Today I’m sharing how you can create two different styles of bathroom ladders that go above your toilet. They’re not only aesthetically pleasing but are also functional with all the extra storage! The first style is more traditional with a bit of a dowel twist, while the second is more minimalistic and really suits the current boho trends.
All of our products used in this blog are from our friends over at Home Hardware! A big thank you goes out to them for sponsoring this post. They are our absolute favourite store when it comes to products and expertise!
Let’s get started! Here’s How we created a traditional bathroom ladder.
Traditional Bathroom Ladder
Materials:
2- 2″ x 3″ x 8′ Spruce
1- 1″ x 10″ x 8’ Spruce (used for top and lower shelf)
1- 1″ x 6″ x 6’ Spruce (used for middle shelf)
Dowel 7/8” x 4’
Wood Glue
Pin Nails
1 1/2” Screws
Minwax Pickled Oak Alkyd Stain
Minwax Alkyd Wood Conditioner Pre-Stain
Cut List:
Legs: 2” x3” x 8’ cut to 6’
Top of leg post angle: 7/8” on the end grain and 5 1/4″ down
Bottom of leg post angle: 1/2” in down to nothing (bottom of post)
Using the 1″ x 6″ x 6′ make the following cuts:
Bottom of middle shelf: 22 1/2”
Sides of middle shelf: 2- 2 5/8” x 6 1/4”
Back of middle shelf: 2 5/8” x 22 1/2”
Using the 1” x 10” x 8’ cut to:
Bottom of lower shelf: 1” x 8” x 22 1/2”
Sides of lower shelf: 2- 2 5/8″ x 8”
Back of lower shelf: 2 5/8″ x 22 1/2”
Left overs from the 1″ x 10″ x 8′ cut to:
Bottom of top shelf: 1” x 4” x 22 1/2”
Sides of top shelf: 2 – 2 5/8” x 4 1/4”
Back of top shelf: 2 5/8” x 22 1/2”
Dowel cut to: 26 1/8”
After making all of the cuts we sanded the wood.
The sides of the shelves were rounded over using a sander. We achieved this by drawing a radius on the corner using a circular shape we found but this can also be done freehand or with a paper template.
First, we glued the back of the shelves onto the bottom and secured with pin nails.
Next, we added the sides of the shelves and pin nailed.
Once the shelves were built we leaned the legs up against the wall and started by attaching the lower shelf 40” from the ground. We made sure it was level and used a counter sink bit to predrill the sides of the shelves to the legs. We secured using a 1 1/2” screw and used 2 screws per side to prevent rotation. Tip: If you are able to attach a piece of wood to the wall to help support the bottom shelf while drilling it is very helpful.
We used a 8” cut off as a spacer for the next shelves measuring from the top of the back piece to the bottom of the shelf above and repeated the steps.
After the shelves were assembled it was time to add the dowel.
35” from the bottom of the legs we used a 7/8” forstner bit to drill through the sides. On one leg we drilled completely through and on the other leg we drilled only 1/2” for the dowel to rest. Check your bathroom to see which leg would be easier to pull the dowel out from as there may be a vanity or wall in the way.
Initially I had planned on using a darker stain but ultimately decided to use Minwax in the shade Pickled Oak. I’m loving natural woods lately and this shade was just the perfect touch to take some of the yellowness out of the spruce. Before staining we always apply Minwax Alkyd Wood Conditioner Pre-Stain. If you are looking for a darker shade my go to is always Minwax Special Walnut! I think it’s the perfect medium-brown!
While this ladder is freestanding we like to secure it to the wall. To do that we simply add a screw to each side of the back of one of the shelves.
That’s it! I absolutely LOVE this ladder so much and the toilet paper dowel storage was such a fun addition.
Now for a more minimalist approach Here’s How we created our boho bathroom ladder.
Boho Bathroom Ladder
Materials:
2 – 1 3/8” x 6’ Dowels (used for the legs)
1 – 7/8” x 6’ Dowels (used for the rods)
Wood Glue
Minwax Pickled Oak Alkyd Stain
Minwax Alkyd Wood Conditioner Pre-Stain
Cut List
Using the 7/8” x 6’ cut to 15 1/4”, 17 1/4” and 19 1/4”
We cut the painted ends off of our 1 3/8″ x 6′ dowel legs
Using a 7/8” forstner bit we started by drilling holes 5/8″ into the legs for the rods to sit. We used clamps to secure the dowels to make it easier to drill.
The first holes were drilled parallel on each leg 41” from the bottom.
Each of the corresponding holes above were spaced 12” apart.
We used wood glue to attach them and clamps to secure. Be sure to do a dry fit before this step.
We opted to keep the wood as natural as possible and used Minwax Alkyd Wood Conditioner and Pickled Oak again.
I really love the minimalist design of this bathroom ladder and how functional it is. It’s a great alternative for towel storage!
I hope you’ve enjoyed these projects and have fun creating them in your own home! Be sure to head into your local Home Hardware store to get started on this or any other projects you may have in mind. They never cease to amaze me when it comes to their selection and helpful staff :).