11 DIY Clothesline Ideas for Inside and Outside

A clothesline can be a great alternative to a dryer. You'll save energy and have that fresh smell that you can't get anywhere else. These DIY clothesline ideas will give you all kinds of inspiration for putting up your own clothesline.

Whether you're setting up a DIY clothesline outside or in, these ideas will give you tips on where and how to successfully hang one. Some of these ideas include free plans to help you build your own clothesline and others are more for inspiration.

The 8 Best Clothes-Drying Racks of 2023

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Simple Farmhouse Inspired DIY Clothesline

Sunshine Valley WV

This farmhouse-inspired DIY clothesline may give you that extra push to build your own outdoor clothesline. Amanda from Sunshine Valley WV followed a few online tutorials to build her own clothesline. Traditional laundry posts along with a fresh coat of white paint has farmhouse style written all over it.

Simple Farmhouse Inspired DIY Clothesline from Sunshine Valley WV
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How to Build a Clothesline

Intelligent Domestications

Here's an in-depth tutorial on how to build a pulley clothesline outside. It shows you how to build the posts out of landscape timbers, set the posts into the ground, and then finally string the clothesline. It builds a nice sturdy clothesline that's going to last for many years to come.

How to Build a Clothesline from Intelligent Domestications
03 of 11

DIY Drying Rack

The Merry Thought

A drying rack can be a small space alternative to a clothesline. This DIY drying rack uses clotheslines to hang the clothes from the rack. It's a great way to indoor line dry your clothes. A simple wooden frame holds everything together, with dowel rods giving delicates a place to hang. It can easily be folded up so you can move it or store it somewhere else.

DIY Drying Rack from The Merry Thought
04 of 11

Shelter Island Clothes Line

Gardenista

Cedar strips are anchored by trees to create this clothesline. This is a great alternative if you have some trees close to where you want to put your clothesline. Doesn't this look pretty with the tapestries waving in the breeze?

Shelter Island Clothes Line from Gardenista

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05 of 11

DIY Clothesline for Under $70

The Galloway Farm

If you have just $70 to invest in a clothesline, you can build this budget-friendly one from The Galloway Farm. With just a few materials you'll be able to build this in a day. This clothesline uses a vinyl string as opposed to cotton or nylon. There's also a video here that takes you through each step and talks about the benefits of having a clothesline.

DIY Clothesline for Under $70 from The Galloway Farm
06 of 11

Flowers on the Clothesline

Stacy Risenmay: Not Just a Housewife

Here's an adorable idea for your clothesline when it's not in use! Create a vase out of a mason jar and wire and then fill with flowers. Use your clothespins to attach the vase to the line. Repeat to create more vases to hang along the clothesline. This is a wonderful idea if you're going to be having an outdoor party or gathering.

Flowers on the Clothesline from Stacy Risenmay: Not Just a Housewife
07 of 11

DIY Family Clothesline

More Like Home

Wooden posts and nylon clothesline are used to create this family-friendly laundry line. A child-height clothesline has been added so the kids can help hang the laundry. This is a unique design that has a more modern look than some of the other clotheslines.

DIY Family Clothesline from More Like Home
08 of 11

Line Drying Laundry Indoors

Beauty That Moves

Sometimes you just don't have the luxury of putting a clothesline out in the yard. If you still want to take advantage of having a clothesline, you can create an indoor one. This indoor clothesline is set up in the laundry room. Somewhere between a drying rack and clothesline, this portable setup gives plenty of room to dry quite a few items at the same time.

Line Drying Laundry Indoors from Beauty That Moves

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09 of 11

Rose Gold Clothesline

_creatinghome_

Here's a great way to give you clothesline a makeover. Laundry poles are painted a rose gold color that really gives them a pop of color. To top it off, all the clothespins have been painted rose gold to match.

Rose Gold Clothesline from _creatinghome_
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Indoor Washing Line

A Simple Living Journey

Here's another idea for an indoor washing line. These clothes are hanging from a line that's attached up near the ceiling. There's a tutorial that will show you how to build it. You can temporarily use it to dry the clothes and then tuck everything away when not in use.

Indoor Washing Line from A Simple Living Journey
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Foldable Drying Rack

Gen & Em

With just some wood, clothesline, screws, and hinges you can put together this foldable drying rack. This is a great space-saver because when you're not using it, it can easily fold down against the wall. This tutorial will give you some general guidelines on how to build it.

Foldable Drying Rack from Gen & Em

11 DIY Clothesline Ideas for Inside and Outside

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