The Shabby Chic Towel Holder You Can Make With A Few Simple Items

Towel hangers are a pretty important feature in the bathroom. Not only do they keep your hand towels easily accessible, but they also help promote fast drying, which reduces the chance of mildew or bad odors developing. That said, the typical stainless steel towel rings you find in most modern bathrooms can be pretty boring to look at. Instead of settling for these uninspiring metal rings, why not DIY a budget-friendly towel holder using affordable materials? There are many options for making a custom towel ring, but this one leans into the rustic aesthetic. Made from rope and an old clothes hanger, this DIY is the perfect way to add a warm, textured touch to your bathroom.

In addition to the aforementioned rope and wire clothes hanger, you will also need craft twine, wire cutters, masking tape, a hot glue gun, and some embellishments of your choosing — faux flowers work well here, but feel free to get creative with ribbon, metal pieces, smaller rope, lace, or other embellishments that fit your decor. Rope towel rings are perfect if you're going for a rustic farmhouse look or a nautical theme. Either way, these rings can be expensive to buy as they are often handcrafted, so DIYing it is a great way to save a little money while still achieving your desired aesthetic. Before you dive into making the towel ring, be sure to familiarize yourself with the best places to hang bathroom accessories and towel hooks.

Thick, plain rope works well for this project. If you're looking to change the vibe completely, spray paint or dye plain rope to a specific color. Begin by cutting thick rope to the appropriate size — a final diameter of roughly 6 inches is the standard for towel rings, but you can adjust the size based on your preferences. Next, untwist and straighten your wire hanger so it's mostly flat, leaving the curved handle. Then, carefully push the wire through the middle of your rope until the curved handle is just barely sticking out. Use your wire cutters to cut off most of the excess wire on the opposite end of your rope, leaving an inch or two of overhang. Now, form your rope into a circle, and attach the overhang wire to the curved handle by twisting the two pieces around each other.

You can use masking tape to reinforce the area around your metal loop. To hide the tape, simply wrap craft twine around it, and secure with hot glue. Carry this same twine and glue technique onto the metal loop until the hanger is completely covered in rope. For finishing touches, you can use your hot glue gun to add faux flowers, greenery, little charms, or other details. For contrast, wrap a thin piece of rope around the larger rope, leaving gaps between each pass. You can hang this towel ring using a nail, Command hook, or pre-existing towel ring hardware. Just keep in mind the the ideal height for your bathroom's towel bar and hooks — you'll want the ring to sit at a comfortable level about 48 inches off the floor.