The Vintage Paper Towel Holder That Makes A Charming Plant Stand (If You Can Find One)

If you're a thrift store lover, you've probably seen some unique finds out there. And sometimes, the design is interesting, but it's just not something that you need. Well, the beauty of thrifting is that you don't have to use items the way they were designed. Take a vintage paper towel holder, for example. It's an old-school feature that adds a nostalgic touch to your kitchen, but when flipped, it works beautifully as a plant stand in any room — not just the kitchen.

For this clever upcycling DIY, you'll need one of those charming, vintage wall-mounted paper towel holders. These are often made of wood, with two circular plates on either end that are meant to frame the roll and support the rod in between. When you hang it vertically and remove the rod, the two plates become perfect perches for potted plants. It's a simple switch that turns a nostalgic household piece into a unique plant display shelf with plenty of character. But our favorite part? This plant setup makes the most of tight spaces, since you only need a sliver of wall space.

To find this kind of vintage piece, you can look through local thrift stores. Or, browse online sites like eBay and Etsy, which sometimes have options that range from $25 to $40. Look for keywords like "vintage wall-mounted paper towel holder," and you might find a few to choose from if you're lucky. Some have engraved designs, while others are more minimalist. The finish of the wood can vary, too. Remember, you won't need the central rod, so also keep your eyes peeled for cheaper models that may be missing that part.

First, remove the rod. Then, attach the piece to the wall. A lot of these paper towel holders come with pre-made holes to attach to the wall with screws. If you don't want to drill, you can use Command Strips instead for a renter-friendly DIY decor trick. This option also makes it easy to take off the wall and move without damaging the surface. Just make sure to respect the weight limit when choosing which plants to place on this DIY shelf.

Now that your paper towel holder is attached vertically to the wall, place your plants on the two round wood pieces. One upgrade you can make to this is to add saucers and secure them in place with a bit of double-sided tape. This will help the plants be more stable on the shelf, and it will catch any spills when you water your plants, protecting the wood underneath.

Typically, a paper towel roll is around 5 inches in diameter, so in a lot of cases, we can expect these wood pieces to measure the same. Therefore, it's best to stick with saucers and pots that are under 5 inches. Anything bigger will be less stable and less aesthetically pleasing. When it comes to which plants to use this for, there are tons of options. This will work for all of your best indoor plants. For example, English ivy or pothos can go on the bottom section and drape down beautifully. Then, something a bit taller, like a Dracaena, can go up top.