Upcycle Old Dresser Hardware Into A Rustic-Chic Towel Holder

Most of the time, towel hangers are just fine. They're not a showstopper, they're functional, and they do their job. Whether it's a bar, a ring, or a simple hook, it's just where you hang a towel from, dry your hands, and move on. But what if a towel hanger could actually contribute to your interior design style? With an old piece of dresser hardware, you can create a rustic-chic towel holder.

Instead of buying something to match your aesthetics, this hack invites you to upcycle old dresser hardware. You know, those long metal pulls that were once so popular on vintage dressers? Whether it's a static handle from an old cabinet or a hinged brass pull with a bit of movement, they make surprisingly perfect holders for hand towels. Ideally, you'll want something with a proper loop section where you can fit the towel, rather than a knob design. The wider, the better, so that you have space to fit the towel.

To do this hack, you'll also need a small plank of wood to use as a base (under 10 inches wide). To attach everything in place, you'll need a few screws and a drill, too. If you'd like to customize this DIY further, you can paint the plank of wood. Since this DIY will be used in the bathroom and to hold onto damp towels, you should also consider some kind of waterproofing technique for the wood. For unpainted wood, linseed oil can act as a sealant. For painted wood, you can add a layer of varnish or lacquer.

For this DIY, the star of the show is the piece of hardware that you choose to use. Don't limit yourself to just drawers; if you're jumping on a new cabinet hardware trend to give your kitchen an upgrade, why not reuse the old ones? You can also detach these from an old chest of drawers before you get rid of it. And if you've got nothing to use, look at your local thrift shops. These types of old hardware pieces are everywhere, and they're relatively affordable. 

You'll need a piece of wood that's a bit larger than the hardware, but not too much. As mentioned earlier, you can paint, varnish, or oil the wood beforehand to help it stand the test of time in a damp bathroom. Centered on that piece of wood, drill the piece of hardware in place with some screws. At the back of the wooden plank, add a D ring and screw so that you can easily hang the DIY from a nail in the wall. When you're done, place the DIY towel holder on the wall near your sink. It's really that simple!

There are plenty of ways to adapt this DIY. First of all, you can totally take it out of the bathroom and into the kitchen to be used for kitchen towels. If you already have something to keep kitchen towels organized in style, you can even use it in the garage or at your DIY station to wipe your hands while you work on a project. You can also try this hack with other types of cabinet hardware. For example, something like a knob can be used as a hook to hang towels, too.