Unlock the potential of your living space with a classic invention reimagined: the DIY ladder chair. This ingenious piece of furniture, often attributed to the brilliant mind of Benjamin Franklin, seamlessly combines the comfort of a folding chair with the practicality of a step stool. Known also as a Franklin chair or Franklin ladder, this convertible marvel is the ultimate space-saving solution for any home, especially those with limited square footage. Imagine a stylish wooden chair that effortlessly transforms into a sturdy step ladder, ready to help you reach the highest shelves. This guide will walk you through the journey of building your very own multi-purpose ladder chair, adding both functionality and a touch of historical charm to your abode.
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Craft Your Own Space-Saving Ladder Chair Step Stool
Hello fellow DIY enthusiasts and Remodelaholics! Scott here from Saws on Skates. My passion lies in designing and building multi-functional furniture pieces that enhance everyday living. You might recall some of my previous projects, like the DIY kitty litter cabinet or an outdoor coffee table featuring four hidden side tables. Today, I’m thrilled to share my modern interpretation of Benjamin Franklin’s iconic ladder chair. This design pays homage to the original while incorporating contemporary aesthetics and construction techniques, resulting in a stylish and incredibly practical household item.
Discover more inspiring woodworking plans here.
What Exactly is a Ladder Chair?
At its core, a ladder chair is a brilliant dual-purpose piece of furniture. It serves as both a comfortable wooden chair for sitting and a robust step ladder for safely reaching items on higher shelves. This innovative concept is widely believed to have been invented by Benjamin Franklin, a man renowned for his practicality and ingenuity. It’s frequently referred to as a “library chair” – an apt name given its utility in reaching books without needing elaborate, space-consuming rolling ladders often seen in grand, traditional libraries.
In its chair configuration, this versatile piece offers a stable and comfortable seating surface, perfect for use at a dining table, a desk, or as an accent chair in any room. The chair back is ingeniously designed to fold over, aligning with the chair’s front legs to form a sturdy, secure ladder frame. When transformed into its ladder position, this folding step stool chair provides four reliable steps, granting easy access to upper cabinets, tall bookshelves, or high storage areas. The beauty of this design lies not only in its functionality but also in its compact nature, allowing for easy storage in either position, making it an ideal choice for compact living spaces.
While Benjamin Franklin’s original ladder chair would likely have employed traditional mortise and tenon joints, modern woodworking techniques have made building such a piece more accessible to the average DIYer. Thanks to the simplicity and strength of pocket hole joinery, constructing your own durable and practical folding chair ladder is now an achievable and rewarding project. This step ladder is built to last, empowering you to craft a personalized library ladder chair that can reach even the topmost shelf with ease.
Embark on Your DIY Ladder Chair Building Journey
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Essential Materials & Tools for Your Step Stool Chair Project
To ensure a smooth and successful building experience, having the right materials and tools is paramount. Our comprehensive printable plans guide you through every step, from selecting lumber to final assembly. These plans are designed to make the process clear and manageable, even if you’re relatively new to woodworking.
Click here to purchase and download the printable ladder chair plans.
A converted metric building plan is also available here. *Please note that metric measurements are our best approximations.
Recommended Supplies:
The foundation of a sturdy ladder chair lies in good quality lumber and hardware. Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- (3) 5/4x2x8 boards (refer to notes below for sourcing)
- (1) 5/4x3x8 board
- (1) 1x2x8 board
- (1) 1x2x8 board (yes, two of these are needed for various components)
- (1) 1x3x6 board
- (1) 1x4x6 board
- (1) 1x5x6 board
- (1) 1x6x6 board
- 1-1/4″ pocket screws (for strong, concealed joints)
- 1-1/2″ pocket screws (for specific connections requiring longer screws)
- 1-1/4″ wood screws (for general fastening)
- 2″ wood screws (for structural integrity where needed)
- Wood glue (essential for adding strength and durability to every joint)
- 1-1/2″x12″ piano hinge (the crucial component allowing smooth transformation between chair and ladder modes)
Notes on Lumber: A 5/4x2x8 board typically measures 1-1/8″ thick x 1-1/2″ wide x 96″ long. If, like me, you struggle to find 5/4×2 at your local lumber supplier or big box store, a common workaround is to rip larger 5/4×4 boards down to the required 1-1/2″ width using a table saw. This ensures you maintain the correct thickness for structural integrity.
Essential Tools:
Equipping your workshop with these tools will make your ladder chair project efficient and enjoyable:
- Tape measure (for accurate marking and cutting)
- Drill (for pre-drilling and driving screws)
- Kreg Jig (indispensable for creating strong, hidden pocket hole joints)
- Miter saw (for precise angled and cross cuts)
- Jig saw, circular saw, or band saw (for cutting curves or specific shapes as per the plans)
- Table saw (for ripping boards to width and other precise cuts)
- Countersink drill bit (for creating flush screw heads)
- Pocket hole plug cutter (optional, but highly recommended for a professional, finished look) or pre-made pocket hole plugs
Considering a step ladder chair combination that’s even simpler for beginners? Our Hoosier step stool is an excellent alternative, offering an easy build for under $20!
Detailed Ladder Chair Building Instructions
Ready to bring your Benjamin Franklin-inspired ladder chair to life? Our comprehensive, printable building plan is your essential companion throughout this project.
Click here to download the printable building plan.
A converted metric building plan is available here. *Metric measurements are our best approximations.
The construction of this ingenious Benjamin Franklin Ladder Chair is broken down into 5 manageable main sections, simplifying the assembly process and ensuring structural integrity:
- Front Legs/Rails: Forming the primary support structure of the chair.
- Front Steps/Cleats and Front Seat: These components integrate the lower steps and the front portion of the seating surface.
- Back Legs/Rails and Stiles: Creating the back support and frame that converts into the upper ladder structure.
- Middle Legs and Cleats: Providing crucial support and connecting the two main halves of the convertible design.
- Steps/Seat and Back Seat Rails: These elements complete the ladder steps and the back section of the seat, making the transformation seamless.
Our meticulously crafted printable building plan is more than just a list; it’s a complete guide. It includes the detailed materials list you saw above, a precise cut list for all lumber pieces, exhaustive step-by-step assembly instructions, and invaluable tips for ensuring accurate placement and secure clamping during construction. This level of detail guarantees that even complex angles and joinery become manageable.
Given that this design involves a number of angled cuts, achieving precision is absolutely vital for both the functionality and aesthetics of your ladder chair. I highly recommend reviewing my expert tips on how to adjust your miter saw for accurate cuts and the best way to adjust a table saw blade for precision cuts. These resources will help you achieve clean, tight joints, which are critical for a project like this.
PRO TIP: For a truly tailored and professional finish, consider using a pocket hole plug cutter to create custom plugs from scrap wood. These plugs seamlessly fill the pocket holes, hiding the joinery for a flawless appearance. Simply apply wood glue to the pocket holes, insert the plugs, and once dry, trim them flush with the surface. After sanding, you can finish your ladder chair with your desired stain, paint, or protective sealant.
Thank you for taking the time to explore the rewarding project of building your own DIY ladder chair. I hope you’re inspired to create this functional and stylish piece for your home. Please feel free to “skate over” to Saws on Skates to discover more of my DIY furniture plans and projects. Happy building!
More Woodworking Plans to Inspire Your Next Project:
- Build a flip-over Hoosier bar stool ladder
- Build a chunky wood nightstand
- Build a small vanity with storage to fit an IKEA sink
- Build a corner cabinet
Originally published 9 December 2017 // Last updated 17 July 2024