Traditional Paper Towel Holders Are Boring: A Cooler Way To Keep Them Off The Counter
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Paper towels aren't exactly a must-have ingredient, but it's hard to imagine a kitchen without at least a roll or two. While there are some paper towel alternatives that are good for the planet and your wallet, most of us get just as excited by finding a great deal on a bulky package of our favorite rolls. The trouble starts when messes mean you're constantly wrestling an empty cardboard tube off the paper towel holder that looked cool in the store but is a major hassle at home. It's even worse if you're trying to maximize space in a tiny kitchen, and your roll of paper towels is constantly getting moved from one surface to the next (but never where you seem to need it most!) And don't get us started on the traditional paper towel holders that look bulky and boring in even the trendiest kitchens. Fortunately, there's a cooler way to keep your paper towels off the counter using a few pipes and a lot of creativity.
The plumbing aisle at your local hardware store might not immediately come to mind when you're trying to figure out how to get your paper towel situation under control. But if you've ever played a game of Tetris, you're ridiculously fast at putting Lego sets together, or you're obsessed with puzzles, a few inexpensive pipes and elbows are all you need. Since a paper towel's cardboard tube typically measures 1.5 inches, any sturdy piece of pipe in a smaller diameter can be easily converted into a chic, industrial-style holder.
Combine basic plumbing pipes and fittings to make a DIY paper towel holder
PVC pipes are cheap, accessible, and strong enough to hold even the bulkiest of bulk paper towel rolls. Whether you want to skip boring paper towel holders, or you're struggling to find one that fits your space, PVC is simple to customize thanks to inexpensive fittings that can be mounted onto cabinets or walls — or fitted with magnets if you're renting.
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Paper towel rolls are typically around 11 inches long, but you can use a longer piece of pipe if you want to keep several roles within reach. To begin, use a plumbing elbow to connect the long pipe to a shorter one with a little PVC cement. Add a flange to one end to mount the holder horizontally or vertically. A pipe cap on the other end helps keep your paper towel from falling off. It's easy to customize this holder by scuffing it with a little sandpaper before applying thin coats of a plastic-rated spray paint like Krylon Fusion All-In-One, which comes in a variety of colors costing less than $10 per can from Amazon.
If you love the industrial look of a plumbing-pipe holder, and you're willing to spend a little more, PVC isn't your only option. You can construct a sturdy holder using a threaded metal pipe, flange, elbow, and cap. Although the materials cost more, you won't need to buy any adhesive since each element simply screws together. No matter which plumbing material you choose, leaving one end of the holder open makes it quick and simple to swap out empty cardboard tubes for new paper towel rolls. Plus, the waterproof nature of plumbing supplies makes this a durable DIY.