DIY Industrial Towel Rack

Hey everyone! I'm Olivia from DIY Mother, and I'm super excited to be sharing one of my DIY projects with you while Bonnie is on vacation! If you like this project, be sure to check out more at DIY Mother. When my family moved into our first home last December, I knew it would take some time before the house felt like home, so I’ve been focusing on one room at a time. I almost have the living and dining room finished. Now I’ve been redirecting my attention towards the kids’ section of the house. Specifically, the bathroom. It’s full of holes from fallen towel rods, and the lighting is a rusted “Hollywood lights” panel. Before I take on the lighting, I have to make small cosmetic changes. This towel rack was my first attempt, and I think it turned out pretty well. I was first inspired by this plumbing pipe coat rack and figured I could use it as a towel rack.


I wanted it to be extra-long so that I could hang pajamas or extra things in addition to towels. So here’s how it turned out, I’m loving how it looks in the bathroom. Now, onto the outdated Hollywood light panel. 

Materials: 1 black steel pipe (18 in.) 2 floor flanges 2 iron elbows Drill Bugle head screws Spray paint (optional) 1. Rub off the black exterior of the steel pipe with some all-purpose cleaner and paper towels. Then, clean off the smaller parts and spray paint it all one color. I chose Rustoleum in Oil Rubbed Bronze. 2. Screw the pipe into the elbow. You’ll have to use a lot of elbow grease (har, har) because it won’t go on easily. 

Then, screw the elbow into the floor flange. See? Super easy. 

3. Since this thing is kind of heavy, you’ll want to invest in some drywall screws. My husband taught me a little trick in this department: drill your screw into the wall, and back out so that the hole is clean. Then, put the drywall screw in. 

Place the towel rack up against the wall and screw in your screws. And you’re done! Seriously, this is one of the best projects I’ve done. No more towels on the ground after bathtime! 

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