How to Choose a Toilet Paper Holder
These are the main features you need to consider when choosing a toilet paper holder.
- Style of dispensing: This refers to how the holder dispenses the toilet paper. While most roll holders will let you tear off as much paper as you want, some come with flaps that help prevent wastage.
- Ease of reloading: Consider how simple it is for you to reload a fresh roll of toilet paper. There are many different types of fixtures with varying levels of convenience. These include single-post holders, double-post holders and more.
- Accessible Position: The placement of the holder contributes to ease of use. You can choose wall mounted holder, shelf tops holder or freestanding holder placement. The height must be easily accessible when seated and the position should be easy to reach.
- Compatibility with toilet roll size: Most toilet paper rolls are 4.5 inches wide and 4 inches in diameter. Some commercial rolls are narrower and much thicker, like jumbo rolls. You will need to cross check the size of your preferred roll to ensure it comfortably fits in the holder.
- Mounting style: This refers to how the toilet roll holder is mounted on the wall, shelf or floor. Most wall-mounted holders need to be screwed into the wall. Consider the finish of the wall, especially if it's tiled, to make sure it's safe to drill. Some rentals won't let you make holes in the wall, so a freestanding holder would be a safe choice
- Material and finish: Most toilets have metal roll holders. The type of metal will determine their longevity. There are countless options for colors, including matte, polished, and antique finishes. Choose one that best fits your overall bathroom design.
Types of Toilet Paper Holders
- Wall mounted: As the name suggests, these holders are mounted to the wall. They are typically mounted with a bracket and some screws. They have a rod that the toilet paper hangs on. This is the most common toilet paper holder design, so there are many different designs to choose from.
- Recessed: A recessed toilet roll holder is a type of wall-mounted holder that's installed directly into the wall. Unlike the standard wall-mounted holder that protrudes from the surface, a recessed one sits within a niche or cavity in the wall. It requires a cutout or niche in the wall during bathroom construction or renovation. Because it sits within the wall, a recessed holder creates a cleaner, more streamlined look and frees up a bit of extra space in a small bathroom.
- Freestanding: A freestanding toilet paper holder stands independently on the bathroom floor. This type of holder doesn't require any drilling or wall mounting, making it ideal for renters. It can be placed anywhere in the bathroom, allowing you to position it near the toilet or move it elsewhere if need be. Look for a freestanding holder with a weighted base as this prevents it from tipping over easily.
- Double roll holder: A double roll toilet paper holder is designed to hold two toilet paper rolls at once so you'll never be caught without a spare roll. Having two rolls readily available eliminates the need to scramble for a new roll when the current one runs out. They come in 2 types. A side-by-side holder features two rods placed horizontally next to each other. A stacked holder has two rods placed vertically so that one roll sits above the other.
- Tank holder: This type of toilet roll holder is placed on the tank holder of the toilet. It usually hangs on the side of the tank without any drilling or permanent mounting. By utilizing the unused space on the tank, it frees up valuable wall space in your bathroom, which is especially beneficial for smaller bathrooms. Many tank holders offer additional storage for extra toilet paper rolls.
- Basket holder: Instead of a rod, this type of holder uses a basket to hold the toilet paper rolls. They can store up to 5 toilet rolls at a time. Some basket holders are wall-mounted and some are freestanding. Apart from the extra storage, basket holders offer a decorative touch to your bathroom.
- Vertical holder: Most toilet paper holders allow for the roll to lay horizontally. These are unique holders because the roll stands in an upright position. They are a good option for smaller bathrooms because they take up less space. Vertical holders have a clean and modern look about them.
- Countertop holder: These holders are like freestanding holders but they are meant to be placed on a shelf or countertop. Some of them can also be fixed into the countertop holder. If your toilet is right next to your vanity and you don't have much wall space for toilet paper, this is a good idea. They typically have a vertical orientation, although you can get flexible holders too.
- Holder with shelf: These holders have a small added shelf, usually above or beside the rod. It’s meant to store smaller items like a phone or an extra roll of toilet paper. Although the shelf is a minor feature, the little extra storage space can prove to be very useful.
Reloading Toilet Paper
Let’s look at the various types of toilet paper holders based on how you can replace toilet rolls on them.
- Single post holder: A single post holder has one rod or post that is mounted on the wall. The toilet paper roll slides onto the post and hangs freely. The open-arm design allows for easy roll changes. You just slide the empty roll off and a new one on.
- Euro holder: Similar to a single post holder, a euro holder also has a single rod. However, the arm on a Euro holder often swings outward from the wall, creating more space to accommodate thicker toilet paper rolls. The arm may be slightly curved or have a squared-off end.
- Double post holder: A double post holder has two rods that are mounted on the wall. The toilet roll is locked in from both sides so that it can't slide off. This is especially useful around children. The arm has a hinge on one side and a simple lock on the other side. It will easily pivot open for you to replace the toilet roll. Some open upwards and some open outwards. Both are easy to use, but make sure you have enough space to open the holder for reloads.
- Spring loaded holder: These are much like double-post holders since there are no open ends. However, the rod has a spring-loaded holder action that keeps it in place. To reload toilet paper, you simply press the rod to contract the spring. The rod pivots up, you slide in a toilet paper roll and it snaps back into place.
- Basket holder: Basket holders are typically tall and narrow freestanding baskets. They can hold 3–5 rolls. While there isn’t much ease in dispensing paper, basket holders make up for it with storage. They are great for people who don’t like doing frequent restocks around the house.
- Cup style holders: Cup-style holders are vertical holders. They have a centered rod with a cup-like wall around them. They have a small gap for the paper to slide out. This toilet paper holder design can only hold one roll at a time. Reloading it is as easy as sliding in a fresh roll over the central rod.
Toilet Paper Holder Materials
Materials typically include plastic paper holder, metal paper holder, wood paper holder, glass paper holder and stone paper holder. Considering the humid environment in a bathroom, the most durable material is metal. Good quality metal toilet paper holders can last more than a decade. A stainless steel paper holder is a top choice because it is the least likely to develop rust or corrosion. Brass paper holders and zinc toilet paper holders are also very durable, but they will tarnish over time. The iron paper holder is very strong but prone to rusting.
There are also some cheaper alloyed metals available that are treated to prevent tarnishing and corrosion. For maximum durability, choose a holder that has solid mounting hardware and a thick gauge as opposed to a flimsy one.
Toilet Paper Holder Finishes
With many types of toilet paper holder finishes available, the most common colors are silver holders, gold holders, black holders, and bronze holders. Unlike old-school metal fixtures, modern toilet paper holders have satin holder finishes and brushed holder finishes. The slight texture mattifies the metal’s shine and looks very elegant. If you want high shine, choose a polished finish for a reflective look. Oil-rubbed holder finishes and distressed holder finishes have an antique appearance and last long without tarnishing. Ideally, you will want to match the color and finish of your toilet paper holder with the other fixtures in your bathroom. Check out our bathroom faucet and hardware sets to make color matching easier.