Tiny homes have become a popular housing option since the COVID-19 pandemic, as more Americans started considering having one either as their first home or a retirement living option. Besides saving money, many people have turned to tiny homes to simplify their lives and embrace a minimalist lifestyle. However, one can only do so much when styling a small home, and the limited space also means sacrificing certain elements for non-negotiable features, like the stairs. But celebrity home designer Joanna Gaines, who previously shared a clever solution for maximizing a combined kitchen and dining space, begs to differ. For her, it’s possible to have fully functional ladder in a tiny home without sacrificing space.

In “Fixer Upper” Season 3, Gaines and her husband Chip faced the challenging task of designing a family home that was only around 720 square feet. The homeowners had bought the shotgun house abandoned and infested with critters, and there was very little space to work with and develop into usable areas. This pushed Gaines to expand the roof and ceiling and add a loft. But in order to save prime real estate on the ground floor and still have easy access to the loft, Gaines installed a ship ladder staircase that can be lifted and left hanging via a pulley system when not in use. “Not only does it add a practical element, but, with the high ceilings, I felt like it was a really cool design feature,” Gaines wrote in a Magnolia blog post. 

The retractable ladder Joanna Gaines used for the shotgun house project is easy to replicate in any tiny home with a loft and ample ceiling height to accommodate a suspended ladder. Unlike traditional staircase designs that are permanently fixed and take up far too much space, a ship ladder, which is commonly used in the marine industry, is ideal for tiny houses due to its narrow width, steep incline, and sturdy structure. The ship ladder is typically anchored on both ends when used in vessels to ensure safety. But in Gaines’ project, she opted to only affix the upper end of the ladder onto the loft and connect the lower end to a pulley system, which can raise or lower the structure like a drawbridge.

To recreate this in your tiny house, you will need a custom ship ladder built to match the height of your loft. Next, you will need a strong anchor point, either in the ceiling joint or wall stud, to support the pulley mechanism when lifting the ladder. Once both are installed, fasten the side of the ladder to the rope, chain, or belt of the pulley kit using durable hardware, such as eye bolts or carabiners. To keep the ladder suspended when not in use, install a wall-mounted cleat or hook on the adjacent wall, where the rope can be tied off safely. For smoother operation and to minimize wear, apply a small amount of grease to the pulley’s bearings. Keep in mind this is an advanced home improvement project, so professional help is recommended. 

If you feel like the retractable ship ladder with a pulley system is too much or too complex for your tiny home, or if you are not at ease with how it can become a physical hazard when suspended, you can forgo this setup for other stylish and practical alternatives. Two options to consider are fixed wall ladders and rolling library ladders. Both are compact in design and visually appealing. However, they are generally not cheap to build and maintain, so you need to anticipate the expenses you will incur if you intend to keep the cost of living in a tiny house low.

A fixed wall ladder, as its name suggests, is a fixed ladder that mounts flat against the wall. This takes up very little floor space and can even be customized to match your interior style using wood, metal, or acrylic materials. It’s a great choice for minimalist homes where every inch of space counts. However, since it doesn’t move, you should make sure that it does not interfere with other furniture or pathways once installed. Meanwhile, the rolling library ladder, which offers a stylish way to reach tall shelves, is also a good alternative. It glides along a horizontal rail mounted above the loft entrance and can be rolled aside when not in use. Just bear in mind that this needs a bit more horizontal wall space to accommodate its movement and parking position.