Skip Boring Baskets: The Vintage Find You Can Use To Store Toilet Paper

Toilet paper could be one of the most mundane essentials around the house, but you don't want to be caught without. So keeping a container of extra rolls accessible in the bathroom could be a lifesaver. But it can start to feel like the only idea for storing it is a basket. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to baskets, like this vintage container for storing toilet paper. Perhaps one of the most creative vintage thrift finds you can use is an old-fashioned bird cage — an idea suggested by TikTok creator Sarah Teresinski. She simply tosses the extra rolls inside and places the cage on the floor in the bathroom.

A bird cage might seem like a strange choice, but it's a unique vessel that keeps the toilet paper rolls contained — they won't spill out like they could in a basket that gets overfilled. The bars make the toilet paper visible, so even guests can see exactly where to grab an extra roll if they run out. And it's also just a creative conversation starter that adds a whimsical aesthetic to your bathroom. 

This toilet paper storage idea works with a variety of styles, whether your bathroom has a bohemian, biophilic, rustic, or cottage core vibe to it. Look for a bird cage with a top that flips open for easy filling and access to the toilet paper. The rolls are usually 4 inches wide with a diameter of 5 inches or more, depending on the manufacturer — the regular bird cage door might not be large enough to accommodate the rolls. And consider the shape and design, so you pick an attractive option for your clever toilet paper storage hack!

Before you bring an old bird cage into your home, do a deep clean on it. While many cages are purely decorative, a cage that was actually used for birds could have remnants of dander, droppings, and bacteria — and you don't want that anywhere near your toilet paper supply. Even if the cage has always been bird-free, clean it with warm, soapy water to remove any dust or debris. 

If you love the look of the cage as-is, you can move it into the bathroom once it's dry and fill it with toilet paper. Or, spray paint it to freshen up the bars and coordinate better with your bathroom décor. You can also accent the cage with decorative elements that fit your space — imitation vines wrapped around the outside of the cage lend a spa-like or natural vibe, for example. Or, tie a large bow around a portion of the cage that curves inward.

Adding a circle of cardboard covered in fabric to the bottom of the bird cage separates the toilet paper from the bottom bars and creates a little barrier from the floor. Since bird cages are often quite large, this toilet paper storage idea may not fit on your countertop or a shelf. Putting it on the floor is an easy solution. If you're looking for storage ideas for a small bathroom, you could suspend the bird cage from the ceiling to avoid taking up floor or shelf space. Just make sure it hangs low enough so everyone can reach the rolls without hanging in the way of traffic.