Ditch Toilet Paper Racks: There's A More Creative Way To Add Storage To A Small Bathroom

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Navigating storage in a small bathroom can be challenging, especially if you're trying to keep things organized for a large family. Even something as routine as putting away extra toilet paper can feel visually overwhelming, with those rolls ending up stacked on the back of the toilet or squished down the gap between the vanity and the wall. Traditional toilet paper racks offer zero storage options. Why not create the coolest toilet paper storage solution with a fun upcycling DIY instead? With just a few simple tools, you can turn a wooden crate — or a few crates — into a wall-mounted toilet paper roll dispenser and holder combo. This idea uses existing materials and keeps extra rolls off the floor. Plus, there are countless ways to customize the holder to cater to your bathroom design aesthetic.

Regardless of how you decide to embellish this toilet paper holder, there are some basic materials you'll need on hand to complete this project. Start by sourcing a few sturdy wooden crates. This Boy Mcowboy Wooden Crate Pack gives you six sizes to choose from for about $44. Set aside a crate that's a little wider than 4.5 inches for the toilet roll holder — it will fit a standard 500-sheet roll inside. You'll also need a wooden rod that's the same width as the crate and less than 1½ inches in diameter. Grab a pair of closet pole sockets, too; one should be U-shaped. You can store extra rolls in the other crates if needed. Tools-wise, you'll need a drill, a measuring tape, a carpenter's pencil, and some sandpaper. Optional extras include wood stain or paint and stencils.

Ready to give this clever way to repurpose wood crates for home storage a go? First, grab your sandpaper and run it over the crate, smoothing out any areas of rough wood. If you're going to stain, paint, or stencil the crate, now is the time to do it. Next, measure the height of the rod sockets and mark their location with your carpenter's pencil. The dowel should sit as close to the top of the crate as possible. Screw the sockets into place, slide the dowel through a toilet paper roll, and insert the ends into the sockets. Add any embellishments, such as attaching a vintage brass license plate to the front for an industrial chic vibe, then mount your new toilet roll holder to the wall. Fill the empty space at the bottom of the crate with a few extra rolls and you're done.

You can stop at this point, especially if you're dealing with limited space in your bathroom. You already have perfectly functional alternative toilet paper storage that doubles as decor. However, you could also expand the organizer by attaching a few more crates above or to the side of the original crate using screws or Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive. Store more toilet rolls inside the additional crates, or use them for rolled towels and other bathroom essentials. You could also make a simple, rustic roll holder from sturdy twine threaded through two holes drilled in the top of the crate. Or mount a Jopofi Matte Black Self-Adhesive Toilet Paper Holder underneath the crate (on the outside), reserving the interior for extra roll storage.