Here’s How to Build an Easy DIY Blanket Ladder

A blanket ladder can bring rustic charm to your living room, bedroom, or even your bathroom. It’s also an easy DIY project you can do in a few hours. All you need is a bit of lumber and a few basic tools. Follow DIY expert Keisha Boutilier’s easy steps to build your own blanket ladder!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

* Two 6-foot long 2”x 3” Boards (spruce or pine will do just fine) 

• One 6-foot long 1” Round Dowel 

• BeautiTone Paint Can Sample Kit 

• MINWAX Polycrylic Protective Finish - Clear Satin 

• Wood Glue 

• 1” Forstner Drill Bit 

• Paint Brush 

• Painters Tape 

• Mitre Saw 

• Locking C-Clamps 

• Portable Drill 

• Rubber Mallet

* Lumber may vary depending on your location. To see all your options, use our Store Locator to find the Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Building Centre closest to you.

Here’s How to Make It:

Every Fall and Winter we bring out the blankets we have stored away awaiting the cooler seasons. I’ve always loved the idea of a blanket ladder: it’s an attractive piece of décor, it displays our beautiful blankets, and it’s easy to grab one whenever needed. So Drew and I decided to build one, which turned out to be really easy to make (and budget-friendly!). First, I came up with some measurements and a template plan that fit our design. Then we headed out to our local Home Hardware to pick up the supplies. We didn’t need a lot but the staff there was extremely helpful and friendly.

Step 1: Angle-Cut the Ladder Legs

Using a mitre saw, we cut a 10-degree angle at the bottom of both of our 2”x 3” boards. These are our ladder legs and angle-cutting them will allow the bottom of the ladder to rest flat on the ground for stability.

Step 2: Measuring & Marking

We measured and marked one-foot increments along both sides of our 2” x 3” boards. We made sure the marks on both boards align as these are where we drill holes to fit the dowels.

Step 3: Cutting the Dowels & Dowel Holes

We used a C-Clamp to secure our 6-foot long dowel and cut our ladder rods. We needed five ladder rods, each one 15” long. Using the same clamping method, we drilled out the dowel sockets with a 1” forstner bit. The sockets were drilled 5/8” deep to give the dowels plenty of strength.

Step 4: Assembling the Ladder

We covered the ends of each dowel with wood glue and fitted them into the dowel holes. We tapped the ladder legs together with a rubber mallet, then clamped the joined pieces to dry and set.

Step 5: Painting the Ladder

We allowed the glue to dry for 24 hours, then measured and taped off half of the ladder for painting. After the paint dried, we coated the ladder with a polycrylic clear satin finish to protect it.

I absolutely love the look of our new blanket ladder! Having the one side painted gives it a soft and modern look. Such a fun twist on a blanket ladder. I really appreciate the dowel look as well because it further softens the lines and makes it easier for the kids to pull blankets off.