Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Laundry Room Dresser/Shelf

Ok, Although I am not completely done with my Laundry Dresser I am posting an update.  I don't have my doors completely done and hanged... but other than that fully functional.  I have had it in place and using it a few months now and absolutely LOVE it!  Read more about my laundry room here

Here is a BEFORE of my rickety rackety sorter and hanging space:

And an after!!!
I still need to figure out what to do on the top of my shelf... Look at all of that space!!!  I think I can fit 6 or so fabric/wicker/wood bins.  Yes I am undecided :)  I do know that I want a home for items to donate, things that need to be mended... and... hmmm what else can I store up there??  ideas anyone??  I think I want to either stay in a woodsy wicker look (nothing too dark... or go with a creamy/tan neutral color up there.

As you can see clothes are filled in the baskets an they are very sturdy! Each person in my family has their own basket now.  the 6th basket is for fabric napkins and towels.  They can hold dirty clothes... or clean, and slide in and out just like a dresser drawer. 

I ammended the Ana White Laundry Dresser plan  I built 2 dressers, however for the top piece I cut one piece (instead of 2) to help keep them together, then  I squared them up when I put the backing on.  I was going to do a ceramic tile countertop and build in the whole thing like cabinets... but then I started thinking about if we ever needed to replace the washing machine or dryer and needed to move those out of the room.... I had to keep the laundry dresser moveable too... so it is NOT attached to the wall and I left the baseboards in place :) 

Eventually I will build a sink cabinet... and replace the utility sink... I will secure that piece of cabinet in place and the dresser will butt up to it.  I had to keep this under a certain height so that my ironing board cabinet would still open and be usable :) 

So all that said I joined varied lenghs of 1x3's which I sanded an distressed.  The stain is ebony and red mahogany mixed with 2 coats of poly on top for a smooth finish.

I also added wooden brackets with a rod for my hanging area.  I came out enough to allow for hanger to hang and had to add a block of wood to the tops because I didn't account for the shelf being in the way when hanging... It works... same distressed look :) 

How about some more pictures???



For the rod I drilled a hole in my wooden brackets.  The design was free handed and then cut with a jigsaw.  I added another bracket for the end pieces that do not have holes drilled for the rod.  This was they are set in place and will not shift or slide

Close up of bracket

Close up of folding area.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my finish!!!
And I have made my doors... aside from my beadboard backing that I need to purchase and cut.  an I need to figure out the hinges.  I have bought euro hinges that hopefully will work and be hidden.  The doors will be painted glossy white like the bottom of the dresser.  and I plan to glaze them with dark walnut stain.  Which I plan to also do on my existing white cabinets that hang above my washing machine and dryer!  Here are the door frames:

I have decided to wait until my kiddos go back to school to finish the doors.  This summer I am commited to getting my oldest son moved into the bonus room (which was the playroom) and have a BED to be built!!  All 3 kiddos will be in school this year and I will have plenty of time to myself for projects!

8 comments:

  1. Looks great! Can't wait to see the finished project.
    (I only have a laundry closet, so I live and pin vicariously through those with true laundry ROOMS!!)

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  2. This looks great! I definitely need one of these =)

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  3. Hi! I found your site via Ana- white's brag post. This looks really great! We just moved into a home that has a first floor laundry and I am working on plans to build something like this. I really like the top you made with the 1 x 3's. Such a nice touch!

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  4. Hi I am a beginner and am making something almost exactly like this. How did you do the top? I love yours, I looked for days before finding yours to use as inspiration. Im so excited to have somewhere to put laundry and to fold clothes. :)

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  5. Can you tell me which laundry baskets you use? How about the overall measurements of your cabinet?

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    1. Hey Deb the laundry baskets I used were standard size from Walmart. They each measure about 23.5"x 17" t the top widest part of handle area
      Overal for my cabinet it is 53.75" long x 20.5 deep and 36.75" tall

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  6. Wondering if you ever put the doors on? I'd love to see the finished product! Also, did you make the doors - if so, do you have a plan/link for them? Looks great and I love your laundry room!

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    1. Yes, I did, I will get a picture for you. I just used the measurements for each of the "boxes" and split in 2 for each set of the doors. I built the frames (seen above) and then attached beadboard to that for the doors. I used euro hinges

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Make me smile :)