Christmas Ladder Decor: 14 Old Ladder Ideas That Look Like a Country Store Display

Christmas ladder decor is the cheapest way to make a room look like the window of an old country store. An old wooden ladder from a yard sale, a barn or Grandpa’s garage costs next to nothing, yet once it holds plaid throws, greenery and a few wreaths it becomes the spot every guest stops to look at. Farmhouse style is everywhere this year, and a ladder gives you that look without buying a single new piece of furniture. It leans, it hangs, it holds stockings, cards, plants and even pots and pans. Below are 14 easy ideas, each with a short supply list and simple steps. One important note before you start: these ladders are for display only, so never climb a decorated one. Grab some twine and a few clothespins and let’s dress one up..

Christmas Ladder Decor Starts With Plaid Throws and a Quilt

Christmas ladder decor is at its coziest when the rungs are piled with soft things. Fold a red plaid throw, a cream knit blanket and an old quilt over the rungs so the edges hang at different lengths, then wind a fresh garland up one side rail. Hang two small wreaths and a pair of knit stockings and the whole corner feels like Grandma’s front room. Ladder makeovers are so popular that Hometalk shared a video of an old ladder turned into a bathroom showpiece on MSN this week. Lean yours firmly against the wall and it is ready in ten minutes..

You will need: An old wooden ladder (5 to 6 feet), 2 or 3 throws or a small quilt, fresh or faux evergreen garland, 2 small boxwood wreaths, 2 knit stockings, twine, felt pads.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the ladder clean and stick felt pads under the feet so it will not slide. 2. Lean it against a wall at a gentle angle. 3. Fold the throws in thirds and drape them over the rungs at different heights. 4. Wrap the garland up one side rail and tie it with twine. 5. Hang the wreaths and stockings with short twine loops.

Stocking Holder Ladder for a Home With No Mantel

No fireplace? Christmas ladder decor solves that. A slim ladder leaning on the living room wall gives every family member a spot for a stocking, and it looks charming in apartments and small homes. Clip each stocking to a rung with a sturdy wooden clothespin so they hang in a neat staggered line, then add a little swag of greenery at the top. Mix knit, plaid and felt stockings for that collected farmhouse look. Kids love finding their own rung on Christmas morning. Which rung would you give the family dog?

You will need: A slim wooden ladder, 4 to 6 stockings, large wooden clothespins, a small greenery swag, twine, removable wall hook (optional).

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder on a wall near the tree and pad the feet. 2. Clip one stocking to each rung, staggering left and right. 3. Tie the greenery swag to the top rung with twine. 4. For extra hold, tie the top of the ladder to a removable wall hook with clear line. 5. Keep heavy gifts out of the stockings until Christmas morning.

Christmas Ladder Decor as a Flat Garland Shelf

Turn a short old ladder on its side and hang it flat on the wall above the sofa, and you have a long rustic shelf with built in cubbies. This style of Christmas ladder decor works beautifully in rooms where floor space is tight. Drape greenery along the top, then set tiny bottle brush trees and little white ceramic houses on the side rail so it looks like a snowy village. Ask an adult helper to find the studs and use sturdy brackets, because the ladder must be secure. Would you fill yours with a village or with family photos?

You will need: A short wooden ladder (3 to 4 feet), 2 or 3 heavy duty L brackets, wall anchors or screws for studs, a drill (adult use), garland, mini bottle brush trees, small ceramic houses.

How to make it: 1. An adult finds the studs and marks a level line above the sofa. 2. Screw the L brackets into the studs. 3. Set the ladder on the brackets on its side rail and screw it in from below. 4. Drape garland along the top. 5. Arrange the trees and houses along the rail.

Leaning Ladder Christmas Tree With Fairy Lights

A wooden step ladder can stand in for a full Christmas tree, which is perfect for a small apartment, a dorm or a second tree in the guest room. Wrap the side rails in fir garland, then wind battery fairy lights through the greenery so it glows softly in the evening. Hang glass ornaments from every rung on ribbon and stack wrapped gifts at the base. It takes up half the floor space of a real tree and folds flat when the holidays are over. Could this be the answer for your smallest room?

You will need: A wooden step ladder, 2 lengths of faux fir garland, battery operated fairy lights with a timer, 20 to 30 ornaments, ribbon, zip ties, a tree topper.

How to make it: 1. Open the step ladder fully and lock the spreader. 2. Zip tie the garland along both front rails. 3. Wind the battery fairy lights through the garland and tuck the battery pack at the back. 4. Hang ornaments from each rung on ribbon. 5. Set the topper on the top step and pile gifts below.

Christmas Card Display Ladder With Mini Clothespins

Where do all the Christmas cards go every year? A small vintage ladder solves it. String twine back and forth between the rails, then clip each card with a mini clothespin so the fronts face the room. As new cards arrive in the mail, simply add them to the next row. It turns a stack of envelopes into a cheerful wall of good wishes from friends and family. Who sends the first card in your house every December?

You will need: A small wooden ladder, jute twine, 40 to 60 mini wooden clothespins, small greenery sprigs, removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder against the wall and pad the feet. 2. Tie twine from rail to rail between each pair of rungs. 3. Clip cards on with mini clothespins. 4. Tuck greenery sprigs at the top. 5. Keep adding rows as cards arrive.

Front Porch Christmas Ladder Decor With Lanterns and Greens

Your front porch is the first thing neighbors see, and a rustic ladder by the door makes it look like a country store welcome. This Christmas ladder decor idea is simple: wrap the rails in evergreen garland and red berries, then hang two metal lanterns from the rungs. Fill the lanterns with battery fairy lights, never real candles, so it is safe outside. Add a small wreath and a plaid scarf for a cozy touch. Our Farmhouse Christmas Decor ideas pair perfectly with this porch look. Would your neighbors stop and stare?

You will need: A rustic wooden ladder, outdoor faux garland, faux red berry picks, 2 metal lanterns, battery fairy lights, a small wreath, a plaid scarf, outdoor zip ties.

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder beside the door against the wall and secure the top with a hook. 2. Zip tie garland along both rails. 3. Tuck in the berry picks. 4. Fill the lanterns with battery fairy lights and hang them on rungs. 5. Add the wreath and drape the scarf.

Vintage Ornament Display Ladder

Do you have a box of Grandma’s old glass ornaments that never fit on the tree? Hang them from a ladder instead, where every single one gets to shine. Tie each ornament on a ribbon and let them dangle from the rungs at different heights, mixing mercury glass, colored balls and little vintage shapes. When the window light hits them in the afternoon, the whole wall sparkles. It is also a lovely way to share family history with the kids. Which ornament in your collection has the best story?

You will need: An antique or old wooden ladder, 15 to 25 glass ornaments, thin velvet or satin ribbon in 2 colors, scissors, a few greenery sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder in a spot with soft window light. 2. Cut ribbons from 6 to 14 inches long. 3. Tie each ornament to a ribbon and tie the ribbon to a rung. 4. Vary lengths so ornaments do not knock together. 5. Keep the most fragile ones near the top, out of reach of pets.

Christmas Ladder Decor Advent Calendar With Tiny Bags

This Christmas ladder decor idea makes the countdown fun for the whole family. Hang 24 tiny kraft paper bags and small fabric pouches from the rungs with mini clothespins and red twine, then fill each one with a treat, a note or a tiny gift. Kids open one a day, and adults secretly love it too. Write the numbers with a marker on small round tags, or stamp them for a neater look. When December is over, the bags fold flat for next year. What would you hide in bag number 24?

You will need: A wooden ladder, 24 small kraft paper bags or fabric pouches, red and white twine, mini clothespins, round tags, a marker or number stamps, small treats.

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder on a wall where kids can reach the bottom rungs safely. 2. Tie twine across each pair of rungs. 3. Number the tags 1 to 24 and tie one to each bag. 4. Fill the bags and fold the tops. 5. Clip the bags onto the twine in order.

Barn Red Painted Ladder With Three Wreaths

A coat of barn red paint turns a plain old ladder into Christmas ladder decor that feels straight out of a country Christmas card. Paint it a glossy red, let it dry overnight, then hang three fresh green wreaths with plaid bows on the rungs at different heights. Against a white wall the color pop is stunning, and it costs less than one store bought decoration. Lightly sand the edges after painting for a worn vintage feel. Would you go bold red or soft cream for your ladder?

You will need: An old wooden ladder, sandpaper, a damp cloth, 1 quart of red exterior or interior paint, a paintbrush, 3 small wreaths, plaid ribbon, removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Sand the ladder lightly and wipe off the dust. 2. Paint two thin coats of red, letting each coat dry fully in a ventilated room. 3. Sand the edges gently for a worn look. 4. Tie a plaid bow to each wreath. 5. Hang the wreaths on the rungs with ribbon loops.

Step Stool Riser for a Tabletop Tree

Small tabletop trees look cute but often get lost in a big room. Set yours on a vintage painted step stool and it suddenly stands tall like a proper tree. The chippy paint adds instant farmhouse charm, and the lower step makes a handy spot for a few wrapped gifts. This is a great idea for a front window, an entry table area or a reading corner. Thrift stores often have old wooden step stools for a few dollars. Where would a little raised tree look best in your home?

You will need: A vintage wooden two step stool, a 2 to 3 foot tabletop tree, mini ornaments, battery fairy lights, a small burlap or fabric tree skirt, small wrapped gifts.

How to make it: 1. Wipe and dry the step stool. 2. Set the tabletop tree on the top step and check it is steady. 3. Wrap the tree in battery fairy lights. 4. Add mini ornaments and the small skirt. 5. Place wrapped gifts on the lower step.

Kitchen Ladder Pot Rack Wrapped in Greenery

A short ladder hung from the kitchen ceiling becomes a farmhouse pot rack that looks like it came from an old country inn. For the holidays, weave fresh eucalyptus and fir through the rungs and hang a dried orange slice garland between your copper pots. The whole kitchen smells fresh and looks festive. This one needs an adult and sturdy ceiling hooks set into a joist, because pots are heavy. Would you hang cookie cutters on yours too?

You will need: A short wooden ladder (3 to 4 feet), 2 heavy duty ceiling hooks rated for the weight, chain, S hooks, eucalyptus and fir sprigs, a dried orange slice garland, a drill and stud finder (adult use).

How to make it: 1. An adult finds a ceiling joist and installs two rated hooks. 2. Attach chain to both ends of the ladder and hang it level. 3. Add S hooks for pots and utensils. 4. Weave greenery through the rungs. 5. Drape the orange slice garland between the hooks.

Entryway Christmas Ladder Decor for Coats and Mittens

Every winter the front entry fills up with coats, scarves and lost mittens. Entryway Christmas ladder decor turns that mess into a pretty display. Lean a wooden ladder by the door, hang a wool coat on the top rung, drape knit scarves over the middle and clip pairs of mittens to the lower rungs with clothespins. A small wreath at the top makes it festive, and a bench with boots below completes the scene. Guests will know exactly where to hang their coats. Does your entry need a little more order this winter?

You will need: A sturdy wooden ladder, felt pads, a removable wall hook, wooden clothespins, a small wreath, a bench or boot tray (optional).

How to make it: 1. Lean the ladder beside the door and pad the feet. 2. Secure the top to a removable wall hook. 3. Hang one or two coats on the top rung. 4. Drape scarves over the middle rungs and clip mittens below. 5. Hang the wreath at the top.

Poinsettia Plant Stand Ladder by the Window

A step ladder by a sunny window makes the prettiest holiday plant stand and a fresh, living kind of Christmas ladder decor. Set red and white poinsettias in plain pots on every step and tuck pine cones and greenery between them. The plants get the light they love and you get a tiered display that looks like a garden shop. Place a saucer under each pot to protect the wood, and keep poinsettias away from cats and dogs. After the holidays, swap in winter herbs or spring bulbs. Which color poinsettia is your favorite?

You will need: A wooden step ladder, 3 to 5 poinsettias, plain pots or pot covers, saucers, pine cones, greenery sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Open the step ladder near a bright window and lock the spreader. 2. Put a saucer on each step. 3. Set the largest poinsettias on the lowest steps and smaller ones on top. 4. Tuck pine cones and greenery around the pots. 5. Water gently and wipe up drips.

Christmas Ladder Decor on a Ladder Bookshelf

If you already own a leaning ladder bookshelf, you are halfway to a cozy holiday vignette. Christmas ladder decor on a bookshelf is all about layering: stack old hardcover books, add a small evergreen tree in a basket, a white pitcher of holly, a little wooden reindeer and a plaid throw at the bottom. Keep the colors to red, green, cream and wood for that country store feel. Step back after each item and remove anything that feels crowded. Which shelf will you style first?

You will need: A leaning ladder bookshelf, old hardcover books, a small potted evergreen in a basket, a white pitcher, faux holly, a small wooden reindeer, a plaid throw.

How to make it: 1. Clear the shelves and dust them. 2. Stack books in small groups, some upright and some flat. 3. Place the tree on the lowest wide shelf. 4. Add the pitcher of holly and the reindeer higher up. 5. Fold the plaid throw over the bottom rail.