Repurpose a Ladder Into a DIY Drying Rack
![DIY Laundry Drying Rack Made From Ladder White Clothes Drying Rack Hanging From Ceiling in Laundry Room](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_COVER_v.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1437001527466.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
Materials Needed
wooden ladder
satin spray paint (in
(4) drywall anchors (1/4" threads)
(4) eye bolts with threads to match anchors (1/4" x 1 1/2")
(4) small eye bolts with wood threads
(8) locking chain links
(4) 4" lengths of light-duty chain
drop cloth
miter saw
safety goggles
measuring tape
pencil
sanding block
cordless drill
1/2" and 1/4" drill bits
Cut Ladder
Measure and mark the ladder to your desired length, then use a miter saw to cut the ladder.
![Step 1- Cut Ladder To Size Measure, then mark ladder at desired length. Using a miter saw, cut ladder.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step1_Cut-Ladder-To-Size.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001513614.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
Sand Ladder
Using a sanding block, smooth out the surface of the ladder to prep the surface for painting.
Paint Ladder
Set up an area with a drop cloth to protect your surface before painting, then apply a coat (or two) of spray paint in a satin finish. Let dry.
![Step 3- Paint Ladder Set up an area with a drop cloth or cardboard to protect the ground before painting. I recommend using spray paint, rather than brushing the paint on. I used a white paint in a satin finish for a clean look.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step3_Paint-Ladder.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001505274.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
Install Ceiling Anchors
You'll need to install drywall anchors unless you're attaching your hardware directly into a stud or ceiling joist. Pre-drill holes for the anchors with a 1/2" bit (Image 1), then tap the anchors into place (Image 2). Next, screw the eye bolts into the anchors (Image 3). Make sure your anchor thread dimensions match the eye bolt thread dimensions or the bolts will not screw in properly.
![Youâll need to install drywall anchors, unless you are attaching your hardware directly into a stud or ceiling joist. Pre-drill holes for the anchors with a half inch bit, then tap or push the anchors into place. Next, screw the eye bolts into the anchors. Make sure your anchor thread dimensions match the eye bolt thread dimensions or the bolts will not screw in properly.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step4a_Install-Ceiling-Anchors-And_Eye-Bolts.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001502538.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 1
![Youâll need to install drywall anchors, unless you are attaching your hardware directly into a stud or ceiling joist. Pre-drill holes for the anchors with a half inch bit, then tap or push the anchors into place. Next, screw the eye bolts into the anchors. Make sure your anchor thread dimensions match the eye bolt thread dimensions or the bolts will not screw in properly.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step4b_Install-Ceiling-Anchors-And_Eye-Bolts.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001545080.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 2
![Youâll need to install drywall anchors, unless you are attaching your hardware directly into a stud or ceiling joist. Pre-drill holes for the anchors with a half inch bit, then tap or push the anchors into place. Next, screw the eye bolts into the anchors. Make sure your anchor thread dimensions match the eye bolt thread dimensions or the bolts will not screw in properly.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step4c_Install-Ceiling-Anchors-And_Eye-Bolts.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001562818.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 3
Install Eye Bolts in Ladder
Pre-drill holes in the ladder with a 1/4" bit (Image 1), then install eye bolts on each corner (Image 2).
![Pre-drill holes in the ladder with an appropriate size bit and install eye bolts on each corner.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step5a_Install-Eye-Bolts-In-Ladder.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001545493.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 1
![Pre-drill holes in the ladder with an appropriate size bit and install eye bolts on each corner.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step5b_Install-Eye-Bolts-In-Ladder.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001554096.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 2
Add Chains + Hang Ladder
Once the eye bolts are installed on both the ceiling and the ladder, you can attach the light-duty chains. We had the chains cut into 4" lengths at a home improvement center, then added the locking links at the ends. Attach the chains to the ceiling first (Image 1), then the ladder (Image 2). Of course, you can adjust the chain length to accommodate any rack or ceiling height.
![Once the eye bolts are installed on both the ceiling and the ladder, you can attach the light duty chains. We had the chains cut into 4inch lengths at a home improvement center, then added the locking links at the ends. Attach the chains to the ceiling first, then the ladder. Of course you can adjust the chain length to accommodate any rack or ceiling height.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step6a_Add-Chains-And-Hang.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001567633.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 1
![Once the eye bolts are installed on both the ceiling and the ladder, you can attach the light duty chains. We had the chains cut into 4inch lengths at a home improvement center, then added the locking links at the ends. Attach the chains to the ceiling first, then the ladder. Of course you can adjust the chain length to accommodate any rack or ceiling height.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2015/7/15/3/Original_BPF_Fall-House_DIY-Drying-Rack_Step6b_Add-Chains-And-Hang.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1437001590505.jpeg)
Brian Patrick Flynn
IMAGE 2