DIY Rustic Blanket Ladder – Scrap Wood

From Scrap Wood To Blanket Ladder

Firstly, you don’t have to go out and buy lumber if you have some scrap wood. I pick up old weathered pieces here and there because I know at some point, I will use them on something, like this scrap wood blanket ladder. But by all means, you can purchase new lumber for less than $10 for this project.

Supplies List For This Project

• Scrap Lumber (alternative… 2 5ft 2X3 boards)
• Wooden Clothes Rod (alternative… 4 16′ 2X2 boards for the rungs)
• Surfprep Sander (to smooth rough wood) Use my discount code DOIT10 for an additional 10% off when purchased.
• Chop Saw (or whatever wood saw you use)
• Wood Screws (decorative screws are nice but not necessary)
• Drill (to pre-drill holes in wood)
• Cotton (chalk mineral paint)
• Silkscreen Stencil (because I’m extra)

Sanding Scrap Wood Before Building The Blanket Ladder

First things first… after you have your lumber cut to the size you want, make sure to sand the wood before assembling. I sanded down the wood to a smooth finish. This will prevent snags and damage to your blankets or quilts that you’ll be hanging from your blanket ladder.

Assembling The Blanket Ladder

This may be simplistic, but it works for me. I like to layout the wood on the floor like a puzzle and line it all up. This method helps me so much because I suck at math. 😏 I can’t see it in my head like most builders. So, here is how I find the centers for my rungs on the blanket ladder.

*This project isn’t the typical size of a regular ladder as most have 5 (steps) rungs. So, the length of the rails will determine how many rungs you want on your blanket ladder.

STEP 1

Find the centers of your rails where the rungs are to be attached. The typical rungs have a 12″spacing, so that’s what I did—Mark the centers to be visible with a marker or pencil.

STEP 2

Secondly, predrill the holes in the rails using a drill bit just a size bigger than the wood screw. You’ll want it to slide through the hole but be snug. This will eliminate cracks and splintering of the wood when it’s drilled into place. Next, predrill the holes in the center of the rungs with a drill bit a size smaller than the screw. This will ensure that the wood screw has a tight fit in the wood and makes the blanket ladder strong and sturdy.

STEP 3

Now, it’s time to assemble your blanket ladder. It’s helpful if you have a helper for this part, but it can be done with two hands, legs, and a determination not to ask the hubby for help. 🙌 And how about those boots??? If you are in and out of the workshop like I am, you’re going to need a great pair of boots to protect your feet. These boots are so comfy and warm. They’re perfect for the winter months. CLICK HERE to see where to purchase online.

STEP 4 Optional… Blanket Ladder (I’m Fancy!)

This part of the DIY blanket ladder project is totally optional, but I like adding a subtle fanciness to my projects. Because you know… I’m extra that way. 😀

Dixie Belle Paint Co. sent me these new Silkscreen Stencils, and I’ve been dying to try them. I wasn’t sure they would work well on the wood because of the rustic wood’s rough texture, but they worked out perfectly for the look I wanted to achieve.

The stencils come in sheets, and they have many patterns to choose from. Because the area I wanted to stencil was narrow, I opted to cut the design in strips. The silkscreen stencils have a sticky backing re-usable up to 10 times, depending on the surface you’re working on. I like this one.

How To Apply A Silkscreen Stencil On Wood

Before the application, be sure the wood you are stenciling on is clean, free of dust, and smooth for the best results. Rub over the stencil gently once in place to make sure the sticky back adheres properly. Next, use the plastic spatula applicator in the package to apply a minimal amount of chalk mineral paint over the stencil. You will need very little paint for this. Remove excess with the scraper before removing the stencil. If you are worried about the paint running off of the stencil, use paper tape to cover the edges before applying the paint.

Remove the silkscreen stencil immediately after the application of chalk mineral paint. Rinse the silkscreen stencil in water and dry well. Repeat the design if needed. I actually used this design several times before rinsing it off. I had a tad bit of bleed-through, but that was because I was stenciling on an uneven surface, and I applied too much paint. No worries, I have a fix for that too.

Here’s my solution to this problem. For a rustic look, use a 220 grit sandpaper or sanding pad to soften the stencil lines. It turned out beautiful! So fancy!

DIY Blanket Ladder

I couldn’t wait to throw my favorite blankets on my almost new blanket ladder. Well, new to me. And it was almost FREE to make except for a few screws, and the whole process took about an hour. That scrap wood once again has proven to be worth saving.

Do you love this project or have a question? Drop me a comment below or just say “HEY! I always welcome any and all feedback.

Until the next project… xo, Do