A Cultivated Nest

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Fun Ways to Use Old Ladders In Your Home

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I have been looking for some old ladders to use in my garden and in my home since….forever! I think everyone else is looking for them too (since I can’t seem to find even one old rickety wooden ladder). I thought I’d share some fun ways to use old ladders in your home.

A roundup of awesome ways that you can upcycle old ladders for your home and garden

Maybe you’ll be luckier than me and find a nice old ladder to upcycle!

ladder made into a laundry drying rack | Awesome ideas for upcycling old ladders

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

This ladder was turned into a drying rack! via Remodelaholic

herbs planted in a ladder placed on the ground

Use a ladder to plant a block of herbs via The Shepherd’s House

hanging ladder light fixture from Unskinny Boppy

Isn’t this hanging ladder light fixture just gorgeous! How perfect for a patio! via Unskinny Boppy

upcycled ladder for garden display

Add some plywood shelves to an  old ladder and you have a nice piece to display some plants on. via DIY Inspired

ways to use old ladders in your home

source: HLM Interior Design

Paint an old ladder and use it as a shelf via BHG

ladder repurposed for books and as pot rack

source: DIY Life

Lean one against the wall –  it provides great storage without putting holes in the wall! Make a ladder into a pot rack.

source: Atticmag

An old wood ladder repurposed as a bookshelf.

source. miasinterior.blogspot.com

Wall art ladder.


What a useful way to use an old ladder in your home. via Good Ideas For You

ladder made into a birdbath by Eclectically Vintage | Roundup of ladder repurposing ideas

Here’s another cute way to upcycle a ladder in your garden via Eclectically Vintage

Hope you found something to inspire you to recycle ladders into your home decor.

Have a great weekend!

upcycle old ladders

 

Comments

  1. Debby Messner says

    January 29, 2012 at 7:12 am

    You will find one when you aren’t looking for it. I found one last summer. My husband thought I was crazy. I am liking hanging it sideways but doubt I could get the HUbby to do that. ine may just bea leaner. Good luck.

  4. kim/nannykim says

    January 29, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Oh boy oh boy! I had to laugh at the ladder as a bookshelf. I do have an old ladder and it is stored in my hot water tank room Perhaps I could put it to use when I am not using it?? I don’t think I could —it tends to be for a certain kind of home I think! lol

    • admin says

      January 29, 2012 at 9:38 am

      YES – try it it! When I find one I’ll probably paint and distress it unless it’s already a color I like.

      Manuela

  6. Glenda/MidSouth says

    January 29, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Some good ideas – thanks for sharing. I remember a time in the early 80’s when many were going for the primitive/country look and an old worn ladder was much in demand. Never found one I liked and now I don’t have room for one if I found it.You know there are a zillion of them out there in sheds, barns, etc., just waiting to be discovered.
    Enjoy your weekend.

  7. Vee says

    January 29, 2012 at 10:11 am

    I am looking for an apple picking ladder. They’re not too easy to find either. I have a few old ladders about because of being married to an old carpenter, but he’s not parting with them!

  9. Debbie J says

    January 29, 2012 at 10:44 am

    There was a very rickety step ladder, spattered with paint, that was left inside our house from the painters. When we moved in we put it in an outside storage building. I would love to use it some way, possibly outside this summer. I think I’ve seen one used as a trellis. Love these ideas and pictures you’ve shared.

  10. isah says

    January 29, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Thank you for sharing this great idea! I was just looking for something to hang on the wall in order to save space. To make shelves would mean to spend some money but this…this is just great!

  11. Leslie's Garden says

    January 29, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    These are such cute ideas! Especially if someone is in a small apartment or home with little storage (like me:)) We might have to just buy a new one and beat it up, throw some paint on it, make it looked well used! I have always thought I would like to have one in my garden.

  12. Lisann Hall/Parsnippidy Moments says

    January 29, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Love the old ladders, I too am looking. But you have given me some great new ideas to keep tucked away. Thank you

  13. Theresa H. Roach says

    January 29, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    I have an old ladder that isn’t being used right now! You have inspired me to drag it out, spruce it up and put it to some good use! Have a blessed day dear Manuela, HUGS!

  18. Julie says

    January 30, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I DO have one! We had an old 8 foot hand built ladder that came from my hubby’s dad…It sat outside so much of the time and got very weathered. When my hubs was going to throw it out (he has about 5 other ladders) I said( NO!!! I want the step part.) so we detached back legs and I use the ladder steps for a holder of folded throws/afghans in the man cave downstairs. It is strung with a string of mini-clear lights and makes a neat rustic touch along with a twinkley night light. DO love the repurposing of ladders. enjoyed! hugs!

  19. Linda A. Young says

    January 30, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Love those imaginative ladders! I always wanted to make a pot rack, but never thought of all the other possibilities! You seem to be flourishing! Yes, I read your older posts, and I like that word too!, and I hope it’s going to be a much better year for you and me!
    Your blog is beautiful and very inspiring to me!
    Be blessed!, Linda

  20. Jennifer says

    January 31, 2012 at 12:04 am

    Fun ideas! I saw where someone had taken an old ladder and turned it into a kitchen “chandelier”. Very unique and cozy. I hope you find your ladder soon. =)

    Have a wonderful week!
    Jen

  21. Debbie says

    January 31, 2012 at 2:00 am

    These are all great. Amy over at All Thing Home uses ladders wonderfully. Every time she posts a new display, I start looking about for ladders.

    My favorite of these is the wall art one.

  22. cindy says

    January 31, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Hi Manuela,
    I was really lucky when it came to wanting a ladder. One of my neighbors passed away and her kids put TWO old ladders out in the garbage! They are both just fabulous and I have enjoyed them both so much that you would think I had paid a good deal of money for them. I really hope you find one soon.
    One great thing about living here in Canada, is that whatever is popular in the USA and elsewhere, most have not even heard of it here. But it also means people look at me funny and think I’m a bit strange in the way that I decorate. That’s what got me into blogging, I needed friends who “got” me. And I found them! You’re one of them, I am so happy to say.
    Hugs, Cindy

  24. kim/nannykim says

    February 1, 2012 at 4:03 am

    Well, my husband doesn’t seem to mind…..it would look better painted…but I do like the woodsie feel of the unpainted too. ps. He knows I am always changing things up–he probably just figures this too shall pass 😉

  26. Terry says

    February 5, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Thank you for linking up last weekend with all of these clever ways to use ladders…Love them all!
    Your post is one of my top five picks for last week, I hope you have time to stop over again this weekend. Take care! Terry

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