DIY Farmhouse Blanket Ladder For $5

 It's no secret that I have a love for blankets. You'll find blankets in my house when it's negative temps all the way to 100 degree weather. I stuff most of my blankets in baskets throughout the house, or drape them over seating. I decided that it was about time to change up my front room a little bit and in place of the giant chalkboard, I put a cute little ladder to display more blankets.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this chalkboard...and it's a great place to hide a ton of stuff behind it :) But, it's been there for 5 years, so I figured it was time for a little change. Plus, I found this cute farmhouse sign at Hobby Lobby and the two pieces clashed.

I made this ladder in about an hour with just a few pieces of wood. Here's what I used:
Two 2x3s cut at 76 inches
Five 1x3s cut at 14 inches.
Wood glue
Nail gun
Dark Walnut Minwax stain
White latex paint
Cup of water

 I placed the two sides of the ladder on a flat surface and then started measuring where to put the rungs. I started at 12 inches from the bottom (this will help keep the ladder even just in case your two sides aren't exactly the same height), placed a mark on each side. Then from there did 12 inch intervals up until I marked for 5 rungs. Make sure to mark both sides of the ladder so the rungs line up evenly.

 I then glued each rung or 1x3 into place, using the marks as my guide. I lined the bottom of the 1x3 up with each mark. I then used 2 1/2" nails and secured them in place from the outside.

 Next, I stained the entire thing Dark Walnut.

 Before the stain dried all the way, I dipped my paint brush into the white paint, and then circled it around in the water for a minute.

I then brushed the paint on to ladder, working with small sections at a time. Once it was brushed on, I then took a paper towel and rubbed it off, thus also smoothing it out and working the paint in. The way to do this the best is to not let the paint dry, make sure it's still wet or else it won't work. That's why I worked in small foot size sections until the whole ladder was done. The below picture is what it looks like before I rubbed the paint in, just after brushing it on.

 Here's the finished ladder. I liked the look of having a bigger gap on the top of the ladder. It's about 15" compared to the 12" intervals.

 Here's a closer look at the color. Also, for the wood, I chose the most beat up pieces I could find so it added a lot more character.

I love this corner of the room! It's just nice having a fresh change....and let's be honest...it's super nice to have another spot to put blankets :)

 I wanted to be able to use the rungs as little shelves also, that's why the are flat and the width of the sides, approximately 3". This is just the perfect space to place books or small decor.

As for the cost, I found the 2x3s for about $1.60 each and the 1x3 for a little over $1. The cost does not include the other materials like paint and stain which I already had on hand.