Free Up Kitchen Counter Space With This Clever Paper Towel Storage Idea

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We know better than anyone that kitchen counter space is at a premium. No matter what we do, our countertops seem destined to fill up with all kinds of cookware and appliances. Fortunately, we're not short of hacks and products to get more storage space on our countertops, and a good place to start is with your paper towels. All you need is a magnetic paper towel holder.

With a magnetic paper towel holder, you can easily attach it to your refrigerator, freeing up some real estate on your kitchen counters without investing in sometimes pretty expensive kitchen remodels. It may not seem like it creates much room at first, but a little can go a long way when it comes to storage space, and it also keeps your paper towels in easy reach. Not to mention, it's a cool and unique kitchen feature that you can rearrange at will and can even take with you if you decide to move to a new home.

You can buy a magnetic holder, or if you're a fan of DIY, it is possible to make your own. All you need is one or two decently strong magnets, some super glue, and something to hold the paper towels, like an existing holder or a dowel. Methods and designs can vary with different online tutorials, but they boil down to attaching the magnets to your holder with the super glue and sticking it to the refrigerator.

Using a magnetic paper towel holder is pretty simple, but a few placement tips never hurt. First off, it's better to put it on the side of your refrigerator rather than the door, keeping it out of the way. In addition, opening and closing the fridge door can cause the magnet to shift over time, which can lead to the roll falling if you're not careful. If you affix it to another surface or appliance, be sure it's somewhere well away from heat sources so it doesn't turn into a fire hazard.

The refrigerator is also part of what's commonly called the kitchen work triangle, or the space between food storage (fridge), preparation (counters and sink), and cooking appliances. Ensure that your magnetic holder is not blocking your path or how you use these three spaces. It's not necessarily dangerous, but it can be obnoxious, so mindful placement is good to keep in mind.

Also, take measurements of your refrigerator and the free space around it before you buy or make your paper towel holder. You don't want to spend time or money on this addition only to find that it doesn't fit, so pick out a spot for the magnetic holder and use a tape measure to find out exactly how much room it can accommodate. It's a good idea to take pictures of your kitchen, too, so you can see how the holder would look in it and find one that matches your other kitchen appliances if you care to do so.