A Vintage Paper Towel Holder Is The Perfect Bathroom Storage Solution

One of the pitfalls of a small bathroom is a lack of sufficient storage space. Thankfully, prioritizing storage is a great way to relieve a small bathroom of its visual clutter, and sometimes the best way to do so is to use unconventional items. For example, a vintage paper towel holder doesn't just belong in the kitchen. Instead, consider repurposing it in the bathroom as a small, quaint storage solution. Wooden vintage paper towel holders are often built with a little shelf and a rod for hanging the paper towels. This could be the one thrift store item you should look for if you're short on bathroom space, as these pieces can be smaller than traditional shelving but still function much the same.

When looking for items you can use to organize your bathroom, consider the vintage paper towel holder as a unique solution. You may find one at your local thrift store, or you can peruse online spaces like eBay, where these shelves range from under $10 to upwards of $75, depending on the age, original manufacturer, and quality of the unit. While the paper towel holder can act as great small storage for a bathroom, it may not be ideal for holding heavy or larger items, due to its size. Many holders are only 12 to 16 inches in width and have a shallow depth. Therefore, you won't be able to stash loads of items on them, but they can hold small pieces or act as decorative storage.

One clever way to repurpose a vintage paper towel holder in your bathroom is to use it as a vanity. TikToker @sunniewycuff hung a small mirror on the wall at their child's height and then installed the paper towel holder beneath to act as a mini shelf. Later, they placed toothpaste and a toothbrush on the shelf and used the paper towel rod to hang a small towel. While this is a great idea for children, you can translate the concept for adults, too. Those with small bathrooms or whose sinks rest below a window could also use the paper towel holder as a mini vanity. Simply hang a mirror above it and add your items to the shelf.

Another way you can use this in your bathroom is as a small and simple alternative to a bulky over-the-toilet shelf. You can roll or fold towels to rest on top, use it to hold toilet paper rolls, or utilize the shelf more decoratively. To better optimize this kind of shelf, you could invest in hooks that can hang from the rod, like the IKEA HULTARP hooks. While intended for the kitchen, these hooks are meant to slot onto a rail or rod, and the S-curve allows you to hang items on the end. For example, in the bathroom, you could place the hooks on your paper towel holder rod and suspend some bath robes or towels to utilize vertical space.