How to Build an Easy $5 DIY Blanket Ladder

How to Build a $5 DIY Blanket Ladder

Thanks to Amy from Hertoolbelt for these great woodworking plans! See more plans here. 

You can build this DIY blanket ladder for just $5 in materials! A wooden blanket ladder is perfect for farmhouse décor and can be used as blanket storage or for decoration, such as hanging a wreath or basket of greenery.

This wooden ladder plan uses simple cuts and pocket hole joinery to build a 5-foot blanket ladder measuring 18” W x 60” H x 2.5” D (16.5” opening)– finished dimensions can be easily adjusted.

Materials

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Dimensions

This woodworking plan details how to build a 5-foot blanket ladder. Finished dimensions: 18” W x 60” H x 2.5” D (16.5” opening)

How do I make a 6-foot blanket ladder?

To make a 6-foot blanket ladder, cut the blanket ladder sides to 6 feet (72″) or another desired length. Rung spacing can be increased to adjust, or additional rungs added. (Rung placement diagram included in the building plans.)

To make the blanket ladder narrower or wider, adjust the rungs to your desired width.

Can I make a blanket ladder with reclaimed wood?

Absolutely! A wooden blanket ladder is a great way to recycle wood from demos or other projects and save money — we made a pallet blanket ladder here for storing shoes. It cost us $0 and has lots of unique character!

Skill Level: Beginner

This wooden blanket ladder is very easy and perfect for a beginning woodworker or anyone who can make a few cuts and drill a few holes!

I attached the rungs on this blanket ladder with Kreg pocket holes/screws on the backside of each rung.  This makes it really easy to accurately place the rungs evenly spaced and creates a strong joint, so your rungs will hold your quilts and blankets with no problems.

You can alternatively screw from the side of the ladder into the rung (use 1 1/2″ or longer screws).  Another design option would be to change the 1″ x 2″ rungs for round dowels, 1″ diameter or larger.

How to Stain a DIY Blanket Ladder

After building, remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry.  Then sand the wood filler and blanket ladder until smooth, finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper.  Paint or stain the ladder according to your preferences and allow to dry.

Tip for staining pine

I seriously dread staining pine because it is so hard to get a nice, uniform color.  Pine is known for being blotchy and streaky.  I wanted a nice rich dark brown/red color and I was surprised and pleased with the outcome.

First I applied pre-stain conditioner to the ladder and waited about 30 minutes.  Then I applied Minwax dark walnut stain, let it sit for 5 minutes or so and wiped off the excess.  I let the walnut stain dry over night and was pretty nervous because the ladder was looking more like a zebra than a ladder 🙂

Last, I applied a nice coat of Minwax Polyshades bombay mahogany and let that fully dry.  The mahogany bombay left a nice rich color on the wood.  One perk of the Polyshades is that it contains a top coat, so no need for polyurethane later to protect the wood.

Other ways to stain pine without blotching

The solvents in commercially made stain contribute to blotchy stain on pine and other soft woods. So using a stain without a solvent can make the stain more uniform.

More easy decorative ladders to build:

Please pin this for later and also let us know how your project turned out!

And come follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for other great projects!

Originally published 12.12.2014 // Updated 04.08.2020

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Published: April 11, 2020Filed Under: Beginner, Build, By Cost, By Level, By Material, Contributor, Decorate, DIY, DIY Project Plans, Free to $20, Furniture Building Projects and Plans, Living Rooms, Organizational Items, Sketches/Renderings, Tutorials, Wood and Plywoods Etc. Tagged: 12 Days of Christmas, beginner, blanket storage, building plans, DIY farmhouse furniture, family room, farmhouse decor, farmhouse family room, living room, Storage, woodworking, woodworking plans

About Amy Baesler

Amy is the tool lover at Hertoolbelt. On Hertoolbelt, Amy shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials, and craft patterns. She has two pint sized ‘helpers’ that help fix things around the house and build fun projects.