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Curtain Tie Backs into Towel Hooks

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Today I am excited to share a project that just might keep me sane. These repurposed curtain tie backs used to make  towel hooks are making me very happy!
curtain tie backs repurposed into towel hooks


Why, you ask? Because my kids can actually hang up their towels...instead of throwing them on the floor, and that is something to be very excited about! Trust me.

before of towel bar

You see, this is where the towels were SUPPOSED to be hung. See no towels...I could argue that it was too high, which is true for half of my kids. But what about the other three? My conclusion, towel racks are pointless (in my house anyway) and we needed some hooks. Desperately.

curtain tie backs before

So, I went shopping in my stash of random cool objects I buy for $2 at the Restore...and these curtain tie backs are what I found. I have had them for over a year at least, they have been patiently waiting for me. And yes, it was $2 for all 5 tie backs, Sa-weet!

trying out curtain tie backs as hooks

Since I love reclaimed wood I grabbed one of these really wide fence boards I got last year at our city spring clean up. Then, I started to see how these curtain tie backs would work for hooks and I was impressed at how perfect they were!

cutting off end of fence board to make shelf supports

I decided to cut off the end and use the jagged edge pieces to make shelf supports. I used the two triangle end pieces and cut one from the middle.

gluing and nailing on top shelf board and shelf supports

Using another smaller reclaimed fence piece I glued and nailed it on the top of my wide board (top left). Then I glued and nailed on my end triangle pieces for the shelf supports.

Reclaimed wood fence shelf board

I love the weathered ends, pure and rustic. Fun side story- The top piece of old fence wood is actually from my Old fence wood framed mirror, it got broken when "someone" knocked it off the wall. The wood broke in a few places so I have since been re-repurposing it! Oh, I better sand off that word, not sure why it is there...

spray painting curtain tie backs

Next, I took my curtain tie backs and gave them a good coat of spray paint. I used Rustoleum's Heirloom white. Ever spray painted in the dark? Probably not the best idea. 🙂

stencil using contact paper

I wanted something fun and bathroom related on the shelf board...it is always hard for me to decide this type of stuff. So I finally just went with a well used: wash, brush, floss, flush. Good words to live by in a bathroom, maybe the words will actually sink into my kids brains if they see them several times a day?

I cut them out of contact paper on my Cricut and stenciled them on in white.

stenciling a flourish

Using a Martha Stewart Stencil I added a little flourish on each end. I used the very end of the same design to separate the words as well.

attaching curtain tie backs to shelf board to make hooks
Then, I attached the hooks, or curtain tie backs, on the back of the board with screws. I made sure to pre drill first so the wood would not split. In addition I added eye hooks and picture hanging wire on the back top of the board. I prefer D-rings but I only had one, and didn't want to go to the store.
curtain tie backs repurposed into towel hooks
And that was it! I took a scrap of 400 grit sand paper (because it was what I found real quick) and sanded the stencil and the "new hooks" for a light distressing.
painted and distressed curtain tie backs into hooks
Perfect, rustic, and fun!
curtain tie backs repurposed into towel hooks
Now isn't this much better!? Not only is it functional, but cute too! Just. how. I like it.
Close up of curtain tie backs repurposed into towel hooks
The perfect size for my kids, and super easy for them to take off and PUT ON the towels. Yippee!
curtain tie backs repurposed into towel hooks
So what do you think? Want to run out and repurpose some old curtain tie backs? I see them all the time at thrift stores, and in my opinion you can never, EVER have enough hooks!
In fact, I just made a Rustic DIY Shelf for this same bathroom that has hooks for my hand towels check it out!
For more fun projects check out my blog, MyLove2Create.
Hugs!
Mindi
see more of Mindi's posts on MRL here

About Mindi

Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Dorothy Trevena

    Absolutely love this sign and would like to make. What are the dimensions? What size is lettering? What model Cricut do you have or what cartridge did you use? Thank you in advance.

    Reply

  2. katie

    Umm this is awesome. I would love to get rid of my ugly towel bar and replace it with something cute like this!

    Reply

  3. Kristen

    I LOVE this!!! Fingers crossed I'll come across some metal tie backs so I can be a copycat. BTW what font is that you used? It's perfect!

    Reply

    • Mindi

      Thanks so much Kristen, I hope you find some too! I used the Birmingham Titling Bold font for the words. Hugs!

  4. Feral Turtle

    This is such a great idea! Towel bars are useless in this house too.

    Reply

  5. Pat

    Great repurpose idea! It's funny how we see things outside their intended purpose and it works!
    I like to use ceiling fan blade brackets for hooks...and I've seen them used for CURTAIN TIE BACKS...go figure!
    have a great weekend y'all!
    Patricia

    Reply

  6. Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel

    What a wonderful idea! I think it turned out really great. Love the rustic wood with the white.

    Reply

  7. girlfromwva

    I really love this! Is it secure on the wall with the eye hooks and wire? Just wondering since I know my kids would probably find a way to "knock it off" or something...thanks so much. I have some curtain tie backs from the late 1970's or early 80's that i could probably use for this reason! šŸ˜€

    Reply

    • Mindi

      Thank you so much! It is secured with the wire and eye hooks on two screws. It is secure and has not been a problem with my kids, however I would use two D-ring hooks if you have them. That is what I planned on using and I just had one. Since I am lazy and didn't want to go to the store I just did the wire. I am excited you have some curtain tie backs to use, you won't regret making some hooks with them!

  8. Di B

    Such a great idea. I have moved and found an extra tie back hook that wasn't used in my previous house. What was I going to do with just one? It's a great idea to hang my towel to dry! Thanks

    Reply

  11. kim

    Great idea - I'm pinning this! Now you can use your extra time not picking up towels and working on more projects. šŸ™‚

    Reply

  12. Jeanette @ Creating a Life

    Absolutely love it!

    Reply