Don't Toss Old Toilet Paper Holders! Here's 6 Ways To Repurpose Them In Your Home & Garden

Sturdy, modern, and surprisingly versatile — who knew that a $10 toilet paper holder could be DIY gold? You've likely heard the saying that "one person's trash is another person's treasure." This is definitely the case when it comes to one of the most overlooked tools in your home: The awesome toilet paper holder. They can be repurposed and used for holding several things around the home or garden, such as electronic devices, plants, and even crafting supplies. 

For starters, they come in various shapes and sizes, making them perfect for even the most random DIY project in your home or garden. Often crafted from metal, rubber, or plastic, these low-profile utility items can easily transform into attention-grabbing décor in a matter of minutes. You may need DIY supplies and tools for a few of the following ideas, but many of these suggestions call for the toilet paper holders as is. So before you head out to Michaels for your next DIY project, maybe consider these often overlooked treasures.

Turn your old toilet paper holder into a new hanging spot for your indoor plants. These holders work well for indoor and outdoor plants, as their sturdy arm allows you to attach a hanging basket. Simply place the hook from your plant's basket onto the arm, and voila! Quick tip: you'll want to ensure that the plant isn't too big or too heavy for the holder — a good sign of this is if it starts to lean at any point. This is a great idea for hang-worthy plants such as String of Hearts or Monstera.

Woven baskets seem to be the norm for many knitters and crocheters when it comes to housing knitting supplies– that is, according to Pinterest. However, you can break the mold by turning your old toilet paper holder into an easy-to-reach storage spot for your yarn spools and knitting needles. Simply toss your spools into the bottom and slide one spool onto the arm. Of course, painting the holder is always an option, but it may not be necessary with this simple yarn spool hack. If the holder's height makes it hard to reach come knitting time, try setting it on top of a low-sitting end table or plastic crate. 

You can also turn some holders into a mounted plant stand for the side of your kitchen cabinets or various areas in your living room. For this you'll need to drill a couple of holes into the side of your cabinet or wall, add your screws and mounting rack, and then slide the holder on top. Many of these mountable holders are made of metal and are sturdy enough to hold your small potted plants — they're perfect for those plants that thrive near sunny windows. 

Consider turning that old holder into a mini trellis for your smaller plants. This option is great for holder designs that include at least two metal wires or one doubled wire. It can also help you maximize outdoor and indoor space. You can just place your small plant into the holder's canister, then weave the vines up the metal wires. Next, take the vines of your plant and thread them through the wires until you reach the top. These holder types are usually less expensive — you can buy them for about $12.

In today's digital age, cell phones can rank almost as high as food and water in terms of importance. That being stated, one YouTuber managed to find a creative (and interesting) way to use a toilet paper stand that comes with an attached tissue dispenser area — using the stand as a cell phone resting station. The stand can be put together in less than 5 minutes and doesn't require any additional steps to build. You can toss your cellphone on top and even add in a charging station with extension cords for added convenience.

No need to purchase that pricey plant stand from Amazon; you can make your own indoor plant stand from an item conveniently located in your bathroom. Those 12 to 18-inch vertical toilet paper reserves that conveniently hold multiple roles can serve as great plant holders as well — and there's no assembly required! Whether your holder has an open or closed design, it can help you save on table space across your home by allowing you to elevate those small indoor or patio plants by tucking them into small corners here and there.