Easy DIY ladder stencil storage
Well guys, I think I solved a massive stencil storage issue over the past couple of days!
And I have this Organize Build Challenge to thank! Because there is truly nothing like a deadline.
I’m teaming up with 8 other bloggers to showcase DIY builds that help you organize anything desired! They are linked up below my post.
To those of you new to my blog, welcome! I’m Donna with Funky Junk, and love decorating with salvaged junk!
You can check out more of my work HERE.
So here’s my little, easy brainstorm…
Easy DIY ladder stencil storage
BAM. A cool, compact DIY ladder stencil organizer that is so easy to make, any non builder type could tackle this one as well!
This is my photo studio, where I generally just take pictures.
But the DIY part has taken over here, because it’s the only room that has the best light. Of course…
So I had a big problem to solve. I really needed a workstation AND stencil organizer that didn’t take much room. Because in all honesty, this wall is all I have to work with that won’t be in the way of photos.
(I have a surplus of stencils because I carry my own line… but this would be great for those with less too! Just make it narrower!)
If you remember, I use to store the stencils on this NO BUILD organizer HERE.
Great idea if you have the space, but it blocked light and was a little too bulky for the room.
While using some stencils, I had quickly hung these up on these photo prop ladders, when the brainstorm struck…
Why not make a custom ladder so the stencils could hang straight down?
Well, it exceeded my expectations. It does work! And it’s simple to move out of the way for photos if need be too!
Here’s what I did:
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Supplies I used:
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2 2x4s
closet dowel rods
cordless drill with drill bit and screwdriver bit
saw / I used a miter saw
sanding sponge or (I used) this Bosch palm sander
screws
paint
hanging apparatus (I really like these wooden clip hangers!)
How-to:
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Making a DIY ladder is so easy! So if you can’t land one you love, make your own in just a few minutes.
1. Cut 2x4s to length desired.
2. Decide how wide you’d like your ladder, then cut dowels as needed.
3. Introduce new supplies to cats, so they can be friends. Check.
4. Paint cut dowels, if desired.
I used Fusion Mineral Paint coal black, (affiliate link) so I didn’t have to prime nor overcoat. Best cheater paint ever!
I had to build my ladder at night (bad pics!), so here’s exactly how I did it showcasing props:
5. Place 2x4s against the wall, and decide where you need the dowels. Mark with a pencil.
6. Lay the 2x4s on the floor, and mark exact placement with an X.
7. Pre-drill a pilot hole in each placement in the 2x4s.
8. Start a screw in each hole.
9. While holding one side of the dowel, attach to 2x4s with screws from the outside.
10. DONE. How easy is it to build your own ladder?!
HERE’S how I built a ladder using branches. Very quirky!
How to hang stencils
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Punching holes in the stencils along a corner, they were slipped onto vintage hangers.
Friend Kim Six had an even better idea… pick up clip pant hangers so the stencils can hang straight down! Brilliant.
Cheap, metal shower hooks are another thought!
Add a crate for storage
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Now, the honest part. This ladder is flimsy due to only using two dowels for support. Adding more will make your ladder much sturdier.
My reason is so this crate could be placed in the bottom for extra paint storage.
The ladder sits perfectly, and being so lightweight, as long as it’s moved carefully, it shouldn’t break.
Now let’s add one more storage solution for paint supplies…
This little tabletop was the perfect start!
Hung up on a wall, it became a perfect drop station for paint supplies!
THIS RUSTY TOOL WORKSTATION is loaded with other fun ideas to store your stuff.
I needed this station to work for stencilling, so all my necessary gear is here.
Note paper, pencils for marking centres of boards, masking tape, brushes, paint used for the current project, etc.
Also helping out is this old curb found cabinet turned into a paint cart.
The sides are heavily utilized to store more gear. And with the cart on wheels, it’s also easy to move around.
You’ll notice the cart is really only used for a table top and a few tools… that’s because I always seem to gut it quickly to use in shoots! So leaving it emptier is a bonus, yet still handy.
I’m so in LOVE with this new little workstation! Thanks to yet another ladder.. of sorts. 🙂
What could you use custom, modified DIY ladder for?
Learn more about Old Sign Stencils HERE.
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Ready to see more organizing builds? Check out all these new projects by my building friends below!
Pneumatic Addict
Sawdust 2 Stitches
The Kim Six Fix
My Love 2 Create
The Ugly Duckling House
Love your ladder, it’s such a great solution for your stencils!
What a fab solution to a unwieldy problem! And the design is so intentional and matches your aesthetic! Wondeful!
PERFECT solution!! You are the “clever-est” of “clever-s”…serious 🙂 I love all of your workshop storage ideas. I wish I had more space to spread mine out. Inspired…
Your ladder is awesome, and that wood you used for the legs…swoon! I love it’s rustic goodness. Seriously Donna you make everything look pretty!
Donna, I love this whole space, it turned out so cute, and I LOVE the hangers!
Great project, Donna! I think Kim mentioned this, but those clamp hangers made for pants (not the clip ones) might come in handy here to keep hang the stencils without bending. You could avoid holes altogether, but the only downside is it wouldn’t really have the vintage look. Love that you snapped a pic of the cats inspect your project… Charlie does it to me all the time too!
Sarah I was just going to comment also about the clamp pant hangers, I have old ones that are wood and metal!!! so if she could find some of those it would still look vintage 🙂 DONNA I simply love this whole idea and my cats do the same thing, there isn’t anything I can do without them hovering and inspecting projects before and after I complete them lol
What a great idea! Getting things off of the floor and organized is my new mission. Shower hooks are a great way to hang stencils. Thanks for the idea and another unique post!
Looks great! I have my (your) stencils hanging on the pipes in my basement just like that… keeps them at hand and you can hang them back up wet 🙂
Donna such a great solution and even better that you repurposed items. Love your character and style in everything you do.
That’s brilliant Donna. I especially love the paint work station and need to figure something out for myself up in my studio. I’m always making a cluttered situation up there using my supplies and not taking the time to put them back. Some sort of custom shelving system would really help.
That’s a super idea, Donna, and as an added bonus, it looks great too! You must be so pleased. (Love your fluffy helpers!)
If you recall, I’ve mentioned before that I now live in a condo – one bedroom plus a den. The decor in the main area doesn’t lend itself too well to some of your decor projects but whenever I can, I try to work your ideas into my small den. Even though I have sort of a “glam” look in the main area, I love your decor style and am SO glad I didn’t part with my rustic-looking crates, frames, old windows, etc! I think I need two residences though (lol!) as I love what you do but am limited due to space.
awesome solution, what’s even better is you have totally organized an entire corner of the room! looking good…