So I have been a long time fan of Ana-White. I can still remember when she had 200 followers! Oh my how the world has caught on to the wonders of Ana’s wonderful knock-off plans! I have to admit that I have looked at hundreds of her plans but had never tried to actually build something. Sure, she makes it look easy but she was born to build. I am a chicken and was sceeeeeered.
I don’t know why but there is something very intimidating to me about making something from scratch. Do you think so? I am sure if you asked her she would probably say it is simple but the stuff I do (like turning crutches into a lamp or turning a TV into a console table) scares her. I guess we each have our own set of gifts now, don’t we?
I had pinned her laundry basket dresser onto my Pinterest account forever ago and I finally put my fear aside and decided to go for it. After all, it is probably the easiest plan on her site, how could I mess it up? It is just a wood box with a few supports in it, right?
The only problem was that I needed my laundry baskets to slide in lengthwise and not widthwise like her plans were outlined. However, I did use the same exact laundry baskets that Ana used (Sterilite 1245 – 1 ½ Bushel Rectangular Laundry Basket).
Luckily, my husband is way smarter than I am, and was able to figure out the measurements I would need. So, in case you have been drooling over these babies I thought I would offer you the measurements as well for the baskets to slide in lengthwise.
Supplies:
3/4″ Plywood 19” x 24” (2 of them)
3/4″ Plywood 24” x 34 1/2” (2 of them)
1/4″ Plywood for the back 19” x 36”
12 feet of 1” x 2’s
2″ wood screws
wood glue
wood filler
finishing supplies
casters with screws
drill
The beautiful thing is that I just took my measurements to Home Depot and they cut all my boards for me – I didn’t even have to break out my table saw. Booya! So I literally just had to piece it together when I got home. Now it is slightly more difficult than just throwing it together but it was reeeeeallly simple.
I followed Ana’s tutorial exactly except that we added the sides on top of the bottom board and then added the top board on top of those sides.
I also was sceeeered of metal angles so I just cut lengths of 1” x 2’s down to size with my chopsaw and screwed them in.
I also added casters so I can move the dresser easily and get all the dust bunnies with the vacuum when I need to 
.
A coat of primer and a coat of a light gray paint that I had in my stash and we were in business! I had the perfect spot for it right next to the dryer. I am so excited to use it and help keep my laundry contained.
So I found out building wasn’t so scary after all. I still think I like repurposing, refinishing and revamping better. There just seems something so familiar to me about starting with a structure already in place I suppose. But I am proud of myself and I can finally say…I built one of Ana’s pieces!
Linking up to:
Good job! I may have to make this one. I m a build from scratch girl. I’ve one the bed and spa bench from her site. Now I am refinishing my kitchen cabinets, thanks to a certain blogger. (you!)
“Fear is in the eye of the beholder” meaning, we do all have different fears. You did it, now I bet we see some more hefty projects from here. Can’t wait!
thats a great idea! love it! …..gives me an idea for my laundry room too….a place for me to put my garmets that need dry cleaning or delicate wash so they’re not shoved in the regular basket of dirty clothes. thanks for posting!
Love this idea! I have just the place for something like this. Thanks for sharing!
I love that you guys took the plans and put your own spin on them. Looks great!
You are right, it does seem scary to try and take something like this on. And this exact piece has been on my pinterest board as well. Your tutorial makes its seem a BIT less scary especially since they will cut the wood for me at Home Depot. Maybe I could try it over Spring Break? Thanks for the inspiration!
You can totally do it. Literally it is a box with some rails on it. Go for it!
I LOVE THIS!
Thanks for the tips and tricks! I love this idea for sorting laundry
Beckie I am so with you! I remember back to her very original blog header and very few followers. I would tell everyone about her site, and they thought I was crazy. But now you cant open pinterest without seeing something from her site! Love her! We have built doll furniture, but I am needing to build these laundry dressers asap! Thank you so much for sharing!!
I love the ideas that make some everyday object so functional and nice at the same time. Those are the bits that make life better.
Quick question, does it cost extra to have home depot cut the wood for you? I have a table saw but I have never used it and my hubby won’t be back until summer, but I really want to make this!
Nope mine doesn’t
Sheer genius! This is getting pinned and going on hubby’s to-do list stat!!
Thanks for sharing!
THANK YOU! for the measurements. Now I don’t have to try and figure it out by myself. It looks great.
I love that you used baskets, what a clever idea! Please stop over and share at Mix it up Monday:
http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/mix-it-up-monday_12.html
I hope to see you soon
What a great idea, thank you. I pinned it 5 min ago and it has already been repined 16 times. Now i just need to show it to my husband and hope…thank you also for the link to Anna White website.
What a great project! Thanks for sharing your tips. This looks very nice!
Oh, how I love Anna White! I’ve been eyeing these plans for some time…You are lucky to have room in your laundry for it!
Wow, absolutely LOVE this project. When I get moved back into a place with a good laundry room, I’m gonna have to make me one of these!
What a brilliant little idea. You did an amazing job altering the plan to fit your baskets. I wish this fit in my tiny laundry room.
This is such a super idea! I love the addition of the wheels. How awesome for cleaning and moving it about. I am pinning this! I am a new Pinterest follower. Vicky from Mess For Less
Oh I love this! It would be great if you would share this with our readers for Fun Stuff Fridays. http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/fun-stuff-fridays-11.html
I love this! Trying to figure out what to store the laundry baskets is always a problem for us, and they always seem to get in the way. I never thought about them having their own little cubby. Thanks for sharing another option for holding them too.
This just made me super excited about my laundry and I’m sure the hubs will be glad to have the piles of (clean) laundry off the floor. Can’t wait to make this! You did a fantastic job. It looks wonderful!
I like the look of the wood instead of metal for the baskets to slide on, but I am wondering how it actually works. Does it slide easily? Does paint flake off when you slide the baskets over the wood? Thank you
I absolutely loved this idea to pick up my grandson’s toys in my living room quick and easy. I “thought” most of the projects on Ana’s site are meant to be inexpensive. Went to Lowe’s yesterday and had them make all the cuts by your laundry bin, which I liked better out of the 3/4 in plywood you suggested and am very unhappy to report that I am going to have almost $75 in this “toybox” by the time I buy the baskets. That’s not counting the screws and paint I already have.
I could’ve bought a laundry sorter and toybox for that. We’ll see when it’s put together today, but will definitely be checking out the total cost before attempting anything like this again!!!
Yah wood sure is expensive. I think I spent about that too, however I was okay with it because all the sorters I have seen before just don’t have the durability that this has. I hope you are happy with it.
I LOVE THIS!!! I saw you on Pinterest. I have been thinking of doing something along these lines. Thanks for sharing!!!
love this! have been wanting to make the original for awhile, but have needed this style more, so i’m happy you posted this. i do have a question though… might you have any ideas for keeping two of them together? i want to have them next to each other to place a tabletop ironing board on, but i don’t want them to be permanently fixed or built together. want the two units to be able to come apart. does that make any sense? any ideas or insight would be appreciated!
My wife pinned this and asked me to make it for her. I must say it is one of the rare Pinterest ideas that is as easy to make as it looks. I used the measurements given but shortened the height by 1″ since we have a cabinet obstructing that high up where we are wanting to put it. I also did not put the bottom rail in as the basket can simply rest on the bottom of the box. This meant I had to buy only 1 2×4″ rail (8 feet long.) It took me a few hours. I had to buy a single 4×8 plywood (3/4″) and a 2×4 of the 1/4″ had to be cut. Home Depot made all the cuts except the rails. I spent about $50 only but I will use old paint that I have in the garage.
My baskets don’t slide easily. They need a little push but fit snug. Not too snug though. My thought was that I should build this to meet the space I want to put it in and find baskets that fit. Laundry baskets come in all shapes and are fairly cheap. As it is, my baskets that I already have are going to work.
Nice idea, thanks !
Way to go Karl….. You are a terrific husband. Glad you liked the project and it worked out so well for you.
I currently use 4 laundry baskets that are just lined in a row for whites, darks, regular, and towels/linens. What three groupins do you use since you only have 3? I need to build this too, just wish I had a spot beside the washer/dryer to put it. Ours is in the garage and there is a door going outside in the way.
I use one for my son, daughter and husband’s clothes after I fold it. I put mine right away so I didn’t need one.