Ditch Basic Toilet Paper Holders: The Simple Thrift Store Swap For More Vintage Charm

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Freestanding toilet paper holders lack charm and can be top-heavy or easy to accidentally knock over. However, you don't have to put up with them or install a wall-mounted variety. The solution might be at your local thrift store. Vintage baskets! TikToker Taylor Medeiros of taylormedeiros converted an old wicker basket into a cute toilet paper dispenser with storage underneath. As she wrote in the video description, Medeiros' goal was to demonstrate how you can use thrifted treasures to fulfill household functions. Essentially, why buy into the overconsumption trend when you can upcycle a vintage item that adds character and serves a purpose?

How it works is that the handle holds one toilet paper roll, acting as a dispenser. The basket holds your additional rolls. It's a way more aesthetically pleasing solution than storing them in their original plastic packaging. As one viewer commented, "It looks sooo good."

Medeiros put her classic DIY toilet paper dispenser with a natural aesthetic on top of a small step stool and positioned it beside a vase filled with eucalyptus stems. Propping the basket on a stool may also help keep it off the ground, which could be important if it's near a shower or bathtub. The last thing you need is soggy toilet paper rolls in the bottom of the basket. The added height should bring it level with the toilet seat, making the paper easier to reach. This setup is much more inviting than the cold, metallic, minimalist holders you often see advertised. Plus, vintage baskets that are worth hunting for at the thrift store typically cost way less than roll holders from big-box retailers. You just have to be willing to wait.

First, you need to choose the correct basket design. Ideally, you want a woven basket with a large storage compartment and a handle spanning the center. The handle should be upright and fixed in place — movable basket handles won't work for this clever way to use a basket to keep your bathroom organized. If you're worried about the spare rolls getting dusty, you could look for a lidded basket. Next, you need to determine how to actually create the toilet paper holder from the fixed basket handle. When a video commenter asked, "I'm guessing you had to cut the basket?," TikToker Taylor Medeiros (@taylormedeiros) confirmed that she did but didn't provide specifics.

The most plausible way to make the holder is to cut a portion out of the hollow basket handle and insert a short wooden dowel into the holes in the weave. You'll likely need a tool that can cut through hard, dry branches. For example, Decerk Professional Pruning Shears can cut through ¾-inch stems, so they should work on a basket handle made of a natural material like wicker. The tension created by the assembly should keep the dowel in place without the need for glue. You may, however, still need to reinforce the cut ends by wrapping them in rope or wire. When you want to add a new toilet paper roll, carefully tug at the dowel to release one end from the basket handle and slide the roll on. Then push the dowel back into the handle. If the dowel won't stay in place, you can hot-glue one end (not both ends) to the handle.