If you have an old wooden ladder lying around and collecting dust, it’s time to give it a new lease on life. Repurposing a wooden ladder into a creative home decor piece is a great way to add character to your living space while organizing your storage. With some creativity and DIY skills, you can transform your old ladder into something useful and beautiful.
There are countless ways to repurpose a wooden ladder, from bookshelves to plant stands and towel racks to wine racks. One of the simplest ways to repurpose a ladder is to use it as a stylish shelving unit. Lean the ladder against the wall and add shelves or planks of wood between the rungs to create a practical and unique display unit for books, photos, and decorative objects.
1. DIY Ladder Towel Holder
This repurposing idea is probably my favorite. Turning an old ladder into additional towel storage is genius, and it gives the bathroom a wonderful rustic look. You just stand the ladder up against the wall, leaning out just a bit to keep it in place, and then hang your towels from the rungs. This is perfect for keeping extra towels on hand next to the bathtub or shower, and it gives off such a great decorative vibe, too.
Source/Tutorial: funkyjunkinteriors
2. Rustic Ladder Plate Rack
What better way to display your collectible plates than with this rustic ladder plate rack? It’s the perfect way to add farmhouse appeal to your kitchen or dining room.
You can make this yourself from an old step ladder or buy one on Etsy. It has hangers already attached and a beautiful black metal rail to keep plates firmly in place.
Source/Tutorial: etsy.com
3. Old Ladder Picture Hanger
This is a lovely idea, and it gives the whole room a wonderful rustic country look. To protect your pictures from dust and damage, laminate them before you hang them.
Source/Tutorial: taylordeventssv
4. Indoor/Outdoor Plant Display
Whether you want to keep your plants on the porch or in the house, an old ladder and a couple of spare boards will create a beautiful display. Just line up the boards through the ladder steps and then fill your old ladder with beautiful blooms and greenery.
This stunning sun room or porch display keeps all your plants together for easier watering.
Source/Tutorial: lovegrowswild
5. DIY Ladder Pot Rack
I have to admit, a pot rack is my favorite kitchen accessory, and I love the idea of creating one with an old rustic ladder.
You can easily hang the ladder from the ceiling and then hook your pots and pans up with S hooks. This is a wonderfully easy project, and imagine how much room you’ll have in the cabinets when you hang those pots and pans from the ceiling!
Source/Tutorial: hometalk
6. Ladder Quilt Rack
I love my quilt rack. Having vintage quilts on display in the home gives it a wonderfully warm and welcoming feeling. If you don’t have a quilt rack, you can easily make one with an old step ladder.
You can just lean it against the wall and hang your quilts from the rungs. If you have a double-sided ladder, you can separate it and have a quilt rack for two different rooms!
Source/Tutorial: magnoliamarket
7. Country Wedding Décor
If you’re planning a wedding, particularly a country wedding, a ladder will come in really handy. Just hang up your ladder and use it to hang mason jars filled with flowers or candles.
You could also stand the ladder up and sit the jars on it. Decorate it with burlap and sheer or tulle, and you’ll have a beautiful wedding decoration that costs ten times less than what a florist will charge.
Source/Tutorial: weheartit
8. DIY Shoe Storage
That old ladder is perfect for creating some extra shoe storage. If you own a ton of shoes – don’t we all? – then you can just stand your ladder up against the wall, or hang it if you like, and use the rungs to hold those heels perfectly in place.
Tennis shoes and flats won’t really stick as well, but you could incorporate shelving on top or between the steps for shoes without heels.
Source/Tutorial: designsponge
9. Repurposed Step Ladder Side Table
This little step ladder side table is gorgeous, and it doesn’t require a lot of work. If you don’t want to do anything but clean it up, that’s fine. It looks much more rustic if you don’t paint or stain it and if it has a few paint splatters, that’s even better. Just wipe it down and sit it right there beside the sofa for a great farmhouse side table that even has storage on the steps.
10. Repurposed Ladder Stocking Holder
I love the idea of using an old ladder to hold stockings. This is the next best thing if you don’t have a mantel to hang your stockings from. Just stand the ladder up and add hooks to hold your stockings.
Plus, you can decorate it with evergreen twigs, clear lights, and any number of other things to make it extra festive.
Source/Tutorial: pinterest
11. Upcycled Old Ladder Into Storage
With just a few wire baskets and some other supplies, you can create this great storage shelf from an old ladder. It has loads of room for many things.
This would be a great catchall for the bedroom – drop your keys and other items into the baskets so you always know where they are.
Or use the baskets to store anything from bathroom essentials to toys for the kids.
Source/Tutorial: bluesagedesigns
12. Rustic Ladder Porch Décor
I love dressing up my front porch with rustic décor, and this ladder is perfect. This is a great choice if you want to add some farmhouse style to the porch.
It’s lit with clear lights and has berry garland and other wonderfully country looking embellishments.
You can get this one on Etsy. It’s suitable for indoors or outdoors, so hang it in the living room if you prefer or stand it up on the porch.
Source/Tutorial: etsy.com
13. Gorgeous DIY Photo Display
An old ladder makes a wonderful photo display. You’ve probably seen those ladder-shaped picture frames from Hobby Lobby or other high-end stores, which cost around $50 each.
You can make your own with an old wooden ladder and some time. You’ll need to decide if you want your ladder painted or stained. Then, you can stand it against the wall or hang it up and add your pictures.
Source/Tutorial: creative-ambitions
14. Creative Kids’ Bookshelves
Put a back on the ladder between the steps and you can make this adorable little bookshelf for your kids’ rooms. You can use one side of the ladder to create each bookshelf and then stand them up against or hang them from the wall. You could also leave the ladder intact and stand it up with a bookshelf on each side.
Source/Tutorial: handmadecharlotte
15. Wood And Glass Ladder Table
This amazing industrial table is so unique and amazing. It’s an old painter’s ladder repurposed into a table with a glass top.
The entire look is so great, and although it is a bit more industrial than farmhouse in style and décor, it would still be a lovely addition to any room.
Source/Tutorial: etsy.com
16. DIY Magazine Rack
This is a great way to keep magazines organized, particularly if you get a few home and garden magazines in the mail every month.
17. DIY Kitchen Linen Rack
Store and display your tea and kitchen towels on that old ladder. If you have the room for it, a wooden stepladder is perfect for adding a bit of rustic charm to the kitchen and storing your towels, keeping them within each reach.
I love this idea of adding decor to the room and giving you somewhere to hang those towels aside from the oven handle.
Source/Tutorial: bucketsofburlap
18. Ladder Laundry Basket Storage
An old wooden ladder, some S hooks, and a few laundry baskets make the perfect laundry room addition.
You can repurpose an old ladder into this wonderful storage hanger for those baskets to keep them off the floor and out of the way when they are not in use. It hangs from the ceiling, so it won’t take up needed floor space.
Source/Tutorial: ppebble
19. Laundry Room Drying Rack
You can also chain that ladder to the ceiling and use it as a neat laundry drying rack. Since it’s on the ceiling, it doesn’t take up any floor space, and it does a wonderful job of holding laundry while it dries.
You can get several hangers on each rung, which also makes a wonderful sorter for when you pull your clothes out of the dryer.
Source/Tutorial: onecreativemommy
20. DIY Ladder Mini Closet
Repurpose that old ladder into a mini closet – this is a particularly good project for those who don’t have a closet in their bedrooms or perhaps have a really small closet and just need more space.
Just secure the ladder to the wall, and it will make an instant closet with spaces to hang clothes and a neat shelf on top for storing shoes and other items as needed.
Source/Tutorial: musely
21. Easy Mud Room Storage
If you have a mud room or just a space near the backdoor, you can add this great ladder turned storage to give you somewhere to hang up jackets and keep muddy shoes and boots off the floor. Old painters’ ladders look great hanging up in a farmhouse mudroom, and they’re easy to hang and offer tons of storage possibilities.
22. Rustic Country Nightstand
I love the simplicity of using an old step ladder as a bedside table. This is a great way to bring some rustic farmhouse charm into your home, and the step ladder is the perfect height for most beds.
You can even add boards across the steps if you need extra storage – these shelves will give you enough room for everything you need at your bedside.
Source/Tutorial: care2
23. DIY Pottery Barn Copy- Ladder Lantern Hanger
I love the ladder lantern hanger from Pottery Barn but I certainly don’t love the price. You can make that yourself from an old wooden ladder and a few mason jars – you know how much I love mason jar projects! This would be a gorgeous lighting solution for your front or back porch or a patio deck. The mason jars could hold clear lights or you could turn them into tealight candle holders if you prefer a more natural light.
Source/Tutorial: unskinnyboppy
24. Easy Necklace And Bracelet Storage
That old ladder would look great on your bedroom wall, holding all of your favorite jewelry pieces.
Necklaces, bracelets, and even scarves will hang perfectly from the rungs and give you loads of storage—plus it keeps chains from getting tangled. This is perfect for a teen’s room if you have a teenager with lots of jewelry to store.
25. Over The Toilet Storage Shelf
Source/Tutorial: kathrynmmccullough
26. DIY Herb Drying Rack
Put that old ladder to use by turning it into the perfect herb drying rack. Depending on how many herbs you have to dry, you can use any size ladder for this. Just turn them up secure the ends, and then hang upside down from your old ladder.
Source/Tutorial: gardentherapy
27. Corner Bookshelf
You can separate a double ladder, turning it into two wonderful bookshelves. If you don’t have a double ladder, just take two smaller ladders, and you’ll get the same effect. This is a great rustic-looking bookshelf that is as useful as it is decorative, and the sides are the perfect width for holding those books in place.
Source/Tutorial: etsy.com
28. DIY Rustic Bed Canopy
That old wooden ladder would make a wonderful bed canopy. Just add sheer curtains, and you’ve got a beautiful, not to mention rustic, canopy. This is such an easy project. You have to clean up, paint if you want, and then hang your ladder on the ceiling and use it to hook your sheers.
Source/Tutorial: hometalk
29. Pottery Barn Inspired Bathroom Storage Shelf
I love everything about Pottery Barn—except for the price. This ladder storage shelf is perfect if you want to add a great Pottery Barn look and feel to the bathroom.
You can get the same thing at Pottery Barn, but it will cost you quite a bit. DIY it instead and give your bathroom this wonderful storage solution with lovely farmhouse appeal.
Source/Tutorial: charmbraceletdiva
30. Gorgeous Rustic Birdhouse Stand
Turn that old wooden ladder into a display stand for your birdhouses. Not only will your birds thank you for their new little community, but this is a beautiful way to dress up your yard.
Add your birdhouses to each step on the ladder, and you’ll have your own little town of birds hanging out all summer long.
Source/Tutorial: ebay.co.uk
31. DIY Farmhouse Chandelier
Imagine a gorgeous farmhouse chandelier hanging right over the dining room table! You get that when you use an old wooden ladder and some rustic light fixtures.
This makes a gorgeous chandelier that will perfectly complement your farmhouse décor. It’s not a terribly difficult project either, although you will need a few power tools on hand.
Source/Tutorial: popsugar
32. Festive Country Christmas Décor
When it comes to a country Christmas, the more décor, the better – that’s what makes this ladder shelf idea so great.
You can turn an ordinary stepladder, or even a full-sized ladder if you have room, into a wonderfully festive display for your Christmas village or any holiday knickknacks.
Add some faux snow and clear Christmas lights, and you’ll have a beautiful holiday display.
Source/Tutorial: countryandvictoriantimes
33. Rustic Floating Picture Frame
One rung of an old wooden ladder can create these lovely floating picture frames. This would be a relatively easy DIY project.
If you prefer the farmhouse look without the work, you can pick this one up for about $50. It has a lovely picture inside, and the ladder is splattered with paint for a really authentic look.
Source/Tutorial: etsy.com
34. DIY Ladder Christmas Tree
This is a wonderful idea if you’re looking for something less traditional than your ordinary Christmas tree. Instead of digging out the old evergreen, turn an old wooden ladder into your ornament station.
You can hang lights and ornaments from the rungs and even use the steps to display cards and other decorations. Add some pinecones and maybe some burlap, and you’ll have a wonderfully rustic tree.
Source/Tutorial: funkyjunkinteriors
35. Next Day Clothes Organizer
Do you lay out your clothes for tomorrow? A lot of us do. Instead of piling those clothes up on the dresser, imagine having this great little white ladder alongside the wall to hang them on. I love this idea for organization and décor. It blends perfectly with bedroom furnishings, and it’s such a cute idea.
Source/Tutorial: lottemanou
36. DIY Ladder Craft Supply Organizer
Turn that small step ladder into some amazing storage space. You could also do this with a larger ladder if you have the floor room for it, or hang it on the wall. The steps and rungs give you space to create craft supply storage. You could even open the ladder up and add baskets for your supplies.
Source/Tutorial: homeroad
37. Leaning Ladder Entertainment Center
Two ladders on the ends of a dresser or TV stand make a wonderful entertainment center. To make it all match, stain, paint, or otherwise color your stand and your ladders the same.
The ladders can store DVDs, CDs, or video games, as well as books, knickknacks, and many other things. This is a great—not to mention easy—way to bring a little farmhouse charm into the living room.
Source/Tutorial: Pinterest originals
38. Rustic Garden Plant Holder
Sometimes, the simplest things make the most impact. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate a rustic ladder into your décor, why not just put it in the garden and use it to display your plants?
The steps give you plenty of room for potted plants, and you can add hangers or just let your vines travel up the ladder.
Source/Tutorial: tootsietime
39. DIY Rustic Headboard
An old ladder will certainly bring some farmhouse style into your bedroom, especially if you use it as the headboard. Just turn the ladder on its side and secure it to the wall.
Then, if the spaces are wide enough, you can fill them with trinkets or place small framed pictures inside each one. You could even use both sides of the ladder and put one on top of the other.
