In many small bathrooms, the wall-mounted toilet paper holder only holds one roll, and the spare pack ends up on the floor or on top of the toilet. Visually, it isn’t very flattering, and when the roll runs out, you often have to get up to fetch another one from a cramped cabinet. Floor space is scarce, yet the rolls keep piling up.
The Swedish giant offers a very concrete answer to this dilemma with a small bamboo unit that replaces the basic holder and stacks several rolls on a ultra-compact column. The decor site HouseDigest sums up the idea: “No more basic toilet-roll holders: the new space-saving IKEA alternative adds storage,” noting that this model is starting to circulate on decorating networks. A seemingly small detail, but one that truly changes daily life at the bathroom stops.
Why the basic toilet-roll rack is no longer enough
A classic toilet-roll holder manages only one roll at a time. Spare rolls are kept in another piece of furniture, sometimes in another room. The result: you run out at the worst moment, the plastic-wrapped packs clutter the top of the toilet, and the floor becomes an improvised storage zone that’s hard to clean properly.
With a freestanding model like the STEGESUND, the logic changes: everything is gathered in one place, within reach. Rolls no longer lie around in multiple corners, cleaning becomes easier, and the overall look is tidier. HouseDigest summarizes the benefit by saying that “if your bathroom looks a bit basic, choosing a trendy alternative can make it more welcoming while helping you make the most of the available space.”
STEGESUND IKEA: a compact yet highly capacious bamboo toilet-roll holder
Designed by the designer Su Liu for IKEA, the STEGESUND toilet-roll rack takes the form of a small bamboo freestanding cabinet. According to the IKEA product page and HouseDigest, it stands about 59 cm tall and nearly 27 cm wide, allowing it to fit into a tight corner, for example between the toilet and a wall. When fully loaded, it can hold up to five rolls: one in use on the top bar, one intermediate roll, and three on the bottom shelf.
- Capacity: 1 roll in use + 4 in reserve, all visible.
- Material: bamboo coated with a transparent acrylic varnish suitable for humid rooms.
- Format: freestanding unit, no drilling required, easy to move for cleaning.
- Indicative price: €14.99 in France; $19.99 (about €18) in the United States and Canada.
The bamboo adds a warm touch, very different from chrome or basic plastic holders. The acrylic varnish protects the wood in the bathroom’s humid atmosphere. IKEA simply recommends cleaning with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then a dry wipe, making this a daily object that is easy to live with.
Where to place and how to style the STEGESUND to gain space
The STEGESUND’s design is completely open, which makes it visually light yet also leaves the rolls exposed to splashes. HouseDigest notes that it’s best placed at a reasonable distance from the shower, bathtub, and sink—especially if ventilation is average—while keeping it close to the toilet to stay practical. In a small WC, it easily fits into a corner or along a free wall.
To protect the three rolls placed on the lower shelf, the trick is to slide a small basket of the right dimensions underneath: the basket’s sides block droplets and further structure the storage. Nature-inspired décor lovers can lean into the bamboo to fit the biophilic design trend: STEGESUND pairs well with a natural-fiber rug, a light-toned wooden mirror, or a small bamboo shelf from the same range. And if the main reserves of paper are kept in a cabinet, some even use the bottom shelf for placing a humidity-loving plant, turning a very ordinary WC corner into a mini wellbeing space.
