This Is a Cleat Towel Treat, Easy Towel Holder and Inexpensive, Too!

 Are you familiar with cleats?  I've seen them, but didn't know their name until I started looking for them online.  

If you sail, you may have seen these simple looking items holding ropes.  They look a bit like skateboards or skiis with a stand.

This is the simple design I made to make towel holders.  

Here is what you need to buy to make this version or a similar style to suit your style:

•   Cleats  They come with the mounting screws. 

I bought mine from Walmart.  They are rubberized. I liked the rubber/plastic version instead of the metal versions which need serious scrubbing to remove the protective oils they are shipped and sold with to the stores.  The oil has a strong odor, too, which is a particular turn off for me.  Also, I thought the rubber type would hold up better (not rust).

• Photo frames.  Mine were from Dollar Tree.  I removed the glass and saved that for another use.  These frames are 5x7.

• Placemats.  I found these at Walmart to match the silver/chrome finish of the frames and the bathroom fixtures.  As a bonus surprise, the placemats are that pretty opalescent  finish (like a mermaid's tail.)

• Power or Hand Tools to attach the frames to the wall.  

• Ruler or Tape Measure.  Pen or Pencil.  Craft Knife or Sharp Razor Type Knife.

How I made the towel holders:

• Remove  the cardboard backing  and the "mat" from the frames. 

• Safely remove the glass from the frames and set aside. Use the glass in a different project.

•  Place the cardboard backing over the placemat and cut to fit the frame.

• Put the cardboard over the placemat and make "starter holes" through both for the mounting screws to drill through into the wall. It's probably easier to make the holes with a manual tool such as an awl or knife.

• Make sure you place the cleats in the direction you want to hang your towel- vertically or horizontally.  Also, center the cleat on the frame if that is the look you want to see.

• Reassemble the parts:  Mat, Placemat, Cardboard Backing into the frame. 
• Mark on the wall where you want to hang your Towel Holder. 
• Drill carefully and that's it.  

After using these towel holders with the original paper mat (as in the photo) for a few years, I am surprised that the water has not damaged the paper mat as that it can be noticed.   

For a change, I have added a new edging "mat" which is a woodgrain look fabric placemat, a bit more protective than the paper mat.  Also, the new placemat looks better with the vanity and contrasts nicely with the opalescent placemat.

Thanks for reading.