Around the sink, everything piles up: a bottle of dishwashing liquid, hand soap, a brush, and a dripping sponge. In just a few days, this small area can give the impression of a cluttered kitchen, even when the rest is spotless. Many decor enthusiasts have nonetheless found a simple, elegant, and inexpensive solution by repurposing an object that many people think is reserved… for toilets.
On the American site House Digest, editors describe how a simple ceramic toilet paper holder, originally recessed into a bathroom wall, becomes a chic little caddy placed near the faucet. Other media outlets like Apartment Therapy or The Kitchn praise the same find, repurposed to store soap, a brush, and gloves. An astonishing idea to finally tame the clutter around the sink.
Why the sink area overflows, and how the toilet paper holder changes everything
House Digest notes that “if you don’t watch out, this heavily used area quickly becomes one of the messiest spots in the home.” Between damp sponges, dishwashing products, brushes, and sometimes gloves that dry, every inch counts. A kitchen sink organizer must therefore be compact, heavy enough to stay in place, resistant to water, and easy to clean with a simple sponge wipe.
The site explains that “the fact that this bathroom classic is ceramic makes it ideal near the kitchen sink, as it is very durable.” Ceramic withstands wear, repeated splashes, and contact with household cleaners while maintaining its original look for years. In a horizontal position, this toilet paper holder becomes a heavy, stable dish-like container, perfect for corralling the mess.
Which toilet paper holder to choose to turn it into a sink organizer
The model highlighted by House Digest is a recessed-in-the-wall toilet paper holder, with a hollow central section and two side arms. You can find this type of piece new, such as the SereneDrains Recessed Ceramic Toilet Paper Holder sold online, but also second-hand at flea markets, rummage sales, and charity shops for a much gentler price.
The advantage of this recessed format is its compact silhouette. Placed flat on the back, it takes up little space on the countertop while offering a lip deep enough to accommodate bottles and accessories. Its white or cream color blends easily into a classic kitchen, but handy people can also spray-paint it to match a gold faucet or a colored backsplash.
How to repurpose the toilet paper holder by the sink
Once the toilet paper holder is acquired, the transformation takes just a few minutes. You simply flip it to access the back, then remove any mortar or glue with a small scraper such as a Titan Stainless Steel Scraper until the surface is perfectly flat. Then place the unit on its back, with the arms pointing upward like a small tray.
To prevent the ceramic from scratching the countertop or slipping, House Digest suggests adding self-adhesive pads, such as Queenti Silicone Self Adhesive Bumpers. Then you just need to fill it: a bottle of soap, a dish brush, a small brush, or the original rod for hanging gloves and a towel. Some users also mount it on the wall with a strong double-sided tape such as Scotch Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape, rated to hold up to 30 pounds and removable with a hairdryer.
