This was a very budget friendly project that took very minimal time to complete. The finished product looks high end, but the cost was less than six dollars!!
I love farmhouse décor, and I wanted to add a quilt ladder to my living room. I shopped around but I could not find one that was less than $45.00, so I finally decided to go with a more budget friendly option and make it myself.
I was able to purchase two 8ft pieces at Home Depot for $2.46 each. I am not very trusting of my skills with large size cutting tools, so luckily Home Depot offers a free service of cutting the wood you purchase at no extra charge. I gave my specifications to cut both down to 6ft and with the extra 4ft that were left I had them into four, one foot sections.
Measure the two 6 foot pieces, and mark one foot in between with a measuring tape. This will give you the space that is needed between each step that will be attached. Place a marking on the outside where you will follow a pattern to screw or nail your hardware, you will repeat this for each step on both sides.
Using an electric or manual screw driver begin to screw into each marking made until it goes through the frame and the one foot piece, continue this on both sides for each of the four one foot sections. You can also use 1 -1/ 2 inch nails and a hammer.
When the four steps are attached to the six foot frame on both sides, the two feet that are left should be at the bottom of the ladder, intended to keep the last step two feet up from the floor.
Choose a stain color and remember to pre-stain the wood using a wood conditioner. Using the pre stain conditioner allows the stain to soak into the wood more evenly, for a smooth finish. I used Jacobean by Minwax for this project.
After completing the stain, wipe down any excess and allow it enough time to fully dry. I would suggest about 2-3 hours before placing any items on the ladder just to be safe and to avoid any bleeds from the stain onto the quilt fabric.
The finished product is absolutely beautiful and I love displaying it in my living room with my cozy quilts. This project was not just an addition to my décor, but a convenient way to grab a comfy quilt when curled up on the couch with a great book…. and lets not forget that this DIY was under $6 dollars!!!!!
DIY QUILT LADDER
Materials
- TWO - 1inch x 2 inch x 8 boards
- Wood stain
- Wood stain conditioner
- 1-2 cloths
Tools
- Electric Drill (Screwdriver) or Manual Screwdriver
- Screws -1 1/2 inch
- Measuring Tape
Instructions
- Have both 8 foot boards cut to 6 feet
- Have the 4 feet boards left, cut into 1 foot sections
- Measure and mark 1ft areas on each side of the 6ft boards
- Screw into each of the previous markings made on both sides of the boards, going through the board and each of the one foot steps.
- Condition all sides and each piece of all the wood pieces
- Stain all sides and each Piece of all the wood pieces
- With a dry cloth wipe any excess stain from all areas of the Ladder
- Let dry for approximately 2-3 hours
- Add decorative items/quilts
