Proudly display your blankets with a handmade blanket ladder

When the air becomes brisk and the leaves change color, sweaters and cozy blankets start making their appearance. Curling up in a plush knit throw is the ultimate way to relax after being out in the cool autumn breeze. As you use more blankets, however, the seating area may start looking cluttered rather than snuggly chic. A blanket ladder is an efficient way to display your collection while adding a warm touch of rustic charm to the space.
Building a blanket ladder allows you to customize it to your style, from the number of rungs to the stain of the wood. Using some basic DIY skills and a few tools, it’s easier than you might think! Build this blanket ladder while using appropriate safety gear and with proper ventilation.
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Materials
- (2) 1-by-3-by-36 untreated wood boards
- Ruler
- Power drill
- 3/4 spade drill bit
- TiteBond III Ultimate Wood Glue
- (3) 3/4-by-13 wood dowels, cut on an angle
- (2) 24-inch clutch-style bar clamps
- Sanding sponge
- Drop cloth at least 3 feet by 4 feet
- Tape
- Rust-Oleum wood stain (tutorial uses Dark Walnut)
- Paintbrush
- Rag or sponge
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Instructions
1. Measure 9-1/2 inches from the bottom of one of the boards, and mark the spot with a pencil at the center of the board.
2. Measure 7 inches from the previous mark, and measure by 15 inches from that mark.
3. Repeat on the second board.
4. Bore holes with the 3/4 spade bit at the marks on both boards. Drill about 1/2 inch in, ensuring you don’t go completely through.
5. Place both planks on a flat surface with the holes facing up. For a topsy-turvy style ladder, like the one shown in the tutorial, flip the second plank of wood so the first 9-1/2-inch measurement is at the top.
6. Squeeze a small amount of wood glue into each hole, using enough to fill each halfway but not so much that it will leak out when the dowels are added.
7. Insert one end of each dowel in the holes of the first board. (If the ends are cut on an angle, they will fit more neatly in the hole. If you plan on rungs that are straight across, cutting the ends at an angle isn’t necessary.) Leave the board with the dowels sticking up.
8. Fit the second board onto the exposed ends of the dowels, and gently put the assembled ladder flat.
9. Hold the piece firmly together and apply the bar clamps. Allow 24 hours for the glue to fully cure and set.
10. Remove the clamps. Sand the entire piece with the sanding sponge, removing any rough areas in preparation for staining.
11. Lay out the drop cloth and secure it with tape, covering enough area for the entire ladder.
12. Apply the wood stain with a paintbrush, and use a cloth or wet sponge to rub the stain into the wood and remove the excess. Continue until the entire ladder is stained to your liking.
13. Allow the piece to dry completely to avoid any transfer to blankets. (At least 24 hours in a dry, ventilated area is a safe bet.)
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Resources Home Depot