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DIY drying racks for under $100

ourcountrycoast
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DIY drying racks for under $100

If like us you don't have the wall space to add drying racks to your laundry.. check out these pull our drying racks we've made.

We only had a space of 250mm to work with but if you have a bigger space and can make the gaps between the racks a bit wider, do it :smile:

Materials

 - 16mm White Melamine

 - Iron-on edging

 - Timber dowels

 - Ball bearing runners

 

Tools

 - Impact driver

 - Drill

 - 10mm drill bit

 - 16mm countersunk screws

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact driver

Steps

Step 1

First thing I did for this project was pre-plan for it.

We had our builder add a heating vent in a specific spot of the laundry ceiling marked on our plans.

 

The point of these drying racks for us to use them during winter mainly, where we wouldn't be able to use an outdoor drying rack.  We would most likely use heating in the house when it's cold anyway, so I would then minimise the use of our dryer and use the racks instead. 

 

I had already done a sketch of where I wanted these racks to be so all I needed was to make sure the heating vent was in the right spot.

 

Here is what I sketched up 😊

 

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Step 2

What I tried to achieve was like a fingerpull look but vertically 

 

The fronts are edged all the way around and the frames behind the fronts are about 5mm smaller from each side.. so 40mm wide.

 

I wanted to try and have both shelving and pull out drying racks so the space I had was very small, only 250mm. But if you have a bigger space, instead of 25mm gaps, go with 80mm or more if you can so you can use them for thicker clothing like jumpers, jackets ..etc

 

I also initially had the idea of drilling a series of holes from top to bottom so the dowels could be adjustable but as i built the frames I realised that it needed support from the middle so I ended up making them all fixed so the frames would stay square.

 

The hard part was to determine what my frame size needed to be so here's the sketch I used to determine my measurements

 

SIDE VIEW.jpg

 

Step 3

Cut all your rails using white melamine board the edge them all around to seal them from moisture

 

Before you assemble the frames together, mark where you want your dowels to be (ours were roughly 437mm apart)

 

Once you worked out your heights on one rail, repeat the marks on all your front and back rails so they're all equal and consistent... drill all your holes and then assemble the frames. 

 

You will need to assemble them with the dowels in, it's much easier that way. Don't forget to measure both diagonals to make sure your frame is square

Step 4

Once your frames are in, install your runners inside the cabinet. I made a space/jig to make sure my runners were screwed on straight and evenly

 

Screenshot 2024-06-30 094035.jpgScreenshot 2024-06-30 094132.jpgScreenshot 2024-06-30 094159.jpg

Step 5

 - Install your frames on the runners

 - Cut and edge your pull out fronts

 - Cut a 3mm packer and another one for the gap you will have between your fronts

 - Screw your fronts into the frames from the inside

 

 

Step 6

And here you go, you've got awesome space saving pull out drying racks for not even $100!!

 

CLICK HERE for the link to the video if you want to have a look at the finished product :smile:

 

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MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: DIY DRYING RACKS FOR UNDER $100

That is a super impressive design, @ourcountrycoast. I love how you've made that work with such a minimal use of space. Such a great idea!

 

Many thanks for sharing.

 

Mitchell

 

See something interesting? Give it the thumbs up!

Re: DIY DRYING RACKS FOR UNDER $100

Thank you so much Mitchell.. yes we didn't have the biggest space but so glad we managed to make this work, it defnitely helps 😊

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