How We Built a Simple DIY Clothesline

Build a simple DIY clothesline with this easy tutorial. Add charm to your yard while drying laundry the old-fashioned way.

When I think of old-fashioned farm life, two things always come to mind—roosters and a good old DIY clothesline. Roosters? I’ve got plenty. But the clothesline? That was just a dream… until my husband surprised me last weekend by building one himself before I even realized what he was up to! We used a few simple tutorials (which I’ll link below), and I’m also sharing exactly what he used to bring this cozy little farmhouse dream to life.

There’s something so peaceful about line-drying clothes in the sunshine. I love the way sheets feel after hanging outside in the breeze, and don’t even get me started on the smell—fresh air just does something a dryer never can. But beyond that, this project reminded me of something deeper. It’s the kind of thing our great-grandmas would’ve done without a second thought. A DIY clothesline wasn’t a Pinterest project for them—it was just part of daily life. They lived slower, simpler, and more intentionally. And the more we’ve leaned into that lifestyle around here, the more joy I’ve found in these ordinary little things.

Before we built ours, I had no idea how simple it could be. I assumed we’d need all kinds of tools or complicated plans. But turns out, this was one of the most straightforward projects we’ve taken on—and it made a big difference right away. It didn’t take much more than a few 4×4 posts, some cotton line, and hardware we already had in the barn. A fresh coat of white paint made it blend beautifully into our backyard, and now it feels like it’s always been there.

If you’ve been on the fence about building a DIY clothesline, let this be your sign to go for it. You don’t need a huge budget or professional tools. Just a small space, a little time, and a heart for bringing beauty and purpose back into everyday routines.

Materials we used:

• 3 4″x4″x8′ posts – Someone gave us these posts. They were part of a shipping crate and were going to be tossed out! Thankfully they were salvaged, and given to us. To me one of the best gifts is free lumber. 🙂
• cotton clothesline
• line tensioners
• eye hooks
• screws and bolts (honestly, I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to what he used as far as this is concerned. I do know he followed the tutorial fairly closely)
• white exterior paint in satin

Tutorials we followed:

• Man Made DIY Clothesline
• Liz Marie Galvin DIY Clothesline

Like any DIY project we didn’t follow either of those tutorials exactly. We mixed and matched the parts that worked best for us. For instance, when it came to deciding the height someone told me to be sure I could stand comfortably with my arms at a 45 degree angle and reach the line. Since I’m not quite 5’5″ our posts were slightly shorter than someone who is 5’8″ would need.

After installing this clothesline, I noticed a remarkable difference in my laundry routine. Drying linens outdoors not only conserved energy but also imparted a fresh, sun-kissed scent to the fabrics. The process of hanging clothes became a peaceful, meditative task, connecting me to simpler times and practices.​

If you’ve ever wanted to dry your laundry the old-fashioned way, save money on electricity, or simply slow down and enjoy the rhythm of homemaking a bit more—this project is a wonderful place to start.

If you’re wondering how to keep line-drying your laundry when the weather turns cold, check out my simple winter solution—it’s practical and still old-fashioned.

Have you been DIYing? I’d love to hear about it below so be sure to leave a comment.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by the farmhouse!