Don't Toss Plastic Bottles — Use Them To DIY A Cute Spot To Store Toilet Paper

If there's any DIY that could make you feel good about yourself when you're done, it's this one. That's because you get to reuse plastic (yay to sustainable DIYs!) and you also get a unique toilet paper holder. You're probably wondering "But how in the world does anyone turn a plastic bottle into a toilet paper holder?" Well, first you need a large enough bottle — a 2-liter soda bottle or something similar is ideal. Then, you need a few tools and embellishments, along with a lot of creativity. YouTube creator DIY com Fabiana Nogueira makes it look easy with her version of a toilet paper holder. She cuts a gap on one side and uses twine and burlap to disguise the clear plastic bottle. The result is a single-roll toilet paper storage hack that won't break the bank and is perfect for a shelf or the back of your toilet.

For this project, you need a large clear plastic bottle. Toilet paper rolls these days can be quite large — usually about 4 ½ inches wide and up to 5 inches in diameter. The average 2-liter soda bottle is about 4 ⅓ inches wide. Cutting a vertical gap in the plastic helps make room, but this project is best with smaller rolls instead of the mega and jumbo ones you often find in stores.

You'll also need thin pieces of Styrofoam or lots of cardboard to fill up the bottom. Grab burlap or another type of fabric to decorate the design. Since you're cutting the plastic, you'll also want twine, a thick cord, or something similar to cover those sharp edges and add beauty then a hot glue gun helps you hold everything together.

Before you start, sanitize and clean the plastic bottle before cutting the top off — leave about 6 inches of body of the bottle (i.e. the part above the ridge-like bottom). This is because you'll add padding in the bottom to lift the roll, and you want the top of the holder to sit just above the top of your roll. Next, cut a rectangle about 2 inches wide out of the side of the bottle — don't cut all the way to the bottom. Smooth out the edges and curve the top corners like the original if desired. You can leave the plastic clear, paint it, or decoupage printed napkins over it.

Since plastic soda bottles have feet-like ridges (they help disperse pressure from carbonation), cut a piece of sturdy cardboard to create a flat base for the holder. Cover it with burlap or some other decorative fabric, and glue it to the bottom. Next, cut a strip of flexible cardboard and cover it with the same material. Glue that around the base to give it a defined look.

Now, fill the bottom of the bottle with thin pieces of Styrofoam or cardboard so the new inner base is level with the covered cardboard ring. Wrap the top piece in the same material as the ring to create a coordinated appearance. Finish it with imitation flowers, a bow, or other accents that match your bathroom. You can also make multiple holders and glue then together with the openings facing outward in all directions. If you're looking for ways to create storage in a small bathroom, replicate this idea to hold makeup brushes and other essentials.