Those of us with small closets have to be clever with our limited closet space. In most closets if you look up, there is a bunch of free closet space! This blank space, at the top of our closet, is where we added wrap around shoe shelves. Next necessity- a tall closet ladder for easy access to this new storage space. This DIY Library Ladder with Hooks is the perfect solution because its a slim, tall, sturdy, & repositionable closet ladder. It’s the key to making this storage space useable.
The 7 Criteria of a Functional Closet Ladder
How to Build a Library Ladder for your Closet
Why do you need a Closet Ladder…
When you get smart with your minimal storage space & go vertical… you need a ladder to provide easy access to the top!
This DIY Library Ladder with hooks is the perfect solution for easy access to all the top shelves in our small walk-in closet.
The otherwise wasted space above the builder’s closet system, is now the perfect home to organize our entire shoe collection!
This closet ladder makes every inch of space, all the way up to the ceiling, easy to access! The library ladder with hooks meets all the requirements for form & function for a tall closet ladder:
- Slim, easy to move, small enough to not be in the way, not too heavy, but also sturdy & tall.
Thats how this DIY Library Ladder was created to have the Ultimate Closet Ladder.
7 Criteria for the Ultimate Walk In Closet Ladder
- Lightweight (must be able to easily maneuver within the closet)
- Wide steps (for comfort when climbing)
- Sturdy (must be able to support enough weight)
- Stable (don’t want it to move when I’m on it)
- Cute (to add to the closet aesthetic because it adds joy)
- Custom size (has to be tall enough for this 5’2″ lady to reach everything)
- Easy to move (can’t be too hard to get the ladder supports on and off of the closet rod)
The whole reason I built this ladder is because I couldn’t find a ladder that met all the criteria of a walk in closet ladder.
This library ladder is small enough to live in the closet and not get in the way. It is light-weight enough to easily maneuver and move from place to place. This closet ladder also has supports, so it is sturdy & tall enough to reach the top closet shelves with ease!
I’m not an engineer, I’m just a shorty maximizing every inch of closet space- which means going vertical. You could definitely do this project as well!
How to Build a Library Ladder for your Closet
Ladder Building Materials:
- 2″x2″ Hardwood cut into ladder steps
- 2- 1″x2″ Hardwood lengths for sides of ladder
- 1″x2″ Hardwood strips cut for both sides of each ladder step (to widen ladder steps for comfort)
- Wood screws
- Wood glue
- Ladder support hooks
- Saw- (a handsaw w a miter box will work- thats what I used)
- Drill
- Clamps
- Cut 2×2’s for ladder steps
- Attach 2×2’s to 1×2’s with 2 screws in each side – (remember to pre-drill holes so you don’t split any wood)
- Cut 1×2’s to go from edge to edge over each step
- Attach 1×2’s over each ladder step with clamps to get them tight & level (use glue & screws)
- Lean ladder at appropriate angle inside closet. Mark where to cut the vertical sides- just above the closet rod that it will hook onto.
- Hold ladder support hooks on ends of ladder. While holding the hooks in place, put your ladder up against the closet rod, with the hooks going over the rod. Check if your ladder easily lifts on & off of the closet rod. While testing this, you’ll discover if your hooks need to be manipulated at all before you attach them.
- Work with the hooks, using clamps or strong hands, to get them to the proper shape. When done they should easily lift on and off of the closet rod. I had to manipulate my hooks (with the clamps) to narrow the arch so they didn’t hit the shelf above the closet rod when lifting them on and off.
- When they are just right- Screw the ladder support hooks onto the top of the ladder
Ladder Assembly:
Viola! You can put your closet ladder up. To celebrate, you may want everyone in the house to test it out!!
Although we can’t make our closet larger, we can make every inch of space useable. Shelving all the way up the walls & a beautiful functional ladder to access every last piece of attire on the fly.
Let me tell you the proud DIY vibes you feel from building a ladder!
I have this video queued up to the closet ladder’s ‘moment’ in our master closet makeover video!