Reclaiming wood for home design projects has always been a popular option for those on a budget. Wood can be repurposed many times before it's unusable -- it's just a matter of finding time and breaking out the sandpaper and toolbox to get started.
We've compiled this list of ways you can recycle old ladders to create new, innovative pieces of furniture for many attractive uses. Whether you're looking for something to hold your towels, display your photos or even add some variety to your garden, you'll be sure to gain inspiration from these creative ideas.
Advertisement
1. Pillow and blanket storage
What can be done with an old item like a ladder that takes up too much space in the garage? Repurpose it into attractive home decor! Don't toss an old wooden ladder in the trash or leave it to rot in a shed. Instead, use it to display throw pillows and blankets in the living room. Get the full tutorial here.
What can be done with an old item like a ladder that takes up too much space in the garage? Repurpose it into attractive home decor! Don't toss an old wooden ladder in the trash or leave it to rot in a shed. Instead, use it to display throw pillows and blankets in the living room. Get the full tutorial here.
2. DIY ladder light
We love how creative the folks at Blesser House got with this one. Why buy an expensive chandelier when you can craft a gorgeous lighting fixture like this out of recycled materials?
We love how creative the folks at Blesser House got with this one. Why buy an expensive chandelier when you can craft a gorgeous lighting fixture like this out of recycled materials?
3. Ladder wardrobe
Sometimes there just isn't enough closet space to go around. When that happens, it's time to get crafty with how you store your clothing. Forget about buying cheap plastic racks at Walmart. Instead, use an old ladder. Find out how here.
Sometimes there just isn't enough closet space to go around. When that happens, it's time to get crafty with how you store your clothing. Forget about buying cheap plastic racks at Walmart. Instead, use an old ladder. Find out how here.
4. Antique ladder plant shelf
This project by Love Grows Wild looks incredibly charming but takes little time to create. All you need to do is place pieces of wood on the rungs of an old ladder, and just like that, you have a beautiful display for your favorite plants.
This project by Love Grows Wild looks incredibly charming but takes little time to create. All you need to do is place pieces of wood on the rungs of an old ladder, and just like that, you have a beautiful display for your favorite plants.
5. Hanging laundry rack
Some people swear by hanging up all their clothes to dry. Some of us hang only a few special pieces. Either way, having a drying rack for your clothes can come in super handy. Learn how to craft one out of an old ladder by visiting One Creative Mommy.
Some people swear by hanging up all their clothes to dry. Some of us hang only a few special pieces. Either way, having a drying rack for your clothes can come in super handy. Learn how to craft one out of an old ladder by visiting One Creative Mommy.
6. Pots and pans rack
Why waste precious cabinet space when you can hang all of your pots and pans? Old Crazy House shows you how to transform a small piece of an old ladder into a stunning hanging rack for your kitchen necessities.
Why waste precious cabinet space when you can hang all of your pots and pans? Old Crazy House shows you how to transform a small piece of an old ladder into a stunning hanging rack for your kitchen necessities.
7. Photo display
Family photos are essential to every living room. Whether you hang them or display them on a shelf, they always had an extra layer of warmth to your space. For your next living room makeover, try displaying your photos vertically on a vintage wooden ladder.
Family photos are essential to every living room. Whether you hang them or display them on a shelf, they always had an extra layer of warmth to your space. For your next living room makeover, try displaying your photos vertically on a vintage wooden ladder.
8. Garden decor
Ladders also make elegant additions to the garden. Check out how beautiful these flowers look growing down the side of the rungs. Head over to Today's Gardens for more inspiration.
Ladders also make elegant additions to the garden. Check out how beautiful these flowers look growing down the side of the rungs. Head over to Today's Gardens for more inspiration.
9. Horizontal picture shelf
Similar to project number 8, this hack is for displaying your family's favorite memories. However, Charming Imperfections chooses to hang the ladder horizontally, and it looks fantastic.
Similar to project number 8, this hack is for displaying your family's favorite memories. However, Charming Imperfections chooses to hang the ladder horizontally, and it looks fantastic.
10. Indoor or outdoor flower display
When you find that ideally worn, wooden ladder, try out this method by Rooted in Thyme for displaying dried flowers. It looks just as eye-catching inside as it does out.
When you find that ideally worn, wooden ladder, try out this method by Rooted in Thyme for displaying dried flowers. It looks just as eye-catching inside as it does out.
11. Bathroom storage
We can't get enough of this sleek bathroom storage project. Over-the-toilet furniture can be especially expensive, but here you can make an enchanting piece of furniture for practically nothing!
We can't get enough of this sleek bathroom storage project. Over-the-toilet furniture can be especially expensive, but here you can make an enchanting piece of furniture for practically nothing!
12. Quilt display
Considering how long it takes to make a quilt, it would be a shame not to display it. Other than hanging quilts on a wall or putting them on your bed, you can show off multiple quilts at once by building this DIY quilt ladder. The tutorial can be found here.
Considering how long it takes to make a quilt, it would be a shame not to display it. Other than hanging quilts on a wall or putting them on your bed, you can show off multiple quilts at once by building this DIY quilt ladder. The tutorial can be found here.
13. Christmas ladder
This project goes to show that you can make amazing Christmas decorations out of just about anything. Check out Liz Marie Blog to get inspiration and learn how she did it.
This project goes to show that you can make amazing Christmas decorations out of just about anything. Check out Liz Marie Blog to get inspiration and learn how she did it.
14. Wall home decor
Pieces of a real ladder are a bit too big to use effectively as home decor, but hobby and craft stores carry smaller versions of decorative ladders that are the perfect size to hang on interior walls. If you can't find a decorative ladder that satisfies your size requirements, it's easy to make one. All you need is 2-by-2 wood for the sides, dowels for the rungs, a drill and bit to make holes for the dowels, and wood glue to keep the dowels in place. Get the full tutorial here.
Pieces of a real ladder are a bit too big to use effectively as home decor, but hobby and craft stores carry smaller versions of decorative ladders that are the perfect size to hang on interior walls. If you can't find a decorative ladder that satisfies your size requirements, it's easy to make one. All you need is 2-by-2 wood for the sides, dowels for the rungs, a drill and bit to make holes for the dowels, and wood glue to keep the dowels in place. Get the full tutorial here.
Advertisement
