The Rare, Thrifted Home Decor Find That Doubles As Extra Storage For Blankets

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It's easy for extra throw blankets to end up in an unorganized pile somewhere in the home. Linen closets can sometimes provide storage space for them, but if you have more than a couple of blankets, you may need a bit more room. Blanket ladders serve as the perfect solution to this problem. This fun organization system doubles as decor. You can place a blanket ladder against a wall in the living room or bedroom and fold your favorite blankets over each bar. The only problem with these storage pieces is that they can get expensive. For example, Home Depot's 6-foot blanket ladder is priced at $156.53. Thankfully, you can use a thrifted bunk bed ladder as a blanket ladder instead.

A bunk bed ladder is a piece of furniture you should always get from the thrift store because it offers the same look as the expensive blanket ladders sold by home decor retailers. Keep in mind that you can transform a thrifted ladder by sanding it and using paint or wood stain to give it an upgraded finish as well. Since they can be refinished and upcycled so easily, you may not want to pass up thrift store bunk bed ladders that have undergone wear and tear. This rare thrift store find is still a steal even in less-than-ideal condition.

If you are unable to find this surprisingly valuable item at your local thrift store, consider browsing online marketplaces that also sell used ladders. Etsy and eBay, for example, may have options available you would be interested in. When you finally get your hands on your bunk bed ladder, you can easily update the finish in just a few steps. First, remove the bunk bed ladder hooks if they're still attached. If there are cracks in the wood, you can fix them using wood filler or caulk. 

Next, proceed with sanding the ladder with sandpaper. You can then apply wood stain or paint and top that off with a sealant. Minwax PolyShades Wood Stain combines stain and sealant, so it's an option worth considering. As for paint, you may want to check out Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch spray paint, which also includes a primer worked into the formula.

After your paint or stain dries, you may want to go in and add additional personality to your restored bunk bed ladder. You can do this by hand drawing designs with acrylic paint and a paint brush, or you could use stencils. The Vnywk Flower Painting Stencils are a great option with a variety of designs to choose from. Once you've decorated your ladder to your liking and allowed the paint to set, position it anywhere you'd like in your home and hang your blankets from it. If you decide to prop the ladder against a wall, consider attaching furniture pads to the back so the wood won't leave scratches or marks.