I’m so excited to bring you this Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge! I’ve teamed up with 20 other bloggers for this thrift store blog hop. The rules were simple–take an item(s) from a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop etc. and transform it into a new piece of home decor. There was no budget, or theme to stick to so we were free to let our creativity run wild!
Meet the Hosts

I am really excited to show you this DIY towel rack made from thrift store shelves.
If you read my blog, you know that I have a thing for DIYing everything. When I am decorating, I try make use of items I already have first, and if I do not have anything, I hit thrift stores to find items to use to make what I want. Sometimes I go to the store with an idea of what I want to create, and I look for those items. Sometimes I just see something amazing while thrift store shopping, I bring it home, and then get an idea of something to create.
This is a case of purchasing something, bringing it home, and then deciding what I can make from my purchase. Last year we were remodeling a fixer upper at the lake that needed a total renovation, and we were determined to furnish the lake house on an extremely tight budget.
Lake House Bath Before (You can view complete renovation pictures here.)
We have finally completely renovated the bathroom, and we did it as cheaply as possible, I wanted to decorate the bathroom as cheaply as possible. I wanted to hang towels so that it would be easy for guest to use, but I did not want wet towels to touch the wall that I had worked so hard mudding, sanding, and painting.
I had purchased an A-frame type shelf at my local Thrift Store a few months earlier. It was new in the box, but some of the pieces were missing so I could not use it for what I intended to. I had hung on to it because I knew I would eventually find something to make with the parts that I had. I was mad because I wasted money on this shelf. That made me determined to make use of it somehow.
When I was thinking about what I could use to make a diy towel rack, I thought of those mission style shelves that I had saved.
Of course the shelves are different sizes, but I think that makes them look kinda cool and different. I purchased four bath hooks, and screwed the hooks into the slats of the shelf. It was so easy, and really inexpensive to make.
Anyway, it feels good to me to make my own decor, and this DIY towel rack made from shelves is one of my favorite things in my lake house!
TwoPlusCute says
The fact they are different sizes, makes them look even better in my opinion.
I love upcycling and this idea is a fantastic repurpose!
ps. your bathroom is awesome!
Celeste says
This is such a cute and creative way to hang towels! So much fancier than your standard towel bar! Your bathroom remodel looks amazing! I just love the shower tile!
Julie Briggs says
So creative! I never would have come up with that idea, I love it!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Sherry this is very cool ! And it looks very rustic modern because of the slates. A practical and beautiful solution.
Kim~madeinaday says
Hi Sherry, Thanks for the sweet comments! I was actually eyeing your towel rack. I find wall art like those shelves all the time. They have hangers on the back already I have no idea what they are used for but I love them and always buy them when I see them .I like the idea of the towel racks for them. Very cute! Have a great weekend!
Kim
Mary says
I love this idea! We are currently building a bathroom in our basement to mostly be used when people come to our pool. This gives several hooks for towels to be hung on and is visually interesting! I would have never thought to use the shelves in this way!
Paula says
What a great idea! The shelves decorate the walls and keep the wet towels from ruining your drywall, a perfect solution. You are so creative to think of this idea.
michelle james says
This towel rack is just beautiful & so creative! I love how they look in your bathroom!
Lela says
I am so impressed with how great this looks! I never would have thought to use shelves vertically and turn them into a towel rack. You, my friend, are a genius! Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
Beverly says
What a great use of your thrift store find! The towel racks look great! Pinning and Tweeting.
Sherry says
Thank you Beverly! You have been so sweet to share my projects, and I really appreciate it!!
Pili says
Sherry, your towel rack looks amazing, as well as your new bathroom! Great new use for those shelves, I like they are different size as well.
Debrashoppeno5 says
Not only is this practical but very stylish too. It is artwork and yet has a use. It looks amazing.
Amanda at The Kolb Corner says
Very creative Upcycle! I think the new towel racks look great in that bathroom!
Pamela Smith says
Love this idea! What a great way to use those pieces! Your lake house is beautiful!
Keri says
Love these creative towel racks!! This is a wonderful repurpose of the shelves!! Love the style!! I would like to invite you to link up to our party, Sweet Inspiration Link Party that starts on Friday and runs until Tuesday. Hope to see you there!!
Debi Add Value To Your Home says
Very clever! It’s perfect for a lake or beach house! I’m going to borrow your idea for ours!!!
Sadhna Grover says
Their different size is cool and looks as if you did it on purpose, well done. Only creative minds can do this type of DIY projects.
Kathryn says
I love this DIY. Using hooks in the bathroom has always been my favorite way to hang towels. The backdrop shelves make quite the statement!
Carol says
I love how you used the shelving, Sherry! I have towel bars in our lower level bath that I’m going to replace with hooks. I’m still thinking through what I’m going to do because I want old wood used in some way with the hooks.
Keri says
Sherry, I’m glad you came to the party!! Have a great weekend!!
Audra says
What a creative use of shelves, makes a great statement piece. And practical, too, can always add more hooks for more towels if needed.
Jen says
Awesome project! They look like they belong in a spa! I’m currently renovating my master bathroom and might have to keep an eye out for some shelves that I can do this to.
Emily says
These are awesome! Such a clever way to reuse the shelves, and they look so cool on your bathroom wall – I like the different sizes, too 🙂
Erlene A says
Great use of the shelves. I love that it has a modern rustic look and is something totally unique.
Celeste | The Whole Serving says
This is so amazing and cool. I just love it when you can repurpose items and they look as beautiful as this does.
Mistie says
Love the look of these. The different sizes and levels they are hung at. Beautiful!
Shirley Wood says
This Thrift Store Challenge has been so much fun. Now I’m on the lookout for some of those shelves! I love the way you used them, totally unique idea. I could use some towel racks in both of our bathrooms! Sharing this on my FB page.
Sherry says
Thank you for sharing Shirley!
Theresa DearCreatives says
Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party. Shared.
Rachelle says
Wow! I love your before and after pictures of the bathroom. It doesn’t even seem like it’s the same house! You did a fantastic job with the remodel and the DIY project.
Crystal // Dreams, etc. says
Those towel racks are so cute! What a great idea!