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    Home » Woodworking » DIY Scrap Wood Projects

    DIY Scrap Wood Towel Rack

    May 11, 2020 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    In this post, I’m sharing how to build a Simple DIY Scrap Wood Towel Rack!

    Shara Woodshop Diaries removing towel from scrap wood towel rack hanging on wall above tub

    I always have an OVERABUNDANCE of scrap wood.

    So when I have the chance, I try to use it up in a practical project.

    This time, I was able to use up some 2×2 off cuts to build this scrap wood towel rack for my parents’ bathroom renovation.

    As we were finishing up the last details on it, I wanted to add a little warmth to the walls that I had painted a VERY WHITE WHITE.

    I was afraid with so much white, it might feel a little cold.

    So I built a simple scrap wood towel rack to hang over the tub to add some texture and wood tones to the space.

    And I’ll show you how I built it in this simple 3 step tutorial. Ready to get building??

    For this Scrap Wood Towel Rack, You Will Need:

    • 2×2 scraps (see cut list below)
    • Wood glue
    • 2 ½″ and 3″ wood screws
    • Drill & Driver
    • Miter Saw
    • Wood Finish (I used a simple stain and poly)
    • Stud Finder
    • Clamps

    Cut List for Scrap Wood Towel Rack:

    • (2) 2×2 @ 12″ long
    • (4) 2×2 @ 5″ long
    • (2) 2×2 @ 24″ long

    Step 1: Assemble Back and Sides of Towel Rack

    I rummaged through my scrap pile and found several random pieces of 2×2.

    By the way, when I build with 2x2s, I make my own to ensure square edges. You can check out how to make 2x2s here.

    I cut two pieces to 12″ long for the back pieces of the towel rack and four pieces of 2×2 to 5″ to use for the sides.

    I also cut two pieces of 24″, but we won’t use that yet in this step.

    Parts cut to assemble towel rack scrap wood project

    Now, my towels were standard size and not super fluffy.

    If you have oversized or really fluffy towels, you may want to make the 5″ pieces a little longer.

    Roll up one of your towels and measure its width to see what you think would work best.

    I applied wood glue to the ends of two of the 5″ pieces and placed a 12″ piece on them.

    I predrilled and drove 2 ½″ wood screws through the 12″ piece to assemble two pairs of back/side assemblies like shown.

    Applying glue to short towel rack pieces before adding screws
    Driving screws into back/side scrap wood towel rack assembly
    Two back and side towel rack assemblies complete

    The screw holes here will go along the back side of the towel rack (along the wall).

    Step 2: Attach Front Pieces of Towel Rack

    Now, I applied some glue to the other side of the 5″ wood pieces and clamped the 24″ pieces onto the front like shown.

    You can also drive 2 ½″ wood screws like in step 1 if you don’t mind seeing the screw heads.

    Or, you can brad nail with 2″ or longer nails for extra holding power, too.

    Applying glue to short pieces of scrap wood towel rack on front side
    Towel rack assembly on workbench placing pieces before clamping
    Close up of towel rack assembly--clamping front pieces while glue dries

    Make sure the piece is square before allowing the glue to dry.

    Step 3: Finish and Hang Scrap Wood Towel Rack

    Once the glue was dry, I sanded any glue squeeze out off, and stained it with Minwax Early American Wood Stain.

    Then I applied a couple coats of Minwax Polycrylic to seal it. You can finish however you wish.

    To install, I used a stud finder to find a stud in the wall where I wanted to hang it and predrilled through the back 2×2 and used a 3″ wood screw to drive it into the stud.

    I used one screw at the top and one at the bottom.

    Shara attaching towel rack to wall using driver and 3" wood screws

    I really wanted to hang this centered above the bathtub, but there was no stud there.

    So I placed my screw on the very edge of the towel rack so that I could drive it into a stud and still get it kind of close to center.

    However, if you can’t find a stud where you want to place your towel rack, you can also use a drywall anchor.

    Close up of scrap wood towel rack hanging on wall above bathroom in renovated bathroom

    And, that’s it! Three whole steps haha. This may be the easiest scrap wood project I’ve ever done!

    .

    But, it serves it’s purpose and looks great doing it 🙂

    Freestanding tub in bathroom nook with scrap wood towel rack hanging above it with towels stacked

    If you’re looking for scrap wood storage, check out this DIY scrap wood storage cart.

    And if you’re looking for more scrap wood project ideas, here’s a few good ones!

    Floating wall shelves from scrap wood with industrial details
    Scrap Wood Wall Shelves
    DIY Continuous grain walnut box with tile top
    Scrap Wood Keepsake Box
    up close chamfer edge on cutting board
    Scrap Wood Cutting Board
    How to make a super easy DIY scrap wood fall sign
    Scrap Wood Leaf Sign
    Quick and easy scrap wood bookends shaped like a guitar
    Scrap Wood Guitar Bookends

    Check out the full reveal of this bathroom here, but this simple little towel rack really stole the show in this corner.

    It would be a great addition to hang above a toilet or beside a vanity as well.

    You can see other projects from this bathroom in the floating shelf and mirror frame tutorial post I shared recently, and in the post about the vanities I built for them as well.

    Floating Shelf & Mirror Frame
    DIY Dresser/Vanity

    .

    If you enjoyed this project, be sure to pin this for later!

    Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter below so you don’t miss out on what’s coming next!

    Collage Pinterest Graphic of assembling scrap wood towel rack and Shara Woodshop Diaries placing towels in finished towel rack above tub

    Until next time, happy building 🙂

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