Ironing Board Hideaway

A simple mechanism allows this utilitarian item to slide in and out of a drawer.

There are certain things we need in our house that we just don't want to see all the time. Luckily, there are numerous tricks for hiding appliances, dirty clothes, and other reminders of necessary chores.

The home of Bitsy and Che Stone in San Angelo, Texas, offers a great example. One of the drawers in their laundry room holds a surprise. When pulled out, it reveals a large ironing board. What looks like an expensive, custom piece can easily be found online and typically costs between $125 and $175.

The mechanism can be installed in almost any drawer cavity. The minimum cabinet height opening is 4 inches; the minimum width is 13 inches. The board pulls out on slides and rises to its final position.

More commonly, ironing boards are housed in wall cabinets. These structures can be recessed in the wall or hung on the surface. Cost ranges from $125 to more than $200. When installing either unit, determine how much space you need to comfortably iron clothes. You don't want to end up working in a dark corner or standing behind a closed door-then your chores would never get done.

LAUNDRY ROOM BASICS

Here's a list of items that will make this space more efficient.

* three baskets for sorting light, dark, and white clothing

* glass jars for storing clothes-pins, safety pins, buttons, and objects found in pockets

* mesh bags for washing delicates

* one set of hooks for hanging brooms, mops, and dustpans; another set for jackets, scarves, and umbrellas

* baskets for wet shoes, boots, and sports equipment

* mesh drying rack for clothes

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jun 2004
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