Why There's Simply No Need For Traditional Paper Towel Holders Anymore

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There are some common household items and traditions we are so used to seeing that we don't even stop to consider whether there might be a better way. Paper towel holders are a great example. These vertical stands are traditionally placed on a countertop and are designed to hold a roll of paper towels for easy dispensing and access. However, as both technology and interior design preferences have advanced and changed over time, plenty of alternative solutions have been introduced.

From mounting the holder on the inside of a cabinet door to creating a custom-made cubby that combines easy access and a sleek design, there is no shortage of practical ways you can store your paper towels. And these solutions are often better than the traditional towel holder for multiple different reasons. First, they are hidden. This means that they can help you keep counters clutter-free in your kitchen, bathroom, or mudroom — whenever you tend to need paper towels. In addition, they are versatile when it comes to time and budget. While some options involve more extensive reworking of your cabinetry — a good solution for those already in the midst of a remodel and who are looking to add clever hidden storage solutions as they go — other alternatives, such as mounting inside a cabinet door, are simple, affordable, and easy to install. So, if you're convinced that there is simply no need for a traditional countertop paper towel holder anymore, let's take a look at some of the clever hidden storage solutions that are available instead so that you can decide which one best suits your home, your budget, and your daily habits.

One quick and easy way to ditch the traditional paper towel holder is to opt for a mounted towel rack that can be placed on the inside of a cabinet. This aPuklecz mounted paper towel holder from Amazon, for example, can be stuck either vertically or horizontally to the inside of a cabinet door. Alternatively, if you like the idea of your paper towels being hidden in a cabinet but want to be able to access them without touching the cabinet door with dirty or wet hands, you can cut a thin slit into the cabinet door or the bottom of an upper cabinet. This will allow you to feed the paper towels through the slot, much like an automated dispenser, making your paper towel storage touch-free. Before cutting the slot, make sure to think carefully about which cabinet would be the most convenient to have the towels in, such as next to the sink for wet hands or by the stove for cleaning up food spills.

If you don't mind a more involved option and love the idea of having bespoke, custom solutions in your home, there is an option for you, too. This involves purchasing or designing a specific cubby or drawer for your paper towels to be set directly into your cabinetry, meaning they are tucked away but still accessible without having to open any doors. Keep in mind the size of paper towel roll you generally get to ensure it will fit into the cubby you want to create. Remember to also paint the front of the cubby to match your existing cabinets so that the extra storage space blends seamlessly in with its surroundings.