How to Build a Ladder Shelf

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Are you running out of storage space? Do you want more surface space to propagate your indoor plants to save money? A ladder shelf is chic and offers plenty of space to show off your interior décor style!

Rather than buying ordinary shelves, you could simply learn to DIY a ladder shelf! Even if you have never built a furniture piece, you could learn how to build this simple ladder shelf over the weekend! Go ahead and build yourself a gorgeous personalized furniture piece before the holidays!

Take a look at the tools you will need to assemble and build a stunning ladder shelf!

Tools You Will Need to Build a Ladder Shelf

  • Four 2 x 4 x 8 lumber pieces
  • Three 1 x 6 x 8 lumber pieces
  • Two 1 x 4 x 8 lumber pieces
  • 2 sawhorse brackets
  • Spray-paint
  • Wood stain
  • Miter saw (if cutting lumber yourself)
  • Nail gun
  • Hex screws
  • Screws
  • Wood glue
  • Drill

How to Start Building Your Ladder Shelf

Before you get started, you need to have your lumber pieces cut to size. If you don’t have a miter saw, you can have the lumber cut to size at any home improvement store.

Assembling the Ladder

Once your lumber is cut to size, you can start planning how to assemble your ladder shelf. Measure your ladder supports and ensure that the shelves will fit within the ladder. The first ladder rung should measure 11.5 inches from the bottom of the 2 x 4. All the other rungs should measure 9 inches apart.

Once you know where the ladder rungs are going to be placed, you can attach them to the 2 x 4 pieces using the nail gun and wood glue. After assembling the two ladders, you can attach the sawhorse brackets. If you want to, you can spray paint the brackets any color you want. If you choose to do this, make sure to spray paint them before securing them to the ladder.

Attach the bracket to the top of the ladder (not the bottom that measures 11.5 inches). Slide one bracket over both 2 x 4 ladders and use both the drill and hex screws to secure the bracket. Repeat for the other side of both ladders.

For the final part of the ladder, attach a 2 x 4 in between the sawhorse brackets. Open your ladder and then secure the open placement using screws.

Creating Your Ladder Shelves

Using the 1 x 6 lumber pieces you will construct your four shelves! Place two pieces side by side to create the first shelf at the bottom. Nail the shelves to the ladder directly through the rungs. Repeat for the remaining ladder shelves!

Finish Building the Ladder Shelf

After you are done constructing your ladder shelf, you can go ahead and stain it! There are numerous color options to choose from, so the only limit is your creativity. Once dry, you are done! Go ahead and show off your indoor plants, photo frames, or home décor items.

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