We are a little ladder obsessed. I'm not sure what it is but we use ladders for everything from reaching high places (duh, that's what ladders are for!) to using them as a stand to photograph recipe creations on. Elsie found this inexpensive ladder at a flea market and wanted to add some simple shelves for holding books or potted plants.The paint color she choose is Golden Avocado (from Valspar). Adding shelves to the ladder was a similar process as this golden side table. Trying to retrofit a ladder for shelves proved to be a little bit more complicated than I anticipated. Here's why.I thought simply adding a few planks of wood the appropriate length would be enough but then I found that the rungs on one side of the ladder were slightly shorter than the other. This caused our shelves to slope downward, so much so that I worried display items might slide if we didn't try to fix the issue.Our quick fix solution was to add a short piece of wood to the edge of the shelf planks to try and give the shelf more height. We used wood glue to secure the pieces together. In the above photo I have the shelf laying upside down while the glue dried. After the shelves were completed we finished painting and put everything together.From this angle you can see how many planks we ended up using for each shelf. The shelves are not perfect but they look great in this display and I love how you can easily remove them to either repaint or use the ladder for it's original purpose. xo. Emma + Elsie
first of all, ‘golden avocado’ is the best paint name ever.
second of all, this idea is wonderful. i like the different heights of things displayed, especially the abundance of plants.
This is awesome. All this home decor inspiration is great. Sometime in the next two years..I’m going to have my own place and finally be able to implement many of these cool ideas! 🙂
I especially love when you guys restyle something that is super common and super easy to find. Love love!
I love this! Seeing all your neat old wooden ladders makes me long for the one we got rid of when we bought a sturdy (and more safe) one to replace it, because I was afraid it would tip over. I’m not really afraid of heights but I’m afraid of climbing ladders for some reason! This is a perfect use for one. So charming!
I really want to tell my boyfriend that he needs to get a new ladder so I can have the older one that looks like this. I’ve been wanting to do ladder shelving for such a long time! I love the add ons too!
I know this is going to make me sound like a crazy person – but after looking at all of these photos I could only think about my anxiety over you standing so close to yellow paint in white Minnetonkas. Haha. 🙂
I love love love this idea and have wanted to do something like this in our house for the LONGEST time!! Our new place has the perfect space for something like this. Now I just need to find a ladder to use…
Such a creative way to re-purposed a ladder! I really enjoyed this post. (I particularly love the little bird.) Also, I really like how it can be re-re-purposed later by a new paint job (I’m not sure why you would with such a fantastic color) or new shelves. I like the flexibility as style changes. Great job!
I love the multi-faceted benefits of this project: added character to the room, display shelving, and right-under-your-nose storage & added purpose of what could have been just an unsightly-but-needed ladder. Kudos!
I don’t think its about perfect as long as you love the way it looks! Its a cute idea, and I love the idea of reusing what you have and making it different.
Brilliant!! Usually the ladder is stored in hiding in the attic somewhere.. but you make it look so good, that I want to go get it out and give it a fresh bright coat of paint and then flaunt in the living room!!
82 Comments
I love the project 🙂
Great post, as usual 🙂
If you guys ever have a garage sale, I’ll be the first person there!
Lauren at http://inbetweenidols.blogspot.com
Very cool! Love the color you used and it is so gorgeous.
Wonderful idea, as always!!
All the best,
Jeanine
I love this idea of using a ladder as shelving! so adorable, and adds so much character to a room <3
This color is so darling! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
http://plantingloveseeds.blogspot.ca/
this is great!
What a wonderful idea and touch to add to a room!
Lovely post!
http://erstwhilefelicity.blogspot.co.uk/
Great idea! I seriously need to create space in my house 😉 xx
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http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
Love the colour! Great idea 🙂
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
What a cute DIY project!
http://sarahthearchitect.com/
I absolutely love this! I adore ladder displays but they’re just so narrow and theres not much you can put. This is genius and the color is amazing!
Melissa
http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HEXNAILJEWELRY
I love it!! Beautiful idea and I really love the color 🙂
I am totally in love with this color choice. I doubt I would have picked it off a paint chip, but I can’t argue with the results. 🙂
http://allysonwonderlandphotography.com
Such a pretty, pretty idea! I absolutely love this one!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
very clever, and I also Love the color x
That looks great. I like it. Have a nice day.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
I LOVE that. Like…love love it. I need a ladder now….
This looks so nice! Love the colour!
Katie x
http://thegravityandshe.blogspot.co.uk
great idea, so is the colour!
http://www.mamajulesbrussels.blogspot.com
Very pretty. I love the color, too.
I really like this!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Super cute idea! This would be great for outdoor plants too!
xx Allison
http://www.thrifted.ca
That is super cute. I have an old ladder in my garage that would be perfect for this – I never thought of making it part of my decor!
Adding a bit of color will really brighten a room, plus, the small imperfections add to the character. 🙂
Such an awesome idea and I love the colour!
first of all, ‘golden avocado’ is the best paint name ever.
second of all, this idea is wonderful. i like the different heights of things displayed, especially the abundance of plants.
M.
adorable! and love the color of the pain chosen too! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
Love it, love it! And the paint color too!
This looks great! I understand why you love ladders so much, this looks awesome!
totally genius!
Such a great idea! Now I need to find a ladder…
Jillian httpe://epic-thread.blogspot.com
This probably one of my favourite DIYs ever! Ladder-love.
xx Kaisa
http://reindeertrails.blogspot.com.es
I love this. So creative.
-Jess
http://JessicasWonderland.com
This is an amazing restyle project!
That a great a idea! It would look great in a balcony 🙂
Kisses
This is awesome. All this home decor inspiration is great. Sometime in the next two years..I’m going to have my own place and finally be able to implement many of these cool ideas! 🙂
I especially love when you guys restyle something that is super common and super easy to find. Love love!
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Gorgeous!! LOVE this 🙂
Ooo, I love this – it looks fantastic!! The yellow is such a great pop.
That is a good idea for the ladder! It is still functional, but also put to good use as an art display, nice!
So pretty I love this!!
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/
I love this! Seeing all your neat old wooden ladders makes me long for the one we got rid of when we bought a sturdy (and more safe) one to replace it, because I was afraid it would tip over. I’m not really afraid of heights but I’m afraid of climbing ladders for some reason! This is a perfect use for one. So charming!
I really want to tell my boyfriend that he needs to get a new ladder so I can have the older one that looks like this. I’ve been wanting to do ladder shelving for such a long time! I love the add ons too!
So cute Elsie!! This would be adorable on my our patio!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!! Muah!
Cool, love it!
http://fashionbrunette.blogspot.com
sweet idea !!!
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.fr/
Amazing idea!
xoxo,Xeana
Please, check out my blog! Giveaway necklace!!! http://www.xeanafashion.com/
Wow Wonderful very beautiful color great look thanks for sharing
I love this!
sandra
http://lestylonoir.wordpress.com
I know this is going to make me sound like a crazy person – but after looking at all of these photos I could only think about my anxiety over you standing so close to yellow paint in white Minnetonkas. Haha. 🙂
Brilliant idea! Looks great too.
Emily Jayne Lewis
x
I love the ladder idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love it! Such a perfect color…
I wanted to say I was finally able to make use of your fonts you created awhile back- I love them! Thank you for sharing them with all your readers!
Love thie project! What a great (and chic) use for an old ladder!
Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca
Holy cow, I am so about to do this project! My ladder is in storage waiting for me!!!!
Great use of the ladder! So clever 🙂
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
I love love love this idea and have wanted to do something like this in our house for the LONGEST time!! Our new place has the perfect space for something like this. Now I just need to find a ladder to use…
Ahhhh, I am in love!
Such a creative way to re-purposed a ladder! I really enjoyed this post. (I particularly love the little bird.) Also, I really like how it can be re-re-purposed later by a new paint job (I’m not sure why you would with such a fantastic color) or new shelves. I like the flexibility as style changes. Great job!
Wishing you a cheery day!
This is such a great idea!
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
I love the multi-faceted benefits of this project: added character to the room, display shelving, and right-under-your-nose storage & added purpose of what could have been just an unsightly-but-needed ladder. Kudos!
I like it a lot! It’s a great idea, and the color you chose is so warm and homely.
OMG you guys are geniuses. Seriously. This is bloody amazing!
This is the most useful use of a ladder that isn’t being used.
That made sense.
zuleyb.blogspot.com
Love the colour!
I love this idea! I’m doing it today…can’t wait. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂 I was wondering where you got your hanging chair. <3
I don’t think its about perfect as long as you love the way it looks! Its a cute idea, and I love the idea of reusing what you have and making it different.
Sarah=)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
This looks beautiful and I love the mustard yellow color. Great idea 🙂 Visiting from Centsational Girl.
That’s not a color that I would normally think of using but it looks gorgeous!
love the idea. 🙂
http://www.style-ettos.blogspot.in
Such a cool idea! Might head out to the flea market this sunday! Greetings from Berlin!
Nice idea to give the ladder a make over to use it as a board for plants. And I have to say you choose a nice colour!
So charming! Yellow is such a fun color!
I am definitely doing this. We have a step ladder that is so old I’m afraid to climb up it. I love the color of the paint. Great idea.
So cute! I need to go find a ladder now.
this is really awesome. You make me want to make a ladder display.
I absolutely love this. And I love the colour! Pinning this for later!
this blog is such a wealth of inspiration it’s crazy. i’m overwhelmed by all the projects you guys have inspired in my head!
abigail
http://www.farandwildjewelry.blogspot.com
Brilliant!! Usually the ladder is stored in hiding in the attic somewhere.. but you make it look so good, that I want to go get it out and give it a fresh bright coat of paint and then flaunt in the living room!!
Brilliant!!!
Great idea…Never thought of this one…I’m new to your blog but following it ever so closely now!! 🙂
LINDO TRABALHO,PARABÉNS.:)) VALÉRIA.(BRASIL).
fantastic!!!