Upcycle A Vintage Towel Holder Into A Charming Jewelry Stand

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If you love a good vintage find but you're not always sure what you might use these peculiar objects for, you're in the right place. For example, an old-school standing countertop towel holder might be just what you need for your jewelry. With a little creativity, a towel holder can turn into a one-of-a-kind jewelry stand that's perfect for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. This DIY upcycle is a fantastic way to organize jewelry to free up useful space and display your collection.

Okay, when we say "standing towel holder" we don't mean the full-length ones that you place on the floor in your bathroom. Here, we're talking about small towel hodlers designed for counters. These typically have a base, a stand that's about 10 inches tall, and some rotating arms attached to the top. These are designed to go on a bathroom counter to hold small hand towels to use after hand washing. But because of their unique design and compact shape, they're perfect as jewelry organizers.

In fact, because they're not used for towels much anymore, they're being sold on websites like eBay and Etsy as jewelry organizers, too. To find one, look for words like "countertop towel holder," or look through your local vintage stores for unique designs. The idea is simple: Place the towel hanger on a vanity, bathroom counter, or credenza, and drape your jewelry over the arms. The height makes it possible to hang necklaces without them touching the counter, and the multiple arms allow you to keep them separate and organized, avoiding tangled jewelry from cluttered drawers. 

When looking for the perfect armed countertop towel holder, keep in mind that there are many styles and models to choose from. Horizontal, long, and movable arms make it particularly convenient to hang necklaces. Other models have curved hangers that don't move, which look dainty and work best for small collections because they provide less hanging space. And if you get lucky, you might find unique designs with sculptural elements, like a small angel base or curved edges at the end of the movable arms. 

@sophielnevel

I love finding unique ways for my vintage goodies to be well utilized in my home! I purchased this super cute "towel holder" from Etsy but used it as a stand for my necklaces! #antiquefinds #vintagehomedecor #vintagefinds #estatesalefinds #vintagehome #antiquehomedecor #shopwithme

♬ TEXAS HOLD 'EM – Beyoncé

The type of design you choose really should depend on your interior design style and your jewelry collection. For example, you can choose between silver or brass models, which can complement nicely the type of metal you typically wear in jewelry. A brass stand will blend in with gold jewelry, while a silver one will match silver pieces beautifully. If you've got a massive collection, look for towel holders with three or more arms. This will really help you keep things organized and untangled. If you simply want something to hold your everyday jewelry stack, even a single-pronged hanger might work.

And finally, consider hanging more than just necklaces to this vintage find. Bracelets and watches are particularly strong fits, because they can hang the same way necklaces do. Rings, however, will only fit on vintage hangers that have thin arms. If you can't find one but you'd like to keep your rings organized, you can find many other DIYs to pair this vintage find with.