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?
That's your sticker. For each of these laundry basket dressers, you will need three of these baskets. Way up here in Alaska, each basket was $3.50. Should be less for you.
PS - If you are interested in a slightly different size/configuration, check out these plans as well!
Preparation
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
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)
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.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
Guest (not verified)
Mon, 04/18/2011 - 11:21
Simply amazing!
This is next on my list to build for my boys' room. I'm going to use them as hampers-one for darks and one for lights. So, there will be a little adjusting but nothing I can't handle :) I also love the idea of hanging fabric or flipping it around when company is over. All such wonderful ideas! You are amazing and I thank you!
MrsD2008
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 10:40
Added to my To-Do List!
You should think about a feature where we can add a project to someone else's to-do list with a special password, LMBO! I would have my husband get his own account, then I would add projects to HIS to-do list and the system could notify him once a week on new projects, LOL :D.
ANYWAY....I love this idea. I would only need 3 baskets because there is my husband, myself and then he has work clothes that get washed separately. But, I am wondering if I should just make two anyway, one for clean, one for dirty....I will have to borrow hubby's measuring tape to see if we even have enough room for this in our laundry hall-way. And if not, it's definitely going into the files for when we finish our new house and I have an actual laundry room!
Thanks for all the a-mazing ideas!
ETA: I am not used to reading plans, etc. But I am lost on something--what is the depth of the units? From the wall where the rest against, how far do they come out...does that make sense? I can't seem to find a number for that...
cmgfrench
Sat, 05/07/2011 - 07:15
Doors...
Does anyone know if the sides enable the laundry baskets to be totally flush so you can add doors without adjusting the measurements?
groovymom2000
Sat, 05/07/2011 - 10:08
doors
I don't think so. I added doors to mine(but I changed measurements significantly due to my bin size). I haven't posted mine yet because I am a terrible photographer!
aria_dia
Sun, 05/08/2011 - 23:33
sideways?
I have a VERY tiny laundry room, and it wouldnt accomodate the baskets length, I wonder if it would work so that the cabinet was turned sideways so that the short end is the one toward the front.
Marjorie (not verified)
Thu, 05/12/2011 - 07:35
I'm trying to dress it up
I love this idea and am certainly looking to build one soon as I seem to have the problem as you with piles of clean laundry taking up so much space. The thing I'm looking to do it take it to the next level with decorative trims so that it looks like a storebought peice of furniture. Wish me luck!
Jacy (not verified)
Thu, 05/12/2011 - 07:41
I've been thinking of
I've been thinking of something exactly like this!! Thanks for taking all the hard work out if for me!! We're moving into a new house soon, and I think this is the first project I'm going to do. Even before curtains. And painting. AWESOME!!!!
John Leach (not verified)
Sun, 05/15/2011 - 10:40
Turning Sideways?
I love this idea for my laundry pile (room), but I'm thinking I'd like to turn them sideways so I'd have them deeper and then can use the top as a folding table. Has anyone else done this?
LizzieB (not verified)
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 11:59
Laundry
My husband and I are almost finished with these cabinets. Just left to paint and install the metal pieces. I'm so excited to not have had to rely on a family member to help me build these! Thank you for your wonderful tutorials!
VelvetSky
Sat, 05/21/2011 - 09:16
hide away iron board cab
Does anyone have plans for a hide away ironing board cabinet? Their so expensive and I am trying to figure out how I could make one. I want it to go in our walk in closet.I am a beginner by the way.