If your kitchen counter is anything like mine on a busy weeknight, paper towels somehow need to be within arm’s reach at all times. This simple paper towel station uses one large terracotta pot turned upside down with a wooden dowel through the drainage hole, and it’s one of those projects that looks charming while solving a very real everyday problem.
I love this kind of DIY because it’s fast, inexpensive, and beginner-friendly, but it still looks intentional once it’s sitting on the counter. The weight of the pot helps keep the holder steady, and the natural wood and weathered clay give it that warm, lived-in look I always gravitate toward in a kitchen.
Materials
Instructions
1. Wipe the terracotta pot clean and let it dry completely so dust does not transfer to your counter or interfere with glue if you use it.
2. Measure the height of your paper towel roll and compare it to the dowel length; trim the dowel to about 2 inches taller than the roll if needed so there is enough room to slide rolls on and off easily.
3. Sand both ends of the dowel with medium-grit sandpaper, then smooth it with fine-grit sandpaper so there are no rough edges or splinters.
4. Test the dowel in the pot’s drainage hole by turning the pot upside down and sliding the dowel through the center; it should fit snugly and stand straight.
5. If the fit is loose, add a small bead of craft glue or construction adhesive around the dowel where it meets the hole, then hold it centered until stable.
6. Turn the pot upside down on your counter and stick the four furniture pads evenly around the rim that touches the surface to prevent scratching and slipping.
7. Let any glue cure fully according to the package directions before adding the paper towel roll so the dowel stays secure.
8. Slide a roll of paper towels down over the top of the dowel and check that it spins freely and that the base feels steady during use.
Variations & Tips
Seal the pot: If you want a cleaner finish, brush on a clear matte sealer over the terracotta before assembly. I like this option if the holder will sit near the sink and get splashed often.
Painted version: You can paint the pot with chalk paint or mineral paint for a softer look that matches your kitchen. Just make sure the paint is fully dry before handling and assembling.
Add extra weight: If your pot feels lighter than you’d like, glue a small round paver, heavy tile, or a few flat stones inside the upside-down pot before final assembly.
Choose the right dowel size: A 1-inch dowel works well for most standard paper towel rolls, but always check the cardboard tube opening first. A snug but not tight fit makes the roll easier to replace.
Make it countertop-friendly: Don’t skip the furniture pads. I learned that one the hard way with a scratch on an older laminate counter, and now I add pads to every terracotta project that lives indoors.
Keep it food-zone practical: Since this sits in the kitchen, I’d keep embellishments minimal so it’s easy to wipe down. Simple projects like this are my favorite because they look nice without creating one more thing to clean.