Hate laundry? Yeah, me, too. I feel ya – really I do. Which is why I scoured long and hard to find a great solution to have the biggest laundry hamper I could afford – yet still fit into my style. So I know what you’re thinking: a garbage can – seriously? Yep, I’ve been using one for a couple of years now, and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever found to hide a mountain of laundry. The downside, is that if I take it around the house to fill it up, it’s too heavy to bring back to the laundry room. So I fixed it in about 15 minutes and couldn’t be happier with the results.
For this project you’ll need:
A simple metal garbage can (the common size at Lowe’s works great!)
18 inch table round (found in the lumber section)
Four casters
Some screws
Jigsaw
Sander
Drill
Ok start with your wood round. This is the kind they sell to make a small table. My store had a several versions – this is the 2nd size from the smallest at 18 inches. It’s just a tiny bit too big, so take your jigsaw and just cut off the round bit.
You want a straight side, then sand it well – just so it fits in the lip of the garbage can when you turn it upside down.
Then place your wheels around the circle (think in quarters.) I used my Rockell drill to screw them in (love that tool!)
Once all attached, you’re going to flip the whole thing. It’s much easier to take the wood + wheels portion, put it on the floor, the put the can on top.
Now you’re gonna have to play Oscar the Grouch a bit and get to the bottom of the can so you can place 5 or 6 screws all around the bottom, going through the metal and into the wood. Once the can is secure to the wheels, you’re done.
When you’re finished, you’ve gotta a place to hide a LOT of clothes in your own industrial style laundry hamper. Unless you keep it all caught up and stuff….
Want more great projects? Be sure to check out Lowe’s Creative Ideas magazine! You can also find them on Facebook & Twitter.
*Thanks to Lowe’s and Rockwell for partnering with me on this post. All ideas, opinions and words are 100% my own.*
Getting back into the groove today and laundry is piled high! Love the look of these bins.
For Christmas we gave our oldest daughter a laundry room makeover, so I’m pinning everything laundry that is is affordable and DIY. I’d say this fits those requirements, so I’m pinning!
LOVE this, period. I need a hamper. A pile on the window bench in our closet is not cutting it. I’m thinking this similar idea, but a sturdy rattan one… I love the can, but my style is vintage cottage….
Brilliant, you two!
Hugs,
Leslie
Happy New Year!
I am a galvanized anything junkie, so I love this! I think this would be great for stuffed animal storage in my son’s room!
This is a really good idea…
I Love this Idea!! My kitchen trash can is also this same trash can so it will be perfect for the laundry hamper too. Thank you for the great idea. Happy New Year to you and yours. Love your blog. : )
Love it. I had seen a garbage can used once as a toy box, but I love it even more for a laundry basket.
I’m doing this. Great idea!!!
With 3 teenage sons, love this.
May drill some “vent holes” in the bottom third to so that the laundry does not ferment.
Ah, the joy of boys: )
You could also put used fabric sheets in there as they come out of the dryer or install that fabric softner bar that goes in the dryer. ( I Think Tide makes it.)
easy.
simple.
cheap.
weird….
I like weird….actually, I love weird. 🙂
wish my wife was a wee bit more like you… 8 )
This is just so cool on so many levels!
TY adam for sharing this….now I have a new way to annoy my wife! : )
(I’m seriously joking)
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
A man’s home is his Castle….
Until the Queen arrives. 8 P
Another thought(it’s getting dangerous around here LOL):
Decorating.
If one chooses to decorate this can, you have a clean slate in which to do so…
OR,
Chalkboard paint….
My kids used to LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to draw on anything & everything but paper.
walls, floors, lamps, you name it
chalkboard paint on this can allows them to get creative WITHOUT getting into trouble…
just another one of my off the wall, hair5 rained thoughts….
Why can’t you just screw the casters to the can directly?
They will strip out, so you have to have wood to help hold the screws.
I’ve done this for a kitchen trash can only I painted it then put a crackle finish on it. Looks great in the kitchen and I can roll it to where I need it.
They also sell the big round plant movers that will fit on a ten gallon can!
I can’t see how to make this hamper. Am I missing something? I’m looking for a PRINT instructions link minus all the ads and massive photo’s.
Any suggestions?
Hi Clara, the instructions are laid out step by step in the blog post. I don’t have a print button, but this is a super easy project, it just has a few steps 🙂 Good luck!
What size of screws did you use?