit OCD about and this will work perfectly to get things sorted properly, efficiently, keep things simple and off the floor. I personally would pay big money for this plan in return for the peace and sanity I know it will bring. You are my hero!!!
P.S. I second the request for more info on the rolling cart.....folding space anyone?

Amy (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 04:51

What a great idea. I have a small laundry room too, and have been trying to figure out how to consolidate the baskets to make more room. I also love that the laundry basket was made in the USA! Great choice.

Leah (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:06

It's so nice to hear someone else gets their laundry washed but hardly ever put away. This sure solves my problem while I wait for more closet storage plans. And afterward, I'm sure... ;)

Jennifer (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:13

Ana, could I add a door front, or do the laundry baskets stick out? I'm thinking this would be great in our bathroom, but I'd like for the laundry part to be hidden. ;)

Maureen (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:17

I think I will modify this idea to make something for my garage for the recycle bins to slide in . . . our are just taking up floor space out there! Great plans!

Jessica Harris (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:24

These remind me of the toy tub holders from Ikea. I would love these to store toys in the playroom! The kids could just pull out their tubs dump them and fill them back up easily!

Sunny (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 05:58

This is brilliant. My only question is how well will the basket handles/lips hold up from always having weight on them. I think I would probably add something for underneath the baskets.

Actually what I would really love is something like this except in laundry size. That way I don't have to convince the men in my house to pull out a drawer, they can just toss it in.:

http://kidsdecorgalore.com/library/2ELR_0100_NO.gi

CKay (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:06

I love this idea!! And you could label the baskets so each family member could put away their own clothes. I have found it hard to fold AND put away, but when the folding is done, putting away is easy. The reverse is true too (I think) that if you know you won't have to put away all the clothes yourself its not such a chore to fold. I like things that help to teach my kids a bit of personal responsibility and to work together.

Catherine (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:09

This idea is exactly what moms everywhere need! My "laundry room" is actually in my front hallway, so I usually have some ugly hampers literally full of my dirty laundry for all to see. But stashing it it far away from the washer dryer is just too inconvenient.

I have a question, though: I want to hang a little tension cafe rod with some fabric in front so people won't necessarily know what's sitting in our front entryway. Would an inch of clearance make it so the curtain would hang straight? I guess I would need to find a 15" laundry basket rather than trying for a 17" width board? It would be fabulous if I could just find attractive baskets, instead. Any ideas, commenters?

Heather (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10

Once again BRILLIANT! I wanted to mention that these are the exact baskets you can get on clearance from Target once the college dorm things go on sale. Just in case anyone decided to do this next year!

Celestra (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10

Laundry basket dresser where have you been all my life!?! Perfect, this is going in my laundry room ASAP. No more dirty clothes piles on the floor and an extra folding surface... I love it : )

Tanjia (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:10

Wow!! This idea would work great for toy storage, too. Especially when the stuffy situation is totally out of control. I'm thinking with a few tweaks I can also use something like this for my husband to store his photography equipment in.
You are amazing.

Holly (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:11

Love it. I am seeing a cute name tag for each of my kids on the laundry baskets and using it for the folded clean stuff that needs to be put away (drives me crazy that they always leave it sitting on the stairs, couch, etc)

Anna (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:30

my only concern is the weight of the laundry pulling on the basket handles. Have you used it to see yet? I was thinking you could put the two side by side and have one top across to fold on??? Would the height work? I also like the idea of having casters on it to move it around if need be. What a great idea!

Treva (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 06:30

My laundry room is only the size of a small closet, so I don't have the floor space for this. I think it might work though if we attach it as cabinets on the wall above the washing machine and dryer. This would solve the mountain of laundry that ends up in my master bedroom. Thanks so much, Ana.

KaraHart (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:18

I DEFINITELY have a laundry problem and could so use this!!! I'm adding this to my KOW to-build list. It's only about 10 pages long...you seem like a miracle worker...could you make time stand still so I can do all of these projects on my to-do list please?! Thanks for the great plans, as always!

mary johnson (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:21

I actually thought of this same idea myself and was looking to patent it. However when I called the patent office they showed me how to do an extensive search, and sure enough someone already patented the idea. I was so upset because I thought I had something here. Now the people that own the patent have done nothing to market this, which is unfortunate as I would purchase one immediately. I actually found this site when I was searching to see if someone put this to market yet. Guess I'll have to get my husband to build me some....

Thanks for the specs, this will make it easier for him.... :)

Tressa Willson (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:33

I love this idea of using it for shoes and toys! The baskets can be taken out and about the house collecting the stray items.

Ana White (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 07:41

Just wanted to comment that laundry baskets by nature have reinforced lips for carrying large loads, and most laundry baskets break first in the actual basket and not the handle. In other words, laundry baskets are designed to be held by the rim, thus I expect the baskets to hold up. Thank you everyone for liking and commenting, I myself and just as excited to put my laundry away!

Kirsten (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:00

I seriously cannot believe how genius this idea is!!!! I used to have one of those 3-compartment rolling ones, but in my tiny space it was so cumbersome. But to go UP!!! YAY!!!

Aleah @ HeyBak… (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:19

This is awesome!! My laundry NEVER makes it to the folding stage - I usually take a load and put it on our bed hoping to fold it before bed. But my husband usually is in bed first, so it gets heaped on the floor. Then it grows and takes a couple weeks before we put everythig away again and start over. This is a great system - thanks for the info!

Lynn (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 08:32

This is quite similar to what I had envisioned - and have been hoping someone would build for me. I've been looking online for something to buy with a similar structure, but haven't found it. My vision had wood shelves instead of the rails. While that is a neat way to minimize the wood in the structure, I agree with Sunny in regards to how well the basket edges will hold up long-term to having a load suspended. I am definitely gonna show these plans to whomever I can rope into building me something! So cool!

Nikki (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 09:41

I love this idea but for RECYCLING bins. :) May make hubby do this for our back deck as I haaate having bins all over the place to keep things sorted. Love love love

Heather (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:16

I agree that this looks like an amazing useful contraption! But mostly, I'm glad to see so many other people's bedrooms/ laundry rooms looks like a huge monster threw up clothes all over the place!!!

Heather B. (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:37

GREATEST IDEA EVER! Thanks so much for sharing. Oh and I was at Walmart this morning over by the laundry baskets and the one you bought in Alaska for 3.50 is 4.00 here in Ohio!

Maria (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:57

You know I love everything you do, but this is simply GENIUS! I have been trying to figure out a better system for the giant pile I call Mt. Washmore, and this is the answer! THANK YOU!

Meg (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:05

Oh man. You did it again. This might be the best thing ever - I mean next to the tryde tables, the vintage crate carts and the 10 buck shelves we have already made that we thought were the "best plans ever!"

Thank you again Ana for sharing your talents and creativity!

Renee (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:13

I was almost speechless when I saw this post! I was JUST planning something like this in my head!! I thought... come on, there has to be a better laundry system than what I have going on!!!!!! You absolutely read my mind! So super pumped to make these... that my daughters farmhouse bed might have to be put on hold! I wanna run and buy lumber immediately!!!

Thanks again for sharing... always a blessing!!!

mamma_joy (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 13:48

Two months ago when I was searching for what to do with my laundry (and my whole family rolled their eyes as I complained of why I couldn't stand the two rows of cloth laundry sorters) I really could have used this (and the other support--I thought I was the only one!). I looked all over for something besides regular sorters and couldn't find what I envisioned. I finally came up with a unit similar to yours but with shelves, but it works the same as what you've made. I will need to get my piles sorted so I can take a picture of the final product. It is so much more functional than the cloth sorters and I only knew how to do it because of you! (Ana, you have changed my world!) I did get $4 steralite colored containers so it's easy for my family to help me sort--mainly my four year old that doesn't know yet that laundry isn't fun!