How to make a shoe stand using a DIY ladder

Organise and display your fabulous shoe collection – or simply hang scarves and towels – on a simple ladder made from reclaimed wood.

• two 16mm meranti dowels (for the rungs)
• two 1.2 lengths of 38 x 76mm hardwood (for the side rails)
• wood glue
• 120-, 220- and 320-grit sandpaper
• drill
• 16mm spade drill
• pencil
• measuring tape
• hammer
• large square
• wood saw

• Ensure the two 38 x 76mm side rails are exactly 1.2m long.
• Cut the rungs in lengths of 490mm, 422mm, 375mm, 327mm and 260mm.

Step 1

Make the side rails. We used a router to round off the corners but a piece of sandpaper on a block will do.

Step 2

Starting at the bottom, mark your side rails for drilling 224mm apart; you should end up with about 50mm at the top. Transfer those marks to the other rail and mark the centre of the rail.

Step 3

Drill the holes at 7˚ or 83˚ (depending on how you measure); mark the drill with a black marker so that you only drill 10mm deep.

Step 4

To assemble Apply wood glue to the dowels and insert them in the correct order (longest at the bottom) then repeat with the other rail. Gently tap with a hammer and allow the glue to dry.

Sand with 120-, 220- and then 320-grit sandpaper. Varnish or simply apply a mineral oil to bring out the colour of the wood.