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An Apartment Therapy writer says a heavy, ridged ceramic soap dish helped keep charging cables and small personal items together on a cluttered nightstand. The article presents it as a low-cost organizing idea, not a tested product review or a guarantee that items will stay put.
Apartment Therapy has published a first-person report on using a ceramic soap dish as a compact nightstand catchall, with the writer saying its weight and raised grooves helped hold charging cables and small essentials in one place. The idea offers a simple way to organize a crowded bedside surface, though the account describes one person’s experience rather than a tested storage solution.
The writer says their small nightstand had accumulated charging cables, hair ties, lip balm, jewelry and earplugs. After an expensive earring rolled onto the floor and seemed lost, they decided to try a storage approach they had seen in another Apartment Therapy article, which used a soap dish as an entryway catchall.
For the bedside setup, the writer chose a heavy ceramic dish with raised drainage grooves. They say the weight helps keep the dish in place, while the grooves help stop small items from sliding or rolling. The open top also leaves the contents visible and easy to pick up, according to the report.
The writer describes the dish as small enough for a compact nightstand and says its minimal design does not look bulky. They plan to try a second dish on a dresser for cosmetics, perfume and hair accessories. The story says soap dishes may be found at thrift stores or online, often for less than $10, but does not identify a specific model or provide a price comparison.
A Small Organizer for Tight Spaces
The suggestion addresses a common household problem: small everyday objects can take over a limited bedside surface and become difficult to find. A dish already designed to hold soap can serve as a visible, contained landing spot for items that might otherwise scatter across a nightstand or fall to the floor.
For readers considering the idea, the appeal is its simplicity. It does not require installing shelves or buying a dedicated organizer, and the source says a spare or thrifted dish may be enough. Still, the reported benefit is based on the writer’s own use; the article does not establish how well different dish shapes or materials work for other households.
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From Bathroom Dish to Bedside Catchall
The report builds on an earlier Apartment Therapy organizing idea that used a soap dish as an entryway catchall. In this account, the writer adapts that approach to a bedroom after noticing clutter on a compact nightstand and worrying that a small earring had been lost.
The writer favors a ridged dish, but says a smooth one could also work. They suggest the same type of container might hold small belongings in other parts of a home. Apartment Therapy notes that it independently selects products and may earn a commission if readers buy through its links; the supplied report does not name a specific product link or confirm a current price.
““The weight of the soap dish acts as an anchor, turning it into an instant catchall for all my bedside essentials.””
— Apartment Therapy writer
How Well It Works Beyond One Nightstand
The account does not report a controlled test, measurements of the dish, or how many items it can hold. It also does not say whether the grooves keep every kind of cable or jewelry from shifting, or whether the dish stays put on different nightstand surfaces.
The suggested price of less than $10 is presented generally, without a named retailer, product, or date-specific listing. Readers should treat the cost as an estimate from the article, since prices and availability can vary.
A Second Dish for the Dresser
The writer says they plan to get another soap dish for a dresser, where they intend to keep small cosmetics, perfume and hair accessories. The report does not say whether that second setup has been tried yet or whether Apartment Therapy plans follow-up testing.
For now, the practical next step for readers is to try a dish they already own, or compare size and shape before buying one. The source offers the hack as a personal organizing suggestion rather than a product endorsement or a promise that it will solve every kind of bedside clutter.
Key Questions
What does the Apartment Therapy writer use the soap dish for?
The writer uses it as a nightstand catchall for charging cables and small belongings such as jewelry, hair ties, lip balm and earplugs.
What kind of soap dish did the writer choose?
The writer says they chose a heavy ceramic dish with raised drainage grooves. They say the weight and ridges help keep the dish and small items in place.
Does the dish need to have grooves?
No. The writer prefers grooves to limit rolling, but says a smooth dish could work as well. The report does not compare the two styles in a test.
How much does a soap dish organizer cost?
The report says soap dishes are often available for less than $10 at thrift stores or online. It does not cite a specific listing, so current prices may differ.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
