Features and manufacturing of built-in ironing boards
The ergonomics of the living space of a modern person requires a rethinking of the use of many everyday things. All this happens only because we are not ready to sufficiently clutter up the free space of our apartments, and in the daily rhythm of life, it is necessary to always have everything you need at hand in order not to fall out of the tight work rhythm.
An ironing cloth is just one of these tools - you need it almost every day, but not everyone is ready to sacrifice free space for it. Therefore, in recent years, buyers increasingly like the built-in ironing board.
Let's figure out what such devices are and how to make the right choice in the wide variety of options offered.
Built-in ironing board mechanism
At its core, the built-in type is no different from the usual one, while this accessory can be easily mounted in kitchen furniture, a wardrobe and even a niche in the wall.
All built-in boards used should only fulfill their main purpose with high quality - to help in ironing things.
Types of built-in ironing boards
At the moment, there are three main types of built-in boards:
- folding;
- retractable;
- built into the closet.
The folding boards get their name from the corresponding fixing mechanism in the interior. In storage, the canvas can be hidden in an upright position parallel to the wall, and, if necessary, leans back and takes its working position.
The advantages of a wall-mounted ironing board include the possibility of using any wall niches.
This mechanism is appreciated for its reliability and durability, the main rule is not to overload it too much. The folding canvas can be decorated with a mirrored door, thus combining not only the laundry, but also the fitting room in one place.
Also, do not forget that a source of electricity for the iron should be located near the place for ironing things.
It is not recommended to build sockets into the surfaces themselves due to the high fire hazard - although the mechanism is reliable, it does not guarantee complete isolation of metal and wooden elements from electrical wires.
Pull-out ironing boards are often made in furniture workshops and are designed for a specific project. Hence, one of the main disadvantages of this type follows - it is worth forgetting to plan a built-in board when designing furniture, and after the final collection it is unlikely that it will be possible to allocate free space for it.
It is also worth remembering that in order to unfold the dimensional board, you will need a furniture chest of drawers of an appropriate size, which in terms of ergonomics is not always possible to achieve. If you need a compact folding surface, any free cabinet can handle this.
Since the pull-out ironing boards can be folded inside the furniture drawers, they can be placed almost anywhere - from the closet in the bedroom or living room, to the kitchen unit, and sometimes even the bathroom cabinet.
The ironing board built into the cupboard is closely intertwined with the pull-out ones. However, this is a very conditional similarity, because in the conditions of a furniture cabinet, it is possible to build in a board for ironing things without using chests of drawers, cabinets or drawers. You can simply attach the mechanism to any furniture wall, and due to the horizontal arrangement inside the furniture, the board will be considered built-in.
The main question is where to get the electrical power for the iron. This issue should be well worked out due to the increased fire hazard of both the cabinet itself and the textiles stored in it.
How to choose the right ironing board
Here, first of all, one should start from the availability of free space and convenience for a person. Indeed, thanks to the great variety of types, the board can be located anywhere.
If you want to be able to iron things immediately after washing them, choose the pull-out type in the bathroom furniture. I like to try on ironed things - the folding option, closed by a mirror door, is perfect for you.
Note! The main factor is the presence of an outlet nearby. After all, an ironing board, to which meters of extension cords stretch, cannot be called convenient.
How to do it yourself
The easiest way is to make a folding type. Firstly, because of the availability of mechanisms for it, and secondly, because there is no need for additional work on the organization of electrical power supply. We chose any free wall next to the outlet - all that remains is to make a rectangular box and fix the folding mechanism on the wall.
Each mechanism has its own maximum load limits, this must also be taken into account. Sometimes you can do without a decorating element, but this option is not very aesthetic.
As a mechanism for attaching the canvas, you can use a simple U-shaped pipe, to which the base of the board will be attached. On the one hand, such a canvas can be fixed even with magnets or hooks sold in every hardware store.
The folding canvas should rest against the wall, and for the reliable implementation of this possibility, a stop connecting the base of the board and the wall is sufficient. It is better that for the duration of ironing, this stop is fixed to both contacting surfaces.
Important! The retractable option can only be assembled if the dimensions of the device can be fit into the existing furniture areas.
The same rule applies to the ironing cloth built into the cupboard. It can only be installed if the size of the furniture matches the ironing sheet itself in an upright position and there is a mechanism.
Features of folding ironing boards
From a mechanical point of view, for the normal functioning of such a board, a mechanism is required that can perform two functions:
- fix the surface in an upright position;
- support the structure and the things and household appliances placed on it during ironing.
And if both conditions are met, then the board will be able to perform its functions for a long time.
As you can see, the main thing when choosing a built-in ironing board is to understand your needs and compare them with the existing ergonomics of the room in which it is planned to be placed. Decent planks can be found easily at the many furniture stores in the neighborhood.
Video: do-it-yourself built-in ironing board behind a mirror