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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.

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

Comments

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!