Build a Blanket Ladder

Hundreds of years ago American colonists designed their furniture to be much simpler than that of their European counterparts; often ditching ornate details in name of function over form. Makes sense, right? They had to HUSTLE to survive! American colonists’ furniture design trends were also years behind that of their European counterparts because of the ocean and stuff.

Well fast forward to present day and this guy is ALL up to date with the trends (thanks Pinterest). The people have spoken! And the people (my wife) want to store their blankets out in the open…as if drawers were so early 2000s. To be more specific, my wife wants our blankets placed on a ladder.

And while I’m not proud of it…today I’m going to build a blanket ladder. Yes, a ladder for blankets. Colonists (and function over form) be damned.

Difficulty: Beginner
Time Required: Weekend
Cost: Under $50

Materials Required:

2 – 5/4x4x8′ Select Pine (1-3/16″x3.5″x8′ actual size)
2 – 2x2x8′ Pine (1.5″x1.5″x8′ actual size)
1-1/4″ Pocket Screws
Valspar Chalky Finish Paint “Kid Gloves”
Minwax Polycrylic Semi Gloss Polyurethane

Tools Required:

Clamps
Kreg Right Angle Clamp
Kreg Jig & Accessories
Miter Saw
Power Drill
12″ Combination Square
Wood Glue
Elmers Wood Filler
Power Sander or Sanding Block
Sanding Paper
Foam Brush/Paint Brush

Material Cut List:

Main Planks:
2 – 5/4×4’s @ 84″
Bottom of planks cut at 3/4″ in to 18 degrees

Rungs:
6 – 2×2’s @ 17-3/4″

Let’s do this!

We’ll start off with two 1-3/16x4x8’s…

Cut down to 84″.

Let’s jump back into our main 1-3/16×4 boards. We need the bottom of our ladder to sit nice and flush with the floor. So set your miter saw to 18 degrees and chop! This will take about 3/4″ off the board.

Looks good!

After cutting the first board, use it as a template to mark out the angle for the second cut!

Here’s how they look after making the angled cut.

Next we’re going to chop up these 2×2’s to 17-3/4″. We need SIX. These will be our rungs. I’m using douglas fir, but you should use pine or anything but douglas fir. Doug is soft, man.

Sorry Doug.

Six cut and ready to drill!

Set your Kreg Jig set to accommodate 3/4″ material. Using the B & C holes of the jig, pre-drill two holes on each end of your rung. Repeat for all six of the ladder rungs.

Fantastic!

Repeat x6. Thumbs up. You’re the best.

Now let’s mark out where we want our rungs. Measure 10-3/4″ from the top of the each plank and then 1-1/2″ from that mark. Repeat this five more times! The bottom rung will end up being a little less than 10-3/4″ from the edge.

You can use your recently cut rung to make sure your marks are on point. Don’t mess up!

Using a combination square, mark out the centerline of the main planks and the rungs. The centerline of the main planks is 1-3/4″, while the centerline for the rungs is 3/4″.

Glue the bottom of your first rung and then line up your centerlines.

I’ve resisted picking up this Kreg right angle clamp for FOUR YEARS! But after having wood slipping when trying to join it on multiple projects lately, I’ve had enough. This thing keeps everything from moving. Four years and you’ve finally won, clamp!

It slips right into the pocket hole like so.

To secure the first rung, we need 1-1/4″ Pocket Screws.

And wood glue.

The clamp made my life much easier. I normally try to hold the piece down with my left hand while the right uses the drill. The glue makes the piece super slippery, so it almost always moves. Not anymore!

Perfect. Repeat this for all six rungs.

Viola!

Some dudes were hanging out on my lawn under my pear tree. Just like…taking a lunch break. So…I’m confused here. So confused.

Grab a damp rag and wipe any excess glue from your joints!

It’s me, ricky white. I’d like to solve, pat. B L A N K E T  L A D D E R.

But don’t try to climb it…the rungs are doug remember!

Grab some Elmers Wood Filler and…

Open it…

And fill in the holes!

Grab your brush!

And paint! I’m putting three coats of this valspar chalky finish paint, followed by 2-3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic Semi Gloss Polyurethane.

Here’s some final shots of my finished blanket ladder:

Let me know what you think below in the comments or if you have any questions! And if you love it, subscribe to my youtube channel here:goo.gl/5M8oxv

Thanks for reading! Now it’s your turn to build a blanket ladder. What are you waiting for!