Convert an old ladder into smart storage with this easy DIY

Are you running out of cabinet space? Did you just splurge on a designer set of cookware but have no room to put it? This DIY project transforms part of a wood stepladder into a rustic yet stylish pot hanger. The most important thing is to hang it from hooks screwed into ceiling beams or studs; if you don't use studs, the holder could come crashing down ⁠— and take some ceiling with it.

The tutorial uses an untouched ladder piece, but if you want a specific color, go ahead and paint it. Use a semi-gloss or gloss paint for easy cleaning later. Avoid black or dark colors as they will make the kitchen seem smaller and will show dust and grease stains.

Materials
- Piece of ladder with five 8-inch by 8-inch openings
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Eight medium eye hooks
- Drill
- Drill bits to match eye-hook size
- Needle-nose pliers
- Four large eye hooks
- Braided jute or burlap rope
- Scissors
- Wood screw and appropriate drill bit
- Eight S-hooks

Instructions
1. Place the ladder piece flat and horizontally on a work surface. If there are perpendicular pieces at the ends of the first and fifth openings, remove them (not shown).

2. Measure and mark 1 inch down from the top where each vertical piece meets the ladder's side, centering the mark in the vertical piece. Measure and mark 1 inch up from the bottom where each vertical piece meets the ladder's side.

3. Drill a shallow hole at each mark.

Screw in a medium eye hook at each mark until the hook is snug.

Flip over the ladder. Make sure it still is horizontal and flat.

4. Locate the second opening. Measure and mark at the halfway point along the top of the ladder edge. Drill a shallow hole at the mark. Screw in a large eye hook until it is snug.

5. Measure and mark at the halfway point along the bottom of the ladder edge at the second opening. Drill a shallow hole at the mark. Screw in a large eye hook until it is snug.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the fourth opening.

7. Cut off two 36-inch lengths of rope. Slide one end through the top large eye hook on the second opening. Tie a knot so it doesn't slip through the eye hook. Slide the other end through the bottom eye hook on the second opening. Tie a knot.

8. Slide one end of the second piece through the top large eye hook on the fourth opening. Tie a knot so it doesn't slip through the eye hook. Slide the other end through the bottom eye hook on the fourth opening. Tie a knot.

9. Pinch the center of one tied rope piece and slide your hand down the gathered pieces until you have 8 inches gathered. With the pieces together, tie a knot. This should make a loop.

10. Repeat step 9 for the other piece of tied rope.

11. Drill two holes in a ceiling beam. Make sure they are the same distance apart as the two rope loops. Hang sturdy S-hooks from the ceiling hooks.

Hang the ladder.

Pro Tip: Use S-hooks on the smaller eye hooks to hang the pots.