Laundry Shelf Unit from Stud 2×4′s

The last laundry project I posted left an awkward gap between the washer/dryer and the freezer with a hideous litterbox in full view.

We have a long-term goal for the laundry room, but for now I needed something there to hide that litterbox and give me a bit of storage for soaps and scentsy waxes.

In an effort to save money and use what I had on hand, this entire small shelf unit is built out of old 2×4 studs. I put together a quick tutorial in case you’re looking for something similar, and it would actually be a very pretty unit with nicer (and straighter) boards as well as some stain.

Supply List:
• 4 – 2x4x8 (or 5 2x4x8 with one 2×4 ripped in half lengthwise to make the 2×2′s)
• 3 – 2x2x8

Cut LIst:
• 6 – 2×4 @ 31″
• 5 – 2×4 @ 29″
• 4 – 2×2 @ 17.5″
• 4 – 2×2 @ 29″

Step 1

I started by making two legs out of 2×4′s ripped in half to make 2×2′s. I used the kreg jig to attach one 17.5″ brace to the 29″ legs at the top, then another at 14″ up from the bottom.

Step 2

Next I attached the two end 29″ 2×4′s to the braces with 2″ countersunk screws. Use two screws and glue on each end of every board for added stability.

Step 3

Then I filled in the gap with my 3 remaining 2×4′s to make the lower shelf.

Step 4

I used the same method for the top, except I measured the halfway point of the top leg and placed a 2×4 on either side of that so the middle seam lined up with the center of the shelf unit. Glue and screws finished the job, and I added a couple of L brackets to it just for extra security as I have a feeling there will be kids crawling on it at some point.

To finish it off, I sanded the whole thing with 150 grit followed by 200 grit sandpaper, then gave it three coats of semi-gloss white latex paint.

This little shelf finishes off “Phase 1″ of our laundry room. Sometime in the future we plan to convert the swinging door into a pocket door so we can move the chest freezer over onto the opposite wall and build a really pretty cabinet with a countertop for folding clothes. I’m also planning to gussy up the rolling drawers into actual drawers and making nicer fronts for them. In my dream world I’d extend the countertop over the washer and dryer in the “waterfall” style that’s so popular right now.

Ah, hindsight is always 20/20 right? this would have been much more functional with a pocket door, to keep closed only when the clothes are being cleaned. Then we can have a nice space for the freezer and maybe some hanging hooks, possibly even a shoe rack. But that will be much later when we feel up to the dirty work of a door conversion. Right now, I”m good with my shelf!