Hide Away Ironing Board

[Tim E Daniels]

I was wanting to put in a Hide away ironing board, but they are very expensive for even the basic models.  So I decided to see what I could do for less.

I Sketchuped 2 models, one that fits in two stud bays, and one that fits in only one.
Here are pics of both.

They both have room for the iron to sit on a shelf or alternatively attach a mount for it.
The larger one has a power outlet, which can also be added to the smaller model.
They should both be able to fit a flexible lamp too.
Or alternatively they can have an outlet and lamp in one.
They both stick out of the wall in 2x4 construction, are flush in 2x6 construction and can be wall mounted if needed.

The larger cabinet is designed to fit an over the door ironing board and the frame of it can easily be clamped to the sides of the cabinet.

The smaller cabinet is designed to fit a folding tabletop ironing board with the board resting on the door.  I think that if you used a set of folding shelf brackets you could support the weight, upside down for the brackets but they're strong.

Let me know if this looks like a good project and I'll finalize the plans and put them up here.
Tim

[Loren Lagasse]

Thank you Mr. Daniels! Easy and looks great!!!!

[Larry Stroupe]

I am all for-it. My Wife has ben wanting one.

[Margaret P.Platt]

I'd like to see more of thi one. I have a chimney space in the stud wall, I have considered a project like this for.

[Joe V Bolin]

Here's a PDF file for those interested. Thank you Tim for a great project. Should be easy it incorporate into the laundry room.

[Sharon Lambirth]

Love this idea! Remodeling an area into a half bath/laundry area next year, and this would work fabulously!

[Kenneth Kaletta]

I happen to have both types of ironing boards so I would not mind seeing both.

[Lana Clough]

  I have a 50" high space, a 42" long (not counting the metal frame) over the door ironing board and would like to use it at a 36' height.  Do you have any suggestions for mounting it in a cabinet like this?  Thank you for your thoughts.

[Joe V Bolin]

Lana,

In my reply above (nov 2, 2010) I attached a pdf file with the dimension, cutting guide, etc.  Remove the ironing board from it's metal frame and adjust the size of the cabinet to fit the board and to the available space.  From your info it sounds like you have room but it may not be exactly at 36" height.  Provide some detailed dimensions of the board and I'll be glad to make recommendations. 

[Mary Nenarella]

My Dad built one of these when I was a kid and it had a standard size ironing board made of wood, hinged to the bottom of the cabinet with a leg that swung down to support the weight when in use. The board, pad, cover and leg all fit back neatly into the cabinet. I don't remember any shelves though.

[OUTSIDER]

sorry but i am not sure what is holding the board above the floor.a set of hinges will just pull out if they are by themselves.our old wall iron board had legs that folded down to the floor to make it stable.also make sure you fasten your unit into the 2x4 studs or you will have your sheetrock and the box on the floor.

the best one we had as kids was right in the wall,between the studs,it never came loose.that one had a T looking board that came out with the iron board and fitted in a cut out on the end.

the one you did just got me thing about making another one in this house.the wife and i hate getting the metal one out of the closet and then putting it back away everytime you need to iron.if we leave it up then i hate it even more when it is in my way to the books.

[Joe V Bolin]

Outsider: this project is only the cabinet for the hide-a-way ironing board. You are correct, most hide-aways do have some sort of support that usually folds up under the board.  This one is attached between the studs from which the wall board is cut out of, it's not attached to the wall board.

 

[Lana Clough]

I wish I was a carpenter and could explain well what was built for us, because I just love it! 

The board is plywood and is shorter because it swings up from the floor at the exact working height.  There is a hinge as long as the ironing board is wide that attaches to a board that goes across the cupboard, near the top and fairly close to the front, the back edge of the ironing board sits on this board when it is open. There is an angled support (4x1?)  attached to the underside of the ironing board near the front, that is cut and hinged in the middle, with the middle folding up and laying against the back of the cupboard when closed.  There is also a long hinge, like you might use to hold the lid of a toy box open that attaches from the underside of the ironing board down to the angled support, it makes it very sturdy when in use.  He put a piece of plywood on the back wall and built on to it a little frame at the floor that make a track to hold the other end of the angled support.  The angled support just rests in it- it isn't nailed down or hinged.   The track is made of 2 vertical 'sides' app 12" tall and are attached at the floor  to the back wall with enough space between them  for the angled ironing board support to slide freely between them  and then underneath the angled support is the 'front' of this frame that goes from the floor up maybe 6".  To keep the angled support  from jumping out of the track made by this little frame  he put a piece of plywood that fits under the angle ironing board support but sticks out 1-2" beyond the frame.  It isn't hinged or nailed down and seems to act as a pivot and a guide to keep it inside the track made by this frame.  Sorry if this doesn't have clarity to match the enthusiasm!