DIY Industrial Paper Towel Holder
A paper towel holder was needed for our lake house and being the DIY type, I decided to make my own. My DIY Industrial Paper Towel Holder is perfect for our lake house kitchen counter.
Our paper towel holder will fit in perfectly with the industrial vibe in our lake house.. You can see in the picture below that our paper towels currently are sitting on the counter. 
How to Make an Industrial Paper Towel Holder
Supplies:
1” x 12” Black Steel Pipe Nipple
Degreaser
4 – 3/4” Sheet Metal Screws
Stain – I used General Finishes
Water Based Wood Stain in Brown Mahogany
Topcoat – I used General Finishes High Performance Water Based Satin
Pre-cut Wood Circle
or Board to Make Your Own
If Making Your Own Circle: Circle Cutting Jig, Router
Procedure
1. Make a 9” wood circle using a router and circle cutting jig. (Skip this step if you purchase a pre-cut wood circle.)
This jig is awesome! My first project using it was a DIY Wood Clock that I shared last fall.
2. Use a roundover bit to route the edge of the board. (Skip this step if you use a pre-cut circle of wood.)
3. Sand both sides and the edges of the circle until it is smooth.
4. Drill pilot holes for the screws.
5. Stain the wood round and apply a top coat.
6. Screw the floor flange to the wood round.
7. The black steel pipe is going to be greasy and dirty. Mine was so bad that I had to wash my hands at Home Depot and then carry it through the store holding it with a paper towel. Mr. SP had this degreaser on hand that worked perfectly for cleaning it.
8. Screw the pipe into the floor flange and then screw the end cap on top.
I can’t wait to take this to the lake! Here it is in my kitchen at home without paper towels. 
And now with paper towels.
Here it is from a distance, ready to be used.
Fun fact: I don’t know the two dogs in the photo on the counter. I bought the frame at an estate sale and couldn’t resist displaying it. They make me smile!
My mom and some of my aunts started using crocks for their paper towels when I was a teenager. The tradition has been passed on to me and a few of my cousins.
Now that I know how easy it is to make a DIY Industrial Paper Towel Holder, I may make another for home and take this crock to the lake to use for cooking utensils beside my stove.
If you like this project and care to pin it to Pinterest, I sure would appreciate it.
For more power tool home improvement project ideas, click on the links below to see each project.
DIY Shutters Create And Babble
DIY Fireplace Mantel Shelf Her Tool Belt
Industrial Paper Towel Holder by Virginia Seweet Pea
Blanket Ladder by Refresh Restyle
Cedar Hose Planter by Kim Six Fix
DIY Vanity Sliding Drawer by Interior Frugalista
How To Patch A Hole In Drywall by Designs By Studio C
Wall Mount Staghorn Fern by A Piece Of Rainbow
DIY Painted Stairs Makeover by Thrift Diving
DIY Modern Rustic Mirror by H2OBungalow
I love your towel holder! …and your router too! It’s definately on my to do list as ours is old and boring. Thanks so much for the tutorial:)
Paula, you are so smart! I’ve never been a huge fan of paper towel holders, but I really like yours. That’s going to look great with your industrial stools. You’re turning your SML house into a beautiful space!
Pinning this to my DIY projects board. Thanks for the detailed tutorial!
Thank you, Richella! I took the paper towel holder to the lake this weekend and it looks great there. Slowly but surely, I am getting the lake house furnished and looking good.
Paula
Great job on your industrial paper towel holder – love it! You’ve inspired me to get going with using my new router and bits! Pinned!
Thanks, Jeanie! I’m loving this paper towel holder.
I’ll have to admit that I’m no good at picking out which bit makes which shape. My husband always has to help me. I guess I’ll catch on eventually!
Paula
Paula, this is so cute! I’m a big fan of industrial style stuff (even though I have NONE in my house. LOL). I would totally make this!
I’m so pleased with this, Serena, and it was easy to make and relatively inexpensive. I also like the industrial look and the lake is the perfect place for it.
Paula
This is a really great idea! Love that industrial style.
Thank you, Amy! I’m so pleased with the end result of this project.
Paula
This is such a great project using unconventional materials.. plus you can’t be the industrial look!
Nice job you rebel! LOL … I like the crock idea too though 🙂
Thank you, Susan!
Paula
I love your paper towel holder! It is the perfect compliment to the barstools… Good luck on your projects in the lake house! 🙂
Thanks, Cher! The lake house is going to give me years of projects to do! 🙂
Paula
Paula, your paper towel holder is going to be perfect with those fabulous barstools and the industrial pendant lights. Very nice!
Thanks, Marie. I took the paper towel holder to the lake this weekend and am 100% pleased with how it looks there. I love it when a project works out just like I’d planned!
Paula
First, so jealous of your lake house! Love it! This project is perfect and I am loving the industrial look!
Debbie
If you travel to Virginia, you are welcome to visit at the lake. I’d love that!
Paula
Paula,
I had no idea about this circle jig. How awesome! Your paper towel holder tutorial is great. I learned a lot. I washed pipe once and it wanted to rust or corrode immediately. Good to know about the parts degreaser
gail
I learned about the circle jig last summer at Haven from the Rockler booth. I want to use it to make a tabletop but haven’t yet done so.
Paula
Love those barstools first of all!! And this paper towel holder goes perfectly! XO
Thanks, Christy! I took it to the lake this weekend and it really does look good there.
Paula
I LOVE this so much!! You should sell them in your booth! I would possibly buy one. So simple but so neat!!
After finishing this one, I thought about making a few more to possibly sell. I need some more snow days!
Paula
such a pretty and useful project! LOVE your workshop paula!! and the crock pot holder is super cool too! =)
Thank you! We put an addition on our house about 10 years ago and the basement area became our new shop. It’s so nice to have space to work. I’ll tell my mom that you like the crock that she passed along to me. She’ll like that.
Paula
This is so cool! Makes me wish I had some power tools to make one. 🙂 I have an old crock that I use for utensils, too. I never thought of using one for a paper towel holder though …. great idea!