The 9 Best Stepladders to Keep Around the House

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Stop tip-toeing when a stepladder can take you higher.

If you can touch your ceiling, your home is either too small or you’re too tall — perhaps both. At 5-foot 9-inches, I’m about average height and there are still cabinets in my home that are beyond my reach, even when I’m on my tippy-toes. To reach the top shelf, I need help. A chair, perhaps? No. Worker’s Comp organizations make posters that say “Don’t you dare stand on a chair” on them. You can even read hundreds of falling-from-chair horror stories in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's accident log. Climbing on the counter is similarly daunting.

The solution is a nice-looking stepladder, which you might (wrongly) believe to be an oxymoron. Usually relegated to the garage, the unsightly contraptions hide in darkness, gathering cobwebs and dust, until there’s a top-shelf conundrum. How about we skip the garage bit? These nine stepladders will help you move up in the world and don’t look terrible doing it.

It won't let you reach the highest levels, but the $20 Grubban gives you a 16-inch vertical boost in a cute little stepping stool.

This Empower stepladder is available in three attractive colorways, and has an above-average weight capacity, clocking in at 300 pounds. When folded, it's just two inches thick, and it's backed by a one-year warranty.

Editor's Note [11/17]: Unfortunately, the Xtend & Climb SL2HLight Slimline 2 Step Ladder appears to be out of stock. Luckily, the three-step version of the ladder is still available.

Xtend & Climb’s home series of stepladders is made of industrial-grade aluminum that’s lightweight and sleek. The stepladder has a slim profile so it can be stowed away in tight places.

This extra-slim, super-tall folding stepladder has stable rubber feed and wide treads for added safety. With its 225-pound weight capacity, it's one of the most affordable and trust-worthy stepladders you can find.

Frontgate ladders come in a variety of bold colors so they’re a standout piece as much as they are functional. The seven-pound ladder has nonslip steps and rubber feet for extra safety.

A similar shape to the Frontgate, Sorfey’s stepladder is about the same price with an extra step. The black frame and wood-like platforms are a nice design touch.

Hasegawa Kogyo Company, which has been making ladders and scaffolding in Japan for over 60 years. The stepladder is made of hand-assembled aluminum and steel with a satin powder-coat finish in a color of your choice.

Kartell’s Upper stepladder, designed by Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto, is a combination of transparent polycarbonate and chromed steel. Although it’s foldable, you might want to keep it open and have it as a stand for plants and other small pieces of home decor.

Truly a vanity piece, this $625 stepladder won accolades from Wallpaper and Sweden’s Elle Decoration. It’s made of solid oak and comes with a hook so you can hang it on the wall.

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