From Ladder to Super Storage

by Homeology.co.za

6 Materials

$50

2 Hours

Easy

Sometimes you really just need some extra storage. This easy DIY not only turns a ladder into super storage, it creates a lovely focal point in your home! Double Win!

All you need is a ladder – old or new, a few extra timber battens, wooden planks for the shelves and paint for a fun twist.

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STEP 1:

Remove the hardware from one side of the ladder, using a chisel and hammer. The remaining arm will be enough to stabilise the shelf.

STEP 2:

Add the shelf supports: measure the height of the existing rungs and install a batten on the opposite side of the ladder at the corresponding height.

STEP 3:

If your ladder consists of treated wood, then first prime the ladder before painting it. I painted it in a deep charcoal after the primer had dried.

STEP 4:

I painted the shelves in varying colours of blue to create a graded effect. See how I got the dreamy ombre effect here.

STEP 5:

Once they’ve dried, screw-fix the shelves to the supports from underneath the shelves.

And that's super storage done!

So go on – turn that old broken ladder into something awesome!

Happy DIY-ing!

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Wood battens for support struts

5 pine shelves to fit the inner width of the ladder

Wood screws

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Frequently asked questions

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2 questions

LaReda Robbins on Aug 01, 2017

love this. What are the differences in the shelf lengths going from bottom to top?

3
Shuganne on Aug 18, 2017

Would you have to screw the shelves to the ladder? I'm wondering about taking it apart and moving it to another room, up the stairs, etc. I also don't see the individual shelf supports, but I'll jump over to your website to see what I can see there. I love the graduated colors on the shelves! Keep styling!!

1

Comments

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4 of 32 comments

Jerri on Aug 16, 2018

Love it! Great colors

1 Reply
Sandra Miller on Feb 07, 2021

How to make post instructions please I’ve saved my daddy’s old wooden ladder. & stoped putting up my Christmas village years ago. Would love to turn Daddy’s ladder into Christmas village. ❤️🐝

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- See 1 previous
- Homeology.co.za on Feb 08, 2021
  
  Hi Sandra, you simply cut timber battens to the same lengths as the existing rungs, and then fix them at the same heights as the corresponding rungs. Hope that helps!
  
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- Sandra Miller on Feb 17, 2021
  
  Thanks from Louisville Kentucky ❤️🐝
  
  Like