Tutorial: DIY Rolling Library Ladder

Whether you began romanticizing the idea of a rolling library ladder from watching Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the candyman in the original Willy Wonka movie, the Grinch (with Jim Carrey), or from Olivander's shop in the first Harry Potter movie, there is just something whimsical and romantic about a rolling ladder!

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My Dad and I built this huge wall of bookshelves last November for the One Room Challenge. I have always been a book lover, and to be honest, the books were starting to overtake the bookshelves I had for them. Throw in a music studio business that requires a vast number of books and you start to see the problem. We built the shelves in about 2 months, and then it was time to figure out the ladder situation.

Since sharing the final result of our ladder, I received several comments about my ladder being unnecessary because I am apparently a 7 ft tall giant and my house is clearly designed for tiny woodland creatures. Let's break down the height of my ceiling, ladder (and myself, to put those giant rumors to rest), as well as how we built the ladder.

Ladder Measurements & Sources

First things first, how did we build the ladder? We looked online until we found a plan that we liked, and then made a few tweaks until we had it just how we wanted it. Then my dad built the ladder using 1x4 red oak boards. Something to note is that red oak is a hardwood. If you haven't worked with wood before, hardwood is very different to work with and a lot more difficult than softer wood such as pine. It takes a lot more power to cut, round, and drill into a hardwood. If you are new to woodworking or want to spend less money, you could make your ladder out of a softer wood such as poplar, which is still a hardwood but less dense and therefore a little easier to work with. I chose oak because I wanted the ladder to be as durable and sturdy as possible. I stained it using Ipswich Pine, which looks gorgeous on red oak.

Ceiling Height: 7.7 ft

Rail Height: 6.75 ft

Rail Length: 12 ft

Ladder Length: (note that the ladder sits at a 10 angle): 7.25 ft

Melissa's Height: 5'9" (or 5'8.5" if you ask Kyle heehee)

Wood Stain: Ipswich Pine

Bookshelves color: Behr's Spa Blue

Ladder Hardware

Turns out that building the ladder was easier than finding the right hardware to go on it. We had the ladder built for weeks while we tried to source the ladder hardware. There are dozens of cheap rails, wheels, and hardware sets on Amazon, but it didn't sit quite right with me to buy hardware that was so cheaply made. I wanted something that not only felt sturdy but also looked high-end.

One of my friends told me about Putnam Ladders and I reached out and proposed a partnership. After emailing them, I decided on the Classic Number 1 in polished brass with the embossed wheel, and roller-style roller. They graciously gifted me their beautiful hardware. I have worked with a lot of brands and Putnam was absolutely delightful to work with, even talking to me on the phone to explain how all the hardware worked. Here is the reel {link} I made of installing the hardware.

Is the Library Ladder Worth it?

Unequivocally yes. And while I originally loved the idea of a rolling ladder adding value to our home when we sell it, I have now decided that it is going with me to our next house. Two things you should know about a rolling ladder though: One, it is very loud. I personally don't mind the sound, but it is not silent. Putnam does sell a quiet roller but it did not come in brass and I am a fashion-over-function kind of girly. The second thing is that it is a little hard to move the ladder when you are on it. There's a sort of run-and-jump technique to make the ladder move while you are on it. Otherwise it is an arm workout to muscle your way across the bookshelves. Still #worthit though.

Do let me know, would you put one in your house?

xoxo,

Melissa