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DIY Decorative “Vintage” Wood Ladder

March 3, 2017 by Amy 2 Comments

Last fall I helped my good friend with a few DIY wedding decor projects for her step-daughter’s wedding.  The wedding turned out so beautiful. It was held at a venue with a large open grass field and a unique old barn as the backdrop. The colors for the wedding were mint, gray, white and champagne and all of the decor had a rustic flare to tie in with the barn.  One of the DIY wedding decor projects was for a vintage wood ladder inspired by this one.  I made the ladder rails and steps a little bit wider than the inspiration ladder to make it easier to place decorations on the steps.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

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*** Warning – This ladder is for decorative purposes only, do not use for climbing. ***

How to Build a Decorative Vintage Wood Ladder

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Materials

  • 3 – 1″ x 6″ x 8′ boards (this is the size I used, but the plan will work for whatever board width you’d like.)
  • 2 – 1″ x 3″ x 8′ boards
  • 1 1/2″ minimum length screws (I used 1 5/8″ deck screws leftover from another project)
  • 4 – 1 1/4″ screws
  • 2 – 2″ hinges
  • rope or twine – optional
  • staples – optional

Cut List

  • 2 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 63 7/8″ with 20 deg miter cuts on both ends, see cut diagram – front rails
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 19 1/2″ – top
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 18″ – back board
  • 4 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ – steps
  • 2 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 57 1/2″ – back rails
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 19 1/2″ – top extra
  • 1 – 3/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 18″ – cross brace

Cut Diagram

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

I made two vintage wood ladders. I started out with these reclaimed wood boards from an old barn that I salvaged.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

I cut the boards up according to the cut list (these are only the 1×6 size boards).

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

On the inside face of the front rail boards, I marked 12 3/4″ up from the bottom 4X (12 3/4″, 25 1/2″, 38 1/4″, 51″), marking both the front and back edges.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Marking front edge, repeat for back edge.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

I used a straight edge to connect the marks.  This line will be the top of the ladder step.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Drill countersink holes in the front rails, where the steps attach, 2 holes for each side of the step.  Line-up the top of stair step with the line drawn on front rails. I used 1 5/8″ screws to attach the step to the front rails.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

I used a clamp to assist while attaching the steps to the rail.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Repeat the same process to attach the front rail on the other side of the steps. Overhang the top board about 3/4″ in the front and center it side to side. Drill countersink holes and attach it to the top of the front rails with screws.  Add the extra top piece the same way, the amount of hangover on the back of the extra top piece doesn’t really matter.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Attaching the top board with screws.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

I marked 5 3/4″ down from the top of the front rail (back side).  I drilled countersink holes and attached the back board with screws.

 

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

On the 2 back rail boards, mark 12″ up from the bottom. Spread the back rails so they are 18″ apart (outside edges).  Attach the 18″ cross brace to the back rails at the 12″ mark using 1 1/4″ screws.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

To mount the hinges, I laid the ladder down with the backside up. Then I placed the back rails on the ladder and marked the holes for the hinge screws. If needed drill a pilot hole for the hinge screws.  I attached the hinges to the back board and back rails.

If you want to make sure the ladder legs don’t spread to far, you can add rope or twine between the front and back rails. I usually just tie a knot in the twine and staple it to the wood just above the knot.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Free plans to build a DIY decorative vintage wood ladder. This vintage inspired ladder makes a unique display for weddings and home decor.

Download the free Vintage Wood Ladder plans —> HERE

Here’s a few more pictures from the wedding set up, my friend did lots of fun DIY projects.  Here is the wedding entrance with a cute saying on a DIY chalkboard easel.

Wedding entrance 'Welcome to Our beginning" with a DIY chalkboard easel.

The LOVE marquee sign makes a fun statement piece.

DIY LOVE marquee sign perfect for weddings.

The lemonade stand got a new look, it’s pretty in mint! 🙂

Lemonade stand

My friend made a bunch of these super cute gray planter boxes for the centerpieces. The boxes are made from free pallets!  I love them, and they are darling filled with hydrangeas and baby’s breath.

Gray planter box centerpiece with hydrangeas and baby's breath. Rustic DIY wedding decor.

Thanks for stopping by.

Linked to Link parties, Remodelaholic

Related

Filed Under: Built From Scratch, Free Woodworking Plans, Home Decor, Projects, Upcycle Tagged With: barn wood, barnwood, DIY Wedding, ladder, wedding decor

Attention: Any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your work site. Hertoolbelt LLC will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

Comments

  1. Michelle Paige says

    March 3, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    This is so beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Aarsun Woods says

    December 2, 2017 at 4:00 am

    I love your post on ways to use vintage wood ladders….Thank you for all the great ideas!!! Beautifully done!

    Reply

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