Easy DIY arbor made with ladders, plus a cable reel table and bench setup

# Project snapshot This project repurposes three wooden ladders and a cable spool top to create an outdoor arbor above a bench plus a small table. The approach favors simple joinery, upcycled materials, and weather protection applied at the end so the pieces can remain outdoors while being removable for winter.

# Materials and tools

• Two wooden a-frame ladders and one long flat ladder (reclaimed).
• Large wood garden bench (used as support).
• Cable spool reel top.
• Four table-height metal pin legs.
• Screws and a cordless drill.
• Scrap boards (for a shelf across the top ladder).
• Olympic Waterguard (Natural) or similar water-based wood protector.

# How the arbor goes together

1. 1Position the two a-frame ladders on each side of the bench. If you don't have a bench, open and position the ladders so they self-support.

1. 1Attach the a-frame ladders to the bench where they meet using screws. Mark contact points first to ensure secure placement.
2. 2Fasten the top ladder to the a-frame ladders with a few screws at the join points. Use minimal screws so the top ladder and side ladders can be removed before winter.

# table

• Flip the cable reel top and mount four metal pin legs to the underside. The builder used table-height legs, but coffee-table height legs would also work depending on seating and layout.

# Finishing and site setup

• Add hanging baskets, a pillow, a blanket, and table accessories to make the nook inviting.
• Apply a coat of a water-based wood preservative to all wood components to guard against the elements. The example product is water-based and chosen because it doesn't leave a yellow tone and is easy to clean up.
• Because fastenings are minimal, plan to dismount the arbor for winter to extend the life of the wood.

• Dry-fit all parts before fastening. This helps confirm look, scale, and whether ladder openings need covering for plant placement.

• Choose a water-based protector if you want minimal color change and easy clean-up.
• Keep fastenings removable when you expect seasonal storage or heavy winter weather.

# Result and use cases The completed setup creates shade, additional plant display area, and a cozy seating nook with room for a small table. The design is compact and adaptable: you can rearrange ladder positions, change tabletop height, or swap plants seasonally to refresh the look.