DIY Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack

My laundry room is actually a closet. I have a really small space, an awkward space, and I needed a laundry drying rack. I also had this beautiful Eastlake mirror frame sitting around and decided to build a DIY laundry rack. The best part is this was a really easy DIY project. Let me tell you how I made my own DIY wall-mounted laundry drying rack.

A bespoke repurposed eastlake victorian mirror frame repurposed into a wall-mounted laundry drying rack with a fold-out shelf to create a complete laundry station next to my small laundry closet.

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11 Reasons Why You Need a Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack

There were several reasons a DIY clothes drying rack was the perfect solution for my problems.

  1. Space Saver. They don’t take up much space at all and it’s wall space. My laundry room is a closet and so there is very little space. Barely enough space for even my clothes dryer and washing machine, let alone anything else. But I do have wall space next to my laundry closet.
  2. Good for the Environment. By using the dryer less you emit fewer emissions.
  3. Lower Electric Bill. Saves on electricity because it requires none!
  4. Can Be Used in Any Season. Because they’re indoors you can use them year-round.
  5. Better For Clothing. They prolong clothing life.
  6. Some Clothes Shouldn’t Be Put in the Dryer. Occasionally you have wet clothes that you need to be dry clothes like delicate clothing that needs to be air-dried.
  7. Increase Humidity in Your Home. Great for the dry winters. Especially when they’re close to an air vent. And mine happens to be right over one!
  8. Prevents Fire Risk. Since you’re using the dryer less which equals less chance of dryer lint build-up.
  9. Needs No Extra Floor Space. My laundry closet is also in my very narrow hallway, which means there’s no space next to my laundry area to put a floor rack.
  10. DIY is Typically Low Cost to Purchasing. I’m always working on a tight budget. I wasn’t looking to spend hundreds for the beautiful aesthetically pleasing dry racks I was dreaming of like this $300 Trenton Laundry Drying Rack from Pottery Barn.
  11. Repurposing Made it an Easy Project. Besides the logistics of figuring out how to build something bespoke, it was actually really cut and dried. And kept the cost extremely low.
I used cotton sash cording with small tension hook/eyes for suspending the inner frame upwards towards the ceiling so people could still pass even if it was in use.
I also added a flip-out folding shelf below the bottom of the frame to complete the laundry system with a very tiny footprint.

Why Build your own Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack?

I mentioned the budget reasons, but there are a few other great reasons to build your own.

  • Repurposing allowed me to use something I already loved and owned and give it a reason to continue living in my home. There are only so many mirrors or mirror frames you need on your walls.
  • Being able to use my creativity by designing my own version was enjoyable. And allowed me to also build on my power tool skills.
  • The Versatility of this particular design allows me to take it with me when we move. Which is great because I love it and would hate to part with it.
  • Functional Piece of Furniture. It is my aesthetic as I love the victorian era as well as a functional piece of home decor. If you’re interested in more functional decor ideas read this post 15 Functional Decor Ideas for Your Home.
Laundry Drying Rack in my narrow passageway of a hallway next to my very small laundry closet. It lays completely flat against the wall when not in use including the fold-down folding shelf I installed below it.
The typical DIY clothes rack folds down while mine folds up. This way people can still walk through the hallway even when it’s in use. It was installed tall enough for all of us to pass under it.

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Tools & Supplies to Build a DIY Drying Rack

The supplies and tools you need may vary depending on how you design your drying rack frame. But I will list the tools & supplies I used to create my own.

Supplies

Tools

Small tension rods hang from the center top of the frame with cotton sash cording. These are used to suspend the inner frame towards the ceiling so the walkway in my hallway is unimpeded.
I walked through the whole hardware store looking for something that would work for this part of the project. I finally landed on these and they work amazingly though it isn’t their intended purpose I’m sure. And while you could use a small chain, I like the natural cording aesthetic.

If you’re loving this project don’t forget to check out my full Small Laundry Closet Refresh (Budget-Friendly) for the complete look (sans doors that haven’t been built yet).

Step One – Designing the Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack Frame

For this step, you’ll need a measuring tape, a piece of paper, a ruler, and a pencil.

Before you cut into anything you need to do a little bit of planning.

01 Choose an Outer Frame

I had already gotten my heart set on repurposing the Eastlake Mirror frame that was a leftover piece from a dresser I had purchased. The dresser was purchased to repurpose into a bathroom vanity, but the mirror frame was too large for the space.

02 Decide on a Location

Putting it in the laundry closet was already ruled out. Due to space and the new laundry room (closet) design, I’d already decided on and built which gave me the ultimate amount of easy storage.

I had an empty piece of wall next to the laundry closet that seemed the perfect spot.

Before laundry drying rack it was a beautiful antique eastlake mirror frame that was leftover from a dresser I had purchased for another project. I wanted to use it somewhere in my house and literally wracked my brain to think of ways that it could be useful.
Out of determination to keep this frame I needed to find a useful purpose for it. I wanted to keep its integrity but put it to use in my home as functional decor. And Lord only knows I don’t need another mirror.

03 Measure the Space Out

Once I’d chosen the outer frame I knew my measurement for the total space. Then I had to measure the inside of the frame for the cuts. Then draw out my design.

I chose to use a 2x2x8 common lumber, which is the least expensive option. Also, I did choose to rip the rounded edges off this wood to give it a more premium appearance. Go read How to Make Cheap Wood Look Pretty to learn how I do this.

To ensure the inner frame would swing freely I made it slightly smaller than the measurement of the inside of the frame itself. And I knew it would get even looser with sanding.

04 Make a Rough Draft Drawing Design

My final design had a “u” shape made out of 2x2s (cut down to 1 1/2″). I also ripped the boards down to be the same depth as the Eastlake Mirror Frame. I didn’t want it sticking out or inset, but flush.

So, a 2×2 on the top with a 2×2 on either side. The frame would end with a 3/4″ dowel and have dowels inside the “u”.

DIY repurposed MIrror frame turned into a bespoke laundry drying rack wall-mounted next to my small laundry closet in my hallway.
It sits majestically in my very small hallway next to my laundry closet, unassumingly. Beautiful and functional, are two of my very favorite words to use when describing my home decor style

Step Two – Finalizing Your Cut List & Making Cuts

For this step, you’ll need a measuring tape, pencil, a piece of paper, and a calculator.

You want to measure twice and cut once. Also, take into account the wood thickness when finalizing your design and ensure you have exact measurements.

Measuring the “U” Part of the Frame

My total inner measurement was 33 3/4″ x 27 1/2″. Which meant my total height and width for the inner frame could not go beyond that. Also, I learned after some trial and error to swing open it needed to be smaller.

My total inner frame ended up being 33 1/2″ x 26 3/4″. And the top 2×2 ended up rounding off so it swung freely without scraping the top of the outer frame.

The open laundry drying rack in my narrow hallway right next to my small laundry closet.
The spacing between the wooden dowels could have been closer together in hindsight. But it works great and is incredibly sturdy so I’m satisfied with this wall-mounted laundry drying rack.

The Two Side Boards

The 2 side 2x2s were 26 3/4″ and rounded at the bottom.

The Top Board

The measurement ended up being 33 1/2″. The top board sat on the top of the two side boards.

The Dowels

I wanted my dowels to be inset on either side at least 1/2″. So this would add 1″ total to the dowels. For me, the measurement was 31″ + 1″ inset. This means my dowels all needed to be cut to 32″ length.

Step Three – Building the Inner Frame

For this step, you’ll need a pocket hole jig, pocket hole screws, or 2 1/2″ brad nails, brad nail gun, wooden glue, impact driver, 3/4″ Forstner bit, Masking Tape, Carpenter Square, Measuring Tape, Pencil, your drawn-out design, Orbital Sander, 120 grit disc or block, and clamps* optional.

Sidenote: Mistakes Are A Part of the Process

Don’t be discouraged if you cut your boards to create your wall-mounted laundry drying rack and they need adjusting later on in the process. Professionals that know the correct math and measurements may get these done first. However, building something bespoke really is an art and it takes time and experience to know exactly how something is to work.

So, if you’ve never built one before it’s a complete learning experience.

Wall-mounted laundry drying rack fully opened with the fold-down shelf extended as well.
This looks like such a simple thing, and it is, but at the same time I made mistakes and got frustrated. But I’m so glad I didn’t give up because I absolutely love this wall-mounted laundry drying rack.

01 Drill the Holes for the Dowels

  • First, mark off the space where your 2×2 will be connected to the top.
  • Then measure out the rest of the length of the board.
  • Last, decide your spacing and how many dowel rungs you want. Divide the total space by the number of dowels. I chose to make my inner frame bottom a dowel instead of a 2×2, so I had 8 total.
  • Mark each spot, then draw a center line all the way through as a place setting for your drill bit.
  • You will use these lines as a template for your second corresponding board for the other side. Therefore go ahead and mark both boards.
  • Use a piece of tape to mark the tip of your drill bit to ensure even 1/2″ depths throughout all the holes.
Marking Spaces for the dowels in the laundry drying rack on my 2x2 common pine lumber. Getting ready to drill the 3/4" holes out with the impact driver.
Mark all your spots and center them as a place-setting for your drill bit.
One 2x2 has the dowels completely drilled out with the forstner bit. I put it up against the second 2x2 so I mark the exact same spots and they're identical.
The center marks also makes it easier to use your first board as a template for the second.
The first board completely drilled out with the forstner bit and impact driver for all the dowel holes in my laundry drying rack.
Use a piece of tape on your drill bit to ensure even depths of holes.
Using my carpenter's square to make clean marks in the center of the holes so that both boards have evenly spaced dowels that fit together like a puzzle piece.
I used my Carpenter’s Square to make the center lines.

02 Sand All Your Pieces

Go ahead and give all your pieces a good sanding with either an orbital sander and a 120 grit disc or a 120 grit sanding block before you begin. All the dowels, the sides, and the top piece.

I chose to make my holes first so that I could sand off all the pencil marks and any wood splinters made from drilling.

My DIY building buddy. My 7 year old son often loves to grab his own power tools (my old power tools given to him) and come and learn alongside me. He makes it so much more enjoyable especially knowing I'm passing on some love and skills all at the same time. Here is he using his drill to drill holes into a scrap piece of wood.
My 7-year-old son loves to build with me. He brings his tools and does his work while I do mine. Here he is drilling holes into a scrap piece of wood.

03 Installing the Dowels

  • To properly install the wooden dowels you will need to have both boards mirror-imaged from each other.
  • Place one board down, holes facing up.
  • Then place a small bit of wood glue into each hole on one of the side boards.
  • Insert your dowels into the holes and push them down.
  • Drop a bit of glue on the top of each dowel.
  • Place the mirror-imaged board on top and line the dowels into the holes. Apply Pressure.
  • Tap one 2 1/2″ brad nail into each dowel.
  • Carefully turn the whole thing over and tap one 2 1/2″ brad nail into each dowel on the other side.
Placing the dowels into the holes of one of the side boards. Behind the dowels is my impact driver and my sons tools.
It begins to resemble baby jail panels. I did not sand my pieces first and sorely regretted it. Take my advice, I learned all the lessons for you!

04 Connecting the Top to the Sides

  • Drill pocket holes to the top of the side boards. Alternatively, you could simply connect using a brad nailer and 2 1/2″ brad nails. (This is the method I ended up using for reasons you’ll find out in the next step).
  • Connect the top board to the side boards with wood glue and pocket hole screws or Brad Nailer and 2 1/2″ Brad Nails.
  • Let the glue set before moving forward.

05 Painting the Inner Frame

Before moving forward get out your white spray paint and give it 1 or 2 coats of paint. Let it dry fully between coats and afterward.

Step Four – Connecting the Inner Frame to the Outer Frame

For this step, you’ll need either hinges or Steel Wood Insert Nut, Coarse Thread Hex Bolt or Joint Connector Bolt, Hex Nut Driver, and an Impact Driver.

You may choose to simply go the easy route and use hinges. But I could not because I was trying to keep the antique Eastlake frame as unmarred as possible. Installing hinges on the front of this beautiful frame would not keep its carvings’ integrity.

Because of this, I chose to go a bit more difficult pathway.

Laundry drying rack open in the hallway with the fold-down laundry folding shelf lifted up. There is still plenty of space to pass through.

01 Drilling Pilot Holes for the Insert Nut & Hex Bolt

  • I measured and marked on both sides 9 1/2″ from the top and center of the board width, which was 3/4″.
  • Then I used a 1/4″ drill bit and drilled a hole straight through either side of my frame where I would install the top of the inner frame.
  • Then drilled corresponding holes in the top of each side of the inner frame.

02 Installing the Insert Nut & Hex Bolt or Joint Connector Bolt

  • At this point, I installed the Insert Nut on either side, all the way in.
  • And then I was able to thread the Hex Bolt through the outside of the outer frame all the way into the inner frame Insert Nut. Alternatively, you could use a Joint Connector Bolt. I couldn’t find any in-store, but I wish I had been able to because I was looking!

Your bolts and insert nuts may require adjustment, mine did, but after a bit of working it, I got them to fit perfectly. You have to install the inner frame perfectly center for it to swing smoothly.

Repurposed laundry dry rack from an eastlake mirror frame. This is the inner frame suspended from cotton sash cord and small tension rods keeping it horizontal with the ceiling so you can hang wet clothing from it.
These turnbuckle hook/eyes were the perfect things to suspend this dry rack in a horizontal position and hold it firmly so it could withstand the weight of wet clothes.

Step Five – Installing the Suspension System

For this step, you’ll need 3 Small D Ring Picture Hangers, 2 Turnbuckle Hook/Eyes, and Cotton Sash Cording.

The D Rings, Turnbuckle Hook/Eye, and Cotton Sash Cording

I’m sure there are alternative ways to make this work, but this was how my brain figured it out. If you find an alternative way to put this together I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

01 Installing the D Rings

  • On the inside of either side board, above the last dowel install one small D Ring.
  • Then measure the back of your outer frame and find the center.
  • Mark center and install the 3rd D Ring close to the top of the frame on the back. (shown below)
One small d ring installed in the center at the top of the frame in the back.

02 Installing the Cotton Sash Cording

  • From there measure diagonally with your cotton sash cording from one D Ring at the bottom of the frame to the D Ring at the top of the frame. Double that plus 6″ for extra knotting rope.
  • Fold the rope in half and slip it through the D Ring. Pull the rope through in a larks head knot.

03 Installing the Turnbuckle Hook/Eye

  • Take one end of the rope and thread it through the eye side of the turnbuckle.
  • Then I did a quick sailor’s knot with two half hitches.
  • I pulled it taut.
  • Repeat the steps with the second turnbuckle and the other side of the rope.
  • Ensure both ropes hang evenly in the center. Or adjust them until they do.
  • Then lift the whole laundry dry rack up and hook the Turnbuckles hooks to the D Rings and test them out.
  • Cut off any excess rope. (If you were to use nylon cording you could burn the ends to keep them from fraying.)
Turnbuckle hooked to the D Ring at the end of the bespoke laundry drying rack.
The added bonus of using turnbuckles is if the cotton sash should stretch over time I can simply tighten the turnbuckles to pick up the slack.

Step Six – Hanging the Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack on the Wall

For this step, you’ll need your Stud Finder, Drywall Anchors* optional, Drill, 2 Large D Ring Hangers, Measuring Tape, and Pencil.

The first step you’ll want to take is to look for any and all studs in the wall where you’ve chosen to hang your wall-mounting dry rack.

There were no studs in the center of this portion of my wall therefore I had to use drywall anchors.

Decide How High to Install the Laundry Drying Rack

Things I considered when choosing how high to install mine:

  1. It must be high enough so that when the rack is open people can still walk under it.
  2. I was installing a flip-up laundry folding table top below it, so I had to consider the proper height for that first. This was installed at a counter height which is 36″.
the large D ring hanger installed on the back of the bespoke eastlake mirror frame turned wall-mounted laundry drying rack.
The Back of the wall mounted laundry drying rack made out of an eastlake mirror frame.

The Final Installation

  • Once you decide on the height for the wall-mounted laundry drying rack use a pencil to mark the height on the wall for one side.
  • At this point, install one drywall anchor and screw.
  • Measure about 4-6″ inset on either side (This will vary depending on the size of your frame).
  • Then install both Large D Rings on the back of the frame so that the weight is evenly distributed to both.
  • Pick up the frame and use the single screw in the wall to hold it steady. While holding it up, use a level in the center of the frame and made a mark for the second drywall anchor on the wall.
  • Install the second drywall anchor and screw.
  • Hang the wall-mounted laundry drying rack and you’re finished!
DIY Wall-Mounted Laundry Drying Rack installed up on the wall made out of an Eastlake Mirror Frame and under it is a fold-up laundry folding station.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you feel inspired to repurpose something you love dearly or build something entirely new of your own design! It can sound complicated, but I promise you it’s not. This project is still today one of the absolute favorites I’ve ever done.

Julie

Author photo of a 38 year old woman with shoulder length dark brown hair, blue eyes, she's wearing a grey shirt with pockets.
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Meet the Author

Hi, I’m Julie! Mother to five beautiful kids, Homeschool Educator, Writer, Handicraft & DIY Enthusiast, Photographer, Thrifter, and Furniture Restorer. Follow along for fun DIY projects creating a handmade home on a budget! Read more about me here→

16 Comments

  2. I love how this space is coming together! Make your own stuff takes time but adds so much character and charm.

    Reply

  5. This is such a great idea, especially for tight spaces, and so doable with your in-depth instructions! We almost always hand-dry our laundry, too 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hand drying is so eco-friendly! I also love that it’s right next to my laundry space so it’s super convenient to just hang stuff up that comes right out of the wash. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply

  6. Your so clever! Ive been wanting one of these for years now but the decent ones are so expensive, why did I never think of making one. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

    1. You’re very welcome! I had the same problem… the ones I wanted were just never going to be in my budget haha. I’m so glad I didn’t splurge, I like mine way better than any I’ve seen in a store.

      Reply

  7. Julie, you always have the most amazing and beautiful ideas! In the winter, my kids wet gear has nowhere to dry. Your DIY wall-mounted drying rack would be a great addition to my office/mud room extension. Both attractive and helpful!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much! That is so kind of you to say. I have some of the same exact issues! I hope you build one, if you do make sure to let me know because I’d love to see it!

      Reply

  8. I’m so crazy about this piece!!! It’s really fabulous!!! I hope it serves you well and makes you smile each time you see it 😉

    Reply

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