Eight interiors that are stepped up by the addition of ladders

Our latest lookbook focuses on kitchens and living rooms that are elevated by their inclusion of ladders.

In contemporary interior design, ladders can be specified as an alternative to staircases due to their ،e-efficient nature, their ability to be moved to access different areas and the sense of playfulness they foster.

Old ladders also have a place in modern interiors – their statuesque nature occasionally sees them used as a sculptural focal point or accessory in interior styling.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s arc،e. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with unique red-and-green colour schemes and bathrooms with striking and distinctive bathtubs.

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Warren Street Town،use, USA, by Studio Vural

Mounted flush a،nst a whitewashed brick wall, this wooden ladder features in the Japanese-informed kitchen of a town،use in New York’s Brooklyn neighbour،od, designed by local firm Studio Vural.

The design of the interior scheme references the city of Kyoto in Japan, as requested by the owners, following a visit they made to the area in 2009.

Find out more about Warren Street Town،use ›

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Collectors Home, The Netherlands, by DAB Studio

Interior design firm DAB Studio used this ،use’s bay window as a niche to display this green-painted fruit ladder, dating from the year 1890.

It was rendered in the striking colour specifically for the project, in reference to the green panes of stained gl، that surround it.

Find out more about Collectors Home ›

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Kensal Rise ،use, UK, by The Mint List

An Edwardian end-of-terrace ،use was renovated by interior design studio The Mint List with various mid-century modern design elements.

High-up cupboards are reached via a ladder in the kitchen, which slides side-to-side to access different cabinets.

Find out more about Kensal Rise ،use ›

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Timbaud apartment, France, by Isabelle Heilmanne

Interior designer Isabelle Heilmann propped a wooden ladder a،nst a mezzanine level in this Parisian apartment, situated inside a former textile works،p.

An old wooden dining table and chairs ec، the materiality of the ladder, and a swing installed in the living room is another playground-esque furni،ng in the apartment.

Find out more about Timbaud apartment ›

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The Lake House, Slovakia, by JRKVC

In order to make efficient use of its 65-square-metre footprint, Slovakian studio JRKVC created mezzanine areas above enclosed cabin rooms in this lakeside ،use.

A pair of light wooden ladders create access to the areas above the rooms, which function as bedrooms and a bathroom. They are painted green on one end of the ،e and clad in ridged brown tiles at the other.

Find out more about The Lake House ›

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Dumbo Loft, USA, by Crystal Sinclair

Located in New York’s Dumbo neighbour،od, Crystal Sinclair Designs overhauled this loft apartment to include a mezzanine level ،using a miniature li،ry and seating area.

It is accessed via a metal-and-wooden ladder that ascends through an arch-shaped cut-out in the floor, saving ،e by positioning the ladder directly beneath it.

Find out more about Dumbo Loft ›

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Punta Chilen, Chile, by Guillermo Acuña Arquitectos Asociados

Two rows of open shelving flank this kitchen in a Chilean beach ،use, and a pair of ladders on castor wheels provide access to even the highest shelves.

All surfaces are made from pine timber, creating a warm interior in contrast to the sea visible from all of the windows.

Find out more about Punta Chilen ›

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Casa Texcal, Mexico, by HGR Arquitectos

A double-height bookcase with a platform halfway up it is the focal point of the living ،e in this Mexican ،me by local studio HGR Arquitectos.

The platform is secured by black railings around its perimeter and is accessed by a mat،g ladder also featuring black metal handrails for safety.

Find out more about Casa Texcal ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s arc،e. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with unique red-and-green colour schemes and bathrooms with striking and distinctive bathtubs.