Leftover Pipes? Creative Ways to Use What You’ve Got

Got a handful of pipes and fittings left after your last project? Perfect. Those extras are the start of quick, useful DIY pipe furniture builds that level up your home without a full weekend commitment. 

Here are simple ideas that turn strays into smart storage, stylish accents, and everyday helpers. Keep it fun, keep it fast, and make the most of what you already have.

1) Paper Towel Holder (Wall or Under-Cabinet)

A classic leftover project that pays off every day.

You might use: 2 floor flanges, 1 short nipple or 90° elbow, 1 straight pipe for the roll, 1 cap.

How to build: Mount the flange to your wall or cabinet. Create a simple L or T with an elbow or tee, then slide the roll onto the straight pipe. Cap the end so it stays put.

Style tip: Keep the hardware matte black for a clean coffee-bar look or go galvanized in bright kitchens.

2) Grab-and-Go Hook Rail

Tidy up entries, closets, and garages with a compact rail.

You might use: 2 flanges, 1 straight pipe, several caps or spare elbows as hooks, optional S-hooks.

How to build: Mount the flanges, thread in a straight pipe, then add caps or elbows as spaced hooks. For a lighter touch, skip fixed hooks and use S-hooks that slide.

Where it shines: Coats in the entry, tools in the garage, aprons in the kitchen.

3) Candle Holder Trio

Turn short nipples and tees into a sculptural centerpiece.

You might use: 3 floor flanges as bases, a mix of short nipples, couplings, tees, and caps.

How to build: Thread stacks of short nipples into each base to create three heights. Top with caps for pillar candles or a flat metal disk adhered with heat-safe epoxy for tea lights.

Safety note: Keep flames clear of curtains and greenery, and protect wood surfaces with a coaster or tile.

4) Headphone Stand or Catchall Post

A compact desk upgrade that clears clutter and looks intentional.

You might use: 1 flange for the base, 1 six to eight inch nipple, 1 tee, 1 short cross-bar and 2 caps.

How to build: Mount the vertical pipe into the base. Add a tee at the top with a short cross-bar so headphones rest evenly. Cap both ends.

Bonus use: Swap the cross-bar for a longer pipe and you have a valet post for hats or totes.

5) Hanging Plant Rail

Give trailing plants a proper perch and free up sill space.

You might use: 2 flanges, 1 straight pipe, optional 90° elbows, S-hooks, 2 caps.

How to build: Mount flanges above a window or along a sunny wall, thread the rail, then add S-hooks for hanging pots. Cap the ends for a finished look.

Pro move: Use galvanized for bright, humidity-prone spots like kitchens and baths.

Make It Look Designed, Not Random

Repeat one finish across a room, keep your pipe size consistent, and echo materials. If your desk has black steel legs and walnut, use the same black on a hook rail and the same wood tone on a small shelf or tray. The repetition pulls everything together so your quick builds feel like part of a plan.

Ready to turn leftovers into keepers? Small wins add up fast, and you’ll clear the workshop while adding real function to your space.

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