Getting into the spots where you haven't been in a while - that's a big part of spring cleaning. The corners and edges of our rooms need a little attention. The upper cabinets are a no-mans-land. Who knows what lurks on the upper shelves of our closets?
Now if you have a solid step stool or ladder, great.
If you are precariously balancing to reach things, you may want to consider the kik-step, a design classic.
Cramer began production of these in the fifties and there is a small army of kik-steps out there working hard. A stool on wheels, you can "kik" it into place, and then the wheels retract when you stand on it, making for a stable platform. They are famous for working well and lasting forever.
Built from steel and powder coated, the kik-step comes in multiple colors (check out the crazy limited edition green) or a simple silvertone finish.
The best price we found by far is from Evolutionary Office, but they are widely sold - check around.
(Re-edited from a post originally published 05.05.06)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
aww... reminds me of the library in elementary school! :)
I've had one for a few months and love it. It is great in the kitchen. And it reminds me of my childhood local library!
Janel, do you remember the one mom had at her apartment in California? It was always in the kitchen.
how tall is this? my step ladder is barely tall enough for me to clean the ceiling fan blades - or maybe i just have really really tall ceilings...
view elizabeth in AL's profile
As a short person, stools are a way of life (especially in the kitchen).
Unfortunately to clean those difficult to reach places, stools don't quite cut it, but counters help (in the kitchen, at least).
view thebird's profile
elizabeth in al - i just measured the one in my office. it's about 13" high.
even though i'm fond of the kik-step, i needed something more compact at home. so around the house, i love the ultraslim compact stepladder available at williams-sonoma. it comes in two heights and is less than 2" deep when folded up.
view anh-minh's profile
oooh interesting. i'll have to check that one out.
view elizabeth in AL's profile
I've been trying to find a very tall reaching step stool for indoor use. I have very high ceilings--12' and am hoping to find something at least 6' tall (top step), but it must also be compact/folding/slim--at least one of these, so that I can store it in a closet.
Any ideas?
view grayinnyc's profile