I Tried This CD Holder Storage Trick in My Bathroom, and Here’s What Happened

Although it took me a while to fall in love with my ranch-style home, it holds so many memories for our growing family. And by growing, I mean that our children are getting married and having babies of their own. Our house for two (my husband and me) feels extra cozy when everyone visits, which also means our small bathrooms get plenty of additional use. So, when I came across an Apartment Therapy article about using a CD holder in the bathroom, I knew that finding a similar piece could help keep items accessible for guests.

I spotted the idea just a week before expecting a houseful, so, with company on the horizon — and a sustainability commitment to buy secondhand — I scoured my local thrift shops for a ‘90s-style CD rack. From perusing national thrift chains to our local charity shops, I came up empty. So empty, in fact, that I didn’t make my deadline.

However, during lunch with my family at a neighborhood restaurant, I quickly checked Facebook Marketplace (which I had been faithfully scouring for a CD holder). Something caught my eye: an angled shelf unit. While the seller had the rack laden with books, I knew it could serve the same purpose as the styled bathroom CD holder I saw.

Since it was only $15, I knew it was a good price, so within 15 minutes of the seller posting it online, we had a deal. We finished our meal, walked through downtown shops, and headed to pick up the shelving unit. If you’re set on using a CD rack and have difficulty finding one, like I did, you can easily find one online in a pinch. This narrow shelf is similar to the one featured in the original story, but this one looks more like the one I picked up if that suits your style better.

For my guests’ comfort, I like to keep things handy in the bathroom. I don’t want to put visitors in the position of having to either ask for something or go fishing through my closets and drawers to find what they need. A tall, slim rack, whether it’s intended to hold CDs or something else, can put everything right at their fingertips. Having necessities conveniently within sight can make your home feel more welcoming to those passing through.

While our most-used bathrooms are on the main floor of our home, my least favorite one — it is a bit dated and doesn’t have natural light — is in the basement. I also haven’t really tried to make it cute or give it personality, and I thought a CD holder storage solution could help cozy it up a bit.

Because the rack I bought has so many cubbies, I started brainstorming ways to make it both decorative and functional. The shelves have spare towels and plenty of extra toilet paper. Guests can also leaf through a book while on the potty, and a basket holds washcloths, water, and toiletries.

While I didn’t find a CD holder for my bathroom in time for my guests, I am happy with the rack I ended up with. Next time everyone comes into town (which is next month), I’ll have everything organized and within easy reach. Having the shelf there has also given me a push to add more decorative things to the space. Up next? My search for the perfect thrifted painting for the blank wall. Doing one simple project can be a great motivator to start paying attention to a space.