Farmhouse Paper Towel Holder DIY

Build a beautiful farmhouse paper towel holder in just 15 minutes with this easy DIY tutorial. 

Now that our budget farmhouse kitchen remodel is done, it’s time to decorate it! I have been looking around for a new paper towel holder, but have not had any luck finding something to fit our modern farmhouse style.

Either things were too modern with stainless steel and and slick lines. Or they were too farmhouse with extra rustic and lots of chickenwire.

Our kitchen was calling for something in between the two.

So after lots of searching, I decided I needed to make my own modern farmhouse paper towel holder. It is the perfect paper towel holder to match these DIY farm egg trays that stack.

Instead of going for the common vertical paper towel holder, I decided to get crazy and go horizontal!

And since the paper towels are not super tall when horizontal, I had room above to add a little shelf.

I love the little shelf on the farmhouse paper towel holder.

It’s the perfect place to set the hand soap. Also, I put a little dish on there to hold my finger nails scrubber (its gardening season and this little thing is getting lots of work).

Now it is right where I can find it, but not adding to the clutter that so easily accumulates behind the kitchen sink.

The sides of the wood paper towel holder are easily cut out with a jig saw to give it a more farmhouse look. Anytime you can change up the sides of a shelf (or similar), it adds so much to the piece.

I did the same thing to our DIY iron and ironing board holder and love the way it turned out.

And jig saws are a super budget friendly, easy to use, power tool. With a little practice, you’ll be cutting decorative edges in everything!

I stained our new farmhouse paper towel holder to match the lightly warmed, lightly aged color of our open kitchen shelving above the sink.

This wood color looks so perfect next to the bright white cabinets and backsplash.

It might be my new favorite right now so get ready to see lots more of it.

I just adore how our farmhouse kitchen is coming along. Just the right amount of rustic, with lots of clean.

What is the next kitchen decor piece I need to make?

Let me know in the comments and I just might get a tutorial for it out soon!

How to Make a Farmhouse Paper Towel Holder

Tools & Materials

STEP 1- Cut the sides

If you want to use the template that I did for the sides of the paper towel holder with shelf, print out the template below.

Then cut it out and line it up so the lines overlap. Or feel free to draw your own!

Trace the template onto your 1×6 board twice.

Cut it out with the jig saw.

STEP 2- Assemble the frame

Measure your paper towel roll.

I decided I wanted my farmhouse paper towel holder to be only 1/2″ bigger that the roll so I cut my 1×4 and 1×2 to 11 1/2″ long.

If you want a little more room to make it easier to attach a new roll, leave them at 12″ long.

Measure up 9″ from the bottom of the side pieces and mark a line.

This will be where the top of the shelf is.

Set your pocket hole jig to drill holes in 3/4″ thick material.

Drill two pocket holes into both ends of the 1×4 and 1×2 boards.

Line the shelf board up so the top is at the 9″ line. Secure to one of the sides with wood glue and screws.

Line the 1×2 board up so it is flush with the bottom back of the side and secure with wood glue and screws.

The pocket holes should be hidden on the back or bottom of the boards when you attach them.

Then attach the other side the same way.

STEP 3- Prep for dowel

Mark the center of the circle (from the template) on each side of the farmhouse paper towel holder.

Drill a hole just larger that the screw on the back of your decorative knobs.

Cut your dowel so it is about 1/8″ shorter that the length of your shelf.

Drill holes into each end that are the same size as the screw on the decorative knobs.

STEP 4- Finish and add paper towels

Sand, stain, and seal your new wood paper towel holder.

To add your paper towels, first place a roll on the dowel.

Place one of the decorative knobs through the hole on one side of the paper towel holder and line the hole in the dowel up with it.

Screw the knob into the dowel. Then repeat on the other side.

Now you have a beautiful new modern farmhouse paper towel holder.

It has just the right amount of modern and just the right amount of rustic. PERFECT!

Love quick woodworking projects? This 15 minute countertop herb garden is so fun too.

I also love this simple, but elegant, small console table. It’s perfect for any small space.

Happy building!