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bac717gw

Where should the TP holder be placed?

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

I feel a little silly asking this question, but I'm asking anyway. There are 2 choices for where to place the TP holder in our new master bath. One is to mount it to the vanity cabinet to the right of the toilet and the other is to put it on the wall between the vanity and the toilet. I hate to drill into the beautiful custom cabinet, but the other location is not as easy to reach. Where would you place the TP holder?

Comments (44)

  • 9 years ago

    I have the same dilemma. DH bought a stand that comes up from the floor. I don't love it but it is ok. I wanted to get something like pottery barn has which is a basket that holds a few roles with the toilet paper rod as the top of the basket. Not sure how to link on my iPad. :)

    bac717 thanked Boopadaboo
  • 9 years ago

    You can get a free-standing TP holder.

    bac717 thanked susanzone5 (NY)
  • 9 years ago

    I have considered a free standing TP holder. I could even put it to the left of the toilet. I'll have to do a little looking around to see what's available.

  • 9 years ago

    Here's the Mercer toilet paper stand from PB. We happen to be using Mercer for the towel bars and hooks.

  • 9 years ago

    I have the same layout in my bathroom. The TP holder has been mounted on the end of the vanity for many years. My bathroom is very dated, old oak vanity, soon to be replaced with a total gut job (YAY) and I mounted an oak TP holder. IT blends right in :).

    Your bathroom looks nice! I think I would mount it on the end also. You have a nice little overhang on your vanity top,which would keep it from being too obvious.

    bac717 thanked tuesday_2008
  • 9 years ago

    Also, that leaves you room for your trash can without crowding.

    bac717 thanked tuesday_2008
  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Another method:

    bac717 thanked mdln
  • 9 years ago

    Fortunately, you enter the bathroom near the left side of the vanity, so the TP holder will not be visible until you're almost at the toilet and anyway, this is the master bath, so DH and I will be the only people using it 98% of the time.

  • 9 years ago

    It's never easy to reach back, always easy to reach to the side even with a free standing, if you don't want to make hole in the vanity?

    bac717 thanked aputernut
  • 9 years ago

    Even though it's a beautiful vanity, it's not like it's a piece of furniture that will someday be an heirloom, which drilling into it would devalue. It's a practical bathroom cabinet, the logical place to put the tp holder is on it; I wouldn't even hesitate to mount it there.

    bac717 thanked Olychick
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Side of vanity or freestanding. I like the freestanding but they do need cleaning more often than mounted.

    bac717 thanked roarah
  • 9 years ago

    Oh, I really like that basket. That Mercer one looks like it could be a little tippy and might be a two-handed job.

    In all 3 of our bathrooms the TP holder is drilled into the cabinets and two of our bathrooms are set up the same as yours.

    bac717 - I really like your floor - it's very pretty.

    bac717 thanked blfenton
  • 9 years ago

    in the drawer so there are no reload problems for fat fingered jot.

    bac717 thanked havingfun
  • 9 years ago

    I am going to look for that basket holder ☺️

    bac717 thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    We have the same, or similar layout in all three bathrooms in our house. No way did we want to drill into the sides of our brand new custom vanities, so we mounted our tp holders on the wall between the toilets and the vanities. Our tp holders are open on one end btw.

    DH measured optimal height and placement (while we each sat on the toilets, and reached back/to the side). One other thing to take into consideration, is to make sure to have enough clearance to replace an empty tp roll, with a full one.

    bac717 thanked cat_mom
  • 9 years ago

    I think that basketholder is lovely, but I would have concerns about cleanliness. I have sons

    bac717 thanked localeater
  • 9 years ago

    Like Pal, I'd mount it on the side of the vanity for ease of use. Are most who would use this bathroom right handed? I cannot see mounting it on the wall near the toilet tank, as it would be awkward to reach around. I've never used a standing TP holder, so don't know if they stay solidly in place when paper is pulled from them.

    bac717 thanked My3dogs ME zone 5A
  • 9 years ago

    Bac, I also hate the idea of it being mounted to your cabinet, but for comfort sake in your case, it is the best option. I would have chosen the wall, but after reading all the comments, I think they are spot on.

    I don't like the idea of free standing as I would feel it could be knocked over and chip the new floor. It will have to be moved when the bathroom is cleaned.

    bac717 thanked eld6161
  • 9 years ago

    The cabin we just bought has all the tp holders on the wall between toilet and vanity. I hate it, so inconvenient to do gymnastics to get to the tp. I'm remodeling soon so am getting some freestanding holders to use in the interim.

    bac717 thanked Annette Holbrook(z7a)
  • 9 years ago

    We have a fairly inexpensive standing tp holder purchased from homegoods. It is weighted on the bottom and does not tip over.

    bac717 thanked czarinalex
  • 9 years ago

    Freestanding to holders become another thing to clean around, sure you can pick it up to mop under but why?

    I would definitely mount it on the side of the cabinet.

    bac717 thanked maddielee
  • 9 years ago

    Side of cab. We have the same set up and I did stand there contemplating it for a moment before drilling, but I'm very glad I did. Measure twice.

    bac717 thanked daisychain Zn3b
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    If on the side of the cab make sure there I enough elbow rm for larger people.

    bac717 thanked eandhl2
  • 9 years ago

    Side of the cabinet if you can find a good spot that also doesn't interfere with the drawer movement. That basket is very nice, but I would share localeater's concern about it.

    bac717 thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
  • 9 years ago

    it is a good point about the basket! I had not thought of it and have 5 and 8 yr old boys. That is off the list! I worry about attaching it to the cabinet because I bought cheaper cabinets and they are all drawers. I guess I will stick to the free standing one DH bought for now :) I like the mercer one better but it does not come in ORB. (excuse the seat up - DH took the pic to show me the shower door, but you can see the free standing TP holder he bought at Home Depot or Lowes.

    good luck with your decision bac717 :)

    Master Bathroom · More Info

    bac717 thanked Boopadaboo
  • 9 years ago

    Definitely not on the wall. Anyone with arthritis or other movement related problems would not be able to get to it. Including myself in this group. I have a free standing in one bathroom and mounted on the vanity in another. Another alternative is one that hangs from the toilet tank or the vanity drawer with no holes drilled just hook it over and it hangs there. I have one of those in the RV.

    bac717 thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 9 years ago

    Olychick makes a good point. It's a bathroom cabinet whose looks or function are not going to be diminished by mounting a paper holder on it. It's not like it will ever be moved to another room and you regret the tiny screw holes.

    I have mine mounted on the cabinet and it is convenient. I remember using my MIL's bathroom with its back wall mounted holder. It was very inconvenient.

    bac717 thanked graywings123
  • 9 years ago

    well she was close, in the drawer not on it.

    bac717 thanked havingfun
  • bac717 thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This is new to me! But a cute idea. It is a paper pot and sits on the top of the vanity or toilet. Unique!

    https://www.amazon.com/MollaSpace-Toilet-Tissue-Holder-Orange/dp/B004A91128


    bac717 thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Lived w/ this set-up for 2 yrs, really worked fine.

    bac717 thanked mdln
  • 9 years ago

    Mine is mounted on the wall since it's next to the shower and it's not terribly convenient. I wouldn't clutter up your nice bathroom with an extra piece to hold the TP. Keep it simple and mount it on the cabinet. Once it's done you'll be very glad you did.

    bac717 thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
  • 9 years ago

    I just remodeled my bathroom and had the same scenario. I didn't want to put it on the wall because it was too awkward to use. I didn't want something else to have to move when I swept the floor. I attached it to the custom vanity and had no thoughts of it being the wrong thing to do. It was the only solution that worked for me.

    bac717 thanked Gigi Johnson
  • 9 years ago

    I appreciate all the responses I've received regarding the placement of the TP holder!!! It appears that placing it on the cabinet will really make the most sense and be most user friendly, so that will be the plan. Thank you all for taking the time to respond!!! When the bathroom is completely complete, I'll be posting some before and after pictures.

  • 9 years ago

    Mine is mounted to the cabinet. I agree, reaching back is a little awkward. I opted for the slide on style holder thinking that may help with "others" replacing an empty roll....BUT IT DOESNT!! Looks good though :-)

    bac717 thanked always1stepbehind
  • 9 years ago

    I have the floor standing one. But it's just me. No kids, no husband, no mess I probably wouldn't pick this if I still had my crew that included four boys.

    bac717 thanked User
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My setup is the same as yours. I could have had a free standing TP holder, but decided with an attractive enough one, to attach it to the end of the vanity, despite it being a custom build. (The wall behind might be awkward to reach, especially as I age.) Looks just fine. (No pics as I am not at my new build atm.)

    bac717 thanked artemis_ma
  • 9 years ago

    Definitely the side of the vanity. Your bathroom is clean, modern and beautiful... don't clutter that up or detract from it. Also many people don't realize that storing the toilet paper right next to the toilet is not sanitary. It should be away from the toilet (splash/flush zone) or in the cabinet under the sink.

    bac717 thanked nightbk
  • 9 years ago

    I have the same setup and put mine on the side of the cabinet. Works well.

    bac717 thanked User
  • 9 years ago

    The TP holder has been placed on the side of the cabinet, not visible at all when you enter the room and easily accessed.

  • 6 years ago

    Hi i have the same dilema as the OP, except instead of a cabinet to mount to, its a freestanding pane of glass for a walk in shower (will have stabiliser bar)


    Its the kids bathroom they are still under 10


    Option A

    Mount it on the wall between glass shower pane and toilet, but I am worried about just how awkward it will be. I assume adults have to really reach back and kids might have to literally swivel their butts 90degrees before theyre shorter arms can reach. I also take note of the comments re older people having difficulty


    Can people who have had wall mounted toilet roll holders comment some more?


    Option B

    Have the glass drilled with holes to accept the holder on the glass pane (glass not ordered or installed yet) - it would then be conveniently off the to right hand side.


    Option C

    some form of standup toilet roll holder

    concerns: will it fall over , how well weighted are they, another thing in the way of mopping

  • 6 years ago

    What is on the other side of the toilet - isn't there a wall, or is it just floating in the room?