Transform A Thrifted Paper Towel Holder Into An Overlooked Solution For Organizing Clutter

How many times have you hesitated at the thrift store when you see a vintage item that you're not sure how to use? It calls to you, but you don't have a specific purpose in mind. We say, take it home and you'll find a use for it! And if the item is an old wooden wall-mounted paper towel holder, we have just the idea for you. Monique of @getcozywithmo shows her followers how to transform the piece into a mini wall shelf, and it's perfect for small items that need a dedicated home. 

The type you want has a flat wood back panel and two wood supports with a thick round wooden rod to hold the rolls. Pay attention to the side support pieces — those become the shelves, so the larger the better. Sourcing your paper towel holder depends on your situation. Maybe you want to ditch the basic paper towel holder for a cuter alternative, but you don't want to toss the old holder. Or perhaps you just stumbled across a cute vintage option at the thrift store and want a creative way to use it.

If the paper towel holder doesn't have screws with it, you'll need those. Prep your drill for the project, so you can hang the holder securely. Since you'll want to screw it into a stud, having a stud finder on hand makes that part easier. You can also refinish the wood to help it fit in with your decor or add extra hooks and other details, so you may need additional supplies for that. The finished project turns out to be a genius way to use an old paper towel holder in your home to add more storage.

Don't feel bad about repurposing a paper towel holder into a shelf — there are plenty of DIY paper towel storage ideas you can still craft to keep those rolls contained. And this idea is too cute to pass up. At the most basic level, you simply remove the rod and mount the paper towel holder vertically to the wall. The side supports will create mini shelves that are perfect for little potted plants, small decor pieces, or small-sized essentials like cotton buds — just make sure the items are larger than the holes for the rod, so they don't fall through.

You can modify the paper towel holder to better suit your needs. If the side supports are too small, consider removing them and replacing them with larger pieces. Adding wood trim around the shelves is a decorative touch that'll also keep items from slipping off the side. Or, you could add a middle shelf by screwing a piece of scrap wood to the back of the holder.

Some modifications might depend on how and where you use the shelf. For example, adding a small puck light to the bottom of the top shelf creates a spotlight effect for the decor on the lower shelf. If you're hanging the shelf in the bathroom, attach a thick loop of rope to the underside of the lower shelf to create a simple hand towel holder. In an entryway, add screw-in hooks to the underside to hold your keys.