Elsie recently updated the laundry room in her home (more photos soon!). She mentioned to me that she wanted to add a small shelf that could hold two laundry baskets to hold clothes and linens ready to be washed. So I put together this super simple plywood shelf to perfectly fit her space. Here's how we made it.
Supplies needed:
two 36×26 inch pieces of plywood (the long sides)
two 20×26 inch pieces of plywood (the top and bottom of the shelf)
one 19×26 inch piece of plywood (the middle shelf)
one 20×36 inch piece of ply wood (the back of the shelf)
two sets of small L brackets with screws (six total)
wood glue
power drill and saw
sand paper
primer + brush
paint + brush
*These are the measurements I used to fit our space and the laundry baskets we had. You can easily adjust the measurements for the plywood pieces to customize a shelf to your space.
First cut your plywood to fit the measurements you need. Begin assembling the shelf upside down. Attach the top shelf and middle shelf pieces to the side pieces using the L brackets and screws. You will need someone to help hold the shelf together as you work.
Use wood glue to attach the bottom shelf piece. Allow to fully dry. Use wood glue to attach the back of the shelf. This is mostly easily done by laying the back piece flat on the floor or your work surface, add glue around the edges and then lay the shelf on top in place. Allow the glue to fully dry.
Sand the entire shelf. Prime the shelf and allow to dry. Then paint the shelf to match your laundry room space.
Super easy right? This shelf is very light-weight and can be assembled very quickly. However, keep in mind that it was originally created to house laundry baskets. This shelf is not a good designs to hold lots of weight, like a book shelf. Thanks for letting us share one update to Elsie's laundry room. And like I said, stay tuned for more photos of the laundry room's makeover. xo. Emma
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Emma Chapman
31 Comments
This is super cute, and so simple!!! Love the pop of color around the edges, and I also LOVE how you decorated the washer & dryer too! I polka-dotted my fridge recently as well–why let all that space go to waste? 🙂
http://www.athomeinlove.com/diy-polka-dot-fridge/
Super easy, you’re right!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/christmas-gift-guide-for-him.html
That is great and easy. I like inspo like that.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Looks great can’t wait to see more! Though does Elsie secretly run a hotel, so much laundry and laundry stuff?! Or maybe it’s just a US thing!
This is such a cute and creative DIY! I’m going to try this in my laundry room once I move out ♡ MsBerryStylish
Oh I would LOVE to have a laundry room. Some day! This one is so cute! 🙂
Is the top corner meant to turn up like that? Seems like the sort of thing that would snag your clothes.
Hi there! I love that framed Tolstoy quote that’s hanging. Any chance you could share where it’s from? Thanks so much!
How sweet! What a simple project! Love the paint color you chose as well! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
What great idea and how cute are your washing machine and dryer! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
i’m thinking i could do this in my laundry closet (no room for me!) and that tolstoy print is so cute.
http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com
Oh the laundry room, single most neglected room in the house. This new shelf works well. I don’t want to go look at mine; the pile of ironing stares at me in the most insidious manner.
http://bellalovesbear.blogspot.co.uk
This is awesome! I need to make some shelves for my Laundry room/closet! So pretty Els!
The top corner above the washer is bowing up, and looks poorly constructed. Sorry girls, not a fan of this one. Probably should’ve used one solid piece of wood to frame both the shelving and the machines…
Appears almost dangerous – splinters and snags. :/
this looks like the furniture we have at our construction sites. quick and cheap to make, temporary and won’t go to waste once the construction is over. so i don’t see this as a good thing for home furniture.
This is AWESOME! Is that another piece of painted plywood over the washer & dryer? I’m looking for an alternative to a countertop.
Love this idea! I think laundry room organization is seriously overlooked. It can make life soooo much easier!
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
This is the most adorable place to do laundry! I might just have to liven up my laundry room now that you’ve inspired me! Thanks for sharing!
this peach color is so pretty!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Where did you get the Tolstoy quote print? In love! Your laundry room is too cute1
This is so darn cute!
What a lovely laundry room! Awesome job on the shelves!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
This is a super cute laundry room!
Space savers like this are so helpful! And easy to pull together!
I love your laundry room…
http://www.ohmymonday.com
I like how you did the trim with the peach color as well 🙂
Love it, such an easy but necessary update!
Rosie x
This has inspired me to do something fabulous with my laundry room – which currently doubles as my house rabbit’s “lounge”
Can I ask if you put something down underneath your plywood on your washer/dryer? Ours has a lip in the front a lil bit, and I’ve been dying to do this to ours for quite some time. Any help would be appreciated!
I think you might have the best laundry room ever! So cute!
Wish to have a laundry room like that!
Thanks for the tutorial!