Turn Old Casserole Holders Into Vintage-Inspired Bathroom Organizers

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No doubt someone in your family is a natural host, always at the ready to set up your home for a memorable dinner party. If they also love adhering to tradition, they likely have an enviable collection of gorgeous servingware, ideal for displaying a pie or chili made with an heirloom recipe. Check to see if they have a decorative metal casserole holder they rarely use stored deep inside a cabinet. You can easily repurpose this old-school kitchen essential, often found only in a boomer's kitchen, into a stunning, vintage-inspired bathroom organizer. Simply place it on your vanity countertop and fill it with toiletries.

Giving a disused casserole holder a second life as a bathroom organizer is a creative way to declutter your vanity and keep personal hygiene items dry. The feet of the casserole dish elevate the bowl or tray above the water that inevitably pools around the bathroom sink. They're not just functional, either. Vintage casserole holders are meant to be decorative; they can add a touch of class to a lackluster bathroom design. While some casserole holders have a base, it's more common to find holders with just a frame. In the latter case, you can pair your find with a thrifted casserole dish in good condition or cut a wooden board or thick sheet of acrylic to fit. Some come with lids, which is great for protecting the contents from humidity.

Repurposed or thrifted servingware isn't always in the best condition. If your casserole holder is looking a little rusty, you can restore it by scrubbing the areas of rust with steel wool or a ball of tin foil dipped in white vinegar. Once you've cleared as much rust away as possible, you could finish it with a layer of metal sealant, linseed oil, or wax — which one you choose depends on the holders' material. Alternatively, you can employ a few simple tips for painting over rust. First, clean and dry the casserole holder, then add a few coats of a metal primer like Rust-Oleum Flat White Stops Rust Clean Metal Primer Spray. Once the primer is dry to the touch, paint the holder in your preferred hue. Now for the fun part: figuring out what you'll use it to store!

How you organize your bathroom vanity is totally up to you. The key lies in making sure everything is within easy reach. While you can simply arrange pretty things — like your coveted collection of makeup products — directly on the casserole holder, you could also add a few upcycled mason jars or glass trays to organize smaller items. Things like cotton pads, elastics, and hairpins need somewhere to go. If you prefer to use the holder in a more decorative way, don't crowd it with stuff. A few neatly rolled luxury hand towels, or a scented candle, an incense holder, and a small vase of fresh or artificial flowers would look great in a spa-like guest bathroom.