How To Turn A Toilet Paper Holder Into Home Decor

Some of the best home decor upgrades don't start in the decor aisle at all. In fact, they often come from sections you'd normally walk right past (think bathroom storage). A toilet paper holder is usually the last thing you'd expect to turn into something decorative, let alone stylish enough to display on a shelf or table. But certain toilet paper organizers, especially wire or metal ones with an open-cage design, have surprisingly good bones for a decor transformation — we're talking a lighted floral lantern.

This hack by TikToker @anna_so_bougie works best with a freestanding wire toilet paper holder that sits on the floor and stores extra rolls vertically. These holders are typically tall, cylindrical, and minimal, which makes them easy to repurpose. When you strip away their original use, you're left with something that looks a lot like a lantern. Instead of storing extra rolls, it will become a soft, ambient accent that adds warmth and height to your home or at a party. 

These toilet paper holders can be found at the thrift store if you don't have one already, and this hack should only take 30 minutes or so. If not, you can find them online for under $16. To get started, you'll need a wire toilet paper holder with a closed base (such as this NearMoon Toilet Paper Stand), a tall faux pillar candle that fits inside, and a simple, flat, circular piece to act as a lid (something made from thin metal, wood, or plastic will do). Also set aside a piece of floral foam, some glue, and faux flowers and greenery. If you end up finding multiples, you can transform a toilet paper roll holder into a luxe vase.

Start by setting the toilet paper holder upright on its closed base. Slide a faux candle into the center so it sits snugly inside the wire frame. Battery-operated candles work best, since they give off a soft glow without safety concerns. Next, you'll want to close off the open top of the holder. This is where the circular piece comes in. Once it's secured, glue a round of floral foam (or styrofoam) on top. This creates a stable surface for arranging your faux stems. From there, insert your chosen flowers and greenery until the arrangement feels balanced.

What makes this idea especially flexible is how easily it adapts to different seasons. For fall, warmed-toned florals, dried-looking stems, and muted greenery give the decor a cozy feel. Around the holidays, evergreen sprigs, berries, or subtle metallic accents can make it feel festive. If you're styling for a wedding or formal event, white blooms with trailing greenery instantly elevate the look and feel more traditional. This is definitely wedding decor that you can reuse after the big day.

Leaving the holder as-is works beautifully for modern or minimalist spaces, but a quick coat of spray paint can change the vibe entirely. Matte black feels sleek, antique brass leans vintage, and soft white works well for farmhouse decor. If you make a few of these, it's a great way to elevate your bathroom with a cozy and affordable lighting addition. The real value of this DIY is the reusability. Once you've got the base, you can swap out the florals and candle whenever you want.