Paper Towel Storage Ideas That Turn The Kitchen Eyesore Into A Statement

Even if you're trying to create less waste in the kitchen – like by making your own reusable paper towels – there are times when disposable towels are necessary. Cleaning your kitchen can sometimes be filthy work, and it's much easier to wipe up a particularly grimy mess and then throw the sheet into the trash. However, it's not often that people buy one roll at a time and call it a day. Instead, they come in packs, which are sometimes intimidating bulk packs that can be hard to store. If you care about aesthetics, storing the surplus can be tricky. We've written about some ways to hide both toilet paper and paper towels in plain sight with DIY solutions. Sometimes, though, you don't have the space to tuck these rolls away. Because of this, we've rounded up some storage ideas that don't involve hiding this eyesore, but turning it into a design moment.

From utilizing bins to creating a purpose-built paper towel rack, there are a few ways to store this kitchen helper in plain sight. These solutions are not just practical, but also stylish, allowing it to blend into your kitchen design while also making it easier to monitor your stock. Ahead are some paper towel storage ideas that are both handy and design-forward.

Industrial and chic, a wire basket can help corral your bulk paper towels and make the storage area look nicer, but without hiding them completely. You'll still be able to see how many rolls you have left, but the area will look nicer than if they were loose on the shelves. If you have a favorite paper towel brand, measure the diameter of the rolls and find a basket that can fit them in rows. This will make it look extra neat and take full advantage of the basket space. One roomy and handsome-looking option is the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Wire Storage Basket for $34.99 from Target.

If you don't like the look of a big wire basket, there are alternatives. One of our favorite options is a large utility tote. Not only can it help you haul in your bulk purchase of paper towels, but it also provides a spot on pantry shelves to store them. You can turn the tote on its side to make paper towels easy to reach or keep it upright to show the tote color or pattern. A product like the Geckobrands Large Utility Tote costs $29.99 on Amazon and comes in various patterns and colors.

Open-front stacking baskets offer the best of both worlds if you want easy access to your stored paper towels but with the tidy look of storage bins. This idea can also help you take advantage of vertical space if you're working with a small storage area. Simply measure your paper towel rolls to find your ideal bin diameter. To start your product search, the Lifewit Plastic Stackable Storage Baskets cost $29.99 on Amazon and are relatively spacious.

Sure, baskets and bins look nice, but if you want to make an even bigger statement, consider the Hardwood Paper Towel Wall Rack, which costs $126 from The Iron Roots Designs. It's a pricier purchase, but the wall rack looks beautiful and is purpose-built for holding paper towels. Hand-crafted in San Francisco from walnut or maple wood, the depth measures 7 inches, so it can hold most regular-sized rolls without squishing them out of shape. The minimalist design offers a clean and simple aesthetic that is understated but luxurious.

Do you like the look of a wall rack but don't have the budget? Try a towel rack instead. Specifically, one that stores rolled towels on the wall, like this one for $29.99 on Amazon. It has a similar look as the Hardwood Paper Towel Rack above, but at a lower price tag. Its depth is a bit narrower, so it might flatten the paper towel rolls, but it's a great way to get the look if you're on a tight budget.

If you want to use wall space to store paper towels but don't love the look of the previous rack, maybe a towel holder will catch your fancy instead. It's the same idea: paper towels are around the same size as rolled-up bath towels, so they'll fit snugly in the holders. A product like the mDesign Steel Wall Mount Towel Storage costs $29.99 from Amazon and looks stylishly mounted on the wall. Each holder has just under 5 inches of space in its curve to hold paper towel rolls with a similar diameter.

There are plenty of bathroom storage ideas for hiding toilet paper in style, including utilizing a cabinet for this job. The Latitude Run Narrow Storage Cabinet costs $101.99 from Wayfair and is one such product. It's designed to store several rolls of toilet paper, but its dimensions also work for paper towels. It has a couple of compartments for storing other items, too. Place it in the pantry or next to a kitchen counter or island to store your extras in style.

There are lots of clever ways to repurpose a shower curtain rod around the home. One way is to use a rod for paper towel storage. This video from @apieceofmyhaven shows how you can use tension rods to stack and store paper towels in plain sight. Choose a decorative option to make a more interesting statement. To get a look similar to this video, you can check out the Standard Tension Curtain Rod for $69 from Pottery Barn. Alternatively, you can get a cheaper tension rod and use spray paint to make it the color of choice.

Bungee cords are an alternative to tension rods if you don't have a suitable place to install one of these bars. This DIY from @helloimcrystan does involve screwing some closed-loop hooks into the wall, so it's not a renter-friendly option. However, it's a budget-friendly alternative to a paper towel wall rack or towel holder. The stretchy bungee cord can also flex to accommodate different sizes of paper towels. This project is not the most stunning, but you can still make a statement by choosing nicer-looking bungee cords, like these white ones for $15.99 on Amazon.

This hack is similar to the above project, but it's renter-friendly. Instead of installing screw-in hooks into the wall, use over-the-door hooks to make a similar, less permanent holder for the door. No screw holes are necessary! This is a paper towel holder you can hide away by placing it inside a pantry or closet door. But if you want to keep it on display and make a statement, put it outside the door and follow the advice above, choosing nice-looking hooks and bungee cords. You can grab a pack of four hooks at Amazon for $5.99.

Even easier than the bungee cord hack, repurpose an over-the-door shoe rack into a paper towel holder. Use the shoe shelves or compartments to store paper towels instead. After all, they're fairly similar in size! If you want to follow the lead of this video and have a storage solution that also looks sleek, try a metal over-the-door shoe rack, like the Whitmor 36 Pair Over-The-Door Rack for $33.99 on Amazon. The full metal build makes this rack more sturdy than its flexible fabric counterparts.

This video from @diyjenna shows a DIY paper towel shelf, custom-made to hold rolls in storage. The design is quite simple: it's a basic wood shelf with a railing across the front to prevent the paper towels from slipping off. Since it's custom-made, the paper towels fit perfectly. The just-right fit is part of what makes the project such a statement. If you have a bit of woodworking experience, this DIY is easy to recreate. You can even paint it to give it a pop of style.

This built-in paper towel drawer is practical and stylish, and since it's custom-made, it feels luxurious, too. If you're renovating your kitchen cabinets, a paper towel drawer is an addition to consider. Since it's not a very widely available product, it might need to be custom-made. Just keep in mind that these holders usually only extend the depth of a drawer, so it can only fit a roll or two (including the roll in use at the front). However, if you're looking for a true statement kitchen accessory (which also has a bit of storage), this is the project for you.