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Lori Madden, MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATESPhone: (941) 780-8443
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Pool Side: Dry Off with DIY Towel Racks

by Lori Madden 03/21/2021

Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels

The stunning tile, the landscaping and even the pool itself -- you spent a lot of time and money to make this the most delightful and attention getting part of your home. All that work could go to waste, though, if the pool area itself looks messy and unkempt. Few things look worse than soggy piles of towels discarded around on the pool deck. This problem is easily remedied, though. If you offer your family and guests a place to hang towels and other pool gear, they are far more likely to put things away when they are done.

Creating a DIY Towel Rack requires a few tools and some simple steps, but has a lasting impact on your space.

Your towel rack could be as simple as a few stylish hooks mounted on a post or fence; they need to be strong enough to hold up the weight of a wet towel (towels can absorb more than their own weight in water, making them very heavy when wet).

A more advanced towel rack can have hooks for hanging towels that are in use, a basket for those headed to the laundry and even shelves for storing folded, ready to use towels just for the pool area.

Decide what details you like best and need most, and then create a towel rack that delivers. Most styles can be made with the construction lumber found at your local DIY store; the hardware used for gates is already rated for outdoor use and strong enough for your needs. Casters allow you to roll your towel rack wherever you'd like it to go, but they must be the locking type, otherwise you risk having the entire rack roll into the pool, towels and all.

Once you have a plan, you can sketch it out; you can also look for free plans online. Keep in mind that you can have lumber cut to size at a DIY store -- so you don't have to have power saws to complete a typical towel rack. You will need to use exterior wood screws designed for construction purposes and either choose an exterior finish for your rack -- or paint it entirely. Since this will enhance the look of your rack, it should not be a hardship - just choose colors and finishes that work well with your pool area.

Allow a few hours to build the rack, and another day or so for all finishes to dry, then enjoy having a clean, towel free pool area that is free of sopping wet towels and debris.

Piles of wet towels, flipflops, pool toys and other items do more than just make your pool area look messy; they pose a safety hazard as well. A family member or guest can easily slip and fall on these items, and since most pool area surroundings are concrete, significant injuries are possible. Prevent these and protect your home and family by providing everyone with an easy way to clean up after themselves, in just a weekend or less. 

About the Author
Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!