Flip-Up Toilet Paper Holder Shelf

What It Is

You cut a 12-inch piece of 1x5 or 1x6 pine with a rectangular opening, then fit two small square wooden arms into the corners on finish-nail pins so they act as hinges. The arms swing up to slip a toilet paper roll on and drop back into place, and the top of the piece doubles as a small shelf for a phone or lotion. The creator rounds the arms so they pivot, glues on a front strip to hold the pins in, routes keyhole slots on the back so it hangs flush, and finishes it with stain and paste wax so the arms move freely.

The Pitch

The creator says the idea came from solving his own problem, a tiny bathroom with nowhere to set things down, and that it also happens to be a best seller. He presents it as an easy product that most woodworkers could make from a single board.

Who It’s Best For

A hobby woodworker with basic saws and a drill who wants a simple, low-material product with a fun moving part to show in listing videos.

The Truth (as we see it)

The creator calls it a best seller but shows no listings, prices or sales numbers in this video. His own build went badly: the arms sagged until he switched to thicker brass nails, he ruined and remade pieces, and his quick 15-minute prototype came out better than the careful version. The pivot can loosen in soft pine over time, so expect some returns or complaints unless you add a support ledge as he suggests. You pack and ship each order yourself.

Our assessment, based on the video and what’s typical across similar videos. We don’t independently verify income claims or prices.