21 DIY Soap Dish Ideas

Discover 21 DIY soap dish ideas that can add charm and functionality to your bathroom or kitchen. These creative soap dish projects offer a variety of styles, from rustic to modern, making it easy to find one that matches your taste.

Whether you prefer natural materials or colorful designs, these DIY soap dishes provide practical solutions for keeping your soap dry and your space organized. I remember once struggling with soap that turned mushy on my sink, so I started experimenting with simple soap dishes.

The results were not only practical but also visually appealing, inspiring me to collect these ideas for you.

Rustic Wooden Soap Dish With Slats

Craft a rustic wooden soap dish using slats that allow water to drain and keep your soap dry. This design is perfect for adding a natural, earthy touch to your bathroom or kitchen.

The slats create airflow, preventing soap from becoming soggy. Using reclaimed wood can add character and sustainability to your project.

This soap dish is easy to clean and blends well with farmhouse or vintage decor.

Steps:

• Cut wooden slats to desired soap dish size.
• Arrange slats parallel with small gaps for drainage.
• Secure slats together using wood glue or small nails.
• Sand edges for smooth finish and apply wood sealant.

Minimalist Concrete Soap Dish Mold

Create a minimalist soap dish using concrete for a sleek and modern look. Concrete soap dishes are durable and can be customized with molds of various shapes and sizes.

This project offers a clean aesthetic that fits well in contemporary bathrooms. You can add texture or color pigments to personalize the dish.

The weight of concrete helps keep the dish stable on wet surfaces.

Steps:

• Prepare a mold using silicone or plastic containers.
• Mix concrete according to package instructions.
• Pour concrete into the mold and smooth the surface.
• Let it cure for 24-48 hours before unmolding.

Upcycled Seashell Soap Dish

Use large seashells to create a charming soap dish that brings the beach vibe indoors. Seashells naturally have a concave shape perfect for holding soap.

This idea is simple and adds a coastal touch to your space. You can glue multiple shells together for a bigger dish or use a single large shell for a compact holder.

It’s a quick and eco-friendly project that requires minimal materials.

Steps:

• Collect or purchase large, sturdy seashells.
• Clean shells thoroughly and dry them.
• If desired, glue multiple shells on a base for size.
• Seal with waterproof varnish for durability.

Colorful Mosaic Tile Soap Dish

Design a colorful mosaic tile soap dish by arranging small tiles into a vibrant pattern. This DIY project allows you to experiment with colors and designs, creating a unique statement piece.

Use a sturdy base like wood or ceramic, and attach the tiles with strong adhesive. Finish with grout to seal and smooth the surface, making it easy to clean and water-resistant.

Steps:

• Select a base material and cut to soap dish size.
• Arrange mosaic tiles in your preferred pattern.
• Glue tiles securely to the base.
• Apply grout to fill gaps and wipe off excess.
• Let dry completely before use.

Repurposed Ceramic Plate Soap Dish

Turn a small ceramic plate or saucer into a soap dish with minimal effort. This idea is perfect if you want a quick and elegant solution without crafting from scratch.

Choose plates with a slight lip to hold the soap securely. Add rubber feet or small bumpers underneath to prevent slipping and protect surfaces.

This approach offers versatility in styles, from vintage to modern.

Steps:

• Find a small ceramic plate or saucer.
• Clean and dry the plate thoroughly.
• Attach rubber feet or bumpers on the bottom corners.
• Place soap on the plate and enjoy.

Hand-Painted Terracotta Soap Tray

Add a splash of color and personality with a hand-painted terracotta soap tray. These trays are porous but can be sealed to prevent water damage.

Use acrylic paints to create patterns, designs, or simple color blocking. Once painted and sealed, the tray becomes a functional and decorative piece.

The natural warm tone of terracotta combined with your design creates a charming look.

Steps:

• Purchase an unglazed terracotta tray or make one.
• Clean and dry the surface completely.
• Paint your design with acrylic paints.
• Allow paint to dry and apply waterproof sealant.

DIY Bamboo Soap Dish With Slats

Build a soap dish using bamboo slats for a lightweight and eco-friendly option. Bamboo dries quickly and resists water damage, making it ideal for soap dishes.

The slatted design promotes airflow and drainage, keeping soap dry. This project can be assembled with simple tools and looks great in natural or zen-inspired bathrooms.

Steps:

• Cut bamboo slats to desired size.
• Arrange slats with small gaps for drainage.
• Secure slats together with waterproof glue or nails.
• Sand edges smooth and apply bamboo oil for finish.

Recycled Glass Soap Dish With Pebbles

Create a soap dish using a recycled glass base decorated with smooth pebbles for texture and grip. The pebbles prevent soap from slipping and allow water to drain away.

This eco-conscious project uses materials that might otherwise be discarded, adding an artistic touch to your space. The mixture of glass and natural stones brings a calming, organic feel.

Steps:

• Find a flat piece of recycled glass or a glass tray.
• Collect smooth pebbles from nature or craft stores.
• Glue pebbles to the glass surface in a pattern.
• Allow glue to dry fully before use.

Woven Rope Soap Dish for Nautical Charm

Use thick woven rope to craft a soap dish with a nautical vibe. The rope can be coiled tightly and glued to form a sturdy base with natural drainage.

This soft yet durable soap dish adds texture and warmth to your bathroom decor. It’s simple to make and can be customized with different rope colors or knots.

Steps:

• Select a thick natural fiber rope.
• Coil the rope into a flat circle of desired size.
• Secure coils with hot glue or strong adhesive.
• Trim ends and add decorative knots if desired.

Upcycled Tin Can Soap Holder

Transform an empty tin can into a unique soap holder with drainage holes. After cleaning and removing labels, punch small holes in the bottom for water drainage.

Paint or decorate the can’s exterior for a personalized touch. This easy upcycling project prevents soap from sitting in water and adds a quirky element to your sink area.

Steps:

• Clean and dry an empty tin can thoroughly.
• Use a nail to punch small drainage holes in the bottom.
• Paint or decorate the outside as desired.
• Place the can upside down or with soap inside on a tray.

Slate Stone Soap Dish With Natural Texture

Use a piece of slate stone as a soap dish for a natural, rugged look. Slate is naturally water-resistant and adds an earthy aesthetic to your bathroom.

Its rough surface helps keep soap dry and prevents slipping. You can find slate pieces in different sizes or cut one to match your soap.

This simple approach requires no assembly, just cleaning and sealing if desired.

Steps:

• Find a flat piece of slate stone sized for your soap.
• Clean the stone thoroughly and dry it.
• Optionally apply a waterproof sealant for durability.
• Place soap on the stone and enjoy the natural look.

Clay Soap Dish Molded By Hand

Shape your own soap dish by hand molding air-dry or oven-bake clay. This allows you to customize size, shape, and texture for a personal touch.

Add drainage grooves or holes to keep soap dry. Once hardened, you can paint or glaze the dish for extra style.

This tactile project is both creative and functional.

Steps:

• Roll out clay to about half an inch thickness.
• Shape into a dish form with edges raised slightly.
• Add drainage holes or grooves with a tool.
• Allow to dry or bake as per clay instructions.
• Paint or glaze after fully hardened.

Leather Strap Soap Holder for Wall Mount

Make a soap holder by attaching a leather strap to a wall or cabinet surface. The leather cradles the soap while water drains away.

This minimalist design saves counter space and adds a warm, tactile element to your bathroom. Use sturdy leather and secure it with screws or hooks for durability.

Steps:

• Cut a strip of durable leather about 6 inches long.
• Attach both ends of the strip to the wall using screws or hooks.
• Ensure the strap is taut enough to hold soap.
• Place soap inside the leather cradle.

Concrete Soap Dish With Embedded Pebbles

Add texture to a concrete soap dish by embedding small pebbles or stones into the surface before it cures. This natural embellishment enhances grip and aesthetic appeal while maintaining concrete’s durability.

The contrast between smooth concrete and rough stones creates a pleasing tactile and visual effect. This dish is heavy and stable on wet surfaces.

Steps:

• Prepare concrete mix and pour into a mold.
• Before it sets, press pebbles into the surface.
• Smooth edges and let concrete cure fully.
• Remove from mold and clean surface if needed.

Wire Mesh Soap Dish For Quick Drainage

Construct a soap dish using wire mesh to allow water to drain freely and air to circulate. This lightweight design prevents soap from sitting in water, extending its life.

Shape the mesh into a shallow dish form and secure edges for safety. You can paint the wire for added style or leave it industrial chic.

Steps:

• Cut wire mesh to desired soap dish size.
• Shape mesh into a shallow dish by bending edges.
• Secure edges by folding or using wire clamps.
• Optionally paint or coat with rust-resistant spray.

Upcycled Wine Cork Soap Tray

Glue wine corks side by side to form a rustic soap tray with natural drainage gaps. Cork is water-resistant and soft, making it an ideal material for soap dishes.

This project recycles corks creatively and adds a cozy, textured look. It’s lightweight and easy to clean, perfect for eco-conscious decorators.

Steps:

• Gather enough wine corks to cover desired dish size.
• Cut corks in half lengthwise for flat surface.
• Arrange and glue cork halves side by side on a base.
• Let glue dry fully before use.

Marble Tile Soap Dish With Gold Accents

Use a polished marble tile as a soap dish and add gold accents with paint or foil for a luxurious touch. Marble’s natural veining adds elegance while the hard surface is easy to clean.

Gold detailing can be applied along edges or in patterns to enhance visual appeal. This sophisticated dish suits modern or classic bathrooms.

Steps:

• Select a marble tile sized for a soap dish.
• Clean and dry tile thoroughly.
• Apply gold paint or foil accents carefully.
• Seal accents with clear varnish for durability.

Seagrass Basket Soap Tray

Woven seagrass baskets make charming soap trays that breathe naturally. The woven design allows water to drain and air to circulate, keeping soap dry.

Seagrass adds a natural, coastal feel and is lightweight yet sturdy. This option works well for rustic or boho interiors and can be found or handmade easily.

Steps:

• Find or weave a small seagrass basket or tray.
• Ensure the weave is tight enough to hold soap securely.
• Place soap inside the basket.
• Clean basket regularly to prevent mildew.

Ceramic Soap Dish With Drainage Holes

Make or buy a ceramic soap dish with built-in drainage holes to keep soap dry and extend its life. Handmade ceramic dishes can be personalized with glazes and textures.

The holes ensure water drains away quickly, preventing mushy soap. This classic design is functional and decorative, perfect for any sink area.

Steps:

• Shape or select a ceramic dish with drainage holes.
• Clean and glaze if making from scratch.
• Allow glaze to cure as needed.
• Place soap on dish and keep clean regularly.

Driftwood Soap Dish With Natural Grooves

Use a piece of driftwood with natural grooves or carve gentle channels to create a soap dish with rustic charm. Driftwood’s texture provides grip and allows water to drain naturally.

This eco-friendly project adds a coastal, organic vibe and requires minimal modification if you find the right piece.

Steps:

• Find a driftwood piece with natural grooves or carve some.
• Clean and dry the wood thoroughly.
• Sand any rough or sharp edges.
• Optionally seal with water-resistant finish.

Concrete Soap Dish With Wooden Inserts

Combine concrete and wood by embedding wooden inserts into a concrete soap dish mold. The wood adds warmth and contrast while concrete provides durability.

The wooden slats can serve as a raised platform to keep soap dry. This hybrid design balances industrial and natural aesthetics.

Steps:

• Prepare concrete mix and pour into a mold.
• Place wooden slats on top before concrete sets.
• Press slats gently to embed slightly.
• Allow concrete to cure fully before removing mold.