8 Clever Ways to Use a Rolling Ladder All Over Your Home
Oct 30th 2022
A rolling ladder isn’t just for libraries. From kitchen pantries to walk-in closets, a well-placed rolling ladder solves the out of reach problem elegantly — and adds a fun design element to your home.
Here are eight spaces where a custom rolling ladder can earn its place and bring unexpected functionality to your home.
Home Library and Study
Home libraries are where rolling ladders made their name, and for good reason. Floor-to-ceiling shelving is purely decorative without a way to reach upper shelves, while adding a rolling ladder brings functionality to even the most expansive libraries. Not only that, a library ladder becomes a focal point that signals a serious (and well-maintained) collection.
Our Classic No. 1 ladder is a natural choice in home libraries. Its all-wood design has remained unchanged since 1905, and comes in a range of wood species. Whether you’re curating a modern library or accenting a classic study, a Putnam Rolling Ladder will take your home to the next level.
Bookshelves and Open Shelving
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a ladder are the defining image of a serious home library — but the application extends well beyond the library. Built-in shelving in a living room, dining room, or hallway can all go from decorative shelving to functional storage when you add a ladder to them.
Our ladder rail systems can be configured for straight runs, outside corners, inside corners, and curved transitions, so the ladder moves with the shelving rather than being confined to one section. Adding a rolling ladder to your shelves helps you regain access to all of the storage opportunities in your home.
EXPLORE LADDER AND TRACK CONFIGURATIONS
Kitchen Shelving and Cabinets
Another room in the house with lots of storage that quickly gets out of reach? Your kitchen.
A rolling ladder for kitchen shelving maximizes vertical cabinet space without sacrificing precious counter room. Whether you have open shelving walls, pantry-adjacent cabinetry, or floor-to-ceiling cabinet installations, a fixed-rail rolling ladder helps you access them all with ease.
For kitchen installations, hardware finish and clearance planning matter more than in other rooms. Our guide to installing a rolling library ladder in your kitchen covers everything you need to know before building your own custom cabinet ladder.
Pantry Ladders
Pantry ladder ideas tend to focus on one thing: getting to the top shelf without dragging a step stool across the room. A rolling ladder on a fixed rail solves this problem permanently — providing both an intentional and elegant look to an often-overlooked space.
Rolling ladders work best in pantries with:
- Full-height pantry cabinets with a clear track run
- Butler’s pantries with open shelving on multiple walls
- Tall alcove storage in homes with high ceilings
For pantries and kitchens that can’t accommodate a full rolling ladder, the Putnam Folding Pivot Ladder provides functionality for smaller spaces. The Folding Pivot Ladder is handcrafted, has a range of finishes and hardware choices, and collapses to under 5 inches thick. Its simple magnetic catches snap it open and closed easily, avoiding the awkwardness of spreader brackets on a traditional step ladder.
When you pair it with our Pivot Ladder Wall Bracket, the ladder becomes a functional piece of your home that’s always there when you need it — and looks stylish when you don’t.
BROWSE ROLLING LADDER COLLECTIONS
Walk-In Closets and Wardrobes
A walk-in closet with a rolling ladder turns floor-to-ceiling storage from aspirational to functional. The open, boutique-style layout that makes walk-ins work — visible, accessible, everything in its place — only holds up if you can actually reach the top. A ladder on a fixed track solves that permanently.
Our Quiet Glide ladder works well in closet applications; it offers smooth, quiet operation in a space you’re in every morning, which is helpful if you have a partner you don’t want to disturb.
Adding a rolling ladder to your walk-in closet lets you add:
- Double-height hanging rods with ladder access to upper items
- Full shelving walls with track systems that span the entire width
- Corner configurations with a curved track for larger or L-shaped spaces
DESIGN YOUR WALK-IN CLOSET LADDER
Dressing Rooms
A dressing room goes above and beyond the traditional walk-in by providing a room dedicated to the ritual of getting ready. It’s more about having a sanctuary than just a functional storage space, and a rolling ladder is the perfect way to add both functionality and luxury.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with a ladder track running the perimeter turns a dressing room into your personal high-end boutique. And whether you prefer a classic look or a modern vibe, you can customize our ladders to your exact specifications.
Offices, Wine Cellars, and Other Niche Spaces
A rolling ladder can earn its place anywhere in your home with floor-to-ceiling storage or a reason to access something that’s out of reach:
- Home offices. Gain access to files, reference materials, and books that are stored above eye-level.
- Wine cellars. Full-height racking is one thing, but a wine cellar rolling ladder is a whole other level. Read our guide to rolling ladders in wine cellars.
- Home bars. Reach all your top shelf favorites with ease with a home bar rolling ladder.
- Retail and commercial spaces. Gain storage options while communicating quality and attention to detail to customers.
If you have a space that’s unconventional or underutilized, we’d love to hear about it. Reach out to our team and let us help you design the perfect custom ladder for your home.