I Put a Toilet Paper Holder in My Kitchen, But You’d Never Guess That’s What It Was (It’s So Cute!)

As someone who’s always chasing that cozy-chic Nancy Meyers aesthetic, I’m forever on the hunt for little details that make a space feel more charming — especially in the kitchen. Last year I bookmarked a gold hanging vase I spotted on Instagram, but it felt hard to justify its $63 price tag. Then I came across an Apartment Therapy article featuring the same look for half the price — with one surprising twist. The “vase” was actually a toilet paper holder mounted on a cabinet. It sounded odd at first, but I knew I had to try it — and the idea was ingenious. 

A toilet paper holder, especially a pretty one like this one, is a brilliant storage solution for anywhere in your home. With its brass finish and just-ornate-enough detailing, no one would ever guess it was designed to live next to a toilet. You can use it to hold a utensil crock near the stove, keep a bottle of cooking oil within arm’s reach, display a small potted herb or trailing plant, or even add a decorative faux candle to fill an empty corner. 

Upon receiving the toilet paper holder, there was one hiccup: Every wall in my kitchen is covered in marble backsplash, so the included screws were useless. After a few days of staring at the unopened box, I had a light-bulb moment — I could try heavy-duty double-sided mounting tape instead. A roll of Scotch Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape (which holds up to 30 pounds) did the trick. No drilling, no cracked tile, and, as a bonus, it’s removable with a quick blast from a hair dryer.

Inspired by the original post from couple Crystal and Scott Ransons, I started with the classic combo: a vase with fresh flowers. I didn’t have the perfect vessel, so I slipped a narrow drinking glass into the holder and filled it with cut blooms from my yard. It looked sweet but needed a little more visual weight, so I swapped the flowers for a faux trailing plant — and the effect was instant magic.

Something about that draping greenery anchored the whole corner of my kitchen. I even cleared out my dish rack and replaced it with a bowl of fruit, and added a few warm-toned accessories, and suddenly the whole space felt more styled and intentional. I can already picture using it to store a small pot of herbs (basil would be adorable!) or even as a paper towel holder (although admittedly that’s less aesthetically pleasing).

Now I’m plotting other uses throughout my apartment: a mini hanging vase by my nightstand, a candleholder in the hallway, or one near the entryway draped with eucalyptus.

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I Put a Toilet Paper Holder in My Kitchen, and It’s So Cute