Don't Toss Old Plastic Lids — Make Cute Toilet Paper Holders For Your Bathroom

Tired of spare toilet paper rolls sitting around on the toilet tank or countertop? You don't have to search for an actual holder. There are plenty of clever, hidden toilet paper storage hacks that won't break the bank. All you need is a plastic lid from a large jar or container to create the base, plus some dowel rods and thick rope or yarn. The idea comes from YouTube creator Evrim Taşer Yılmaz, and it allows for customization based on the colors and specific materials you choose.

The finished product holds a single roll of toilet paper inside a detailed container that will keep it from falling onto the floor. And that's a good thing since bathroom floors can be full of bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants you don't want on your TP. You could even use this DIY in place of a wall-mounted holder as it has an opening in the side that makes it easy to turn the paper.  

When choosing a plastic lid, make sure the diameter is wide enough to accommodate the toilet paper rolls you buy. Keep in mind that rolls are often up to 5 inches wide. Choose a lid that's slightly larger to leave extra space on the sides for the toilet paper roll to turn freely. You'll need thin, wooden dowels for the outside supports and a thicker dowel, or a thick cardboard tube, for the center support. It should be narrower than the toilet paper tube to allow the roll to fit over it. When you're done, you'll have a textural toilet paper holder that ups your bathrooms aesthetic.

To create this stylish holder, start by marking spots around the top of the lid to indicate dowel placement. The wooden rods will serve as the upright supports for the weaving effect. The original creator marks spots for them 1 centimeter apart (which is a little less than ½ inch), skipping a few inches on one side where the opening will go. Then, a soldering iron is used to melt holes into the plastic in the marked spots. The dowels slide into the holes, and hot glue on the underside of the lid keeps them in place.

To weave the sides, glue a thick cord or rope onto the base of the first dowel. Weave it back and forth between each dowel, and turn around when you get to the end. Repeat weaving back and forth, working up the dowels until you reach the top. Glue a strip of leather, a ribbon, or another wide material along the top and bottom edges. You can also add smaller ribbons, cords, or beads along the top and bottom for additional detailing.

To give the toilet paper stability, add a rod in the center of the holder. That could be a narrow cardboard tube covered in fabric or twine, or a large, wooden dowel glued in place. If you want to keep the toilet paper covered, cut out a circle of cardboard slightly larger than the top of the holder to create a lid. Cover it with burlap or fabric, and add a wooden bead on top as a handle. Then, place the lid on top of the holder. If you need room for even more rolls, check out these other ways to store toilet paper without causing clutter.