DIY: Laundry Room Drying Rack
July 27, 2009
For a long time, I have really wanted one of those drying racks from Ballard Designs. You’ve seen them. They’re so perfect in the laundry room for drying your delicate clothing.
I really wanted to save the money and build one myself. I knew I could do it with the right supplies. I even drew my own diagram on a napkin. And I added knobs to the bottom of my design.
Here’s a look at the final result:
This is the perfect solution for drying all of my delicates! I am so happy with the way it turned out – it is both pretty and practical.
How to Build a Laundry Room Drying Rack + Supplies:
- 2 x 2’ precut birch (1/2 inch thick)
- Two 1/2 x 2” poplar boards
- Two 3/8” dowel rods (48” long)
- Sash lock
- Narrow loose pin hinges (set of two)
- D ring hangers for mounting on wall
- Bracketed hinge for side (or chain with small screw eyes)
- Three white porcelain knobs
- Primer and paint of choice
Necessary tools: Drill bit set, including 3/8 inch drill bit, screwdriver, framing nails, a hammer, and a saw.
Step One: Measure and cut your 1/2 inch x 2 boards to fit the 2 x 2 precut birch. Cut your dowel rods to fit inside your drying rack frame.
Step Two: With your 3/8 inch drill bit, drill holes for your precut dowel rods. Use a mallet to hammer dowel rods into predrilled spots.
Step Three: Finish assembling your rack with framing nails.
Step Four: Attach your pin hinges with a screwdriver.
Step Five: Prime your wood drying rack, then paint with your color of choice. I used a spray primer, then once it was dry, I applied Rustoleum’s Seaside Green to the back. Once the back was dry, I covered it with newspaper, and painted the dowel rods and frame with Rustoleum’s Heirloom White.
Step Six: If you want to make the sides of your inexpensive wood smoother, then use paintable wood filler (or wood putty) to fill in the uneven surfaces. I use my finger to apply it. Once the wood filler is dry, simply spray paint right over it.
Step Seven: When your paint is dry, attach your sash lock to the top of your drying rack. It’s a good idea to drill pilot holes first when working with wood only 1/2 inch thick. This way, when you drive your screws in, you have a much better chance of avoiding any visible split in your wood.
Step Eight: Drill holes to attach your knobs to the bottom.
Knobs after:
Step Nine: Attach a hinged bracket, or a chain with screw eyes, to keep your drying rack at your desired angle when open. Attach your D-ring hangers to the back, and hang on your laundry room wall.
What I like about this new drying rack is that I can dry all sorts of delicate clothing (*ahem* ladies, your lingerie…).
I added knobs to the bottom of my design so I can dry sweaters or other clothing right on the hanger.
It’s a solid wood piece, hung right on the wall studs, so I can even dry towels right on these knobs.
When open, it has four rungs for drying several layers of clothing:
When not in use, it folds up flush with the wall, with the help of the sash lock on top:
I purchased all of my wood and hinges at Lowes. The total cost for the supplies for my drying rack was around $25 (not including paint and primer that I had in my supply closet). Compare that to Ballard’s price of $89 for their small version (not including tax plus shipping).
And mine is a hand made one-of-a-kind. So if you’ll excuse me friends (unfortunately!) I have some laundry to do. :D
.
Tags: drying rack, laundry room, spray paint
I love it, especially the color choices. It looks so pretty when it is not in use.
You are such a smart girl! I'd copy one of those, but I've got a nice closet rod hanging in my LR & it works good for hanging stuff. Love this!
Hi there! First time on your blog – it's wonderful! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration.
This is genius! I have been looking at wall mounted drying racks recently. It never occurred to me to make my own. Thanks!
I've been eyeing this for awhile – love the tutorial. It's something I can do without my hubby's help. If only I could keep up with you! I've got three projects to finish, then off to think of something for the nailhead project. Thanks goodness it's postponed, I'm out of ideas!
You need to have your own show on HGTV. You never cease to amaze me with all of your genius ideas. Love the colors.
I like yours better than the on at ballard. Can I place my order? Great job!
That is so cool! I'm duly impressed!
I looks great. I'm going to have to get my hubby to make one when we get our own house.
Love it! I so need one of these or two or three! I am very tall, drying is not an option usually, for clothes are very expensive!!! Love this idea! Great work, it looks beautiful!
i love the way it turned out! you are much more of a handy-maam than i am, i'm afraid! =)
Holy cow. Is there anything you *can't* do?! I have been longing for BD's drying rack and now you've convinced me I'd be a fool to do anything but go to Lowe's and get what I need to make my own. Durn it. Let's hope this one doesn't end up in pieces in the Lowe's bag half-finished…… Thanks for sharing–again! :)
Love it!!!
I just have laundry rope hung the length of my laundry room above my machines (so it's out of the way). Definitely not as pretty as your drying rack!
You ROCK! Seriously, I am simply amazed at the talents you display. I have wanted…coveted one of these and have been trying to get my husband to build one. Now you have the instructions, I am going to just do it myself! Thank you for your constant DIY inspirations.
Great job, and nicely done tutorial! You need your own show! :)
Thanks for sharing, I'll have to add this to hubby's to-do list!
I have had this circled in my catalog for a couple years! I can't wait to show him these plans. He'll either say "great" or hand me the cash to order one. Thanks!!
Wow – Can I say fabulous! Love this project! I will definitely be adding this to our "link luv roundup" on Wednesday! Thanks for another great tutorial Kate :)
FABULOUS… I love your blog you are a real crafty girl.
Erika
You are so talented woman! LOVE this. ANd that color on the back…to.die.for.
~Amanda
What a great job that you did. It looks great and is so functional. Great combo!!
Amy
VERY NICE! why do we not see the side 'hinges' in the pics of it leaning out? it looks like they are transparent. am i missing something?
very very cute. bd is going to come after you for ideas. they will wish they'd thoughta the knobs! =) kt
Wow how cute is that…. I love it and the color you painted it is just perfect, great job!!!
You are amazing. You make me feel like I can do anything. Girl power! Or should I say CG Power! :)
Ingenious
Who knew that something intended for laundry could be so pretty?
The addition of the knobs was a great idea! Maybe Ballard should start asking you for help in the designing of their products. ;)
What a wonderful project, I sent it to my dad and asked him to make me a couple. Thanks for sharing your wonderful instructions!
This is a great project, and not to mention a space saver!
I came across this project and had to say how wonderful it is and also thank you for thinking of Rust-Oleum! We would love to invite you to share your painting projects on paintideas.com!
I have adored these drying racks from afar for some time now. I soooo wish I had a place to put one. You totally knocked this project out of the ballpark!
Oh Wow! I have loved that rack for a long time. What a FANTASTIC job! Thanks!
Oh my goodness Kate, your drying rack rocks! And as usual, you've got a terrific tutorial to go along with it. I love the colors you chose. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
I am SOOO impressed right now! It looks amazing!
I knew this was it!!! I saw your twit about it and knew it, because we are freaky alike and I've been thinking about how to do my own too!! :) I'm trying to figure out how to make our fold out drying rack work to do it but have yet to figure it out — this may work better!
you are so clever! I have loved and admired the very same drying rack ~ however the tightwad in me could not part $ for it. Thanks for the directions!
OMG, my undies need this. This is brilliant!
Be still my heart. Now this is just perfect, can't wait to make one! Greatly appreciate your creative genius!
I like yours better! It's so cute it almost looks like art and so useful!
Okay, that is better than the one you wanted. I believe a CONGRATS is in order! Thanks for sharing!Come check out my TRANSOFORMATION end table at DIY DAY!
Woo Hoo, thanks for posting over at KIMBA's DIY day again. I lost your linkk and I wanted to look at your headboard post again.
Love your drying rack. Way cuter than the Ballard Designs one and more functional and oh, way better price.
Thanks for sharing how you did it.
This is fantastic! I must book mark this for when I do my laundry. My laundry is such a waste of space! It is HUGE and completely impractical!
Nicky
(www.alittlebitprecious.blogspot.com)
I had to share this on my blog today:
http://perfectsentiment.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the great tutorial!
I have been coveting the Ballard drying rack but alas my bank account has not.
Well done~ this is great!
Please drop by and enter my giveaway.
Have a blessed weekend!
Awesome ! Needed this tutorial,thank you so much !
This is brilliant! I've been coveting one of these for a long time, myself. Kudos to you for making your own. I just might have to do the same!
AWESOME!!!
This is so coool! I figure I dry all kinds of stuff on this rack, flowers, herbs, hubby's hip waders covered in loon poo
Wow, I can't explain how amazed I am by this. I hope to try this out when I move into my own place. Really brilliant!
Wow this is terrific! I love the idea and it is a great way to learn how to use the tools! I think I'll plan my next party/workshop on this great idea. I can use my pink tools from Tomboy Tools too!
Love it! Just brilliant! And I love the price tag. I will definitely be showing this post to the Hubby when he gets home!
This is great for just a few articles. I have stopped using my dryer completely. I use laundry racks that I can place around the house or outside if the weather is nice. I figured it saved me 8% annually on my utility bill. That is a huge savings.