I joined Yamazaki Home three years ago, but I've been a fan far longer. Curious, I traced my purchase history and found a date that feels almost symbolic: March 19, 2016, the day I bought my first Yamazaki Home piece. Ten years have passed since, and Yamazaki Home pieces have filled my home ever since.

Yamazaki Home has been around for over 100 years, starting as an ironing board manufacturer before moving into interior and home goods about 20 years ago, so a ten-year fan like me counts for something. I never bought these pieces for the brand (it wasn't even well known back then); I bought them because they were genuinely good.

So I want to start this series with the very first piece I ever owned: the Tower Leaning Ladder.

I bought it in Japan, and it's still with me now in Germany. This is an absolute must-buy, and it holds a special place in my heart. Just leaning it against a wall turns a dull corner into a favorite spot in the room. Here are three ways I've used it over the years:

1. Living room display

With S-hooks, I hang a paper clock by my favorite artist, a small broom, and a planter with a beloved houseplant. Since the ladder is steel and wood, it pairs beautifully with natural materials.

2. Hanging outfits

No more digging through drawers in the morning or leaving unworn clothes piled on the bed. I plan outfits on the ladder the night before, and mornings are calmer for it.

3. Blankets and scarves

Great for anything that tends to get messy, easy to grab and put back. Works well in the bathroom for towels or bath mats too.

Use it your way

I keep one ladder in the living room and another as a temporary clothes rack in the bedroom. Our cat likes to strike a pose on the stool beside it, but the ladder still holds its own. I hope you'll imagine how it could fit your space, and give it a home.
—Yuki, Yamazaki Home EU