DIY Towel Rack from Wood Wall Sconces

DIY Towel Rack from Wood Wall Sconces

Wood wall sconces or wall candle holders are pretty common at thrift stores these days. So, OF COURSE I needed to develop a fun new way to upcycle them. Wooden items are some of my favorite things to repurpose, so they were destined to make it on my blog at some point.

Wood sconces at a thrift store

I mean, look at that thrift store shelf. They are EVERYWHERE, and let’s face it- we usually push them aside to get to better treasures.

Anyway, I went ahead purchased a pair without a project idea in mind. I figured something would eventually come to mind.

Wood wall sconces

Finally, I made a simple viewing adjustment. Traditionally, each sconce would be hung on the wall like this in order to hold a single taper candle in each one, right?

Wood sconces for candles

But what if I turned each candle wall sconce by 90°? And placed a wooden dowel between them? And attached the entire thing to board?

How to make a towel rack with wooden wall candle holders

I could make a DIY towel rack! And if you aren’t able to envision my crazy idea, don’t worry- keep reading and I think you will.

This post is sponsored by Linzer Products Corp., the maker of Trylon paint brushes that were used in this tutorial. The brushes were provided to me free of charge, but any and all opinions are my own.

This post also contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.

Upcycling the Wood Wall Sconces from the Thrift Store

First, I cut everything to size. A standard towel bar is 18″ long, so I cut the wooden dowel to 20″. This extra length would allow each end of the dowel to be inserted into the candle wall sconces.

Then, I placed the actual towel rack onto a wooden board to determine where to cut that, as well. After measuring and cutting, I sanded everything down.

I decided to paint the board a soothing moss green using my absolute favorite paint brushes- Trylon™ brushes by Linzer Products Corp

Trylon paint brushes for DIY projects

We’ve used Trylon™ brushes around our home (mostly for cutting in and trim painting) for years. But now that I’m a full-time DIY blogger, I use them on projects whenever I can.

I also used a sample of Behr paint for the board.

Painting a DIY towel rack with a Trylon paint brush

I’m a genuine fan of these brushes- and we have a paint cabinet in our garage filled with them to prove it! They hold and release paint beautifully, and they clean up like new.  

While the board dried, I spray-painted the wood wall sconces and wooden dowel in a metallic silver.

Spray painting the wooden candle sconces

And yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. I used my craft anvil to anchor down the dowel for easier spray painting!

Next, I used my Trylon™ brushes to seal the candle wall sconces and the wooden dowel with top coat. Since this was becoming a DIY towel rack, it needed a waterproof finish!

Brush on top coat for a DIY towel rack

Finally, it was time to assemble the DIY towel rack!

First, we measured the center of the back board and drew a long line to mark it. Then, we attached one of the wall candle holders with 1” wood screws through the back of the board.

Next, we inserted the wooden dowel, lined up the second of the two wood sconces, and secured it in place the same way.

Building a DIY towel rack

Ready to see my DIY towel rack from wood wall sconces in action?

DIY Towel Rack from Wood Wall Sconces

To hang the DIY towel rack, we drilled in two wood screws, using a laser level to ensure it was straight. Then, I dabbed on a bit more of my Behr paint on the screw heads to help them blend in just a bit.

DIY towel rack

Isn’t that wild? My towel rack idea with the candle wall sconces worked out just as I had hoped!

Making a towel rack with wooden candle sconces

And look, I’ll be the first to admit that it would be easier to buy a new towel rack from the hardware store. But sometimes, it’s worth going through the process just to see if a crazy upcycling idea like this would actually work, right?

Upcycling the wood sconces into a towel rack

*****

And, today is Thrift Store Decor Team Day – so check out what all the best upcycling bloggers have been up to. Click on the corresponding links beneath the collage to see their transformations.

Thrift store makeovers and upcycling ideas from the best repurposing bloggers around - Thrift Store Decor Team in August 2019

1. Chrome Desk Lamp

2. Table Top Valet Mirror Makeover

3. Over Sized Vase | Easy Thrift Store Makeover

4. DIY Painted Basket Makeover

5. Picture Frame Makeover

6. Repurposing Granny’s Candy Dish

7. Paint a Thrift Store Lazy Susan

8. DIY Towel Rack from Candle Wall Sconces

*****

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea using a thrift store item, then you’ll love what I upcycled to make this industrial side table!

Industrial side table from VHS storage

Craft on!

S

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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. landsharkinnc says

    Okay — I just realized you attached the sconces by screws from the back … and that would have precluded you attaching the board from behind the sconces …

  2. KATHY GALLAY says

    LOVE IT!!! I could have stood there looking at those old sconces for hours on end and NEVER see a towel rack. Your mind works wonderfully. Is that even a word?? Have a great week!!!

  3. Norma Rolader says

    Awesome and unique and thank you for sharing

  4. Your ingenuity never fails to amaze me! Love it. Another thing to add to my look for list! Great job!

  5. Just Awesome!

  6. Patty Soriano says

    I never would have thought of that! Truly, sometimes when you find something, you need to hold it sideways, upside down and backwards just to “see” what else it can be! Brillliant!

  7. This is a wonderful idea! I would’ve never seen these candle sconces this way! I Love it!

  8. Audrey Adkinson says

    You have such a thrifty and junky outlook and that is a complement. Thanks for all your ideas!!

  9. Victoria Alexander says

    WOW !!! Super sconce surprise! Thank you, now I am going to try that with my ornate metal ones!!!

  10. creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.com says

    What a great idea! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

  11. I used to see these scones alot and never, ever could have imagined this use! It looks great and I love the colors you used! Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!!

  12. Now THIS is up-cycling!!!

  13. Love seeing your ideas from across the sea. I don’t recall ever having seen candle sconces here in the UK but still nice to see … and look out for! 🙂

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Ahhhhh…it could be an American thing. It has that “country” style that America latched onto in the 80s…

  14. What a clever idea! You are thriftastically amazing!

  15. Your creativity is top shelf! Reading your blog & watching the ideas come to fruition is rewarding. You give my brain affirmation! Smiles!

  16. Thanks so much for the chance to win paint brushes! I am a paintaholic! I am constantly painting something not to mention the entire interior of our house ceilings and walls and three sides of the exterior (I have just the north side to do yet). I just chopped a trashed out old vanity in two to become each side of a desk and am about to paint the second coat, I bought an ugly shade of blue bookshelf for $20 to paint next. I love to paint!!!!

  17. Thanks for sharing. I’m always painting something myself .

  18. Great project and great giveaway! I could so use new brushes!! ?

  19. Cherryl Ehlenburg says

    What a clever idea! I never would have thought of that!

  20. Pam Faircloth says

    This is one of the most clever ideas I’ve seen in a long time! I’m on the hunt for sconces! Thank you so much!

  21. Unique, clever, and artistic. Love.

  22. Wao!! what a Imagination! Congratulations and Thank for sharing

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Haha, thank you, Fanny! I strive to fill my blog with unique, but relatable and usable repurposed / upcycled projects- so glad you found me! 🙂

  23. Deb Blankenship says

    What a great idea. I made lots of those sconces when I lived in CT. Love it when I can re-use old items. Thanks.

  24. I always say, “Don’t ask what is this?”, but ask, “What can this be?”

  25. Marion Wilms-Berry says

    Awesome idea! Looks great!

  26. Very clever, Sarah – I love the way you think outside of the box…or rather…sconce!

  27. I love the way your mind works Sarah, you are really an inspiration even to the creatives 🙂 This was a great project!

  28. I love the way your project turned out…. I’m in awe of your out of the box thinking Sarah! I love the way you stop the nay sayers in their tracks by mentioning that yeah, you could buy it. I had someone recently tell me “that was a lot of work” then finished with more negativity.
    pinning!

    gail

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      UGH, the negative comments are so disenchanting. My skin has thickened over the years, but they’ll probably always bother me!

  29. That is such a cute idea! I gotta say I’m loving your choice of dish towels too! I’m always on the lookout for those calendar ones at the thrift store, but for some reason they are hard to find around here!

    • Sadie Seasongoods says

      Thank you!! I lucked out on the linens – I knew someone who was closing her Etsy shop and sold me a huge chunk of her stash!

  30. This is so creative and unique, I love it!

  31. So stinkin’ clever girl!!! Love it!

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