Open Frame Laundry Basket Organizer

laundry basket organizer
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
| Print this plan

Get the laundry baskets up off the floor and create a drying space with this easy to build laundry basket dresser.

This DIY Laundry basket organizer is made from 2x4 boards - Use most any laundry basket - this universal plan helps you design and build just the right size organizer for your laundry baskets.  Free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

2x4 laundry basket holder
wood frame for laundry baskets
laundry basket stand
laundry basket dresser free plans

Why We Built this Laundry Basket Dresser

Laundry room cabinetry can be so expensive and complicated.  We just wanted a simple solution to get the laundry baskets organized, without breaking the bank.  This simple DIY project was the answer - just some 2x4 frames and a 1x top and it's all organized!

It's all I needed, and this project gives me more floor space and a countertop space on top.

I love that the top can be used as a drying rack too!

Quick Build Video for this Laundry Basket Dresser

Here's a very quick build video showing how this laundry basket dresser was built:

Video Coming Soon

 

MORE SIZE CONFIGURATIONS - Check Out the Double and Triple Wide Laundry Basket Dresser Frame

We loved this project so much, we had to make plans for the triple wide version! Click here for free plans.

laundry basket frame organizer

And also the double wide version (free plans here) -

 

double wide laundry basket dresser

 

 

Free Plans to Build Your Own Laundry Basket Dresser

Because laundry baskets can vary in size and shape, and you can orientate them width or depth wise, I created these plans so you can modify them to fit your own laundry baskets with ease.  Here' the free plans:

Pin For Later!

Open Frame Laundry Basket Organizer

Dimensions
universal laundry basket organizer plans
Alter size to fit your laundry baskets

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 2x4 boards (about 3 - 2x4x8' as shown)
  • 1x4 or 1x6 boards for top 
  • 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws
  • 1-3/4" self tapping wood screws
  • wood glue
  • Laundry baskets (recommend the sterilize bushel series)

 

Cut List

Measure your laundry basket as shown below:

measuring laundry basket

Then use these three measurements to come up with your cut list:

LEGS: 4 - 2x4 - find the length of your legs by following directions below:

  • Measure the height of one laundry basket and add 2" - this is the clearance needed per basket, should be about 13"
  • Now multiply this number by the desired number of baskets in a column (as shown this is 2 baskets), number should be around 26" for two baskets, 39" for three baskets high
  • Add 3" for the top and bottom supports - number should be about 29" now for two baskets, 42" for three baskets high
  • This is the minimum cut length for the legs.  You can always add more height to the legs, for example if you are trying to get a specific height for the finished tabletop.

RUNNERS: 2x4 @ Overall Depth Measurement, cut 2 per basket - this is the basket depth on the sliding side

HORIZONTAL FRAME: 4 - 2x4 @ Inside Lip Measurement + 3" - this is the width of the basket that will sit between the cleats

1x6 TOP = Cut 1x6 to match Depth of Baskets, quantity depending on top size

 

 

 

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Drill
Circular Saw

Instructions

Step 1

Figure the length of the legs and cut four legs from 2x4s.

Figure the length of the supports and cut four from 2x4s.

Attach together with the supports inside the legs with 2-1/2" screws.

Build two identical frames.

Step 2

Measure and mark out the location of the runners.

The bottom runner will be spaced the overall height of the laundry basket (including the lip) to the top edge of the runner.

ALL other runners will be spaced above the bottom runner by the overall height of the laundry basket plus 2".

Attach with 2-1/2" screws and glue.

Step 3

The top can be 1x4, 1x6, or other tabletop material. Leaving space in between will allow for air flow and could be used as a drying surface.

Evenly space the boards and attach with 1-3/4" self tapping screws.

Step 4

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

olds1368

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 19:41

Saw this and made it tonight in roughly 3 hrs. Very simple directions and this was a lot of fun to build for my first project!

apickle

Sat, 08/14/2021 - 15:22

Be careful when making these plans as the laundry baskets shown are 26 and 3/8inches long, while the inside deminsions shown are 23 and 3/8inches. And they don't make laundry baskets that will fit inside the current plans demensions, that I can fond anyways. So you will need to adjust the plans accordingly.