Craft A Handmade Paper Towel Holder Using A Few Pieces Of Wood

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Woodworking projects are often surprisingly efficient. Hardly anything goes to waste because even after making your main item, the pieces of wood that remain can still be used to DIY something else. Among TikTok's best ideas for those pieces of scrap wood you have lying around, we especially like the DIY projects that require minimal effort and can be completed in a short time. For example, you can make a handmade paper towel holder very easily. You'll only need to drill two holes into a block of wood that will serve as the base, then secure dowels into those holes to hold the paper towel roll in place.

The supplies you need include the wood plank from which you'll cut out the base, and two dowels, a long one to hold the paper towel roll, and a smaller one for the side arm. You'll also need wood glue, a pencil, a rafter square, a piece of leather cord for the handle, paint, and a paintbrush. Don't worry if you don't have fancy power tools — a regular hand drill and saw will do.

Once you've gathered everything you need together in one spot, you'll want to begin this DIY project by first cutting all the wood pieces to size and shape. Begin with the wood plank. Grab the saw and cut the plank into a square-shaped block to form a base large enough to fit a paper towel roll. Next, measure and mark out the large dowel that'll serve as the holder's center pole. It should be slightly longer than the height of a paper towel roll. Then cut it at that mark. Lastly, cut the smaller dowel, aiming for about a third of the height of the center pole.

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Turn those small scraps into a high end paper towel holder with this easy DIY! #scrapwood #easydiy

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Pick up the square block, identify the center point using the rafter square, and mark it with your pencil. Next, drill a blind hole at this marked center. It should be wide enough to fit the large dowel snugly. Drill another blind hole for the smaller dowel somewhere near the edge of the block. Space the holes so a paper towel roll can comfortably fit between them.

All that's left now is to attach the dowels to the base in their respective holes. To secure the dowels in place, apply wood glue like Elmer's E7000 Carpenter's Wood Glue or drive a screw into the wood from the bottom end. With that, your paper towel holder is practically ready for use. But there are ways to make it look more attractive and also increase efficiency.

Making this handmade holder become one of those paper storage ideas that turn the kitchen eyesore into a statement piece isn't that hard. A few tweaks here and there will do the trick. You can start by upgrading the efficiency by adding a handle at the top of the holder. Drill a small hole through the top end of the center pole and insert a leather cord, and tie it to form a carrying loop. This will make moving the holder from one place to another much easier, even when you have dirty hands. To change up this feature, you can replace the leather cord with colored ribbon or jute twine. Whatever material you choose, just ensure it's strong enough to carry the loaded holder without breaking. You can also make a fancy grip end by attaching a doorknob to the top end of the center dowel.

Finish up with a coat of paint all over the wooden holder in the color of your choice. This is one of the clever ways to repurpose leftover paint instead of it rotting in the garage. Alternatively, stain the wood using a product like Coatez Brown Water-Based Wood Stain and Sealer, which also provides a protective coating against scuffing. This will give the final product a more natural look. Finally, apply a clear sealer for a nice, professional finish.