10 Reasons to Repurpose That Rickety Old Ladder
Leave the snakes and play around with ladders for a simple, stylish and – most importantly – useful addition to your home
The humble ladder is indisputably practical in nature. Ladders allow us to reach those hard to reach places such as the back of storage cupboards or leaf-ridden roof drains, but they are usually hidden away when not in use – particularly the unattractive steel variety that tends to live in the back of utes and garages. But what about those rickety old wooden ones that have seen better days? The sort that are thrown out on hard rubbish collection eve or that have been kicking around with the spider webs in your attic? These treasures can be incredibly useful as a storage solution or decorative feature. Read on for some cute and quirky ways to give a new lease on life to an old ladder.
2. This planter holder
Stepladders make for excellent indoor planter displays or side tables. Two or three levels allow you to display an assortment of decorative planters and coffee table books, and it can be just right for your cup of tea.
Stepladders make for excellent indoor planter displays or side tables. Two or three levels allow you to display an assortment of decorative planters and coffee table books, and it can be just right for your cup of tea.
3. This place to fling your clothes on
When it comes down to it, any type of ladder can be used to great effect. I have a bamboo ladder that I use for storing and displaying my constantly growing collection of scarves. When propped up against a wall in the bedroom it can be used for hanging pants, high heels, belts, handbags – anything that will fit really! It’s a great way to keep things off the floor or to display those pretty things that shouldn’t be stored away in a box. Like lovely scarves from all corners of the world.
When it comes down to it, any type of ladder can be used to great effect. I have a bamboo ladder that I use for storing and displaying my constantly growing collection of scarves. When propped up against a wall in the bedroom it can be used for hanging pants, high heels, belts, handbags – anything that will fit really! It’s a great way to keep things off the floor or to display those pretty things that shouldn’t be stored away in a box. Like lovely scarves from all corners of the world.
4. This slimline bookshelf
If you have an old-school ladder with wide steps, you can easily use it as a makeshift bookshelf or magazine rack. The rustic, warm tones of old timber ladders lend themselves perfectly to displays of books, magazines and assorted treasures.
If you have an old-school ladder with wide steps, you can easily use it as a makeshift bookshelf or magazine rack. The rustic, warm tones of old timber ladders lend themselves perfectly to displays of books, magazines and assorted treasures.
6. This hanging rack for pots and pans
Pots and pans can often be a pain to store in the kitchen as they take up a lot of space and are, quite frankly, rather cumbersome to pull out from the bowels of your cupboards. Keep pots, pans and strainers at arm’s length by suspending a ladder horizontally and hanging bits and pieces from hooks. You will, of course, need a sturdy ladder for this, depending on what you want to hang up. You can also use this method to add some greenery to your interior with a couple of indoor plants. Just make sure they are hardy and can withstand kitchen heat and steam!
Pots and pans can often be a pain to store in the kitchen as they take up a lot of space and are, quite frankly, rather cumbersome to pull out from the bowels of your cupboards. Keep pots, pans and strainers at arm’s length by suspending a ladder horizontally and hanging bits and pieces from hooks. You will, of course, need a sturdy ladder for this, depending on what you want to hang up. You can also use this method to add some greenery to your interior with a couple of indoor plants. Just make sure they are hardy and can withstand kitchen heat and steam!
7. This corner feature
Create a feature element in a bare corner. Give your ladder a lick of paint and decorate with lanterns, artwork or even Christmas cards if it’s the season. Neutral tones work well with most colour schemes, or paint in a bright yellow, aqua or orange for a bright pop of colour. A long ladder can also be useful to draw the eye up for small or enclosed interior spaces.
More: 17 Inventive Ways to Decorate an Empty Corner
Create a feature element in a bare corner. Give your ladder a lick of paint and decorate with lanterns, artwork or even Christmas cards if it’s the season. Neutral tones work well with most colour schemes, or paint in a bright yellow, aqua or orange for a bright pop of colour. A long ladder can also be useful to draw the eye up for small or enclosed interior spaces.
More: 17 Inventive Ways to Decorate an Empty Corner
8. This towel rack
A ladder is a practical and slimline way to display and dry your bathroom towels. It takes up little floor space and is ideally suited to keeping those musty towel smells at bay because it allows towels to breathe a bit. If using a ladder in the bathroom, just make sure the material can withstand such things as humidity and dampness.
A ladder is a practical and slimline way to display and dry your bathroom towels. It takes up little floor space and is ideally suited to keeping those musty towel smells at bay because it allows towels to breathe a bit. If using a ladder in the bathroom, just make sure the material can withstand such things as humidity and dampness.
9. This bedside table
Use a stepladder as a bedside table. The step ladder design allows for open shelving and can work with a number of styles such as pretty shabby chic (pictured), industrial (think an old wooden or metal ladder) or modern (slimline designs with powder coated steel in bright colours).
More: Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind Ideas
Use a stepladder as a bedside table. The step ladder design allows for open shelving and can work with a number of styles such as pretty shabby chic (pictured), industrial (think an old wooden or metal ladder) or modern (slimline designs with powder coated steel in bright colours).
More: Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind Ideas
10. Display garden greens
A ladder is ideal for showcasing leafy climbers such as sweetly-scented star jasmine. Depending on the ladder design, you can also use it as a way to display pot plants (if the steps are wide and sturdy enough). You can also hang greenery and other decorative features to create dazzling visual impact in a small garden nook.
More: Well-Hung Greenery: 14 Ways to Take Your Plants Off the Ground
SHOW US
How have you rescued that old rickety ladder? Upload a picture in the Comments.
MORE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO UPCYCLE
Recycled Old Doors Open Up a World of Charm
8 Inventive Ideas for Your Unused China
10 Clever Ways to Reinvent Wooden Pallets
A ladder is ideal for showcasing leafy climbers such as sweetly-scented star jasmine. Depending on the ladder design, you can also use it as a way to display pot plants (if the steps are wide and sturdy enough). You can also hang greenery and other decorative features to create dazzling visual impact in a small garden nook.
More: Well-Hung Greenery: 14 Ways to Take Your Plants Off the Ground
SHOW US
How have you rescued that old rickety ladder? Upload a picture in the Comments.
MORE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO UPCYCLE
Recycled Old Doors Open Up a World of Charm
8 Inventive Ideas for Your Unused China
10 Clever Ways to Reinvent Wooden Pallets
If bulky cabinets and bookshelves aren’t your bag, display a few minimalist bits and pieces with a ladder. One of the great things about ladders is how portable they are. When you get tired of one vignette, you can shake things up by creating another. This can be a particularly good design solution for renters or apartment dwellers when space is a bit lacking.