I’m sharing 10 decorative ladder ideas to inspire the creative use of ladders in your home.
Whether you have a vintage ladder that’s been in your family for years or you’re eyeing a decorative ladder in a more modern design, there are so many fun ways you can use them in your home. Today I’m sharing 10 of my favorite decorative ladder ideas to get your creative juices flowing! (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
1. Drape Blankets Over the Rungs
The most common way to use decorative ladders is by draping quilts and throws on their rungs, making them perfect for use in a living room or bedroom. You can use decorative ladders of any size but if you want to store larger quilts or comforters, a wide ladder like {this one} is best:
It’s actually a fun way to bring some color, pattern, and softness into a space.
2. Hang Towels in a Bathroom
Similarly, you could use a decorative ladder such as {this paint dipped ladder} to hang your towels on in a bathroom:
For this use, make sure you’re using a ladder that’s sealed and/or can withstand the moisture from wet towels. Teak ladders are often a good choice because teak is a material that can withstand moisture.
3. Create Basket Storage Space
Want a ladder that will add a ton of extra storage space to your room? The design of {this ladder} is so smart! The “rungs” are actually storage shelves that you can place baskets on to store toiletries, towels, and other bathroom accessories:
Also check out {this ladder with baskets} that has a similar concept but with baskets at the perfect heights to use the ladder for storage over a toilet:
4. Decorate as Seasonal Decor
Decorative ladders can be fun to dress up seasonally! For Christmas several years ago, I wound a garland around the rungs of a decorative ladder and attached string lights, mini lanterns, and some of the Christmas cards we had received:
5. Use It As a Plant Stand
You can buy decorative ladders like {this short ladder} with shelves spanning the rungs that make it the perfect plant stand:
Or you can create your own ladder plant stand with a vintage ladder by simply adding your own shelves spanning the rungs.
6. Create Hanging Storage Space
It you’re using a decorative ladder that has thin, round rungs like {this ladder}, you can hang woven or wire baskets from the rungs to create hanging storage space in just about any room of your home:
7. Suspend It From The Ceiling
This idea is a bit out there but it’s definitely a super creative one! A vintage ladder becomes an instant conversation piece when suspended from the ceiling and used for hanging lanterns:

Pottery Barn
While I can’t see myself ever doing this inside my own home, it could look pretty fabulous suspended from the ceiling of a porch or patio for an outdoor dinner party with lit lanterns and tea lights hanging from it!
8. Swap It For a Coat Rack
Don’t like the utilitarian look of a coat rack? Use a decorative ladder like {this ladder} instead! You can hang light jackets and scarves on the rungs and add hooks to the rungs for purses, lunch boxes, or anything else you’ll need to grab as you head out the door:
9. Make It a Magazine Rack
If you’re a magazine lover, instead of storing them in a pile, hang them over the rungs of a ladder such as {this one}:
10. Supersize it for Open Kitchen Shelving
If you’re building your own decorative ladder, supersize the rungs to create wide, deep shelving similar to {this ladder shelf}. I LOVE the look of two of these shelves side by side in a kitchen holding dishes, glasses, and serving pieces:
Which idea is your favorite?
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Absolutely – I LOVE what you did!
Andrea says
LOVE your blog. LOVE. And I don’t go around telling all the bloggers that. 🙂 Thanks for so generously sharing your creativity and talent!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Andrea – your sweet comment made my day! Thanks so much!
Eftychia Gkika says
so interesting, thank you! your blog is fantastic, thanks again
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thanks so much!
forhisgloryandpraise says
All are great ideas! Now to go to second hand stores, and thrift stores and see if I can find some old wooden ladders. If I paint them cool teen colors then I have some great ways to help my teenage daughter organize her room while making it look great at the same time!
Anonymous says
I have an idea for an outdoor ladder. A single wooden ladder could be covered on both sides with hardware wire or chicken wire, filled with dirt and a layer of moss, then hung on or leaned against a fence or wall. use it for a vertical garden, lettuces, succulents or flowers. Drip water from the top of course.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
What a great idea – it would be absolutely beautiful!
Anonymous says
I must go hunting for an old ladder at my husbands mom n dads farm they must have one in the old barn!! Loved all the ideas thanks so much for your creative charm!!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
An old barn sounds like a great place to find a charming ladder! Have fun with it!
Susan says
Great Ideas! Thank you,
Bonny Neiman says
Hi, I LOVE this post. Signed up for your blog…beautiful!
Diane Romano says
I was turned on to the ladder idea as a book shelf….the problem is finding them! Thank you for all the great ideas!!! I love all of them!!! Beautifully done!
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately I don’t – sorry Stephanie!