How to Build a Free Standing Ladder Shelf

Finding space for everything can be a problem for most people. You can buy ready-made storage units that cost a lot of money and settle for whatever styles are fashionable at the time. Another solution is free standing ladder shelves. They are simple to construct, cost relatively little and need no fancy tools or equipment. You can paint or stain them to fit into any decor or style.

A-shaped wooden ladder with five rungs.
Tape measure or carpenter's ruler
5 pieces of shelf wood
Paint or varnish
A paint or varnish brush
Wood glue

Instructions

- 1
  Open the ladder to its fullest extension.
- 2
  Paint or varnish the ladder, and let it dry completely.
- 3
  Paint or varnish the pieces of shelving wood. You can either use the same paint or a color that is a contrast. The shelf wood should be 16 inches longer than each rung of the ladder when the ladder is opened. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.
- 4
  Put a small amount of glue on the bottom of each shelf corner and in the center where the shelf touches the ladder rung.
- 5
  Place shelves carefully on each rung so that each shelf protrudes 8 inches on either side of the rung.
- 6
  Allow glue to dry according to the instructions on the glue package.

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