I started and finished a solo project this Memorial Day weekend. It was such a quick and easy project that not only provides functionality but a design element as well.
I don't know about you, but I love me some good blankets. It doesn't matter the temperature you will typically find me with a blanket close by. Whether it's to keep me warm on a brisk day, sit on at the sidelines during a soccer game, sometimes I use them to clean up a coffee spill while I'm driving or to cover up my car seats when the dog rides along.
With my love of blankets comes a lack of storage space or an overflowing linen closet {a project I need to tackle soon}. I've seen a variety of storage options and one that I'm drawn to the most is the blanket ladder it's practical and adds a great vertical design element.
I've seen blanket ladders starting around $35 and I've seen some priced as high as $100. Or you can make one for under $25!
Here's what you need:
2 - 0.75" x 1.5" x 6' pine trim boards {purchased mine from The Home Depot for $5.24 ea.}
1 - 0.75" x 6' dowel {purchased mine from The Home Depot for $5.12}
10 - 1-1/4" wood screws {You can buy Everbilt packet of 3 for .98 at The Home Depot}
Miter Saw {RYOBI Sliding Miter Saw}
Drill {This is a great RYOBI starter kit and included the drill bits and power bits needed below}
Stain and/or paint of choice
I started removing the stickers and lightly sanding the pine boards and the dowel {just to remove any uneven spots and remaining stickiness}. Then wiped them down with a clean cotton rag. Once all the dust was removed I used Minwax Pre Stain Wood Conditioner on each of the pieces of wood.
In full transparency, I never used to use a wood conditioner, however, I used it on my last project and what a difference it made. The stain went on so smooth and the color was way more even.
Once the wood conditioner was applied, I applied the Minwax Early American Stain with a cotton rag. Tip: make sure you use gloves during this process. Once the stain is applied to all four sides of the pine board I wiped off the excess stain. Repeat with the process with the second pine board and follow with the wood dowel. Once all the stain had dried I applied Minwax Paste Finishing Wax in Natural.
After about 20 minutes the finishing wax had dried and it was time to measure where I wanted the wood dowels to be placed.
The first dowel I measured 7" from the top of the pine trim board and then every 12" until I had five marks going down the board.
Next, I measured the middle of the board from the original spacing mark, to ensure my dowels would be centered in the middle of the pine boards.
From there I drilled pilot holes, where my marks were made with my RYOBI Drill and drill bits. Once I had the pilot holes drilled I clamped the second piece of pine to the first and used it as a guide to drill the pilot holes in that one. It's really important to make sure you have the boards completely lined up and double and triple check the alignment before drilling each whole otherwise you may end up with misaligned steps.
Once the pilot holes were drilled I enlarged them utilizing a 13/64" drill bit so the 1-1/4" wood screws would fit through. Then, I used a Countersink to drill a little wider to ensure my screws sat flush with the wood {this is completely optional and personal preference, I just used a countersink on a previous project and liked it}. With the right and left side rails done, on to the steps.
The wood dowel, I measured 12.5" down until I had five pieces and cut using my RYOBI Miter Saw. Now was the tricky part, finding the center of each dowel to drill a pilot hole. Here is what I ended up doing. I cut a small piece off of the leftover dowel (see picture below) and found the center to create a jig.
with all the pilot holes drilled in the dowels it was time to assemble. I started with the right side securing all dowels to the right side rail and repeated on the left-hand side. Then tightened all the screws.
Now, if you don't own the bulk of the items above the cost will most definitely be more than $25 but if all you need to do is purchase some wood, screws and sandpaper it can easily be accomplished under $25 and it's a unique hand built piece.
I'm pretty happy with the end result!
Have you made any blanket ladders? I'd love to see them! Share them here!
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