Skinny rolling storage cart to fit between washer dryer

I participated in the Spring One Room Challenge and decided to tackle remodeling my laundry room.

My laundry room is very small and I needed to add some extra storage but didn’t have much space to work with.

In between my washer and dryer I had a whopping 11″ and when I saw that IKEA makes a shorter version of the HYLLIS Shelf I knew it was perfect for a rolling storage cart that slots right into the space.

It just needed a little hack to make it look pretty and add some utility. With the addition of some casters, a wooden storage box and some corner brackets I was able to turn a simple IKEA HYLLIS shelf into an industrial rolling storage cart that is ideal for any tight space.

IKEA items used:

HYLLIS

HYLLIS | IKEA.com

Other materials:

2.5″ casters x 4
Simpson strong tie brackets x 4
1x6x96″ board
1/2″ thick plywood
Screws
Brad nails
Glue
Wood filler
Stain
Polyurethane

Tools:

Miter saw
Table saw
Drill
Drill bit
Brad nailer
Clamps
Tape measure
Pencil
Ear protection
Eye protection

Rolling storage cart hack instructions:

Step 1 – Drill new holes for the shelves

Before you get started, throw away the directions that come with the shelf. You’ll actually be building it upside down and drilling new holes for where the shelves need to be spaced.

The bottom shelf is flush with the bottom of the four legs. The top shelf is centered 3-3/16″ from the top of the legs and the middle shelf is centered between the other two shelves.

Step 2 – Add Casters

Since casters cannot be screwed into the bottom of the thin metal shelf you’ll need to add some 1/2″ thick wood.

I used Loctite glue and clamps to hold them in place until they dried. Then glue and screw the casters to the wood.

Step 3 – Build the Storage Box

I used a 1×10 board for the bottom and ripped it down to 9-1/16″ in width to fit the dimensions of the HYLLIS shelf. I then used 1×6 boards for the front, back and sides of the box.

These were attached using wood glue and brad nails. I finished the box with stain and polyurethane. You can find more detail on the finishes that I chose here.

Step 4 – Install the Wood Storage Box

Drop the wood box in place. I Drilled holes through the legs into the wood (careful not to go all the way through). Then use wood screws to tighten the legs to the box. I also installed Simpson Strongtie corner brackets at the top of each of the corners of the box to even out the look.