How To Turn An Old And Broken Toaster Into A Unique Tissue Holder

Are you struggling with the recent death of a kitchen appliance? If you have a broken pop-up toaster by an unreliable appliance brand, it's not truly dead. If you like to fill your home with quirky touches, consider upcycling your defunct two-slice toaster into a tissue dispenser. This trick is extra appealing if you've fallen for a cheap yet adorable, colorful, or vintage-style appliance that's more form than function. Once you've removed its inner workings, there's ample room for a stack of Kleenex for your next bout of sniffles.

It's surprisingly easy for a dead toaster to become a practical yet quirky home decor idea that doubles as a perfect conversation starter. Simply unplug the toaster and cut off its cord. Flip the machine upside down over a sink, a trashcan, or outside in case of messy crumbs, and remove the screws holding the base and inner mechanism inside the unit. Once done, you're left with the toaster's outer "shell" that might even be the right fit for sliding over a box of tissues. If not, you should be able to unscrew and remove the electrical component from the toaster's base to hold a stack of tissues.

Treat the two toaster pieces to a scrub down. Unbox a stack of Kleenex, set it on the base, and set the casing over the tissues. Pull the end of the top tissue through one of the bread slots, and they should keep coming every time you grab one. When you set your toaster-tissue dispenser where you'll need it, turn it so that the empty toast slot is somewhat hidden behind the tissue-filled one.

Your toaster may have lived a long, meaningful life popping out pieces of golden-brown bread. If that's the case, the trusty machine may be dented, scratched, and stained beyond the point of cuteness. But with a bit more attention, your well-loved toaster can live on as a tissue dispenser.

Maybe it used to have a lovely metal finish that's seen better days. If your stainless steel toaster needs a buff-up, try this way to clean stainless steel appliances to keep them shining like new. Your toaster's exterior could be either unsalvageable or just boring, though. Think of this rectangular piece as a canvas to paint or decoupage. Since it won't be heating up, you don't need to worry about whether the new covering is a fire hazard. Chrome is hot in 2026, and you can fake this finish on the toaster with a product like Nicpro liquid silver leaf paint. Or don't overthink it and coat it in a color that works with the decor in the room where it will live.

A coating of pretty paper flowers or other attractive cutouts might be just what your toaster-tissue holder needs to make it ready for show time. A busy pattern is good at camouflaging dents. You can also use full sheets of tissue paper and Mod Podge to cover the sides, or skip a step with peel-and-stick sheets or decals.