HANGING GARDENS

Versatile and visual, timber ladders – handmade or rescued from the trash pile – make great frames for a lush display of indoor plants

VERTICAL LIMIT

Make more of a statement with your plants by creating a hanging shelf using a round cutting board. Simply cut a hole in the middle to sit the pot in and add a few V notches around the edge so the macrame hangers always sit evenly.

EASY STEPS TO YOUR HANGING LADDER RACK

An old ladder that is past its use-by date is the perfect scaffold to add greenery to the centre of your room.

Gather your supplies

• Recycled timber ladder

• Pigtail screw hooks

• Chain

• S hooks

• Hanging plants

You’ll also need

Stud finder; measuring tape; angle grinder fitted with metal cutting blade; circular saw; sander; clear varnish; paintbrush; drill; 8mm drill bit; screwdriver; hex head screws

Here’s how

STEP 1 Use stud finder to locate ceiling joists where hanging points need to be. This will determine size and position of hanging ladder.

STEP 2 Measure and cut ladder to length as needed. Here, use angle grinder to cut metal parts embedded in sides of ladder and circular saw to cut timber.

STEP 3 Use sander to round the cut ends. Also lightly sand rest of ladder to smooth rough timber but not remove character. Apply 2 coats clear varnish.

STEP 4 Drill 8mm pilot holes in ceiling joists for screw hooks. Insert screw hooks into holes and screw in place, using screwdriver for leverage.

STEP 5 Attach lengths of chain to sides of ladder using hex head screws. Lift ladder in position and hang chain off hooks in ceiling. To finish, hang plants off ladder using S hooks.