#PROJECTdecor:: DIY Corner Ladder Bookshelf

While we had tools out in the garage and were making a hot and sweaty mess of ourselves  while sanding down rough edged pallets for the kid’s pallet beds recently, we decided to get on a project I’d had in mind for awhile and tackle the rickety old wooden ladder that was stored in the corner of our garage for a few months since we picked it up from a man’s yard. I’m sure that this ladder could have been scored for free in someone’s junk pile at some point… I just hadn’t found one. And then I did, for just $10 (I think, can’t really remember) on Craigslist, convinced my husband to help me pick up the “perfect” ladder for my project and then proceeded to let it sit, untouched, until #PROJECTdecor came along to put a spur in my saddle.

Even as we were installing the shelf, this formerly bare corner of our living room began to transform into something comforting and inviting.

First we sanded some of the paint that was on it. I didn’t want it to get too “clean” because I liked the rustic feel of the piece, but I also didn’t want it to look like I swiped it from a painter’s shop. Then, after measuring the two walls that we wanted to hang it on, we pretty much cut it in half, leaving just a few more inches on one side because there was a little more room on the wall it would grace.

After measuring twice (always measure twice before cutting something or drilling holes), we attached the bottom two L brackets to the wall, we used these brackets, held the ladder on top of them and measured and marked where we’d attach the top two brackets to the wall. Once they were all secured in place, we slid the ladder in between and held it in place 1.5 inches from both the wall we were attaching it to and the corner (we wanted the shelf away from the wall a bit so books would have room to sit) and screwed it to the L brackets. Then it was just repeat with the second piece of the ladder.

Once it was secured in place, I rounded up a few handfuls of books and accessories to fit into my new wall display… oh, and a few clipped greens from my yard.

Right now, we’re loving our new space. I hope this give some of you ideas of how to use old things in new ways!