In this bespoke library ladder guide we show you how to pick the right library ladder for your interior. Including the practical considerations needed and the aesthetics that complement your interior design and architecture.
Library ladders not only add a unique, stylish feature to your space, they are also very practical. They allow you to maximise the height of your storage spaces and access them safely. We’ve installed them in a wide range of spaces from a personal dressing room to kitchens to commercial boutiques. Each time they add a focal point to the space and create a dynamic aspect to the room.
Hook on ladders can be moved to different rails in the same room or even to different rooms. This means that you only need one ladder.
Hook on ladders can be stored on hooks on the wall or on a short piece of rail either as an artwork or display, or can be positioned behind a door or in a service room when not in use.
There is no need for carrying the ladder to a new position on the rail for use – you just roll it along to where it is needed.
It is possible to add braked feet to this type of ladder.
Retractable or telescopic ladders are great for saving space when not in use. They can be pushed flat to store in a vertical position against the wall to preserve floor space in the room. When you need to use the ladder you just need to pull it into the diagonal position. Similar to a hook-on ladder, they can be taken off the wall and stored in a cupboard or behind a door.
This type of ladder is also useful to mount onto rails of different heights.
Do you have a bookcase that spans more than one wall? No problem! Our corner rolling ladders allow you to effortlessly roll the ladder around a corner to access a different side of the room.
In addition to our full-size library ladders, we also produce a range of beautifully crafted step ladders in wood, metal, or a combination of both. These can be tailored with decorative inlays or finished with luxurious leather detailing.
If you’re considering a bespoke step ladder or bespoke library ladder, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. Contact us to discuss a bespoke solution for your space.
A tall, folding step ladder made in walnut and brass with bespoke-made brass hinges.
A step ladder made in a “Bat Wing” design — crafted from sapele and hand-finished in black lacquer with stitched black leather treads and bespoke brass inlay to the bat wings and bespoke made bat wing hinges.
We produce different aesthetic styles of ladder:
A contemporary style ladder has fittings that are more simple by design - no decorative turned details. The look is pared back with modern colour choices of black, white and sleek metal details like polished brass or nickel, or satin finish brass or nickel.
A vintage style ladder would have fittings that are turned and decorative. We can offer a bespoke finishing service to hand patinate and antique finish the ladder and rail fittings to match other fittings in the project and room. Our craftsmen are also highly skilled cabinet makers and we can make, hand-polish, and age an entirely wooden ladder for your project, or a ladder with wooden treads and metal stringers, or a metal ladder.
When it comes to selecting the right metal for your library ladder, safety, durability, and aesthetics all play a role. One of the key considerations is the height of the ladder rail, as different metals offer varying levels of strength and stability.
We specialise in adding finishes to metals to enhance your library aesthetic. We can patinate brass and steel to age it so that it looks like an antique library ladder and blends in seamlessly with other antiques or polish to a high shine for a modern library.
At this height, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of metals. Any option will provide sufficient strength for safe use.
For taller sliding ladders, we recommend using steel or stainless steel for the stringers. These materials offer the necessary structural integrity. To match the ladder to your interior design, these metals can be plated in finishes such as copper or nickel, painted in any RAL colour, or powder-coated or anodised to complement the surrounding materials.
Ladders taller than 3 metres require a bespoke design to ensure safety and style. These installations need to be carefully engineered, and we specialise in crafting tailored solutions for tall spaces. Please contact us to discuss your project.
From left to right: polished brass, aged brass, aged bronze, polished nickel
Each of our wooden library ladders is crafted with care, using high-quality timber to suit both your aesthetic and practical needs. We offer a choice of Oak, Sapele, Walnut, and Plywood—each bringing its own character, grain, and tone. Oak is timeless and strong, Sapele offers a rich reddish hue, Walnut lends deep luxury, and Plywood provides a clean, modern edge with excellent stability and strength.
We regularly produce ladders in the following woods, but others are available — please contact us if you require a specific wood or finish on wood:
To complement your chosen wood, we offer a range of finishes: opt for a painted look to match your interior, a hand finish to enhance the natural beauty of the grain, or a raw finish if you prefer to add your own treatment or simply enjoy the material in its most natural form.
We also offer to inlay the steps with brass designs / words
We also offer leather covered rungs and Stringers for the ladders. One benefit of using leather is that it feels soft underfoot when climbing. Leather adds depth and texture as a design feature. The leather needs to be stitched onto the rungs or the stringers and the stitching gives a striking look.
We can also combine a metal ladder with wooden rungs to create a truly unique and beautiful bespoke piece.
Yes, we regularly ship worldwide. We have already completed many projects in countries outside of the UK including the USA, Europe, South Africa and Australia. Contact us to discuss your options.
Absolutely, ladders are not just for libraries! They can be used in kitchens, dressing rooms, utilities, pantries, whiskey rooms, lounges, offices, wine cellars, wine walls, cigar rooms to name a few!
A cranked ladder is a clever space-saving solution. The upper section of the ladder is vertical where it attaches to the rail, allowing it to reach higher shelves without the bottom half of the ladder extending too far into the floor space. This design means the vertical section is mainly used to support your upper body, while your feet remain lower, making it easier and safer to access tall storage.
Yes, if your bookcase is sturdy and built into the wall you can add a ladder to using a bookshelf ladder rail. We have some ready to buy here. Please contact us to find out if your bookcase is suitable and to get a quote!
We have helped create many luxurious dressing rooms, wardrobe ladders, and walk in wardrobes with ladders for our clients. They help you make the most of your storage and get easy access to those top shelves. Not to mention the elegance and drama that a library ladder can add! Contact us to find out more.
