DIY Hinged Shelf

A hinged shelf can be a convenient spot for folding laundry.

If space is tight in your laundry room, workshop or garage, build a hinged shelf to give yourself a place to fold laundry or work. A hinged shelf will stay out of the way when you're not using it, but can be swung open in just a few moments to give you a work space. The design of of a hinged shelf doesn't have to be complicated, and you can build one with some simple tools and materials.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 1-by-4-inch board
• Level
• Circular saw
• Sandpaper
• Drill
• Pencil
• Hollow wall anchors with screws
• Screwdriver
• 1-by-12-inch board
• Two hinges with screws
• Eye hooks
• Light chain
• S-hooks

Instructions

1. Measure a spot 36 inches above the floor at the location where you want the shelf. Mark the spot with a pencil. Place a 3-foot long 1-by-4-inch board on the mark. Place a level on top and level the board. Trace a line across the wall marking the board location.

2. Remove the board. Drill four holes in the board at 4, 12, 24 and 32 inches from one end. Place the board against the pencil mark on the wall and mark the hole locations on the wall with a pencil.

3. Drill holes in the wall at the marked location and insert hollow wall anchors. Line the board up with the anchors. Insert screws through the board and into the anchors. Tighten with a screwdriver.

4. Place a 3-foot long 1-by-12-inch board against the wall and resting on top of the 1-by-4-inch board. Place your hinges against the two boards, 12-inches in from both ends, and screw them in with wood screws and a screwdriver

5. Screw an eye bolt into the wall, 14 inches above the top of the 1-by-4 inch board, and 1 inch outside each end. Screw an eye bolt into the outer ends of the 1-by-12-inch board, 1 inch from the front of the board.

6. Slide S-hooks into each of the eye bolts and connect lengths of chain between the hooks on each side. Adjust the chain so that the shelf is parallel to the floor. Leave a few extra links on each end of the chain at the 1-by-12-inch board end.

7. When you're not using the shelf, raise it up and hook the extra links of chain on the S-hooks.

Tips & Warnings

• Modify the length of the shelf to match your space if necessary.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Editors of The Family Handyman; 2005