I still have the ironing board I bought when we got married 49 years ago. They made things better then. It has ironed a lot of quilts. But now I have a piece of plywood 18" x 48" that fits on top of a dresser in my sewing room. I love it and can iron for a long time without getting tired. My ironing board is tucked away in a closet to be used if I need it.

I have three irons and two ironing boards. Because they're on different floors! I also have 4 vacuum cleaners but that's another story!

I also have more than 1 ironing board, in my defense tho, got 1 of them at a yard sale, its a heavy duty one, from the 60's, and was like new, I got it for $1.00....so, had to have it...
DH cut me a piece of plywood, and I covered it with 2 layers of 100% cotton batting, and then muslin, I just set it on top of one of my ironing boards when I need to iron large items...that being said, I also asked him to cut me out one from luann, it is lighter wood, and not so heavy for me to lift on and off....
Kif

I have the ironing board and the padded plywood board to put over it when I need the larger area.

I went out and looked at ironing boards this afternoon. 15" wouldn't gain me much and I did see the 17" board, which isn't as big as you'd think.

I hear you, Clem, on the ironing. If I weren't still working in a job that requires I look quite presentable (and not so frugal that I avoid dry cleaning), it would be no more ironing clothes for me. :)

Thanks for all your replies.

I didn't used to like ironing -permanent press all the way. But when I was in the Navy, I got used to ironing and now that I wear so much cotton and linen, ironing is pretty much required or I walk around looking like an unmade bed. :)

I don't steam, nor do I spray ON the ironing board..no moisture that way...

they don't make ironing boards sturdy enough..I would keep the OLD board and just make replaceable covers for it!

I'd go for the 15" ironing board, don't do that much ironing of clothes...

I'd keep my "old" board in my laundry room to iron clothes and then get the new board for my sewing room :)

I have a flat rectangular board and keep a small 5.00 ironing board that hangs in the closet for when I need to do a shoulder on a shirt.