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Laundry Basket Dresser

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Submitted by Ana White on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 22:12
Difficulty
Beginner
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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.

laundry-basket-dresser-2

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!

Dimensions
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.

Project Type
Dresser Plans
Room
storage and organization
Bathroom
Closets
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Carrie (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 02:16

I'm thinking Toys!!! and love the idea of finishing the back and turning them around!! perfect for the living room!!!! this one is a must for us.

Chris S (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 02:29

I have been using almost this same system for about three years now, and it works beautifully! We had two shelves put in our laundry room directly under the hanging bar. I sized them to hold two laundry baskets each. I fold each person's laundry into their own basket. Everyone in the house is responsible for taking their basket to their room, putting away the clothes, and returning the basket. And if they forget, their pile is out of the way and not my problem. Love it!

Anna R (not verified)

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 06:59

I would love to see a picture of your laundry system. My laundry room is small, and using the wall space would help.

Brenda Hester (not verified)

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 10:58

For small rooms...those shelves, that are at Bed, Bath and Beyond - $9.99, that sit on the back of your washer...can also sit on the back of the dryer. They are smaller but you just have to find smaller but TALLER baskets.

Jennifer Woiccak (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 02:42

This would be perfect for my house- our laundry area is basically a closet in my kitchen. I could sort all my laundry and have it neatly hidden while I was doing it all day. Awesome idea!!

Tanja (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 02:42

Are you kidding me?!?!! LOOOOVE IT! JUST WHAT I NEED!!! FANTASTIC! What a fantastic idea!!! Keeping it simple and so darn effective!!! And totally affordable! Of course now I'm thinking about smaller scale ones for the kids rooms as well. Your sisters and YOU rock all the way!!! Thank you!

Molly (not verified)

Tue, 11/16/2010 - 02:46

I love it! Love the idea of wheels also. It would be great for fabric storage for sewers/quilters as well and several boxed together would provide a base for a nice sized cutting surface. Can't wait to start building a few!