Wood Ladder for Guest Bedroom

Whether you enjoy overnight guests or maybe not so much, it’s almost that time of year. Children will be out of school, roads will be clear and dry and we will all likely be thinking “road trip.”  Now that we are empty nesters we are making a bedroom for guests on a budget.  When your budget is $200 and includes making the Farmhouse bed, it means you need to be very thrifty with simple accessories like this wood blanket ladder.

I hang pretty towels in the bathrooms mostly for display and place hand towels on the counters for use.  We take a fresh bath towel from the linen closet as we need them; guests don’t know that and often ask me about needing a bath towel.

On top of that Herman is always warm and I am always cold.  I layer up and Herman keeps the house cold.  I pile on blankets for when Herman is away and he removes them when he is home.  I, therefore, provide extra blankets just in case guests find it cold.

We had some leftover lumber so I asked Herman to build a ladder for the guest room.  The room is rather small especially with a double bed in it, so I wanted the ladder small and not overwhelming to the room.  As always the sweetheart went to the shop for me.

Supplies for DIY Wood Blanket Ladder

2 – 2″by 2″ boards

2 – 1′ by 2″ boards

Paint

80, 120, 220 grit sandpaper

Building the DIY Ladder

Sand all boards very well  with 80, and then 120 sand paper.  Use an electric sander if you prefer.

Cut the 2″ by 2″ lumber  to 6.5 feet lengths for the sides of your ladder.

Measuring the ladder lung placement from the bottom. Mark the placements at 20, 36, 50 and 62 inches from the bottom. Do this on both side boards.

This ladder is tapered at the top and widens out towards the bottom.  Because of the tapering the rungs of your ladder get wider as you work towards the floor.

You need to cut four cross pieces for the rungs, in 17 1/2, 18 1/2, 19 1/2 and 21 1/2″ lengths

Place the long boards at 15-degree angle.  Start placing the cross pieces.  Place the 21 1/2 inch board on the bottom and work your way up.  You will have about one inch overhang on each side.

Attach the rungs to the long uprights with the air nailer or screws.  Fill any large knots or cracks with wood filler if needed..

Sand the ladder by hand with 220 sand paper.

Apply primer, sand with 120 and 220 sandpaper.

Apply three coats of paint sanding between coats.

This is a really small project, but I think the guests will find it handy to know where the towels and extra blankets are.

I eventually made this little scent filled pouch to add to the side of my farmhouse ladder.  It use it to fill the room with seasonal scents.