Trade In Your Paper Towel Holder: There's A Cuter Way To Store More Than One Roll

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Paper towel holders are ubiquitous kitchen staples, and you never want to be without one on hand when something spills. That said, they're not necessarily the most stylish thing on your countertop. Plus, if you're a sensible bulk buyer, you've likely got more rolls than you know what to do with, making it even more of a pain to have the stockpile cluttering up your counters and cabinets. Fortunately, there's a cute and simple paper towel storage idea that won't eat into valuable space yet can hold multiple paper towel rolls at once: a vertical wall rack.

These paper towel racks typically feature a tall rectangular frame with open sides for a unique look. Not only are they a brilliant way to organize your cluttered kitchen, but they're also easy to install yourself, making this a simple DIY that won't require a handyman. You'll need whatever mounting fixtures and screws the rack comes with, as well as a drill, a pencil, a measuring tape to determine your precise mounting position, and a spirit level to ensure your rack is hung straight. If you don't want to drill any permanent holes into the wall, you can use a heavy-duty mounting adhesive for lighter-weight racks.

These vertical racks come in many styles, sizes, and finishes, so it's easy to find one to suit your space and complement your aesthetic. For instance, if your kitchen is sleek and modern, go for a simplistic brushed nickel option, like the Newrain Towel Rack for $34.99 on Amazon. While it's technically advertised as a bathroom towel rack, there's no reason those towels can't be paper rather than terrycloth. Wall-mounted towel racks also tend to be easier to find. Just make sure the frame isn't wider than 11 inches – which is the standard size of a paper towel roll — so the rolls don't fall through. Alternatively, if your kitchen has a more rustic feel, this Iron Roots Designs Hardwood Paper Towel Wall Rack leans into luxury, with a price tag to match.

Once you've selected your rack, you'll need to pick the best place to mount it. If you happen to have suitable wall space for a vertical rack next to your cooking station, that's probably your best bet. This will keep your paper towels within reach. However, if you're short on wall space or simply want the rack to be less of a focal point, there are some workarounds as well. For the ultimate space-saving way to store paper towels, you can mount the rack on a door or conceal it inside a pantry if you have some room there. You can also get particularly crafty and install it on the underside of your upper cabinets to really tuck it out of sight.