Build a 7 foot Blanket Ladder for only $25!

I searched the internet for the perfect blanket ladder for my home. I have 9 foot ceilings in my house so I wanted to have a tall one, standing at least 6 foot tall. However, I could hardly find a blanket ladder that tall without breaking my bank. The best price I found online was a 4 foot ladder for $80 (Amazon). But as I was thinking about purchasing it I kept picturing it looking so small beneath my 9 foot ceilings. So I decided that I was going to have to have a taller ladder. I searched a little longer and then decided to build my own ladder. I began watching some videos and trying to read how others did it but no one built one as sturdy and large as I wanted. I decided to just use my basic knowledge and build the ladder my way. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined! I went to the local hardware store and bought three 2x4's, 8 feet long. I also bought a Jigsaw, some Dark Walnut stain, Natural stain and Beige paint. Below is a step by step instructions to building a ladder including the complete materials list and prices. I built this ladder all by myself so you can too!

Ladder dimensions: 7 feet tall, 2 feet wide

Cost of materials: Approximately $25.00

Time to build by myself: 3 hours

Materials

3 (2x4) boards 8 feet long - $3.61 each @ Lowes

Small can of Dark Walnut Stain - $4.98 @ Lowes

Small can of Natural Wood Stain - (Optional) $4.98 @ Lowes

Quart of Beige Paint (or any color close to beige or white will work. I just used beige because I already had that color at my house.)

Sand paper - $1.82 @ Lowes

2 1/4 inch Screws (as long as they are long enough to screw the steps on any screw will work. If you're like me, you will have some screws at your house and not have to buy any.)

Tools

Saw (I used an electric Jigsaw- $25.00 @ Lowes)

Drill with drill bits

Paint brush

Sponge or old cloth for Stain

Measuring Tape

Pencil

Straight edge (ruler, square, etc.)

Step by Step Guide to Building a 7 Foot Blanket Ladder

Before building any large projects, make sure you clear out an area in your garage or outside your house suited for a mess. I built this outside in my yard so that I would not have to be so careful with my paint and stain. The stain and paint will dry much faster outside as long as it is not raining. If it is raining, you can do this project in the garage or under a covered porch. Just make sure you have a tarp or some cardboard put down to allow for accidental messes.

Step 1: Cut (2) of the 2x4 boards at the height of your ladder. I wanted a 7 foot ladder so I measured 7 feet from one end of the board with my measuring tape and made a line with a pencil and my straight edge. Then I cut it with the Saw. Repeat with the second 2x4.

Step 2: Take the uncut 2x4 and measure out the steps for the ladder. I made mine 19 inches each. Measure from the end of the 2x4 to 19 inches and mark. Measure from that mark to 19 inches and mark. Measure from the second mark to 19 inches and mark again. Repeat this until you have marked out 5 steps. Make sure you use the straight edge to make the marks straight so that the cuts will not be crooked.

Step 3: Use the saw and cut along the straight lines to create the steps. Move/throw away excess wood pieces/scraps away from your working area so that you do not accidentally get them mixed up with the ones you want to use.

Step 4: Use the cloth and stain all of the ladder wood with one coat of Dark Walnut stain. Let dry a few minutes.

Step 5: Use the paint brush to brush (lightly without covering) some beige paint onto all the ladder pieces. It is important to not cover the ladder completely or this will affect the rustic wood look that we want to achieve. Just brush the paint on kind of splotchy or patchy. Let dry a few minutes.

Step 6: Sand over the wood pieces to smooth out some of the paint lines and splinters that may be exposed. Sand more around the edges and lightly through the middle areas. Sanding also helps withe the rustic look.

Step 7: Once all the wood has been sanded, add a layer of Natural Wood stain to all of the ladder wood pieces. (This is an optional step.)

Step 8: Now that the wood is stained and painted, it is time to build the ladder. Lay one of the 7 foot 2x4's flat on the ground and mark where you want to screw in your ladder steps. (See image to know where to place steps) Measure 2 feet from one end and mark with a pencil. Then measure 1 foot from that mark and make another mark. Measure 1 foot from that new mark and make another mark. Repeat this process until you have 5 marks. (Make sure to mark a good straight line so that you will not put the steps on crooked)

Step 9: Flip the marked board on it's side so that the narrow side is facing upward and the marks are facing to the side.

Step 10: The steps on the ladder I built are angled upward so that the blankets will fold over neatly. I recommend angling them but you do not have too. So place one step on one of the marked lines and angle it slightly in one direction. (It doesn't matter which direction) Screw the step into the 7 foot board using the drill. Screw it in from the outside of the 7 foot board so that the screw goes through the 7 foot board then into the step. Repeat this process for all 5 steps. Put 2 screws in each step.

Step 11:Once you have attached all steps to one of the 2x4's, put the other 2x4 up against the steps to create the other side of the ladder. Make sure the second 2x4 is even with the other 2x4 so that your ladder will not be crooked when it stands up. Use the measuring tape to help. Screw in the 2x4 to the steps. Put 2 screws in each step.

Step 12: The ladder is now complete! One final step would be to stand it up against your wall and make sure it is not leaning or crooked. If your ladder is crooked, then you can saw off some of the ladder to make it even. Also, if your ladder is scuffing up your wall (like mine was) add some hot glue at the top of your ladder where it touches the wall and let it dry. The glue protects you wall from scratches.

If you have any questions about building the ladder, please email me and I will help any way possible!

Happy building!