An old ladder gets retired to my closet as a ladder shoe rack!

Dec 21 2015
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I’m sure I’m not the only one who has seen the amazing things done with old ladders on pinterest! My favorite of all time was an old ladder shoe rack and I just happened to have an old ladder myself! It was Grandpa’s and was used out here on the farm for many decades before being hung up on the side of the old garage where it hung for years upon years, just waiting for retirement. I never have the heart to part with anything I can make use out of and, from day one upon seeing this ladder, I tucked it away for just this purpose in my master bedroom closet! I knew it would make a fantastic ladder shoe rack for all of my high heels and, not to mention, beautiful throws and scarfs that I keep collecting… Ok, maybe “hoarding” would be another way of putting it, but I love them! And, I’m certain, one day I will wear them all at some point…

UPDATE: Go and check out my Master Closet reveal to see this project in action!

An old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIYAn old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIY

You can see at the top of the ladder it still holds that AMAZING old hardware. You can’t really see it in the pictures but one of the rungs on the ladder was actually broken off one side and, initially, I had planned to make my cut to remove that so all of the rungs would be really stable.

However, after making my measurements, I realized I would have to cut the top off the ladder to remove the broken rung and, thus, lose that beautiful old hardware. So, that was a no go!

So, I cut the bottom off of the ladder and I was left with a mini ladder with four rungs that will definitely be finding another purpose somewhere in my home!

I love the dark gray of the wood, I love the old paint spills probably from when Grandpa painted the barn or the house decades ago!

When I made the cuts to remove the bottom portion of the ladder, I cut them at an angle with my jig saw so it would stand and lean better. I also put felt stickers on the bottom to protect my hardwood floors from my new ladder shoe rack.

An old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIYAn old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIY

I had the perfect spot in my master bedroom closet for the ladder, tucked in the corner across from my white tufted leather hassock and right beside the door to my bathroom.

I started digging and found all of my high heels and pretty throws that have been in storage for three years! I do believe I am do for a time to dress up all pretty and wear those high heels! As a ladder shoe rack I can’t believe how well it works!

I was actually disappointed to realize that I had purged all but five pairs of heels from my collection when I moved two years ago.

I might be a bit of a hoarder but, when it comes to things I won’t use, I’m just the opposite, if its going to be in a bin in storage for ten years without my ever looking at it, touching it, or needing it, I’m going to donate it. Which is what I did with what must have been at least a dozen pairs of high heels that I never wore.

An old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in my master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIYAn old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in my master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIYAn old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIY

I did not, however, get rid of a single scarf or throw and I am so glad I didn’t! Now I have a beautiful place to hang all of them and shoe them off with the few high heels I have left!

The old hardware at the top of the ladder was perfect for dangling several of my pretty throws. And all of the rungs (even the broken one!) supported the rest of my scarfs, throws and shoes with no problem!

I can’t believe just how much use that can be had out of an old ladder! I wish I had a couple more of them because I would definitely put one in my living room as a blanket rack!

Thanks for stopping by guys and please consider sharing my ladder shoe rack – every share and visit helps keep my little farm running and helps me with future projects too! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

An old ladder off the farm is retired into a ladder shoe rack in our master bedroom closet @GrandmasHousDIYOld antique wood ladder wooden working show rack in our master bedroom for high heals how to diy do it yourself upcycling recycling

Comments

  1. Jessica
    December 24, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    I love this!! How clever! Your dark walls and that bathroom!!! Gorgeous!!!

    Reply
  2. chris aka monkey
    December 26, 2015 at 4:56 am

    i love how you have so much respect for your grands stuff, i am 66 and it is so nice to see xx pinned

    Reply
  3. Sarah
    May 12, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    Very clever use of your ladder. I’m going to remember this idea. ‘-)

    Reply
  4. Diana Petrillo
    May 18, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Such a clever idea, Tarah! It’s as if it were made to hold shoes. I wish I had the space for one–maybe if I move a few things around…thanks so much for linking up with Vintage Charm 🙂

    Reply
  5. Mimi
    June 30, 2016 at 1:01 am

    Absolute genius Tarah! I adore old ladders too. This is so clever. Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou-Frou this week. Love, Mimi xxx

    Reply
  6. Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
    July 5, 2016 at 8:37 am

    What a wonderful solution! I’d like to feature this post today at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    Reply
  7. Kailyn
    July 20, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    What a great idea! Thanks for sharing on Welcome Home Wednesday

    Reply
  8. Helen Fern
    August 9, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    What a great idea! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY link up!

    Reply
  9. Cathy Lawdanski
    August 16, 2016 at 2:00 am

    Love it! It turned out just great. Good job. Thanks for sharing with #overthemoon!

    Reply
  10. sahana
    August 22, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Such a genius idea. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have again next week.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      August 22, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Sahana, thank you for coming by!!

      Reply
  11. Tammy
    September 1, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I love this!

    Here from the Homestead Blog Hop!

    Tammy

    http://www.simplypreparing.com

    Reply
  12. Joanne E Boulter
    September 2, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    I love the ladder! Thank you for sharing it at SYC! xx Jo

    Reply
  13. Frugal Hausfrau
    September 4, 2016 at 5:45 am

    That’s a fun idea~and who doesn’t need more storage space in an old house, plus it makes a gorgeous display.

    Thanks for sharing this at Throwback Thursday this week.

    Mollie

    Reply
  14. Jann Olson
    September 6, 2016 at 3:29 am

    I have a bit of a ladder fetish! I have a similar one leaning against my porch pillar with a Clematis growing up it. Love what you did with yours, and yes; I love the character that the chippiness and paint splatters give to it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 6, 2016 at 3:03 pm

      Jann, I totally get! Old ladders are SO cool, I have two others that I’m trying to come up with something to do with, one from each of my Grandpa’s 🙂 Thanks for coming by!

      Reply
  15. Holly McCall {McCall Manor}
    September 7, 2016 at 3:53 pm

    What a great idea! I love old ladders and this is an extremely clever way to use one! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. Carla a.k.a Mrs. R
    September 7, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Hi Tarah, what an awesome idea! Like you I purged a lot of my older heels when I was cleaning out my closet. When it comes to clothes and shoes I use the 1 year rule. If you haven’t worn it in a year it’s time to donate it. I wish my closet was large enough to do this. I love it! Thanks for sharing with us at #SimplifyWednesdays Pinned, Shared, Tweeted

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 7, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      Hey Carla, my biggest fault when it comes to keeping clothes is that they’re still “nice” and “good” so I want to keep them even though somehow along the way I got to hate them and will probably never wear them lol. So, now I keep a donate bin right there in my closet for my husband and me, if I put it on and don’t like it for a split second I take it off and throw it in the bin! Thanks for commenting!!

      Reply
  17. Leslie
    September 9, 2016 at 4:18 am

    Oh, I love this! Ladders are useful in so many ways. It looks like the ladder you salvaged has the perfect amount of rustic charm, too.

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 9, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you! I love being able to recycle things like this from my grandparents when a lot of folks would just scrap them!

      Reply
  18. Jess
    September 9, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    What a neat idea!!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    Reply
  19. Vanessa
    September 12, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    I love this old ladder. How lovely and looks so much better in your room. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.

    Reply
  20. Audra @ Renewed Projects
    September 13, 2016 at 12:45 am

    wow! This is the cutest shoe/scarf holder I have seen yet! LOVE it! And that rusty hardware at the top is a major score, glad you kept those rusty gems attached!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      September 13, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks Audra! As soon as I saw the old hardware I knew I had to keep it!

      Reply
  21. Mother of 3
    September 13, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    Such a cute idea! I love how you can see all the scarves at a glance!

    Reply
  22. Lisa Ehrman
    September 16, 2016 at 1:52 am

    What a beautiful ladder, and I’m glad you saved the top hardware. Thanks for sharing your great project at Together on Tuesdays 🙂

    Reply
  23. Rania
    September 17, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    That’s a great way of utilizing old pieces. I have an old ladder in my place too that I love but don’t have anything hanging on it. It just serves as decor.

    http://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2016/06/06/diy-pallet-projects-organize-beautify-home/

    Reply
  24. Pam
    October 10, 2016 at 11:06 am

    Love this transformation! What a unique way to use a ladder. I’ve seen them as blanket holders before but never as a shoe holder!

    Reply
  25. Jennifer Bly
    October 12, 2016 at 2:38 am

    What a unique, creative, and beautiful idea! I love it (and I love the worn look of that ladder)!

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely evening.
    xoxo

    Reply
  26. Julie Syl Pit Stop Crew
    October 15, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    What a brilliant idea to repurpose a old ladder. Something pretty clever I must say. Thanks for sharing at the Pit Stop!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      October 17, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you Julie! I love that I have a safe place for my high heals now!

      Reply
  27. Ryan
    February 1, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    What a creative idea! My wife loves old ladders and wants to do something like this! Love how it turned out, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      February 2, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      It was SO easy Ryan! And it really turned into one of my favorite projects! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  28. Gentle Joy Homemaker
    March 31, 2017 at 11:26 am

    It is so nice when a project turns out well and ends up being just what you wanted it to be! Your ladder rack looks great.

    Reply
  29. Jen Gregor
    April 4, 2017 at 6:49 am

    Love this! Such a good idea. Thanks for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up!

    Reply
  30. Leanna
    May 1, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    Hi Taralynn. I really enjoy reading your posts that include a repurpose of a family heirloom. Its a beautiful thing to see. This ladder is perfect what a great keepsake and useful article as well.

    Reply
  31. Lina
    June 6, 2017 at 9:53 am

    I love the idea! Thanks for sharing at Sew It Cook It Craft It.

    Reply
  32. Emily @ The Mommyhood Moments
    June 15, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    That is so nifty! Funny thing – last night I was talking to the fiancé about redoing our closets and had a vision of using a ladder in it! <3 So this is just fabulous! (:

    Reply
    • Tarahlynn
      June 15, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks so much Emily! I can’t believe how well it works for my shoes and everything!

      Reply
  33. Heavenly Bodies
    June 22, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    I don’t wear heels because I am tall, but I can see how this project could be revamped. So awesome pinned and shared, followed you from the Thoughtful Thursdays party.

    Reply
  34. Gentle Joy Homemaker
    July 19, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    It’s nice to see the way your project turned out… looks wonderful! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Mac
    September 19, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    I love how you value things from your loved ones and turn them into something more useful. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  36. Lisa (mummascribbles)
    October 28, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    This is so fab! I just love your posts – most people would just take stuff to the dump but you find wonderful new uses for them. Awesome. Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

    Reply
  37. Lisa Pomerantz
    December 9, 2017 at 12:07 am

    What a great idea for a ladder. I have seen them used in bathrooms to hold bath towels. Either way, I love re-use! #ThatFridayLinky xoxo

    Reply

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