Turn An Old Ladder Into A Showstopping Entryway Organizer Full Of Rustic Charm

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Entryways have a way of becoming magnets for everyday clutter. While you can go out and spend money on a storage console or bench, there's a more creative alternative. An old wooden ladder can be given a second life as an entryway organizer. This upcycle provides an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought furniture, and it will fit nicely into rustic homes. A video from Hometalk shows the simple process of transforming an old ladder into a farmhouse-chic organizer.

In this video, they lean a ladder against a wall and anchor it in place with brackets. The lean-to idea makes it a great addition to a small entryway: It takes up less floor space than many benches or credenzas. A wooden ladder is preferred for this DIY, and an old one will look more rustic. Modern metal and fiberglass ladders look too utilitarian and just aren't decorative, while wood options add old-school charm. To maintain the rustic aesthetic, keep the wood unfinished or use a natural stain. Reclaimed wood works nicely in a rustic entryway, so you don't want it to look too polished. Check thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, or local buy and sell groups to find one if you don't already have one you want to repurpose.

Some ladders might feel secure enough on their own, but it's safest to anchor it to the wall. The best method depends on the type of ladder. For a similar step ladder as in the video, you can use a bracket anchor like the AXYLOEVA Anti-tip Furniture Anchor, screwing it into the top step and affixing it to the wall. For ladders with round rungs, it can be easier to anchor it by the side rails. A video from kateschwanke shows how to make your own with screw eyes, cup hooks, and drywall anchors. Or, you can try anchor straps, like the Booda Furniture Anchors.

A ladder itself won't offer that much storage space: that's when adding hooks comes in. In the Hometalk video, coat hooks and screws are attached to the ladder to provide extra hanging space. For a ladder with round rungs, S-hooks can provide easy, movable storage. It's possible to find bigger options to fit over larger rungs, like the HiGift Large S Hooks. If the wood is soft enough, you can screw cup hooks directly into the bottom of the steps or rungs. These small hooks are the perfect size for key rings and lanyards. For more substantial storage, mount coat hooks on the sides. These offer a spot to hang jackets and heavier accessories. Vintage-inspired options, like the My Fancy Farmhouse Railroad Spike Cast Iron Hooks help stick to a rustic aesthetic.

The entryway isn't the only good location for this DIY. Renters in a shared home can use this ladder storage in the bedroom to create a personal drop zone. If your front door opens into your living space, place the ladder near the door to delineate an entryway area, even if it's technically part of a living or dining room. If you enjoy the homespun look, there are other storage DIYs you can make with wood ladders. You can create a shelf from an A-frame ladder for general storage or repurpose one into a ladder-style shoe shelf to store footwear.