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Repurposing an old piece of furniture into something useful and aesthetically pleasing can be an incredibly fulfilling creative outlet. In fact, upcycling can completely change the way you see items in your home that you might have previously discarded. Indeed, DIY upcycling projects turn things that some people might deem trash into treasure. There are plenty of different upcycling projects to choose from, and if you can dream it, you can do it!
One of our favourite pieces of furniture with upcycling potential of late is the ladder. Old wooden ladders in particular are often swapped out for sturdier metal ones. Instead of tossing the ladder completely, you can always use it to make a bedside table, vertical garden planter, or even a bookcase! Today we will be discussing how you can make the latter out of a ladder.
Like any project, we must first collect the ingredients for success. Turning a ladder into a bookshelf can be done in a variety of different ways. The most classic example involves taking two ladders and arranging them so that they’re facing each other, then sliding boards through the rungs to make shelves.
To get a better understanding of this version, check out the shelving unit by Barnby & Day featured above. For this kind of ladder bookcase, we need two ladders—preferably made of wood, as many wooden planks as you’d like for there to be shelves, whatever you’d like to put on the shelves, and that’s it! Alternative forms of the ladder bookshelf can only require one ladder, where the wooden shelves are nailed to the rungs. Alternatively, the rungs could be replaced with wider planks for shelving.
Now, considering that this is an upcycling project, we would wager that the supplies you’ve gathered have been left over from previous uses. If you haven’t bought the ladders or boards new, we recommend giving them a good clean before assembling the bookshelf.
The cleaning procedure will depend on the kinds of materials you purchased, but a basic wipe down with some wood polish or multi-purpose spray and a rag should be sufficient. If you purchased anything at a flea market or happened upon these discarded items, it’s important to check for signs of life. Look in the cracks and crevices for black and white specks or holes, which could be a sign of bugs or termites. Finally, this is a good opportunity to adding a coat of glaze or paint if you’d like to personalise the bookshelf further.
For a fully polished look you’ll want to make sure the boards are the same size. To find out, simply use a measuring tape to check the size of each board. They should be uniform in size, shape and texture.
If you’d like to do something a bit more unique, you could mix and match the materials used for each shelf. For example, you could alternate industrial planks like these ones with raw wooden boards to add a rustic feel. Even in this scenario, however, try to keep the boards the same size to ensure optimal success with the project.
Now, it’s time to assemble! This project is quite easy, and there are plenty of different ways you can fasten the boards to the ladder. The simplest option is to simply slide the boards into place and secure them through the weight of the books you stack on the shelves.
This strategy won’t work for everyone, however. Other options include screwing or nailing them in place. Alternatively, fastening the boards with twine is always a possibility for those less confident using a drill or a hammer. The example featured above depicts shelves that were drilled in place and then tied with twine for reinforcement.
Now that the assembly process is over, all you have left to do is arrange the books and other items you’d like to place on the shelves to create your new home library! Arrange books, decorations, and plants on the shelves however you please.
Since your new bookcase will have several narrow shelves, it is wise to organise the books into sections, based on colour, size, or subject. In fact, the multiple levels of the bookshelf is one of its greatest assets as it will help you keep your library orderly and make it easier to find the book you need quickly.
In case we didn’t already have you convinced about turning your old ladder into a bookshelf, you don’t actually have to confine its use to the library. Ladders are durable and can withstand the elements. This wooden structure would go splendidly in any garden. Climbing plants could even cover the frame of the ladder over time.
Simply place some pots or planters on top of the shelves instead of books. Instead of adding boards for shelves, you could even insert planters into the ladder for a true vertical garden. This is an excellent option for those with limited space in the garden, courtyard, or balcony.
For more DIY inspiration, check out this guide to using washi tape to enhance the look of your home.
