5 Uses for Small Step Ladders & Stools

We have an IKEA Bekvam step stool that we've used in several places around our house, including the kitchen and even the bedroom, where it acted as a temporary bedside table for a little while...

On Apartment Therapy and across the web, we've seen several other creative ways to use these household staples. Here are a few:

1 The Shakers used step stools as multi-purpose pieces in almost every room.
2 Mari uses step ladders as plant stands on the back porch.
3 Stylemonger suggests using a step ladder as a bookshelf.
4 The IKEA Bekvam step stool makes a great child's seat or desk set.
5 HGTV shows you how to make a side table from a step ladder.

Photos: Sarah Coffey, almostbunnies, Mitchell Owens, Lisbett Wedendahl / Bo Bedre via Bloesem, HGTV

Comments (5)

Anyone know of a good source for step stools? I had the perfect one picked out from Tiny Living, but they closed the site. Boo!! I need one that is really small (14 inches wide? hopefully less than 3" deep?), but two steps high, as it needs to fit into my closet. Any ideas would be great! Thanks!

posted by darciekd on October 22nd 2009 at 5:02pm
view darciekd's profile

i have loved my IKEA bekvam ever since i got it several months ago. i can't imagine life without it. it allows me to get more use out of that pesky cabinet above the fridge, my impromptu top-of-the-cabinet wine rack and i just painted the whole house using it instead of a full size step ladder. you can pry my bekvam from my cold dead hands!

posted by the polish chick on October 22nd 2009 at 5:31pm
view the polish chick's profile

darciekd, I have this stool: http://www.kikkerlandshop.com/ezst9ststgr.html and I love it. It folds up super flat and small, and is available in cool colours, and a taller size, too. Not really for decorating, but GREAT to keep in your closet.

posted by singer on October 22nd 2009 at 11:03pm
view singer's profile

I like using step-stools...
...to reach things in high places.

posted by bepsf on October 23rd 2009 at 11:13am
view bepsf's profile

My great-grandfather built me a step stool with my name carved into it when I was 2. I used it in the bathroom so I could reach the sink. It was made for a 2 year old, so I'm a little wary of putting my weight on it now. It makes a beautiful bedside table now.

posted by lizsh on October 23rd 2009 at 4:12pm
view lizsh's profile