If you’ve ever hosted a pool day, you know the scene: wet towels draped over chairs, railings, and anything that’ll hold them. It’s messy, takes forever to dry, and makes your pool area look like a laundry zone. The fix? A quick, budget-friendly DIY towel rack that keeps things organized and actually looks good. You don’t need fancy tools or expert skills—just a few materials, a little time, and some good weather to work in.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the short list:
- PVC pipes (¾-inch or 1-inch thick works great)
- Four corner elbows
- Four T-joints
- A small hand saw (or PVC cutter)
- Sandpaper
- Spray paint (optional, but makes it look polished)
- Measuring tape
That’s it. Most of these can be found at any hardware store for under $30.
Step 1: Plan Your Size
Determine the height and width you want your rack to be. A good size for pool towels is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with two or three bars to hang towels. Measure it out before cutting so everything fits together snugly.
Step 2: Cut Your Pipes
You’ll need:
- 2 vertical pieces (about 4 feet each)
- 3 horizontal bars (3 feet each)
- 4 base pieces (around 1 foot each for stability)
Cut them to size and sand the edges so they’re smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Frame
Start by connecting your vertical pipes to the base using T-joints. Then attach the horizontal bars across the top and middle using more T-joints or elbows, depending on your design. Once it’s standing, it should resemble a ladder with a wide stance at the bottom to maintain balance.
Step 4: Make It Yours
You can keep the clean PVC look, or give it some color. Spray paint it a neutral tone like white, black, or even teal to match your pool vibe. Let it dry completely before setting it outside.
Step 5: Set It Up
Place it somewhere sunny but stable. You can weigh down the base with sand inside the pipes or use small pavers on the feet if it gets windy.
Bonus Tip
Add a small hook or basket on the side for goggles or sunscreen. Little touches like that make it more practical and stylish.
You don’t need a weekend project that eats up your whole weekend. This DIY towel rack is fast, affordable, and makes your pool area look instantly more put together. Plus, it keeps wet towels off the furniture and out of the way. Once you set it up, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.