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Wall Mounted Ladder for Blankets or Towels

Create storage for blankets or towels with a beautiful wall mounted ladder.

I love blankets! In the winter they are piled up on the sofa, chairs, and bed. Not such a great storage solution.

So I decided to build a blanket ladder. But instead of one that leaned up against the wall. I wanted one that mounted on the wall leaving the floor under it clear!

I partnered with Kreg Tools to use the Kreg pocket hole jig to make this a fun and simple build. This project is perfect for any beginner woodworker.

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Wall mounted blanket ladder made from wood with two throw blankets on it.

Two Board Build

One of the best parts of this project is it only uses 2 boards for the entire build.

All you need is one 8′ 2×2 board and one 8′ 1×2 board!

Side view of the wall mounted ladder hanging next to a vintage sewing table with blankets on it.

Since you only need a couple boards to build the wall ladder. This is a great project to have some fun with your wood choice.

I used alder wood I had leftover from the dining table build plans. The alder is an inexpensive hard wood. It is a softer hardwood so it is still quite easy to work with.

I love the warm color of it when just sealed. No stain needed!

Close up of the wall mounted wooden ladder with 2 blankets on it.

But you can use this opportunity to build your wall ladder with any wood you want. Try using a wood you have always wanted to work with.

There is no better build to practice working with new species.

Beginner Friendly Build

If you are new to woodworking or using pocket holes this is the perfect project for you!

This simple build will have you using pocket holes in 2 standard lumber sizes. And we use 3 different lengths of screws to learn when each is needed.

Bedroom with wooden wall mounted blanket ladder hanging on the wall with blankets hanging on it and slippers on the floor.

Even though the project is simple to build, I go into detail with the step-by-step tutorial.

My goal is to make sure even the most novice builder will be happy with their new wall mounted ladder! Something they are proud to show off and that makes them eager to get back in the shop.

YouTube thumbnail with play button for DIY Wall Mounted Blanket Ladder video.

How to Build a Wall Mounted Ladder

Tools & Materials

Recommended Tools:

  • Miter saw
  • Kreg pocket hole jig
    • I use the Kreg 720 since I do a lot of builds, but their less expensive 520 jig or 320 jig are great jigs for beginners or small spaces (and I use them in my shop too).
  • Router with round over bit
  • Drill
  • Impact driver (optional, but I love not having to switch bits with the drill)
  • Sander
  • Level
  • Measuring tape
  • Kreg pocket hole clamp

Supplies:

  • Wood products:
    • (1) 2×2 board, 8′ long
    • (1) 1×2 board, 8′ long
  • 1 1/4″ Kreg pocket hole screws
  • 2″ Kreg pocket hole screws
  • 2 1/2″ Kreg pocket hole screws
  • Dry wall anchors
  • 2 1/2″ wood screws

Overall Dimensions

The finished blanket ladder is 18″ wide by 38″ tall and 6 1/4″ deep.

There are 4 slats roughly 9″ apart to hold blankets, towels or throws.

3D SketchUp drawing of the wall mounted blanket ladder with dimensions listed on it.

Cut List

Cut out the pieces according to the easy-to-read cut table in the PDF plans.

Button to buy the printable PDF plans for the wall ladder build.

Usually you want to cut the pieces to length as you build. However, for this project you can cut all the pieces but the back supports before assembly.

Girl cutting 2x2 boards on a sliding compound miter saw for the blanket ladder build.

Add a round over to all 4 edges of the ladder rungs.

This step is totally optional. Feel free to leave the corners square.

Or if you do not have a router but want smooth edges, you can also smooth the corners of the boards with your sander.

Adding a round over to all four edges of a 1x2 board for the ladder rungs.

STEP 1- Assemble the ladder

Set your pocket hole jig up to drill holes in 3/4″ thick material (1x boards are only 3/4″ thick).

Drill 2 pocket holes in the back of all the ladder rung pieces.

To make sure the pocket holes are centered on the 1×2 boards (especially important if you added the round over), measure and mark the center of the boards.

Then line the center line up with the mark on the Kreg pocket hole jig and drill two pocket holes.

Measuring the center of a 1x2 board and then drilling pocket holes with a Kreg pocket hole jig 720 pro.

Measure and mark where you want the rungs on the ladder sides according to the diagram in the printable plans.

Measuring and marking where the ladder rungs will be installed on the ladder sides.

Attach all the rungs to one side piece so they are centered on the 2×2 (they should be 3/8″ in from the front and back).

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to attach all the rungs to one side board.

Attaching the 1x2 rungs to the side of the blanket ladder.

Then attach the rungs to the other side piece. Make sure line up the rungs with the marks.

Secure with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Attaching the second side piece to the blanket ladder with pocket holes.

STEP 2- Add the back slats

Switch your pocket hole jig to drill holes for 1 1/2″ thick material (for the 2×2 boards).

Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of the 4″ long pieces. These pocket holes will overlap each other, but they will still work like normal pocket holes.

Attach the top/bottom blocks to the back top and bottom of the side pieces.

EXPERT TIP:
Position the pieces on the top so the pocket holes face up and on the bottom so the pocket holes face down. This will make it easier to attach and make the pocket holes out of eye-sight when the ladder is hung.

Use wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws to secure.

Attaching the 2x2 pieces to hold the blanket ladder away from the wall.

To hang the ladder on the wall, you will add a 1×2 piece to the back of the top and bottom of the ladder, attached to the 4″ pieces.

Measure to get an accurate measurement for this piece and cut to that measurement.

Attach the back support to the back of the ladder on the blocks using the pocket holes already drilled in them.

Usually 2 1/2″ screws are used when working with 2x lumber. But because you are attaching 1 1/2″ thick wood (2x) into 3/4″ thick wood (1x) you will use 2″ pocket holes screws.

Secure with wood glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

Attaching the back slat to the wall ladder with pocket hole screws.

Fill the pocket holes with wood filler or plugs.

EXPERT TIP:
Make a wood filler that matches your wood nicely by mixing fine sawdust from your project with wood glue. This type of filler is not stainable (since wood glue is not stainable) but is great for non-stained or painted projects.

Filling pocket holes with a mixture of wood glue and sawdust to hide them on the blanket ladder.

STEP 3- Hang the wall ladder

Use 2 1/2″ long wood screws through the back 1×2 into your wall to hang.

You want to make sure at least one screw on each 1×2 is into a wall stud. Use a drywall anchor on the other screw.

Mark where the wall stud will be on the back of the blanket ladder then mark the area for the wall anchor so it is evenly spaced.

Hold the ladder level on the wall. Predrill holes through the back slat for the screws and into the wall to mark the wall anchor.

Leveling the wall mounted ladder on the wall and marking the screw holes.

Add your wall anchors.

Then secure the wall mounted ladder to the wall with the 2 1/2″ long wood screws.

Securing the wooden wall ladder to the wall.

Don’t forget to grab the printable PDF plans here!

Premium plans include:

  • Recommended Tools
  • Materials list
  • Detailed cut list
  • Plywood cut diagrams
  • Step-by-step instructions with 3D renderings
  • Helpful resources
  • BONUS: Easy 1 Page Printable Shopping and Cut List
  • BONUS: 3D SketchUp file

Now your new blanket ladder is all done! And you no longer have to worry about things getting lost behind it because it is mounted high on the wall.

Or you can mount it in a bathroom to use as the perfect towel ladder.

Make it larger or smaller as needed to work best for your needs.

Wall mounted ladder for blankets or towels on a wall in a bedroom with throws on it.

Happy building!

-Kati with picture of blog author Kati

Thank you to Kreg Tools for sponsoring this post. I only recommend products that I use and love and all opinions are 100% my own. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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Shirley

Monday 31st of January 2022

It makes my heart happy to see someone do a project and not take shortcuts! Not only are your projects nicely done and nice to look at but your work ethic is spot on! Meaning I love how you build!

Kati

Monday 21st of February 2022

Thanks so much Shirley. It makes my heart happy to know my projects are appreciated!

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