Spa pool towel stand

Keep towels off the ground while adding a splash of colour to your garden with hanging-basket flowers.

How to build a spa pool towel stand

Top tip: Flowers in hanging baskets will need to be watered more frequently than those in pots. Here's another idea: This towel stand would also be handy next to a pool during the summer months.

You will need

Materials

100mm x 100mm treated and dressed pine cut to the following lengths:
- 1 x 2100mm
- 4 x 450mm
2 x hanging basket brackets
2 x hanging baskets
35mm external use screws
4 x hooks
9 x 150mm bugle screws
Fence post cap
Potting mix
Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain in your choice of colour (we used Resene Dark Oak)
Your choice of flowers

Tools

Clamps
Drill
Impact driver
Paintbrush
Pencil
Tape measure

Instructions

How to build a spa pool towel stand:

Step 1 Step one
Place all five lengths of timber into position, as shown, with the 2100mm length.

Step 2 Step two
Using an impact driver, screw the base together using two screws for each of the four base lengths: one screw to attach it to the vertical post and one to attach it to the adjacent support (as shown). Make sure the screws are not directly opposite each other to avoid them crossing over and touching in the middle. You may find a clamp useful to help hold it together.

Step 3 Step three
Using a bugle screw from above (or glue if you prefer), attach the post cap to the top of the stand.

Step 4 Step four
Stain the stand with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain and allow to dry. Look out for any drips on the vertical sides.

Step 5 Step five
Apply a second coat of the Resene stain and allow to dry.

Step 6 Step six
Mark out the position of the screw holes for all four hooks, with one hook on each side of the post. If kids will be hanging their towels, a couple of lower hooks could be handy; likewise, a couple of higher hooks could be useful for longer robes. A tape measure may be helpful here to ensure the hooks are centrally positioned and vertically level.

Step 7 Step seven
Drill pilot holes for the hooks at each of the marked points.

Step 8 Step eight
Using 35mm screws, screw each hook into place

Step 9 Step nine
Make a mark 4cm down from the base of the cap, on two opposite sides of the post. Align the top of the hanging basket bracket with the mark and screw each bracket into position, drilling pilot holes first. You may find a clamp useful to hold the brackets in position.