Skip to main content

How to repurpose your ladder into an adorable piece of vintage home decor

Ladders have a lot of design potential, especially in small spaces. They offer great vertical decorating and storage options, both something often coveted in a small space. This is where your old dinged-up ladders come in handy to add character and vintage charm to any space. Decorative ladders, tall and short, have multiple uses and can be made to have a rustic, farmhouse chic, or industrial aesthetic.

decorated ladderGetting the right look

Aluminum

If your design style is industrial, or you want a distressed metal look, a new aluminum ladder will fit right into your vision. If you want it to be a little more distressed, you can place the ladder outside for a little while to subject it to the elements and give it a natural weathered look. If you are more into vintage, grab a paintbrush and paint your aluminum ladder. As always, make sure you are painting or distressing in a properly ventilated area and remember, children and small animals are susceptible to fumes, so read all that tiny print on the directions to be totally safe.

Wood

Wood is another great option if you are going for that vintage look. Wooden ladders can be whitewashed to get that perfect old-school feel. If it has shiny varnish, you’ll need to sand it off. After sanding, a white acrylic exterior paint mixed with water (two-thirds paint, one-third water) does the trick. Use this mixture to paint the ladder completely, and before it dries, wipe it down with a damp rag. Yard sales, estate sales, or perhaps your garage are great places to pick up ladders that have a little worn character to them.

repurposed ladder for throw storagePractical uses

Single ladders, versus step ladders, offer some interesting vertical decorating and some great practical uses. If you are using an old wooden ladder, make sure to lightly sand the rungs to get off any stray pieces of wood. Once that has been taken care of, you can safely hang your throw blankets or towels without fear of them getting snagged.

Get “S” hooks and use the ladder in the entryway to hang coats, purses, and scarves. Or, you can hang plants on the “S” hooks and twine the ivy around the rungs for a useful and decorative look.

Speaking of plants, use ladders outside for a quick trellis for Morning Glories or similar plants. Three ladders can make a great arbor if you are handy with tools. To add even more character and ambiance, you can combine plants with hanging lanterns or string lights.

If you plan to mount your ladder to a wall, be sure to attach it to the studs before you hang anything on them. The last thing you want is to hang all your pots and pans and have it all come crashing down because you didn’t secure it safely or properly.

Depending on the rungs’ width, a ladder attached to the wall can hold various items like the kitchen items and plants mentioned above to knick-knacks, magazines, and books. Place a ladder attached to the wall next to your desk, and voila, you’ve got a home office or homework space with storage to hold office supplies, etc. Take it one step further and anchor the ladder’s ends into the ceiling (firmly) and have a ready-made area to hang clothes if you don’t have a closet. 

woman putting plants on step ladderStep ladders and stools

A small step ladder can function quite nicely as an unconventional side table in the living room or bedroom (and it won’t take up a lot of space). There’s enough room for a lamp, a book, and perhaps a beverage.If you need a little more space, add a shelf across the steps to increase real estate. Home decor and hardware stores frequently stock pre-cut shelving, so you can easily grab what you need.

In a closet, you can use a small step stool with shelves for shoes and boots. Or, repurpose old drawers and use them instead of shelving material on the step stool’s rungs to give you storage for smaller items or items that might roll off a straight shelf.

Get creative

You can use a taller step ladder with shelves during the holidays, especially Christmas, for decorations. Twist small lights around the ladder and put gifts or an entire Christmas village on the shelves. Place delicate pieces on the top shelves to keep them out of reach of children and pets. Don’t have a mantel? Decorate a ladder and hang the stockings on the rungs.

Who knew there were so many uses for ladders? Don’t limit yourself to just looking at a ladder and thinking it’s only good for hanging blankets on. The uses are limited only by your imagination, so dust off that old ladder and get creative!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kathleen Ostrander
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kathleen has worked for United Press International and she's written about everything from style to pets for newspapers…
The best indoor plants to decorate your home with in October
Resilient indoor plants to brighten your home during the fall months
Croton plant

Fall is a slow and underwhelming season for avid gardeners. Summer plants start to die off or go dormant, and it's too early to cut down a Christmas tree, right? So, what can you do to keep some of that glorious greenery in your life when the air starts to get chilly? The good news is you don't have to give up your green thumb just because summer is over. There are a ton of low-maintenance indoor plants that can thrive right inside your home during the brisk fall season.

What makes the best indoor plants for fall?
Not every indoor plant is suitable for indoor life in the fall and winter. Many varieties need high heat and long hours of direct sunlight, and they just won't get the vital things they need while inside your home in the fall. The days are shorter and the air is cooler, after all. To prevent the disappointment of browning or wilting leaves, look for indoor plants that have a few key characteristics so you can reap all the benefits of your fall foliage.
Pick plants with high durability
Since fall and winter produce shorter days and dryer air, direct sunlight and humidity will be scarce in your home. It's a good idea to pick the heartiest, most resilient plant varieties that can withstand, or even prefer, the low light conditions and lower moisture levels.
Some indoor plants have great health benefits for cooler months
Among the dry, recycled air blowing around your HVAC system, there are a lot of germs, toxins, and impurities that you and your family breathe in during colder months. Fortunately, many indoor plants can improve the air quality in your home. Through the process of photosynthesis, they filter out those harmful toxins and even give the air a little more humidity. Pick indoor plant varieties that are the best air purifiers out there.
Go for some decorative beauty
Our moods and energy levels definitely take a hit during the chilly months, especially when the trees are bare and the lawn is yellowing. Arguably the best quality of indoor plants is their natural beauty and greenery. Amidst the long nights and barren lawns, having some decorative plant life around may be just what you need to brighten up your day.

Read more
Embrace rustic design with these fall-inspired home decor ideas from Pinterest
We love these seasonal rustic decor ideas
fall mantel decor with sign and candles

Fall decor and rustic design were practically made for each other. The rich, authentic feel of natural woods, exposed brick, raw materials, and neutral color palettes are the backbone of rustic design, making for a cozy style that's perfect for the autumn scene. If you’re ready to refresh your home this season, we have the perfect tips for you. Below, check out some of the best fall home decor ideas from Pinterest that will fit right in with your rustic theme.

Dress up the fireplace with organic materials
Whether your fireplace showcases raw wood, exposed stone, or a sleek white frame, you can always enhance its beauty with natural elements.

Read more
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
Make gray walls work for your home decor with complementary colors
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the neutral backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more