One of my favorite design elements in a home is when there is a rolling ladder for the kitchen, library, or perhaps a loft. I’m not sure if I love it for the ladder or for the fact that to need one means you must have high ceilings and plenty of storage space, but alas, I am always wooed by them as you may recall from my Kitchen Ladder Lust post last year. They seem like a luxury item because of the idea that you must have a grand home to need one, but that’s not the case at all. Sometimes the smallest spaces are the ones that need these fabulous design element, and you can find them quite easily from companies like the Putnam Rolling Ladder Company (featured above) which has been making these fabulous pieces for over 100 years.

While rolling ladders certainly lend themselves well to traditional decor, they can also be perfect for very modern decor when given a steel or polished chrome finish like this one from Richelieu Hardware.

Or create a completely unique look using a ladder you already own (a vintage farm ladder would be amazing!) by just purchasing the hardware from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.

If there is anywhere in your house where you’ve got empty space over cupboards or or furniture, consider maximizing your storage space by putting built-ins all the way to the ceiling and adding a rolling ladder. It is a little bit of an investment, but it’s one that will take your home decor through the roof.