D.I.Y. ironing board storage and shelf

D.I.Y. ironing board storage and shelf

Gary, Team member
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Project Overview

The laundry can be one of the messiest rooms in the house. But this easy-to-make ironing board storage rack and shelf will help keep clutter to a minimum. This D.I.Y. project helps you create an industrial-looking rack to hang your ironing board on and a handy shelf for your iron. 

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Man measuring tile on work bench before cutting
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Measure twice, cut once

You can rub out a pencil mark but you can’t undo a cut from your saw. Whether you are working with timber, tiles, glass or any other building material, you should always double check your measurements before you cut.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Work out your design
2 Measure the plywood for the shelf
3 Mark and drill a hole in the plywood
4 Assemble the galvanised pipes
5 Build the ironing board holder
6 Paint the shelf and storage unit
7 Fix the shelf to the storage unit
8 Attach the storage unit to the wall
9 Hang up your ironing board

  • Step 1. Work out your design

    We’re making this ironing board storage rack and shelf out of pre-determined lengths of galvanised pipe and galvanised fittings. Because the shelf is going to be carrying a bit of weight, you need to make sure that it’s the right width so that it can be anchored to the wall studs. The measurements provided in this project are based on studs that are 500mm apart. 

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    tools and materials

  • Step 2. Measure the plywood for the shelf

    Measure and mark the 15mm plywood for the shelf. Make sure it’s wide enough and long enough for the iron to sit on. Our shelf measured 400mm x 170mm. Put on your safety glasses, earmuffs and dust mask. Clamp the ply to the workbench and cut it with the circular saw. 

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    cutting timber ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 3. Mark and drill a hole in the plywood

    Because the shelf will be supported by the galvanised pipe, you need to drill a hole in the plywood wide enough to fit the thickness of the pipe and one of the 15mm elbows. Where you put the hole will depend on the design of your shelf and the size of your iron. Put on your safety equipment, clamp the ply to the workbench and, using the 32mm spade bit, drill a hole.

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    drill hole ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 4. Assemble the galvanised pipes

    It’s a good idea to do a dry run and lay out the pieces in the design of your choice. Clamp one flange to the workbench to give you a starting point. Place the other flange at the desired width, which in our case is 500m. Then use a combination of joints and different lengths of pipe to get from one flange to the other. For example, working from the top, we started with a flange, then screwed a 100mm pipe, an elbow, a 150mm pipe and a 200mm pipe.

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    assemble galvanised pipes ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 5. Build the ironing board holder

    For the ironing board holder, which will be on the same level as your other flange, we started with a length of 100mm pipe and screwed it into the flange. We then screwed an elbow onto it. Working across to the left, screw a 100mm pipe, a T, a 100mm pipe, a T, then a 100mm pipe then an elbow. When using the Ts for this section, make sure they are facing the opposite way to the flange and the final elbow is pointing up. Attach the brass end caps to the ironing board holder. When building the storage unit, remember to leave space for the shelf and plenty of room to hang your ironing board when putting your final design together.

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    galvanised pipes ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 6. Paint the shelf and storage unit

    Now it’s time to get creative with paint. First, remove the shelf from the unit. We spray painted our pipes black and the shelf a bright yellow. It’s also worth spray painting the screws and saddle clamp black so they match.

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    spray paint galvanised pipes

  • Step 7. Fix the shelf to the storage unit

    Once the paint is dry, put the shelf into place on the storage unit. Secure it to the pipes using the cordless drill, saddle clamp and the 20mm screws.

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    assemble pipe shelf ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 8. Attach the storage unit to the wall

    Use the stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you’re going to attach your ironing board storage rack and shelf. Use the 20mm screws to attach the unit to the wall. 

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    attach wall ironing board storage shelf

  • Step 9. Hang up your ironing board

    Now the job is complete you have the perfect place to store your iron and ironing board and help you keep your laundry cleaner and more organised.
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    Ironing board shelf

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Circular saw
  • Clamps x 2
  • Drill and bits
  • 32mm spade bit
  • Paint and primer black
  • Measuring tape
  • Set square
  • Stud finder

Materials

  • 400mm x 170mm x 15mm thick ply
  • 100mm x 15mm galvanised pipes (threaded both ends) x 9
  • 200mm x 15mm galvanised pipe (threaded both ends) x 2
  • 150mm x 15mm galvanised pipe (threaded both ends)
  • 250mm x 15mm galvanised pipe (threaded both ends)
  • 20mm countersink chipboard screws
  • 15mm galvanised elbows x 6
  • 15mm brass caps x 3
  • 15mm galvanised flanges x 2
  • Pipe clips
  • Saddle clip

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