Want to make your own blanket ladder? A great storage solution that adds some personality to the room, blanket ladders keep blankets organized and within reach. Here’s how to make a DIY blanket ladder. This project is easy to make and adds a touch of charm to any room.

Supplies Needed for a DIY Blanket Ladder:

• 6′ 2×4 boards (x3)
• Clamps (optional)
• Drill & drill bits
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Miter saw
• Nail gun (with appropriate nails)
• Pencil
• Sandpaper (medium & fine-grit)
• Wood glue
• Wood sealant
• Wood stain or paint (optional)
• Safety glasses
• Safety gloves

Cut List

• One 10-degree angle cut on one side of two 2x4s each
• Five 12″ rungs cut from the remaining 2×4

How to Build a DIY Blanket Ladder

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials and taken note of woodworking safety tips, you’re ready to build a blanket ladder! Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to complete this blanket ladder DIY project.

Step One: Cut the Wood

After setting up your workspace, put on safety goggles and gloves. Always wear other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating power tools. Here’s how you should cut the wood for your DIY blanket ladder:

• • Take out two of your 6′ 2x4s. These will be the side pieces for your ladder.
  • Adjust the miter saw to a 10-degree angle. Slowly guide the blade to cut the bottom of each side rail. This will allow the ladder to lean flush against the wall.
  • Cut the remaining 6′ 2×4 into five 12″ rungs.
  • Before each cut, double-check the length and angle of the pieces to ensure accuracy.

Step Two: Sand the Wood

While sanding wood is a safer process than using a power saw, keeping on any respirator masks and protective eyewear can help keep the fine dust and small wood chips out of your eyes, hair, and clothes. Follow these steps for sanding your blanket ladder’s wood:

• Choose a well-ventilated area to sand your wood.
• Cover your work surface with a drop cloth or newspaper to protect it from sawdust.
• Begin by sanding all edges and surfaces of each rung and side rail, moving in the direction of the wood grain. When deciding which grit of sandpaper to use, we suggest medium-grit sandpaper (around 120 grit) to help remove any rough edges or imperfections from the wood. For a more rustic feel to your blanket ladder, use a coarser sandpaper grit. Finally, ensure a smooth paint or stain by sanding each piece of wood with fine grit (around 220 grit).
• When you’re finished sanding, use a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any sawdust from the wood.

Step Three: Assemble the Ladder

Be sure each piece of lumber and your clothing is free of dust before gluing. Here’s how to assemble your DIY blanket ladder:

1. Lay one side rail flat on a work surface.Measure and mark where you’ll attach each rung—consider leaving additional space at the bottom to avoid blankets touching the floor.
2. Apply wood glue to one of the rungs.
3. Place the first rung in your desired spot toward the top at a 10-degree angle. This angle is crucial because level rungs on a leaning ladder appear to slant; use a 10-degree-cut scrapped piece as a template to correct this optical illusion.
4. Secure the rung to the rail with a few nails using the nail gun.
5. Repeat for all remaining rungs, leaving an equal amount of space between them. You may want to leave extra space at the bottom so that blankets hanging on the last rung don’t touch the floor.
6. (Optional) Use clamps that fit across the full width of the ladder to clamp the glued pieces together and help ensure a secure bond.
7. (Optional) Once the glue is completely dry (at least 24 hours), sand lightly to smooth any glue residue.

Step Four: Stain or Paint the Ladder

If you want to adjust the color of the wood you chose, staining is a great option. Follow these steps for staining wood:

• Work on top of a canvas or plastic tarp to protect the floor, or do the staining outdoors.
• Apply your desired stain color evenly to every part of the ladder with a brush, rag, or foam applicator, moving in the direction of the wood grain.
• After a couple minutes, wipe off excess stain with a rag.
• Let the ladder dry completely.
• Repeat the process as many times as you want to get your desired shade, lightly sanding between coats with 220-grit sandpaper.
• Let dry once you have your desired color, then cover with a clear coat (polyurethane or varnish) to protect your ladder. Let the clear coat fully dry before placing anything on your ladder.

If you want a bold, mood-boosting paint color instead, finish your DIY ladder with these steps:

• Evenly apply primer with a brush or roller to your ladder, then let it dry completely.
• Apply thin, even coats of paint with a brush or roller, avoiding drips.
• Let each coat dry completely before applying the next. Two coats are usually sufficient. Lightly sand between coats with 220-grit sandpaper.
• Let dry once you have your desired color, then cover with a clear coat (polyurethane or varnish) to protect the wood. Let the clear coat fully dry before putting anything on your ladder.

Step Five: Set Up & Decorate Your DIY Blanket Ladder

After letting your stain or paint dry completely on your blanket ladder, remove any clamps you’ve added and ensure each rung feels securely attached to both rails. Then, consider attaching non-slip grippers or paint to the bottom of your ladder so that it can be more secure on your hardwood floors. Finally, drape blankets and decorate with other personal items as desired!

Decor Tips for a Blanket Ladder

A blanket ladder is a versatile decor piece that can elevate any space—and it doesn’t have to be used for blankets. Whether you’re seeking blanket ladder decoration ideas or looking to make a trendy home decor idea, keep reading for ways to transform this functional item into a stylish focal point in your home.

Display Seasonal Decor

Decorate the ladder with seasonal items to keep your space fresh and festive throughout the year! Display fall decor like cozy flannel blankets, pumpkins, and fall foliage. Decorate for winter by draping faux fur throws, string lights, stockings, and ornaments on the rungs. Switch up the decor for spring and summer with faux floral garlands—or turn it into a command zone that holds all pool or beach towels, drying swimming suits, goggles, and more for easy access.

Add Storage

A great small-space organization idea, blanket ladders can store more than just blankets! Hang scarves, hats, bags, or even jewelry from the rungs. Place baskets or bins on the rungs to hold smaller items like yarn, craft supplies, or toiletries—or move it to the kitchen and organize your produce in different baskets. By adding bins, baskets, hooks, and pockets to your blanket ladder, you maximize vertical storage space with a stylish and practical storage solution.

Personalize a Nursery

You can use blanket ladders for many different things when putting together a nursery. Display cherished memories or special keepsakes by clipping or tying photos, postcards, greeting/birthday cards, artwork, personalized baby blankets, and more to the rungs for a unique and heartwarming touch. Or use the nursery blanket ladder for extra storage—attach baskets to hold small items like pacifiers and diapers, or hang baby clothing from the rungs.

Elevate a Towel Rack

Blanket ladders can also offer a stylish and practical solution for towel storage. Their open design promotes air circulation, helping towels dry quickly and preventing musty odors while still providing unique, rustic flair. This solution is great for multiple rooms in the home—put it in your bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in the mudroom where your kids and pets come in after playing.

Create a Vertical Garden

If you don’t have room for an urban garden, maximize vertical space! Turn your blanket ladder into a plant ladder by hanging potted herbs from the rungs with hooks or macrame—or place them on top of the rungs if you decided to keep your rungs un-angled. Do the same thing indoors for a space-saving way to display houseplants for an urban jungle aesthetic. Keep in mind that you may need to reinforce your rungs to account for the additional weight of potted plants.

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