How To Make A DIY Ladder Christmas Tree With Simple Decorations

You don’t have to buy another Christmas tree to make your home feel festive. If you have a suitable wooden A frame ladder, you may already have what you need for a simple holiday decorating project.

A DIY ladder Christmas tree is an alternative holiday display made by decorating a stable ladder with Christmas garland, lights, ribbons, and lightweight ornaments. The open shape gives you the look of a Christmas tree without needing branches or a traditional tree stand.

I like this idea because you can reuse decorations you already own. A few ornaments left over from last Christmas, some artificial greenery, and a short strand of lights can go a long way.

The key is choosing the right ladder and making sure it stays stable before decorating.

I’ll walk you through the materials, setup, decorating steps, and safety details so you can put together a holiday display that works for your home.

What Is A Ladder Christmas Tree?

A ladder Christmas tree is a decorative alternative to a traditional Christmas tree. Instead of using a real or artificial tree, you use the shape of a ladder to create a festive display.

A wooden A frame ladder works particularly well because its two sides form a triangle when fully opened. You can decorate the side rails with greenery, hang ornaments from the steps, and add a few Christmas accents around the bottom.

The finished display can look rustic, modern, farmhouse inspired, or traditional, depending on the decorations you choose.

There are a few ladder styles worth understanding before you start.

Ladder Style	Best Use	What to Consider
Wooden A frame ladder	Full Christmas tree alternative	Needs a sound frame, working spreader locks, and stable footing
Purpose built decorative A frame ladder	Lightweight holiday display	Follow its display and attachment instructions
Leaning wooden ladder	Wall mounted holiday accent	Requires suitable wall securing and isn’t freestanding
Metal stepladder	Simple decorative display	Avoid attaching electric light strings directly to metal

For this project, I recommend a sound wooden A frame ladder or a purpose built decorative A frame display.

An ordinary leaning ladder isn’t a substitute for a freestanding A frame. If you can’t secure it appropriately, choose another option.

And remember, once a ladder becomes a Christmas decoration, it’s no longer something anyone should climb.

What You Need To Make A Ladder Christmas Tree

One of the nice things about this project is that you don’t need a workshop or a collection of power tools.

Start by checking your Christmas storage boxes. You may already have most of the decorations.

Materials and Decorations

• One sturdy wooden A frame ladder or suitable decorative A frame display
• Lightweight artificial Christmas garland
• Indoor rated LED Christmas lights suitable for the display
• Small, shatter resistant Christmas ornaments
• Ribbon or fabric bows
• Soft reusable ties or decoration clips
• A lightweight Christmas star or bow for the top
• Non slip protective feet or pads, if compatible with the ladder
• Appropriate anti tip hardware if needed for the location

Optional decorations

• Small wooden ornaments
• Pinecone decorations
• Paper stars
• Lightweight faux greenery
• A decorative basket for the base
• Wrapped empty gift boxes

You don’t need every item on this list.

I’ve found that a simple combination of greenery, a few ornaments, and warm lights often looks better than covering every step.

How Much Time Does It Take?

For a straightforward setup, allow roughly 30 to 60 minutes once you have a suitable ladder and your decorations ready.

Difficulty: Beginner friendly

Tools: Usually none for the decorating itself. Proper wall anchoring, when needed, may require tools and suitable hardware.

Budget: Low if you’re reusing a ladder and decorations you already own.

The most important preparation is checking the ladder and choosing a safe location. Don’t rush that part just to finish decorating.

How To Make A DIY Ladder Christmas Tree

The easiest way to make a ladder Christmas tree is to work in the same order you would decorate a regular tree.

Start with the structure, add greenery, arrange the lighting, and finish with ornaments.

Here’s how I recommend doing it.

Step 1. Choose a Suitable Ladder

Start with a ladder that can stand securely on its own.

A wooden A frame ladder gives you a natural Christmas tree shape. When fully opened, the legs create a triangular outline that works well with garland and ornaments.

Before using one, look closely at its condition.

Check that:

• The legs are straight and free of cracks.
• The steps and rungs are firmly attached.
• The hinges and spreader locks work correctly.
• The feet are present and in good condition.
• The frame doesn’t wobble when properly opened.

Don’t use a damaged ladder simply because the old wood looks rustic.

A weathered appearance can be attractive, but cracked legs, loose hardware, and broken spreaders are reasons to choose another display.

An older wooden ladder with unknown paint or coatings also deserves caution. Avoid scraping or sanding old paint without first identifying whether it contains lead.

If the ladder is questionable, a purpose built decorative A frame display is the better choice.

Step 2. Find a Safe Display Location

Before adding a single ornament, decide where the ladder will stand.

I always recommend choosing the spot first because a decorated ladder can be awkward to move without knocking something loose.

A quiet corner of the living room, a spare wall in a family room, or a roomy area beside a window may work.

Look for a location with:

• A flat, solid floor
• Enough space for all four ladder feet
• Clearance around the display
• No nearby heaters, fireplaces, or heat vents
• Access to a suitable outlet if you’re using plug in lights
• No interference with doors, walkways, or exits

Avoid placing the ladder where children regularly play, pets run through the room, or someone might bump into it while carrying groceries or laundry.

For example, if your living room has a narrow path between the couch and coffee table, don’t squeeze a ladder into that walkway just because it looks good there.

Pick a location where the decorations won’t interfere with daily life.

Step 3. Secure and Stabilize the Ladder

This is the step I wouldn’t skip.

Open your A frame ladder completely according to its instructions and make sure the spreader locks are fully engaged.

All four feet should rest evenly on a hard, level surface.

If the ladder rocks or shifts, don’t try to hide the problem with a tree skirt or a pile of presents.

Fix the placement or choose another display.

If you have young children or active pets, consider whether the display needs appropriate anti tip securing. Use hardware and attachment points suitable for the display and the wall.

An adhesive decoration hook isn’t a substitute for a properly rated anti tip anchor.

For renters, the key is finding a safe setup that also respects your lease. If the display needs wall anchoring and you can’t install it, choose a smaller, more stable decoration instead.

Once the ladder is secure, you’re ready to decorate.

Step 4. Add Christmas Garland

Garland is what helps turn the ladder into something that looks like a Christmas tree.

For a traditional holiday look, use lightweight artificial evergreen garland.

Start near the top and loosely arrange the greenery along the wooden side rails.

You can let the garland follow the triangular outline or weave small sections between the steps.

I prefer decorating the outside rails first because it helps establish the shape without making the center look crowded.

Use soft reusable ties to hold the garland in place. Don’t overtighten them or damage the ladder.

A few simple decorating tips:

• Keep the greenery close to the frame.
• Use shorter garland pieces if a long one becomes bulky.
• Leave some wooden steps visible.
• Keep greenery away from plugs, sockets, and heat sources.

If you have leftover garland from your mantel or staircase, try that before buying anything new.

You don’t need thick greenery to make this work.

Step 5. Arrange Christmas Lights

A little lighting can make the display feel much more like a Christmas tree.

For a suitable wooden ladder, indoor rated LED string lights are a practical choice.

Start by testing the lights before attaching them. Check for damaged insulation, cracked sockets, or loose connections. Don’t use a damaged strand.

Arrange the lights along the wooden frame, working from the top toward the bottom.

You can weave them through the greenery or place them along the rails so the ladder’s triangular outline remains visible.

Use fasteners designed for decorations without puncturing or pinching the electrical wiring.

I like warm white lights for this project because they work with almost any decorating style.

If your ladder is metal, don’t wrap electric lights around the metal structure. Use separate nearby lighting to illuminate it instead.

Keep cords out of walkways, don’t run them under rugs, and follow the light manufacturer’s instructions. Turn decorative lights off when you leave home or go to bed.

Step 6. Hang Lightweight Ornaments

Once the greenery and lighting are in place, add your ornaments.

Here’s where you can make the ladder look more like your own Christmas tree.

You don’t need to cover every rung.

Start with a few ornaments and spread them evenly across the display.

For a balanced look:

• Place smaller ornaments near the top.
• Use slightly larger lightweight ornaments lower down.
• Hang decorations at different heights.
• Leave open space between groups of ornaments.
• Keep the heaviest decorations off the ladder.

Shatter resistant ornaments are a good choice, especially in homes with kids or pets.

Paper stars, lightweight wooden ornaments, and small fabric decorations also work well.

You can hang ornaments from the steps using ribbon or appropriate lightweight clips.

If you have a collection of Christmas ornaments that don’t match your main tree, this is a nice place to use them.

Step 7. Add Finishing Decorations

The last step is giving your ladder Christmas tree a finished appearance.

You can keep this simple.

Tie a lightweight bow near the top or attach a small star decoration where it can be held securely.

At the bottom, you could arrange a few wrapped empty boxes or place a decorative basket nearby.

Just make sure nothing interferes with the ladder feet or creates a tripping hazard.

For a rustic look, I like natural wood, green garland, and red ribbon.

For something more modern, try white ornaments, soft gold accents, and a simple bow.

Once you’re finished, check that everything is secure and that the decorations haven’t affected the display’s stability.

Ladder Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

The ladder creates the basic shape, but the decorations determine how it looks in your home.

You don’t need an entirely new collection of Christmas ornaments to try a different style.

Here are a few ideas worth considering.

1. Rustic Wooden Ladder Christmas Tree

Keep the natural wood visible and use a small amount of evergreen garland.

Add pinecones, fabric bows, and simple wooden ornaments.

This look works especially well in a cozy living room with neutral furniture, woven baskets, and warm lighting.

Best for: Farmhouse and rustic holiday decorating.

2. Minimalist Ladder Christmas Tree

Skip the thick garland and use just a few lightweight ornaments.

Choose one or two colors, such as white and gold or green and natural wood.

Leave plenty of open space between the decorations.

I love how this lets the shape of the ladder become part of the design.

Best for: Modern living rooms and uncluttered holiday spaces.

3. Traditional Red and Green Ladder Tree

Use artificial greenery, red ribbon bows, and a few classic Christmas ornaments.

Small red ornaments stand out nicely against green garland.

If you already have red and green decorations in your storage boxes, this is one of the easiest styles to put together.

Best for: Traditional Christmas decorating on a budget.

4. Handmade Ornament Ladder Tree

Turn the ladder into a place to display homemade holiday decorations.

Try paper snowflakes, folded paper stars, fabric bows, and lightweight painted wooden ornaments.

If you have children, they can help create the decorations at a table while an adult handles the ladder setup and hanging.

Keep fragile pieces and small detachable items out of children’s reach.

Best for: Family holiday crafts and personalized decorations.

5. Vintage Inspired Ladder Christmas Tree

If you enjoy older Christmas decorations, a wooden ladder can make a nice backdrop.

Use vintage style colors, ribbons, and lightweight reproductions of classic ornaments.

I’d avoid hanging heavy or fragile family heirlooms where they might fall.

You can still enjoy the vintage look without risking something special.

Best for: Homes with collected or nostalgic Christmas decor.

DIY Ladder Christmas Tree For Small Spaces

A ladder Christmas tree can work in a smaller home, but it isn’t automatically a space saving option.

The legs of an A frame ladder take up floor space, and the wider the ladder opens, the more room you’ll need.

That’s why I recommend measuring before decorating.

Measure the Floor Space First

Open the ladder properly and measure its full footprint, including how far the legs extend.

Check the height, too.

Make sure the display fits comfortably below ceiling fixtures and doesn’t crowd nearby furniture.

For a small apartment, a shorter decorative A frame display may make more sense than a full size stepladder.

Keep Decorations Close to the Frame

Bulky garland and oversized ornaments make a small display look larger.

Use narrow greenery, mini ornaments, and simple ribbon accents.

The goal is to enjoy a Christmas decoration without having to move furniture every time you walk through the room.

Choose the Right Spot for Everyday Living

Think about how the room works throughout the day.

Do you open a closet beside that wall? Does the vacuum need to pass through the area? Will a pet be able to reach the ornaments?

These little details matter.

If floor space is too limited for a stable A frame, a tabletop or wall mounted Christmas tree may be a better fit.

I share more options in my guide to small Christmas tree ideas, including compact displays for homes with limited space.

How To Store Your Decorations After Christmas

One thing I like about a ladder Christmas tree is that you can take the decorations off and reuse them next year.

You don’t need a special Christmas tree storage bag.

Start by unplugging and removing any lights.

Carefully loosen the ties and take down the garland without pulling on the greenery.

Remove ornaments individually and place them in divided storage containers or small boxes.

For easier storage:

1. Wrap lights loosely around a storage reel or piece of cardboard.
2. Coil garland without crushing the branches.
3. Store lightweight ornaments in labeled boxes.
4. Keep bows and ribbons in a separate bag or container.
5. Remove any display only attachments before returning a working ladder to storage.

Store everything in a clean, dry place.

If you plan to use the ladder for household projects again, inspect it and make sure all decorations, ties, and hardware that interfere with normal operation have been removed.

That way, you’re not buying and storing another bulky Christmas tree just for one season.

FAQs About My DIY Ladder Christmas Trees

Final Thoughts On Making ADIY Ladder Christmas Tree

A DIY ladder Christmas tree is a simple way to reuse something you already have and give your home a different holiday look.

You don’t need expensive decorations or a complicated project plan.

Start with a suitable ladder, find a safe spot, and use lightweight greenery and ornaments that fit your space.

I’ve found that the decorations you already own are often enough to make a display feel personal. Sometimes a little ribbon and a few favorite Christmas ornaments do the job better than buying a whole new collection.

And if you’d rather build a smaller decorative tree from scrap lumber, take a look at my DIY wooden Christmas tree ideas for more beginner friendly projects.

Whatever style you choose, keep it safe, simple, and practical for the way you live.