In my big bathroom cupboard purge fest of last week I discovered, tucked away in the back corner, an old matching soap dish and toothbrush holder.
It’s been in hiding for 5 years! We actually used them in our old house but I replaced them when we moved because these ones didn’t go with our new decor. Anyhoo I really liked them at the time and decided to hang on to them “just in case”. Now remember this was 5 years ago and over time I had completely forgotten they were there. Out of sight, out of mind as they say.
However, I think it’s safe to say that the statue of limitations on my bathroom beauties had expired. It was way past time to make a decision about their fate.
I still really liked them, that hadn’t changed, but since I hadn’t put them to use as they were intended in the past 5 years, chances were EXTREMELY good I wasn’t going to in the near future either.
A decision had to be made.
The only way it made sense for me to keep them would be to find some other way to use them. I can’t stress this enough, if you really love something, honor it, and put it to use. With a little creativity, many things can be used for something other than they were originally intended which is how my toothbrush holder became a lovely pen holder.
A simple yet practical solution. I did part with the soap dish and was okay with that. I’ve freed up storage space and am now enjoying the holder I love without feeling like I’ve cluttered my space to do it. It’s a win win.
The morale of this story…if you haven’t used something in a long time, you probably aren’t going to. Cut your losses and re-purpose the item or part ways with it but just don’t let things keep taking up valuable storage space for the “just in case” opportunity.
Don’t store it, use it!
What one thing can you re-purpose today?
Related: I also love this great idea to Make a Posey Vase from a Toothbrush Holder from Jenn at Frugal Upstate.
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Barbara H. says
What a clever idea!
Colleen says
Very clever, that soap dish would make a great place to dump change from pockets.
Jenn @ Beautiful Cal says
I have a two soap dishes that I loved – all dainty and white. We don’t use bar soap so I use one on the edge of my sink for my scrubbie and the other by the stove for my salt and peper grinder to sit on. Looks pretty and catches the extra grains that fall out!
I have so many things – I’ve hardly commented and kept up with your posts – I’ve been trying to declutter our home! 3400sq feet of stuff. A big job. Even though I dont’ comment as often as I would like to – I enjoy your blog and it is a blessing to me!
Audrey says
We continually give stuff away or throw stuff away. We’re looking at moving soon and my daughter said “mom we don’t have much to pack” I really do try to declutter on a continual basis.
Stacy says
I use my old toothbrush holder as a mini vase for my little rosebuds and other flowers! Thanks for sharing your ideas. Stacy
Jena OrganizingMommy says
You know, that’s a great idea. I would be so lame as to completely redecorate my bathroom around those pieces. Glad you have a good head on your shoulders! frugality and practicality wins at your house, eh?
Heather says
great idea!!! I am reusing some old rustic buckets that were meant to be just decorative for the living room for planters by the front door.
Crista says
I recently started using a sugar dish I bought years ago and was saving for…what? I obviously love it, to have held on to it for this long. I keep it in the kitchen, where I smile every time I grab some sugar.
Not exactly repurposed, but using something that had been stored for too long.
Penelope says
I love your site…In fact, I just blogged on you 🙂
http://penelopesstop2.blogspot.com/2009/07/org-junkie.html
Thanks for all the great ideas!
Lisa says
Very clever use of that item! I’d use the soap dish to hold rings on my dresser.
Jaycie says
I used my old toothbrush holder to display some plastic lilies on the back of the toilet. It was too nice to get rid of, like yours!
A soap dish can be used to hold candles that you don’t burn but just smell nice.
Jennifer Overy says
What a great idea! I would have never thought of it. You definitely have more creative ideas than I do. Love the idea of putting fresh flowers into an “old” toothbrush holder.
http://thedaysofasahm.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for the great ideas, and helping me to stay organized.
Mrs. Wilson says
I just went through my bathroom cupboard as well – and took out a toilet-paper bag full of CRAP! (Um, not literally.)
You’re always so creative with your re-purposing!
Lisa Lynch says
Great idea, very practical and super cute!
Andrea says
Love the idea of re-purposing! I’ll have to see what I can dig up tomorrow to use in a better way!
alicia thomas says
i like that. gives me an idea to store my make make-up pencils, and brushes that i use on an everyday basis. thanks.
thursday says
I’m currently using a pewter vase as a pen holder. Just LOVED it (beautiful shape, subtle, classic) – but I rarely have small buds that would look appropriate in it. Someday perhaps I’ll use it as a vase…
Lucy says
I’d have used the dish for paper clips and the like. Love the pencil holder use, tho.
Sue says
I teach and I love rubber ducks. I needed something big for my pencil holder, at school I have a toilet brush holder (the ones that are ceramic characters with the open top)that is shaped like a duck and my paper clip holder is the matching soap dish.
Someone mentioned using the soap dish beside their bed – I have a beautiful antique fan shaped snack plate that I have by my bed for my jewelry & stuff. The cup holds my lip balm & a pen.
Jodie says
I stowed away my blue bathroom rugs after I changed the decor in my bathroom to dark green. My mom gave me the dark green bathroom rugs from her bathroom because she moved and changed her decor as well. It’s a good thing I kept them all these years (it’s been six or seven years, I’d say) because the green bathroom rugs are now shot, and I’ve put the blue ones back in. No, they don’t match all that well, but they’ll do for now!
I also had kept the bathroom rugs from my apartment in college. My roommate and I decided on a light, pastel green for our bathroom. As it just so happens, my sunroom came painted that same shade of green! I use the rectangular floor rug as a rug in the sunroom (though the toilet seat cover is long gone!)
Organising Queen says
You’re so right – I got (obviously) TONS of flowers when the babies were born and yesterday I threw them all out but there was an arrangement from a really special friend of mine in a beautiful little pot.
So I washed it and am now using in the babies’ room to hold their bum cream and other bath goodies 🙂
honouring the memory of that special friend
I should actually blog this!
Patty says
I have a rule of thumb for my very small home…if I haven’t used it in 1 full year I never will. All my good dishes and things, get used at least at Christmas so they fall under that rule. It helps me purge when I clean. the only area that doesn’t always follow this is my craft supplies. Just because I haven’t done that craft this year doesn’t mean I won’t do it again…I have to work on this.