It is impossible to walk around in wrinkled clothes - everyone needs an ironing board. On the one hand, a standard floor device is functional, because it is convenient to iron, but on the other hand, it is irrational: every time you need to lift it, move it apart, walk around it, fold it, and hide it. It takes up a lot of space and is a lot of hassle. Where to iron, how to unload the living space? There is a solution - purchase or make a built-in ironing board.
Types of built-in ironing devices
There are plenty of options for ergonomic, practical ironing devices that relieve space and fit seamlessly into the interior.
Folding
There are several types of folding ironing boards, including the following:
- Classic wall-mounted version of the ironing board. The tabletop-lid (solid wood, laminated chipboard or moisture-repellent plywood) is attached to a frame-frame with a simple folding mechanism, and it is attached to the wall (at two or four points). When folded, the board is positioned vertically; when working, it is positioned horizontally on the floor. There are two possible methods of fixation: without a supporting leg or for (reinforcement) on a stand resting on the floor.
Important!
When installing the classic wall-mounted version of a built-in ironing board, the frame to which the lid is attached remains open. Metallized frame pipes will fit perfectly into a loft or industrial style, emphasizing its deliberate simplicity; disharmony with others is possible.
If the ironing device is hidden in a box with a sliding decorated panel or a hinged door, imbalance can be avoided.
- Ironing board with wall mirror. A two-in-one variation: on the outside there is an elegant reflective surface of any shape or size, on the inside there is an interior device for ironing clothes. The mirror sheet can be hinged - sliding to the side, or hinged - a traditional single-leaf structure using canopies, a box and a movable sheet. An additional advantage of combining two functionalities is unloading the scarce space of a small apartment and its visual expansion. A built-in ironing board with a mirror can be integrated into any interior style by framing the reflective surface with a suitable finishing or decorative material (baguette, molding) - natural wood, wild or ornamental stone, stucco, plastic.
Retractable
A folding version of the ironing board, placed inside a furniture box (in a cabinet, chest of drawers). It is fixed on the guides by the widened part of the base, the tabletop “breaks” in the middle, folding in half - the narrowed part is laid on the wide one - face to face. The dimensions of the retractable ironing board are proportional to the size of the drawer, stability depends on the quality of the guides.
Built-in
Maximum space saving. The optimal variation for small apartments. It is usually made to order when purchasing a wardrobe or installed with your own hands in both a wardrobe and a kitchen cabinet (a labor-intensive but functionally rewarding process of filing partitions, installing a fastening system and fixing structures).
Important!
In a large ironing wardrobe, it is more advisable to install not a static board, but a rotating or folding board with a built-in socket. In the classic variation of the cabinet with swinging doors - with a folding device and a light weight structure.
DIY built-in ironing board
Several built-in variations are possible in the cabinet:
- retractable - a complex design for homemade craftsmen with specialized telescopic mechanisms;
- hidden - in a niche behind shelves or a mirror - requires stable carpentry skills;
- folding - with a simple and reliable fastening and fixing mechanism.
The folding option is easy to implement. The structure consists of:
- ironing surface (you can use a modernized base of a folding floor board);
- folding device;
- frames;
- support attached to the rear wall of the cabinet.
For a DIY installation, it is better to use the practical installation of a static board to the middle shelf (at lumbar level) using door awnings, piano hinges or butterfly hinges (ideally hidden hinges). The upper shelves above the ironing tabletop are filed down so that it can be placed freely when folded behind a closed cabinet door.
The support must be attached to the wall with the same hinges that were used for the table top, and hooks must be installed under it on the bottom (back) side of the board. During operation, the lower support is folded back and secured with hooks to the board lowered onto it.
This version of a hand-made ironing device is stable and maneuverable.
Manufacturing process
Let's get started!
I took this regular ironing board.
Next, we take it, turn it over and put it on the floor.
Now we unscrew all the existing fasteners.
Before starting the remodeling, I measured the pitch of the support legs, choosing the optimal height, since in the future there will only be one, the other two will not be used, but, by the way, they are not really needed.
Then we attach the stop in the right place.
The following happened.
Now it's time to move the converted structure to the loggia.
In order for the ironing board to be able to recline, I took two hinges that I had, thanks to them the reverse part of the board will receive support and the ability to recline.
I placed them at the required level and made markings for the holes.
Drilled holes. I secured it with dowels and screws.
The next step was to install the locking element, it will hold the board in the folded position.
The latch seemed to me to be the most suitable element for this.
Fixed it at the desired height.
Next, the second element from the latch was installed directly on the board itself.
When folded it looks like this.
That's all, the board is ready for use.
Rules for choosing functional ironing boards
When preparing to purchase or accept the ordered and installed drawers and built-in ironing boards on the wall, check:
- folding mechanism - smooth lowering, no noise, there should be no doubt about the quality and durability of the material;
- reliability of fastening of the support to a box, shelf or wall and stability of the structure - swaying, dangling in a horizontal position will unbalance the fastener, leading to injury during ironing and breakage;
- weight of the structure - the wall thickness should not hold, but calmly hold the total mass of the ironing board, linen and iron;
- warranty promises and obligations of the manufacturer and installer: no guarantees - refusal to use.
On the door
Special devices will allow you to make the most of the space in a small apartment. There are both special ironing boards for door leaves and separate fastenings. The only problem is the inability to enter and exit through the door while ironing.
Some popular models from top-rated manufacturers
Among the available options for built-in boards, there are those that you can follow when making devices for ironing clothes/clothes yourself, or buy and use for their intended purpose - they will last a long time and faithfully. I am glad that they were produced mainly in Russia and the CIS - TriYA, IRON SLIM, Shelf-On, “Lubimy Dom”:
- wall-mounted ironing board “Mermaid” with a chrome-plated pipe frame and an automatic lock - installed quickly and easily, taking up only 8 cm from the wall;
- built-in “Rocket” board with variable installation methods (inside and outside the cabinet), mounting on the right or left rack, with a varied set of ironing surfaces and, what is especially valuable, its maximum permissible load is 70 kg;
- wide built-in ironing board attached to the wall with reinforced brackets with a mirror cabinet from IRON SLIM;
- compact ironing board Astra-mini Eco, built into a cabinet with hinged doors, with a plastic lock included - child protection.
Support elements
On another large board, from the wide end, screw the strip that is 90 cm long to its entire length. Attach two corners to the strip along the edges of the plywood so that when they are placed on the main board, their outer sides are in close contact with the installed strips on the edge of the main plywood. Fasten the corners with a furniture canopy from the inside - they should fold freely inward.
