A foldable ironing board installation comprises an ironing board member (11), hinged to a lower panel member (10) and connected thereto by a gas spring strut (15), so that the ironing board member (11) can occupy a generally horizontal working position and an upright stowed position where it is coplanar with the lower panel member (10). An iron stowage housing 16 is arranged behind the lower panel member (10) and stowed position of the ironing board member (11), and includes a surface (20) which is inclined away from the member (11) and (12) to provide a rest for an iron so that the latter will rest against a wall (18) of the housing (16).