Beyond Baskets and Shelves: Clever Ideas to Keep Toilet Paper Tidy and Clutter-Free
Storing toilet paper might sound trivial, but in a small bathroom it quickly becomes a proper headache. With little floor or shelf space, finding somewhere handy and tidy to keep rolls isn’t always easy. Leaving rolls in their plastic packaging on the floor beside the loo is a common sight — and not a great look. Good storage makes a bathroom feel more organised and nicer to look at.
Why the usual options fall short
Old magazine racks and baskets from charity shops often look cute and can do the job, but they can also add to the clutter if there’s nowhere suitable to put them. Shelves are another obvious choice, keeping rolls on display, but in very small bathrooms you may not have the wall space to fit them. These limits show why it’s worth looking beyond the conventional fixes.
Try an over-the-door shoe rack
A versatile and cheap answer is an over-the-door shoe rack — a neat trick many people wish they’d found sooner. These come in fabric or plastic/metal versions and can be hung on the back of the bathroom door, inside the under-sink cabinet, or even under the vanity. That flexibility makes them very practical, and they’re widely sold in most homeware stores and online for under £8.00.
The open pocket layout works well for toilet rolls (and plenty else). Racks come in different sizes, so you can pick one that best uses the space you have. For shelves that are open, rolls tend to sit angled upwards to stop them falling out; pocket-style racks hold individual rolls just as neatly. To be sure you buy the right one, measure the width of the toilet roll and the cardboard tube (inner tube diameter) before you order.
Use it for more than toilet paper
If you live alone or with a small family, the over-the-door shoe rack doubles as a general bathroom organiser. It can free up countertop space and hold rolled hand towels, face cloths, tubs of cleansing wipes, paper towel rolls, and laundry soap. The pockets are also great for smaller items like toothpaste and lotions.
Practical points and budget considerations
These racks are available in fabric or tougher plastic/metal builds, so you can choose by style and durability. They’re easy to buy from most homeware shops and offer a straightforward solution to clutter and access problems. By tackling both storage and presentation, an over-the-door shoe rack helps make the bathroom feel tidier and more pleasant.
Storing toilet paper might seem niche, but for anyone dealing with limited space it’s a real help. The convenience and versatility of an over-the-door shoe rack can maximise what you’ve got and improve how your bathroom looks. Give a few creative ideas a go and you could end up with a neater, more organised loo.