D.I.Y.

How to Make a $15 Blanket Ladder

October 5, 2021

Okay, I know I said that my pegboard was the easiest DIY ever, but I’m ready to admit that I was wrong. I assumed this blanket ladder would be super simple and straightforward, but what I really didn’t anticipate was just how simple, straightforward, and quick it actually was. This blanket ladder was truly a 2-hour project.

I didn’t know those existed until today.

The best news is that while this blanket ladder may only be a 2-hour project, it makes a huge impact in space. Don’t you think?!

Plus, McGregor told me I can’t get any more blankets because “we don’t have anywhere to put them.” Solved that problem, now didn’t I! Genius-level thinking, I know.

I’m sharing some pretty options below – but to be fair, mine was $15 and I think far prettier. But I’m biased….

How to Make Your Own Blanket Ladder

You still need some tools to make this happen:

A mitre saw
A nail gun and 1-inch nails (or a drill and 1-inch screws)
Clamps
Paint brush
A level

DIY $15 Restoration Style Blanket Ladder

This tutorial has been modified slightly from Nick and Alicia – if you’re sticking with an 8 ft ladder, head over there to see how they did it. Mine is similar at 7 ft tall, and I opted to use a nail gun in lieu of screws/a drill.

Materials:
+ 3 pieces of 1x3x8 board – I got the cheapest one at the store which was $5.00/piece

If you’re going for my Restoration Hardware colours like we all know and love from my curtain rod and the alward table for this blanket ladder, you’ll need:
+ White paint and water (25% paint and 75% water)
+ Rustoleum Aged Glaze

How to Make a Blanket Ladder

Two of the 1x3x8s will make up the outside of the ladder – cut one side at a 10-degree angle (optional, but it sits nice and flush on the floor) and the other side to make the piece the height you want (mine is 7ft).
Take the third 1x3x8 and make four cuts – one that is 17 inches long, the next that is 16 inches, then 15 inches and 14 inches – these are your rungs. See the tapered look happening here? That’s all thanks to the different-sized rungs.
Now paint your ladder – take the whitewash and pop it on all over. Then once it’s dry, take your Rustoleum aged glaze and brush it on. Remove using a workshop towel after a minute or so. Let it dry fully.
Starting at the bottom, clamp your piece to where you want your ladder to start. I started mine approximately 2 and 1/4 feet up because, well, I do have a toddler and I didn’t need her climbing this ladder. Use a level to make sure your rung is level and clamp it to the other side.
Next, take your 14-inch piece and place it generally how high you want it to be. You will need to kind of wiggle the ladder slightly to get that taper properly in place. If you have two more clamps, repeat step 3 with the top rung.
Using your nail gun, nail in your bottom rung – I used two nails per side (so four nails per rung). I like to place the level on top while I’m nailing to make sure I haven’t moved the ladder out of a straight rung!
Next, you can slot in your 15 and 16-inch rungs in and they will fit perfectly in a certain spot. Again, clamp, level, then nail.
K, seriously. You’re done – now you need to go buy some blankets to add to this!