Build an easy DIY blanket ladder that not only stores and displays blankets neatly, but also adds simple farmhouse charm to your home! The supplies cost less than $10 and take less than 30 minutes to make!
I've had a blanket ladder on my wish list for a couple of years, and I finally bit the bullet and made one! It couldn't have been easier. And like most DIY projects I tackle, I wonder why it took me so long!
It's also incredibly cheap. The total lumber cost for me was under $10. I actually had one of the boards on hand, so it was less out of pocket, but I counted the cost of the board I already owned. Some links are affiliate links for your convenience.
Supplies You'll Need for a DIY Blanket Ladder
- 2 – 1 x 2 x 72 boards. These will be the side pieces of the ladder. If you buy them at this length, make sure they're all the same length.
- 1 – 1 x 4 x 96 board. This will be cut down for the rungs. You actually only need 6 feet of board, but the saw eats up a little wood, so I went with an 8-foot piece to give myself some wiggle room.
- Drill (drill bits recommended, but optional)
- Circular Saw or Miter Saw. I absolutely love my Miter Saw. It makes cuts like these a breeze. This is the one I have —>>> here.
- Wood Screws
- Ruler or tape measure
- Wood glue
- Paint brush or foam brush
- Stain or paint in the color of your choice
- Some scrap wood pieces (optional)
Note: As always when buying lumber, do a "level check" by laying boards on the floor in the hardware store to make sure they're straight. Otherwise warped boards will make building a ladder (or anything else) a little wonky.
How to Build a DIY Blanket Ladder
Step 1. Cut the 1 x 4 x 96 into 18-inch pieces.
These will be your ladder rungs.
2. Sand all of your wood pieces to knock off any rough edges.
You don't want your ladder snagging your blankets!
3. Stain or paint your wood pieces in the color of your choice.
I chose to stain mine with Minwax's Provincial. Let the stain dry for a day or two so your house and blankets don't end up smelling of it. (Another pretty stain color is dark walnut.)
4. Lay your ladder sides flat on a level surface.
My driveway wasn't completely flat, so my ladder came out a teensy bit wonky, but not too bad. I should have done it on the garage floor or inside the house. You live and learn, right?
5. Make some guides.
I cut some scrap wood pieces to act as guides for building the ladder. I cut one piece to 14.5 inches to fit between the two ladder sides, and then one 12-inch piece to measure the distance from the top of the ladder to the first rung and between each rung after that.
6. Pre-drill holes.
Once I set the first rung in place, I pre-drilled a hole with a drill bit so I wouldn't split the wood when I drove the screw in.
Tip: use two screws in each rung to keep it stable. I didn't do this and wish I had!
7. Screw in each rung.
Now screw in the rung with 1 to 1.5 inch wood screws. (Two in each rung, if possible. It'll be sturdier, I promise!)
8. Repeat with each rung until it's complete!
It's so easy and adds so much to my living room!
Now fill it with your blankets. Yay! This is the fun part. It's so exciting to not only use it to store my blankets, but also add texture to this little corner of my room.
With this being such an easy project, do you think you'll tackle it? I believe in you!!SaveSave
