Isn’t it great? Now, granted, this isn’t the cheapest towel rack out there, but weighing in at roughly $25, it’s not TOO bad either to achieve the look we wanted. We wanted a long rack, as long as the window, made out of copper pipes. Seems simple.
Want to make one? It’s extremely easy. You've probably already figured out how to make it, but since I hit a few bumps along the way, let me save you the trouble of hitting those bumps yourself. Let the tutorial begin.
Here’s our before situation:
I’m loving our grays… and that shiny-ness won’t be there as soon as we get rid of that horrible horrible shop light fixture. Horrible. But let’s pay attention to the window! So when you walk in the bathroom, that tiny window is jammed into the corner. No room to put anything under it without getting in the way of the sink, a towel rack is it’s only hope. We thought making it as wide as the window would make in not only extremely useful, but interesting.
First thing you wanna do, is go shopping. Copper, is not cheap. But, it’s SO pretty, and my hopes are that eventually after many showers, the copper will turn it’s beautiful green. I have no clue whether it will or not, and I don’t feel like researching it. It’ll just be a nice surprise if it does.
After spending a half an hour brainstorming with a Home Depot associate, this is what we came up with. 90% will be made of copper, but we’re gonna have to spray paint those flanges to match. No biggie.
Acquire these things:
- 2 Half Inch Floor Flanges – these will connect to our adapters. Roughly $6 each.
- 2 Half Inch copper male adapters. About $1.50 each.
- 2 Half Inch elbow pieces, copper of course: $.74 each…
- Copper Pipe, 1/2” x 5’. This was surprisingly only $7.67
- Pipe Cutter if you have it, I didn’t, and this one was only $11.
- E-6000 glue, I already had, and it’s because I don’t want to solder. I’m lazy.
- 8 screws. Mine were gold colored. Lucky!
- Copper Spray Paint!
First up, you want to measure how wide your rack will be. Cutting the pipe is very easy, so it may be best to measure larger so you can trim down to fit. I wasn’t actually too picky about the width, I just didn’t want it wider than the window. I knew I could center it if it was shorter. Anyway, measure your area, and don’t forget that the elbows will add about 3/4” to each side. While you’re in measuring mode, figure out the distance you want it to stick out from the wall, as we’ll be cutting little pipes for this area. I chose 2 inches.
Measure & make your marks on the copper pipe, and let’s get to cutting. It’s so easy. I promise.
Moving on, just try it all on – dress rehearsal.
Mounting was simple, 4 standard drywall screws:
Done! A simple, weekend afternoon project. Great results, not a horrible price tag, and it’s definitely something you don’t see in every home. What did you think, something you can handle? Of course it is, and hey – no soldering! If you know how to solder & have all the equipment, I bet it would really add to the industrial feel of the rack. I was out of flux and in for the day, so E-6000 to the rescue. That stuff is great.
Have a fantastic weekend folks! I meant to post this yesterday, but the internet in our area has decided to leave us this morning… I always feel so disconnected when that happens. Haha… get it…cause... I am...
Leftover things to do in the bathroom:
- Whitewashed Wood Ceiling
- Door!
Tear the place apart and patch up the damagePaint the back wall dark grey, other walls light greyGet a huge mirror & build the frame.Build Copper Pipe Towel RackBuild distressed wood mock mantle under mirrorHerringbone Peel & Stick Floor, except, no longer Herringbone.New light fixture, something fun & yellow!Paint or replace sink & stand.Tie it all together with accessories, and ferns! FERNS!
-Jesse
This post is brought to you in collaboration with Foster Heating
Project tutorial, ideas & opinions are 100% my own.
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