The Genius DIY Trick That Makes Painting Behind The Toilet A Breeze

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Imagine you chose a beautiful paint color to make your bathroom look bigger. Everything's going great ... until you realize it's time to paint behind the toilet. Nothing seems to fit in the gap between the toilet tank and the wall. Paintbrushes feel too clunky, small rollers feel too big. Sometimes, it feels like the only choices are to either remove the tank (or the entire toilet) or cut in as close as you can with another tool and hope it's good enough. But there's a simple and genius DIY that can help you paint behind the toilet easily. All you need is a paint pad and a stir stick.

Devised by Instagram user @averagebutinspired, the brilliant DIY of cutting the handle off a paint pad and taping the leftover pad to a stir stick to create a makeshift behind-the-toilet painting tool makes it easy to add color. Why? Removing the handle makes the paint pad small enough to slide into the gap while the stick lets you reach into that tricky spot.

If you're not familiar with what a paint pad is or how to use it, here's the short version: Typically made of foam or fabric, paint pads are ideal for reaching small places, but can also be used in lieu of rollers for walls. Some DIYers also state that paint pads create less splatter than rollers. This makes them ideal for this DIY because the last thing you need is paint smudges on the toilet.

When you're ready to paint behind the toilet, first make sure your stick is the right length. Slide your stir stick into the gap between the wall and the toilet. Does it hit the spot you need to paint? If not, try something longer, like a spatula, yardstick, or even multiple stir sticks taped together. Next, get your paint pad. If you don't have one handy, a refill pad works great. In a pinch, the non-scrubbing side of a clean, dry kitchen sponge can also do the trick, although it probably won't apply the same smooth texture as the rest of the room. Attach your pad with painter's tape for a quick fix, or use a hot glue gun for a stronger hold if you plan on using this tool again. Our essential advice for using a paint pad behind the toilet is to dab the pad in the paint and wipe away any excess before sliding it into the gap. Too much paint can create an uneven look, or even cause paint drips.

There are also some great ready-made options for this exact area. Some new paint tools, like the Paint Behind Toilet Tool Nylon Brush, have a long, slender applicator that can slide into tiny gaps with ease. Or, if you have a larger gap and want something with more versatility, look for a slim paint roller, like the Mister Rui Paint Roller Kit, that can fit into tight areas.