DIY: How to make a copper towel ladder in six easy steps

DIY: How to make a copper towel ladder in six easy steps

This DIY towel ladder is not only inexpensive but it takes less than an hour to make.

DIY: How to make a copper towel ladder in six easy steps
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Are you looking for a DIY home project that is easy to make and looks like you bought it from a fancy decor store?  Then Blogger Germarie Bruwer has just the thing for you. 

She created a trendy copper towel ladder for Ideas Magazine. This inexpensive DIY project is a must try.

"Storage ladders are very popular and you can make this one in less than an hour with a few inexpensive goodies picked up from your local hardware store," she says. 

"Best of all, you can use it in pretty much any room in your home! In the bathroom for towels, in the living room for blankets (perfect for the cooler weather setting in!), in the bedroom as a clothes hanger or in the kids’ room to store their multitude of paraphernalia. Here’s how to make your own trendy copper towel ladder."

ALSO READ: Must-know bedroom hacks for 2019

You will need:

  • 5x wooden broom handles
  • 100 grit sandpaper
  • Plumber’s tape
  • Paint (we used WondaSeal Stain & Seal in white) and a soft cloth for application
  • 8x 22mm copper plumbing T-juntions
  • 4x 22mm copper plumbing end caps

Step 1

Cut each of the 5 broom handles to the following lengths: 1x 480mm; 2x 400m

Germarie Bruwer towel ladder step one
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Step 2

If the broom handles are sealed, you will first need to remove the varnish with sandpaper. If they are unsealed, you can skip to step 3.

Germarie Bruwer step two of towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Step 3 

Use the soft cloth to apply paint or wood stain to the wooden pieces. TIP: You can keep them upright when they’re wet by making them stand inside the pockets of a Styrofoam seedling tray!

Germarie Bruwer step three of towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Step 4

Use the plumber’s tape to bulk up the ends of the wooden pieces. You want them to fit very snug inside the copper fittings to prevent the ladder from being shaky once assembled. Make sure that the wood is pushed all the way into the fittings to secure them.

Germarie Bruwer step four of towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Step 5 

Assemble the ladder by placing the 400mm pieces vertically into the copper t-junctions, with the 480mm pieces making up the rungs of the ladder. You are going to be left with one 480mm piece – if you prefer a taller ladder, you can just add another rung with 2 more T-juntions. Secure the end-caps on the top and bottom pieces.

Germarie Bruwer step five of towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

Step 6

Using a carpet knife or craft knife, carefully trim any of the plumber’s tape that may be visible once all the pieces have been assembled.


Germarie Bruwer step six of towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology
Germarie Bruwer completed towel ladder tutorial
Germarie Bruwer / Homeology

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