How To Make a DIY Timber Blanket / Towel Ladder

Step by step instructions to easily make this Timber Blanket / Towel Ladder.

G'day guys, we're back with another DIY Friday!

This week it is Al's turn in the workshop and we thought we'd build something we've always wanted - a timber ladder for either blankets or towels.

This is great DIY woodworking project to style up your house and matches our DIY Surfboard Rack and DIY Floating Shelf Coat Rack and photographed below with our DIY Plant Stand.

We hope you enjoy and as always make sure to tag @al_and_imo_handmade or email us your photos!

AL + IMO

“Whether you choose to use this in your bathroom, bedroom or lounge - this is a great project for any room in the house.”

TOOLS

TAPE MEASURE

PENCIL

SET SQUARE

TABLE SAW OR CIRCULAR SAW

ROUTER (OPTIONAL)

DRILL

3mm & 9.5mm DRILL BITS

SANDER OR SANDPAPER

SANDPAPER

NAIL PUNCH

CLAMPS

PROTECTIVE GEAR

SAFETY GLASSES

EAR PROTECTION

TIMBER

2 x 1600mm 40mm X 45mm HARDWOOD (WE USED VIC ASH)

5 x 500mm - 25mm DOWEL (WE USED HARDWOOD)

MATERIALS

GLUE (WATERPROOF)

10 x 10mm JOINING DOWELS

HARD WAX OIL

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step 1.

Because I used scrap timber I joined two pieces of 20mm x 45mm timber together for the sides. However you can skip this step by using 40 x 45mm pieces.

step 2.

Using a bullnose bit I did a test run on a scrap piece of timber and one happy with the finish I clamped by side rail to my workbench and routed all 4 edges.

Step 3.

Then cut my side rails to length with a 10 degree angle cut on the bottom (making sure the long point is the front of my side rail) and square on the top (1585mm from square end to long point).

I used my bullnose bit to rout the top edges. This step is a little tricky so make sure to do some test runs on some scrap timber.

Step 4.

I cut all of my dowels to 500mm length.

Step 5.

Once all of my pieces were cut I sanded the side rails with 120 grit orbital sander and used hand sandpaper for the rungs.

Step 6.

I marked out my centres on the 2 side rails for where I wanted to attach my rungs 150mm from the top and then 250mm spacings for the remaining rungs. I also marked the centres on the ends of each rung. 

Step 7.

I marked my 3mm drill bit making sure it would sink in two thirds of the dowel length and using my centre marks I pre-drilled my holes in both the side rails and rungs.

I switched to my 9.5mm drill, marked it to the same depth and carefully drilled each hole and then cleaned up the holes with my sander.

Step 8. 

I glued and hammered the dowels into one side rail making sure to use waterproof glue as this will be used in a wet area. I then glued and fitted each rung to the side and repeated the step on the other side, using a rubber mallet to get a tight fit.

Step 9. 

I clamped each rung alternating the clamps to stop any twisting and once dry I used a chisel and hand sandpaper to clean up any remaining glue.

Step 1o. 

Now that my ladder was complete I used a hard-wax oil to seal my piece which protects the timber and brings out the natural feature. 

And that’s it!

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HEY! WE’RE AL + IMO

We’re a husband and wife duo, building our dream life one DIY project at a time. We are proudly self-taught, furniture-makers, business owners, designers and stylists.

DIY RUNS IN OUR DNA

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