Common Sense

• The best guideline for where to place your bathroom tissue holder is dictated by common sense. To help determine the optimum height and distance for your paper dispenser, you can situate yourself on the closed toilet and test your reach. Before installation, however, take into consideration other members of the household who use that restroom. Women and children, for example, typically have a shorter reach than a fully grown man. If necessary, include the whole family in determining how high and how close to the toilet to place the toilet roll holder.
  
  

Recommended Height

• The National Kitchen & Bath Association and other building groups recommend 26 inches from the floor as the optimum height at which to install a toilet roll dispenser. It's also recommended that you install your bathroom tissue holder from 8 to 12 inches in front of the toilet for easy reach. Adjust the measurements appropriately when installing the holder in a bathroom that is used solely by small children. A height closer to 19 inches might be a better fit. Also, a toilet that is lower or higher than average may necessitate adjusting the position of the holder.
  
  

Americans With Disabilities Act

• The Americans With Disabilities Act recommends a minimum height of 19 inches from the floor for the installation of a bathroom tissue holder. In most cases, this is going to be considerably lower than what is needed for most occupants of your home. While you aren’t required to follow the recommendations of the Act, you may want to investigate the suggestions further if a disabled person lives in the home or visits frequently.
  
  

Additional Conveniences

• Not only is the proper height of your bathroom tissue dispenser essential for efficient use, there are other things you can do to give yourself greater access to toilet paper as well. Install a shelf or cabinet on the wall beside or behind the toilet to store spare rolls of toilet paper within easy reach. Alternatively, purchase a stand that holds three or four rolls and situate it within a foot or two of the toilet. Not only will you be able to reach a new roll easily, it may encourage others to replace the toilet paper when necessary.