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How to make this stylish and glossy towel holder

27 Aug 2025

Upgrade your bathroom with this sleek DIY towel holder, made extra stylish with a coat of new Resene Super Gloss hybrid waterborne-alkyd paint. Known for its mirror-like shine and durable finish, Resene Super Gloss transforms even simple surfaces into standout features. Wall-mounted and space-smart, this towel holder brings a polished look to your bathroom while offering everyday practicality.

You will need: 

·       Hand saw

·       Try square

·       Chisel

·       Screwdriver

·       Hammer

·       Wood screws

·       PVA glue

·       Resene

·       Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat

·       Resene paint – we used Resene Waterborne Super Gloss Blackest Black

·       Resene EasyFill GP

 

Wood cut plan

·       4x 180mm x 18mm x 40mm pine horizontal stays

·       2x 150mm x 18mm x 40mm pine wall plate

·       2x 1250mm x 18m x 40mm pine vertical panels

 

Step 1: Cut the eight panels of wood, as listed above in the Wood cut plan.

Step 2: With wood screws and PVA glue, screw the four horizontal stays squarely onto the two vertical panels.

A saw cutting a piece of wood into a thin strip 
Step 3: Mark off a 40mm x 20mm half lap joint on both wall plates (this is for the bottom and top rails to fit onto). Cut it with a tenon saw and chisel.

A wooden wall towel holder with a screwdriver screwing in screws

A piece of wood with screw holes to attach to a wall

Step 4: Drill pilot holes and screw the four cross bars on top and into the joint.

A drill making holes in wood

Step 5: Make two countersunk holes into each wall plate (this is to screw the holder against the wall).

Step 6: Fill any countersunk and/or screw hole imperfections with Resene EasyFill GP.

Step 7: Sand the entire project. Clean off any sanding dust.

A towel holder painted in primer

Step 8: Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Allow to dry.

Step 9: Apply two coats of Resene Waterborne Super Gloss Blackest Black, allowing dry time between coats. Washability and final toughness will develop over several days as the paint hardens.

A glossy black towel holder on a blue wall with white towels

Step 10: Fix to your bathroom wall and display your towels. 

Above: Towel holder painted in Resene Waterborne Super Gloss Blackest Black, wall in Resene Quarter Lemon Grass, mirror frame in Resene Quarter Blanc, toothbrush holder in Resene Lemon Grass and cotton bud holder in Resene Quarter Rice Cake. 

project Ivan Moses
main image Bryce Carleton

Published: 27 Aug 2025