I Put a Toilet Paper Holder on My Kitchen Cabinets, and It Looks Even Cuter Than I Expected

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There’s so much I love about living in New York. My tiny, compact apartment? It isn’t exactly one of them. But instead of viewing it as a disadvantage, I like to view it as a challenge: How can I make the most of the limited space and, more importantly, how can I make it feel like home? The answer is simple: Make the most of vertical space.

So when I came across this vintage-style toilet paper holder hack on Instagram (and Apartment Therapy), I saw not just a cute place to put my toilet paper, but also a way to decorate my kitchen without using up an inch of precious counter space.

I’d never seen anyone use a toilet paper holder as a miniature decor shelf before, but I could just envision how cute it would be in my space. I found a stunning vintage-inspired toilet paper holder for less than $26 — and because I’m an unapologetically un-handy renter and didn’t want to drill holes into my kitchen cabinets, I ordered a pack of super-sticky adhesive dots to adhere it. (If you’re handier than I am, or not a renter, feel free to drill it in with the accompanying screws!)

Admittedly I was skeptical about whether or not the dots would hold, but to my surprise it worked perfectly. In a matter of seconds I was gazing upon my new mini cabinet-side shelf, debating which piece of decor I’d use to showcase on it. I considered a small plant, small bouquet, or even a small cordless light or taper candle, but in the end I opted for the warm glow of one of my favorite candles from P.F. Candle Co.

Of course, it’s worth noting that if you opt for the adhesive route as opposed to screwing it directly into your cabinet, you might choose something that can’t break or isn’t a fire hazard if you leave the room in case it falls off. (I’m pretty much always in my kitchen in my tiny apartment, for what it’s worth.)

All of a sudden, my kitchen felt cozier and more welcoming — plus, it smelled amazing. It’s rustic, warm, and adds instant charm to a space that was otherwise blank. It also occurred to me how convenient this shelf will be when I cook something particularly fragrant, because I can use it to burn my Diptyque La Droguerie odor-removing candle without having to worry about it getting in the way as I move around the kitchen.

If you want to try this hack at home, know that it works for just about any vertical surface where you’d like a little bit more space for decor. My kitchen needed a little pick-me-up, and this trick worked wonders. It’s as simple as adding two items to your Amazon cart and taking 30 seconds to install it — and the end result is so much greater than the sum of its parts.

Buy: Vintage Bronze Wall Mounted Toilet Paper Holder, $25.99