This Brilliant Pinterest Storage Solution Keeps Toilet Paper Out Of The Way

There's nothing worse than finishing your business and reaching for the toilet paper only to discover that there's an empty cardboard roll where a scroll of soft sheets ought to be. Storing extra toilet paper rolls within reach of someone sitting on the throne is a must. How you store them is entirely up to you but it's a great opportunity to get creative in what is arguably one of the least inspiring rooms in the house. From a simple wall-mounted roll holder to a space-saving DIY cloud toilet paper holder (yes, the rolls resemble a fluffy white cloud), you're only limited by your imagination when it comes to storage ideas. 

Thankfully, there's Pinterest for those whose imagination needs a jump start — like the DIY toilet paper holder made from a wicker basket recently shared on the platform by Must Have Mom. The blogger in question simply upcycled a wooden-handled basket she had lying around the house. And the good news is you can do it, too, with relatively little effort or supplies.

If you want to hide your toilet paper in plain sight, note that Amazon has a Bankuan braided oval toilet paper basket with a wood bar for $49.99. A decidedly more rotund woven toilet paper basket goes for $59.99 at Midnight Velvet. And everyone's favorite homewares retailer, Pottery Barn, sells a handwoven seagrass toilet paper holder for $59.00. Look for baskets with a tight weave — the walls are more stable — and an ample interior that fits more than just a few rolls.

There are a few downsides to buying a ready-made holder. For one, they're pricey, as you may have already noticed. It's possible, too, that the rod part of the holder won't allow a toilet roll to actually roll out smoothly. This is especially true if you're buying online and the seller doesn't offer detailed measurements. Plus, it's hard to tell how easily the handle can be removed when shopping online. You can test a product if you buy in-store, but that means potentially visiting multiple places to find exactly what you need. Getting lucky thrift store shopping is even more unlikely in this particular case. If you're handy, we would always recommend DIYing a wicker basket toilet roll holder instead.

Look for a basket with relatively small handles built into the walls or a loose weave that you can stretch to create larger holes within without breaking the fibers. The pole that holds the paper roll must detach from the basket with a simple pull so that it's easy to fit new rolls in. You'll also need a rod or pipe made of metal, wood, or plastic, a thick wooden dowel, a bamboo garden stake, or even the cardboard tube from a wire clothes hanger. It doesn't really matter what it is so long as it's slightly smaller than the diameter of a cardboard toilet roll tube — that is, about two inches — and cut to the correct length — that is, a few inches longer either side than the diameter of the basket (at the rim).

If you purchased a basket with handles, assembling your new toilet roll holder is simple: Just pop the pole through the holes. If you need to create holes in the side of the basket, pick a spot on one side near the rim. Gently push the rod through a gap in the weave, wiggling it around until the hole expands and the rod slides through. Repeat on the opposite side and thread the pole through. If you want to get a bit fancy with this DIY project or match the theme of your basket toilet roll holder to the decor of your bathroom, wrap the pole in some leftover wallpaper. Alternatively, spray paint it with automotive paint for durability. Always make sure you do it somewhere well-ventilated, though. 

If you're too lazy to go shopping or not handy enough to DIY your own holder, don't fret. If you already have a wall-mounted roll holder that you're happy with, you can just buy any old wicker basket and stow your spare rolls inside it. It'll look cute, and the tools can stay in the garage where they belong — toilet paper storage just got so much easier! But keep in mind that if you have a perpetually damp bathroom, this idea might not work as well. Wicker tends to attract mold and mildew when exposed to moisture, not to mention bugs, like powderpost beetles, love it. Plus, keeping the basket clean is a chore since all those little crevices between the woven fibers attract — and hold onto — dirt and dust.