Got an old ladder lying around? Give it a ‘multi-purpose’ makeover! Here are 15 ideas to try…
1 Ladders are perfect spots for plants. Whether you use them indoors or out on a patio, the rungs are great for drying herbs and flowers or lining up potted herbs and other colourful blooms in hanging planters.
2 Suspend a ladder above your kitchen island for a one-of-a-kind pot rack. Or lean one up against a bare wall for hanging your dish towels (vintage ladders work especially well in kitchens with a ‘farmhouse’ theme).
3 Mount a ladder horizontally on a living-room wall to display framed photos and small pieces of art.
4 A ‘ladder-turned-bookcase’ painted a fun colour makes for an affordable and creative alternative to a traditional shelving unit in a playroom.
5 Create a warm and inviting atmosphere on a patio by using a ladder as an overhead frame to hang an assortment of lanterns or candles in glass jars.
6 Use a vintage ladder in a tricky-to-decorate corner of your living room as basic shelving for a collection of knick-knacks. This works especially well if the rungs are wide, as they act as small shelves for items to sit on (like a collection of coloured-glass bottles, for instance).
7 Ladders make great bathroom organizers – they don’t take up too much space propped up against the wall, plus they can hold rolled-up bath towels, hand towels, candles, baskets of toiletries (hooked over the rungs) and other paraphernalia.
8 Got a short stepladder? Use it as a novel bedside table to house a lamp, alarm clock and your latest book-club pick.
9 Display your favourite shoes, scarves, belts, bags and other accessories using a simple wooden ladder standing tall in your bedroom.
10 Consider using a ladder in your dining room to add a bit of height and interest, as well as to offer someplace to hang runners and other table linens.
11 Create a DIY shelving unit by using two identical ladders, placed side by side, with a board laid out across the rungs to create your own ‘table top’ of sorts (this is a great idea for a home office).
12 Christmas is around the corner! Use a spare ladder to create a colourful display of festive ornaments dangling from the rungs.
13 Display your favourite photos by stretching lengths of wire from side to side on a ladder, between the rungs, and pegging the pics in place.
14 Tuck an old ladder away in the garden for a creeper to take hold of over time.
15 Just had a baby? Showcase your favourite outifts by hanging them on a painted ladder in the nursery. Infant-wear usually fits perfectly between the rungs because everything is pint-sized.
Got a decorative ladder idea you’d like to share? We’d love to add it to the list!
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