The Toilet Paper Holder Hack That Helps Keep Bathroom Counters & Drawers Clutter-Free

If you've invested in a bathroom remodel recently, don't be too quick to toss that ugly white plastic toilet roll holder. There's a good chance it can't be recycled — so why not give it a second life by upcycling it into a handy storage unit for the smaller items cluttering your bathroom counters and drawers? You know, the elastic hair ties and jewelry that often get discarded pre-shower and then promptly forgotten about. Talk about a win for the environment, your pocket, and most importantly, your sanity.

If you don't have one of those nondescript toilet roll holders lying around, you can pick one up on Amazon or at your local Walmart for about $8 to $12. While not as budget-friendly as upcycling what you already have, it's probably still more cost-effective than buying a custom organizer on Etsy. Plus, you have the added satisfaction that comes with completing a creative DIY project. All you need is the holder itself, a can or two of spray paint, and a few stickers or other decorative add-ons to dress it up. It doesn't get much easier than this. As for where to put your organizers, you can stand them up on the counter or dresser, mount them to a wall or the side of a cabinet with double-sided tape, or you can stash them out of sight in a closet or drawer. 

The first step is deciding how many toilet paper holder organizers you'll need. For example, you might want one for hair ties and another to keep your bracelets and hoop earrings easily accessible. They're also great for organizing office stationery or craft and hobby supplies like rubber bands, ribbon spools, and so on. Basically, anything creating clutter on your counters or in your drawers that fits on a toilet paper holder is fair game.

If you decide to spray-paint your toilet paper holder, lay out some newspaper so you don't inadvertently "decorate" the table you're working on. An all-purpose spray paint is perfect for this DIY: it's quick-drying (one to two hours), doesn't require priming, and is available in a variety of colors and finishes. You'll need to spray the holder and spindle separately to ensure all surfaces get their share of paint. If you're chomping at the bit to get the mess under control (we hear you), go ahead and declutter your bathroom while you wait for the paint to dry.

At this point, your toilet roll holder will already look the part. But why stop at good when great is just a few well-placed add-ons away? Think pipe-cleaner animals for preschoolers, gem stickers for tweens, using washi tape as decor, or something more elegant for decor-conscious DIYers. All of these can be added strategically to enhance the organizer's look without compromising its function. Pro tip: If your holder has holes for screws, simply cover them with a couple of beads or stickers.